Indoor Cat vs Outdoor Cat

Should a pet cat be allowed to run outdoors? With all of the dangers outdoors it would not be safe to allow any pet to run loose. In the city there is so much traffic that it would be very dangerous for a cat to be outdoors. A cat could get hit by vehicles on the road and be seriously hurt or even killed. Another danger is that a pet cat could get into fights with other cats. A pet cat could get scratches and bites that can be severe and would need medical attention from a vet. There are many dangers for cats that live in the country, as well. There are more diseases, parasites, and other animals that might be vicious that could be harmful to cats left unprotected. A pet cat should be thought of as a member of the family and be kept indoors where it is safest place to be.

Loose or stray dogs may also a threat to a pet cat that is allowed to run outdoors. A dog that is loose could be vicious and could kill a pet cat. There could be other animals that could be a threat to pet cats as well. For example: raccoons that come out at night and go in and out of sewers. Raccoons can be vicious. There are many diseases that could affect a pet cat and the family it lives with. Keeping a pet cat indoors protects it from diseases and all of the dangerous conditions outside. The pet cat is more protected from disease if the cat is kept indoors. If a pet cat is allowed to run outdoors the cat could get caught by Animal Control. There are far too many dangers for a pet cat to be an outdoor cat. Pet cats are better off being indoor cats. An outdoor cat has a shorter life span. An indoor cat can live for many years. An indoor cat is still at risk for disease, but the risk is greatly reduced by keeping the cat indoors. With all of the hazards outdoors, would it be a much better thing to keep the pet cat indoors? Yes, definitely it would be to the owner and the pet cat itself.

Keeping your cat indoors does not mean that your cat can never go outdoors. An indoor cat does need some fresh air to breathe. An indoor cat can be put on a leash and taken outdoors for short periods of time. It is best to have a harness for the cat instead of a collar. A cat can easily slip it's head out of a collar and run away. It can be hard to catch the cat once it gets loose and runs. A harness that fits well is best. Most cats do not like to be on a leash, so it might be better to take the cat out for short periods of time and then back in the house again. It is always a good idea to remember that there are some diseases outdoors that a pet cat can get and pass on to humans, as well.

Raccoons can be a health threat to humans, cats and dogs, especially when the raccoons' population is up. Raccoons can get canine distemper and the symptoms are a lot like rabies. When a raccoon is infected with canine distemper it starts to show the first stage of the disease until the disease goes to the brain. After the disease goes to the brain the raccoon becomes disoriented and may be walking around like it is drunk. Raccoons that have canine distemper are dangerous. They could scratch, bite and spread the disease to other animals. Canine distemper is not rabies.

Raccoons look cute, but they can become very sick, they are a health and safety hazard for pets such as cats and dogs. Cats and dogs need to have their vaccinations up to date, if not vaccinated they need to be vaccinated. Pets should be protected and kept away from raccoons and other wild animals. It is best to keep pets inside the house, so that they have a much less chance of coming into contact with any raccoons, and other wild animals that might have canine distemper or rabies.