CARE AND BEHAVIOR
222
INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?
Call of the wild
Domestic cats were once wild animals, adapted to living in
open spaces. Many of their wild instincts remain, but the
world that cats inhabit has changed dramatically. Many cat
owners live in urban environments, surrounded by busy
roads, buildings, people, and other animals, and an outdoor
cat will have to contend with all these hazards. In making
your indoors-or-outdoors decision, the safety of your cat
is paramount. Not all cats develop a good road sense, and
some fall victim to passing cars. If you let your cat out at
night, buy it a collar with reflective patches that can be seen
in the dark by drivers. Cats are naturally more active at dawn
or dusk—times that often correspond with rush hours. Try
to keep your cat indoors at these times. Given the run of
the neighborhood, your cat will probably explore beyond
your yard, leading to encounters with other neighborhood
cats and possibly wild animals, too.
One of the most important decisions you need to make before you
acquire a cat is whether it is going to be a house cat or left free to roam
the great outdoors. For many people, the decision rests on how “great” the
outdoors would be for their cat. Owners need to take stock of their own
lifestyle and their home’s surroundings when deciding what is best
for the long-term safety and happiness of their cat.
WINDOW ON THE WORLD
If your cat is to be truly independent, install a pet door so that he
can come and go as he pleases. Otherwise, you will be perpetually
opening doors to see whether he wants to go out.
The freedom of
the pet door
Creating cat heaven
The best way to keep an outdoor cat
close to home is to make your yard
a cat-friendly sanctuary. Plant it with
bushes to provide shade and shelter
and a few scented plants that cats
love—such as catnip, mint, valerian,
heather, and lemongrass—in sunny
places for your cat to bask among.
A clump of cat grass is ideal for your
pet to snack on if you habitually spray
your grass and plants with chemicals.
A PLACE IN THE SUN
Provide your cat with plenty of spots in the
yard to bask and doze. A garden basket
makes an ideal bed for a laid-back cat.
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223
INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?
to escape. If so, you will have to be vigilant about closing
windows and doors. Be extra careful in a high-rise apartment—
many cats have died after falling from an open window or
jumping off a balcony while chasing birds or insects.
Indoor cats need space to exercise, so they should have
access to several rooms, especially if you have more than
one cat—like us, cats need their own “personal space.”
To give your cat a breath of fresh air, you could screen off a
porch, patio, or balcony that
he can access through
a pet door. Even if you live in
an apartment building, allow
your cat out into the hallway
for a game that will allow him
to run around. Ensure that
any doors leading to the
outside are closed first.
Territorial disputes
Once your yard is cat-friendly, it will undoubtedly attract
other cats. Feline disputes are certain to break out,
because cats are territorial animals. Make sure your cat is
neutered—especially if she is female—to prevent unwanted
pregnancies. Neutered cats need smaller territories, but that
won’t stop your cat from straying or an unneutered feral
tomcat from invading your cat’s territory and picking a fight.
Make sure that your cat is immunized against all diseases,
because fights will inevitably lead to bites and scratches.
Dealing with the neighbors
Appreciate that not all of your neighbors are cat lovers.
Some people are allergic to cats and go to great lengths to
avoid them. Even the best-trained cats have bad habits—they
dig up flowerbeds to defecate, chew on plants, spray, rip
open garbage bags, chase birds, and wander into other
houses uninvited. If your cat has been neutered, tell your
neighbor that neutered cats bury their droppings and that
their urine is less smelly. You can always provide them with
a water gun to squirt at the cat if they really want to deter it.
Indoor cats
Your cat will live a longer and healthier life if it stays
indoors—but it will be your responsibility to keep it happy.
If you are at work all day, your cat will need a regular
playtime or, better still, a companion. Bored cats grow
frustrated and stressed and can become overweight and
unhealthy if they aren’t exercised. Stress may manifest itself
in scratching and biting or urinating outside the litter box.
Despite their natural instincts, cats kept indoors from birth will
rarely want to venture out, because they see your home as
their territory. Once they get a taste for going out, however,
they may want to do it more and more and look for any chance
GOOD COMPANY
If they are not siblings,
companion cats are best
introduced early in their lives.
They will provide company
and a playmate for each other
if you are out at work all day.
KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH
Cats like to assume elevated positions from which they can
watch over their territory. Shed roofs, fences, and pedestals—
ideally in different parts of the yard—are perfect for this.
■
With indoor cats, you
should always check where
your cat is before leaving
him alone in the house. Make
especially sure you do not
accidentally shut him away
in a confined area such as
a closet or cupboard.
■
If you have an outdoor
cat, attach a bell to his
collar to warn the wildlife
in your garden of his
presence. Bird baths and
scattered food are a magnet
for cats, so avoid leaving
food out and keep bird
feeders well out of reach
of predatory cats.
TOP TIPS
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