Tips for Responsible Cat Ownership
The great cat controversy: whether to keep you cat indoors or allow it the freedom of the wider world, is one with convincing arguments on both sides. This article does not aim to prove which method of ownership is correct, because I don’t believe there is an easy answer. However, if you do allow your cat to roam the city or countryside, below you will find some tips for responsible cat ownership.
Facts and Figures
The natural instinct of cats is to prey upon smaller animals, which, after all, was man’s reason for domesticating them. Therefore, it is easy to see why many owners, particularly in European countries, believe that it is cruel to keep a cat indoors. However, it is worth bearing in mind that on average a single domesticated cat, one that we can assume is being fed well at home, will kill up to 40 animals each year. Predominantly, theses fatalities are small mammals, such as mice, and birds.
Of course, the only way to eliminate this problem is to keep your cat indoors all of the time. However, this can cause separate issues, such as boredom, weight gain and health complications associated with obesity. Subsequently, keeping a cat indoors is not an entirely satisfactory solution. So, below you will find tips on how to reduce your outdoor cat’s hit count.
Don’t Allow Your Cat Out at Night
Typically, the hunting instinct reaches its peak during the hours of darkness. Therefore, it is wise to keep you cat indoors overnight. If you are worried about restraining the cat’s natural inclination, it is wise to bear in mind that the more infrequently a cat is allowed to hunt, the less inclined it will be to do so.
Moreover, keeping your cat in at night will increase its safety, as cats are more likely to be run over during the hours of darkness. Additionally, feral cats predominantly hunt at night, so keeping your cat indoors will help prevent the likelihood that he, or she, is involved in a fight or a romantic rendezvous.
Raise the Alarm
Many owners feel that it is a good idea to attach a bell to their pet’s collar to announce his, or her, presence. This tends to be more effective with the cat’s mammalian prey and is far less effective with birds. Additionally, cats are very intelligent and will quickly learn to move without sounding the bell.
Therefore, you may find a sonic collar more useful and it is always advisable to purchase a safety collar that will not choke the cat should it become caught on a branch.
Turn Your Garden into a Haven for Birds
You may be thinking, “How will having more birds for my cat to kill help?”. Actually, the more birds that are in your garden the safer they will be. Predominantly, this is due to a bird’s natural instinct to sound an alarm call when danger is present. Subsequently, the more birds you have the more likely they are to sense the threat from your cat.
There are many ways to attract birds to your garden; feeders are a good place to start. In addition, you may wish to purchase a bird table and birdbath.
Ensure that Your Cat is Sterilized
It is advisable to have cat’s neutered at a very young age. This has obvious benefits for you and your cat, but it also has advantages to local wildlife. Firstly, a reduction in hormones will reduce your cat’s desire to hunt, but, more importantly, fewer unwanted pregnancies will result in fewer abandoned cats that are forced to fend for themselves in the wild.
Obviously, a cat will do what it is genetically programmed to do. It is impossible to eradicate the natural instinct of a cat to prey on smaller animals, but in the interests of wildlife conservation, it is wise to do all we can to reduce the number of casualties caused by our feline friends.
Samantha Markham is a professional freelancer. She is currently writing on behalf of Remmeer.com, which is a quality supplier of pet products, including cat & kitten gifts and unique gifts for pet owners, such as cat lover picture frames. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tips-for-responsible-cat-ownership-1402762.html
