Safety of an Indoor Cat
"Safety of an Indoor Cat"
Only those who have had a cat can truly appreciate the contentment and the shared affection such a companion can bring. Cats are, to millions of people, the most fascinating of non-human associates, the most fun to be with, to watch and be watched by in a companionship that is warm on both sides, yet not to the point of slopping over. With a cat, it is a friendship between equals, pursued on a basis of mutual self respect. A cat is as content to live with you in a room as on a ranch. His throaty purr calms you like a lullaby and his silky coat against your cheek fills you with peace. Yet he remains utterly independent. We who are interested in cats must remember that the cat is one of the most poorly understood of all animals. Why? Simply because the cat is a realist and does things because there is a reason for doing them. Most animals do things because their master commands or forces them to do so. But not so with the cat. How wonderful this world would be if we human beings did things because they were necessary, and not for show or effect upon individuals less discerning then we.
One big advantage of a pet cat over a dog is the fact that cats naturally use their litter tray and therefore there is no need to turn them out. In fact, if you really love your cat and value him, you will never let him out of doors unless he is with you on a leash or in a carrier. Unattended, the odds are that your cat will be run over, poisoned, shot, stolen or picked up by animal control, and if not claimed nor adopted, put to sleep! There is also danger of your pet's picking up a disease. Fleas, ear mites, fungus skin disease, and intestinal parasites may be contracted from other cats and animals. By fighting with other cats, he may develop abscesses due to bites. When your cat is kept indoors, no one can complain about him. In order to avoid in any way creating dislike for our pets, we must not allow them to disturb other people, nor allow them to roam on their premises. A cat which has never been outdoors will have no desire to go out.
Copyright 2009, Paws Of My Heart, A Non-Profit Organization