Cats are not inherently villains, of course. They are beloved pets and for thousands of years have been used as working animals to help control rats and mice that are urban and farm pests. When domesticated cats prey on wild birds and other wildlife they are simply following their natural instinct. Ecologically, however is anything but natural and has even resulted in the wildlife extinctions. As a species imported by humans around the globe and supported by us in numbers dwarfing that of natural predators, the massive predation by cats on wildlife is an extension of our own negative impact on our environment. It’s up to us to prevent it.ne thing we can all do to help solve this problem is to keep our pet cats indoors. Not only is this better for wildlife, it’s also better for our cats. Outdoor cats face threats from predators, cars and disease and as a result, have much shorter lifespans compared to indoor cats. Keeping your cat indoors is a win-win for both wildlife and cats.
That said, we recognize that keeping your cat indoors can be easier said than done. Speaking from personal experience, turning an outdoor cat into an indoor one can be a challenge, even for naturalists and experienced pet owners like me. I once adopted an outdoor cat that I tried to keep indoors, only to have him start using my bed as a litter box until I let him back outside. Don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself in this situation–again, our goal is not to villainize cats or cat owners–but now that you know the major toll cats take on wildlife, the right thing to do is to make the commitment to do everything you can to keep your cat indoors and also to start off your next kitten as an indoor cat from the beginning
Visit the Vet Regularly
One way we make our kitties happy is to take them to the vet once or twice a year. (Of course, we’re looking at long-term happiness, not necessarily happiness on the spot.)
Did you know that dogs are five times more likely to see a vet than their feline counterparts? People assume cats are healthy if they don’t appear sick. But kitties are , so looks can be deceiving. Preventive vet care will help keep your cat healthy by catching illnesses earlier when they’re more easily treated.
Straining in the litter box
Litter box habits have changed (missing the box, diarrhea, constipation, blood in urine or stool, or going more frequently than before)
Labored breathing
Change in behavior (suddenly missing the litter box, sleeping in a different place, hiding, aggression, etc.)
Seizures
Persistent vomiting; vomiting more than twice in 24 hours or vomiting occasionally over weeks or months
Bleeding
Lethargy, staggering, or stumbling
Lameness or favoring a limb
Any symptom that persists for longer than 48 hours or gets noticeably worse quickly
Carrier Train Your Cat
How to Get a Cat in a Carrier
Place the open carrier in the room where your cat spends most of their time
Put a towel inside and toss a treat or catnip into it every once in awhile to encourage your cat to get comfortable
Once they’re taking naps in the crate, take them for a trip around the block and give them treats during the excursion
Follow up with some trips to the vet for treats only – no thermometers
Keep Your Cat Indoors
Make Your Cat’s Environment More Interesting
Your cat isn’t in jail – they need something to do indoors. In the wild, cats sleep 16 hours a day, but the rest of the time they’re very active. Offer the same they have outside: hunting, chasing, jumping, climbing, scratching, pouncing, hiding, and problem solving.
Put kibble inside a food puzzle or other hunting toy that requires them to knock it around to eat. They get exercise and it’s more fun than grazing from a food bowl.
Cats are predators and love the thrill of the hunt, even when it’s not the real thing. When you’re home, encourage them to exercise with a feather toy or a laser pointer. Even ten minutes of active play twice a day is great exercise. Feed your cat immediately afterward – every successful hunt ends with a meal.
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