Frequently
Asked Questions About Domestic Cats
On keeping
Cats Indoors
On Hazards to Outdoor Cats and People
On Cat Predation on Wildlife
On Cat Behavior
On Stray and Feral Cats
Q. My cat has enjoyed
being outside for many years. How can I bring him in now?
A. You can help your
cat make the adjustment gradually by keeping him inside
for longer and longer periods of time, or you can bring
him in and not let him outside again. Either way, the trick
is to give your cat lots of attention and play time, and
the ability to look out of windows without knocking over
plants or breakables. Provide your cat with cat condos or
other appropriate places to lounge, play, and scratch. You
may want to consult your veterinarian or local animal shelter
for tips, or see the fact sheet,
How to Make Your Outdoor Cat a Happy Indoor Cat.
Q. It's not natural
for cats to be inside all of the time. How can I deny my
cat the pleasure and stimulation of being outdoors?
A. Cats are domestic
animals and do not need to be outside to be content. There
are many hazards to being outdoors that may shorten your
cat's life or cause your cat to become seriously injured
or ill. Indoor cats can get plenty of pleasure and stimulation
if they are regularly played with and receive lots of affection.
If you still want your cat to experience the outdoors, but
without the risks, you can train your cat to go outside
on a harness and leash or build a cat enclosure. For more
information, see
Cat Enclosure Kit,
Kittywalk, or
SafeCat Outdoor Enclosure.
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Q. I've always let
my cat outdoors. It's safe here. Why is that a problem?
A. There are many
hazards to free-roaming cats. Outdoor cats can get hit by
cars, attacked by dogs, other cats, or wildlife, contract
fatal diseases such as rabies, feline distemper, or feline
immunodeficiency virus, get lost, stolen, or poisoned, or
suffer during severe weather conditions. Your outdoor
cat's fleas, ticks, or worms can be passed on to you and
your family, make your cat sick, and cost a lot of money
to treat. For more information, see
Why Allowing Cats Outdoors is Hazardous to Cats, Wildlife,
and Humans.
Q. My cat is so old,
I know she doesn't hunt. Why should I sacrifice her freedom?
A. She may die sooner
if you don't move her indoors. Elderly cats who roam outdoors
are even more susceptible to feline diseases and to injuries
from other cats, wildlife, or dogs. Even if she doesn't
hunt, move her in for her own safety. She'll live longer.
Q. My vet told me that it's O.K. to let my cat out
for long periods of time. Surely my vet isn't wrong?
A. Many veterinarians as well as animal welfare
organizations support keeping cats indoors for their own
safety as well as to prevent them from killing wildlife.
If your cat is gone for long periods of time, you may not
find out if he's lost, stolen, or injured until it's too
late. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the nation's
largest professional veterinary group, passed a resolution
on June 1, 2001 strongly encouraging cat owners in urban
and suburban areas to keep their cats indoors. The Association
of Avian Veterinarians and the Alliance of Veterinarians
for the Environment also support keeping cats indoors.
Q. What diseases
or parasites can I get from my outdoor cat?
A. Rabies is a big
concern, as well as cat-scratch fever, toxoplasmosis, and
in the southwest, plague. Parasites such as fleas, ticks,
hookworm, or roundworm can also be transmitted to people
from outdoor cats. Always keep your cat's vaccinations current,
and wash your hands well after digging in your garden or
changing your cat's litter box. Keeping your cat indoors
is the best way to ensure that you and your cat will stay
healthy.
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Q. I put a bell on
my cat so she doesn't kill birds or wildlife. Why should
I keep her inside?
A. Scientific studies
have shown that cats with bells on their collars still kill
wildlife because they can learn to silently stalk their
prey. In addition, birds or small mammals do not necessarily
associate the sound of a bell with danger, and bells on
collars offer no protection to helpless young animals. See
the fact sheet, Domestic
Cat Predation on Birds and Other Wildlife.
Q. My cat is well-fed
so he doesn't hunt when he goes out. Why should I keep him
inside?
A. Scientific studies
have shown that well-fed cats do kill wildlife because the
hunting instinct and the urge to eat are controlled by different
parts of a cat's brain. Although he may not eat what he
kills, the fact that he has a full stomach does not mean
he won't stalk and kill an animal.
Q. Don't cats just
kill diseased or old animals?
A. No. Cats kill
adults as well as the young of many species of animals.
Birds that nest or feed on the ground, such as quail or
sparrows, are easy prey for cats. Cats also kill helpless
young animals in their nests, such as baby rabbits or baby
birds.
Q. My cat doesn't
kill anything but mice. Since mice are pests, isn't my cat
doing a service?
A. Cats do kill mice,
but not just the House Mouse, an exotic pest species. They
kill native small mammals which are important sources of
food for native predators such as hawks, owls, and bobcats.
Cats also kill small mammals which are in danger of becoming
extinct. In some parts of the country, domestic cats may
be so numerous that they compete with native predators for
food. In addition, a recent study in Wichita, Kansas found
that cats, whose owners believed their cats never killed
birds, actually did have the remains of birds in their feces.
Q. Don't cats control
rats, mice, and other nuisance critters?
A. A study of stray
cats in the city of Baltimore, Maryland showed that the
cats did not prey on rats over 6 ounces. In fact, cats were
seen eating side by side with rats at garbage dumps. There
are other studies that show Black or Norway Rats are a very
small part of a cat's diet. House Mice, another exotic pest
species, can live in small spaces, such as walls or attics,
where cats cannot follow, so cats do not do a good job of
eliminating these rodents either. In fact, food that is
left out for cats can attract and support rodent populations.
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Q. What if my outdoor
cats spray inside?
A. Make sure your
cats are spayed or neutered before moving them indoors,
and train them to use a litter box. This can be done by
first using soil in the litter box and gradually replacing
it with cat litter. Keep the litter box clean by scooping
it daily and changing the litter regularly. Even so,
a small percentage of cats will continue to spray when moved
inside. Consult your veterinarian or animal behaviorist
for advice on how to diminish this behavior. A long-range
water pistol or shaking a can filled half-way with pennies
are harmless ways to curb a cat from undesirable behaviors,
including spraying indoors.
Q. I'm afraid my
outdoor cat would cause damage to my furniture, carpets
and drapes if I kept her inside. Should I have her declawed?
A. The Humane Society
of the United States (HSUS) opposes declawing as a painful
and unnecessary operation that removes the first digit of
a cat's toes. Instead, The HSUS recommends trimming a cat's
claws every one to two weeks and training cats to scratch
in designated places such as cat scratching posts. Products
are available to discourage your cat from scratching on
furniture, such as
Stickypaws. Plastic caps are also available which fit
over the cats' claws and last four to six weeks before needing
to be replaced. For more information, see
SoftPaws.
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Q. I can't take my
cat with me when I move. What should I do with him?
A. Do not abandon
your cat. Abandoning cats is illegal and cruel to the cats
and local wildlife. If you cannot find a good home for your
cat either through family or friends or by advertising in
the local papers, then take your cat to a local shelter
where he stands the best chance of finding a good home.
See the on-line National Shelter Directory (link) to locate
a shelter near you.
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