If you love your cats, you will keep him safe. Keep him indoors.

Indoor cats are safer cats!

Many cat owners still think that cats deserve freedom to run in the great outdoors. They feel that cats are by nature free-spirited roaming animals.

There are many contented indoor cats to put that misconception to rest. Any animal that is not securely confined, be it a dog or a rabbit will display the same tendencies of roaming and will take a period of adjustment to discipline and confinement. It is less to do with the cat's nature and all about pet nurturing and training.

When humans domesticated cats, we took on the responsibility for their health and welfare. Part of that responsibility is to keep cats safe and in good health. As cat owners do consider these top reasons to keep cats indoors:

Indoor cats don't create neighbor problems
Cats that wander around corridors of HDB flats is a big source of complaints as there are many instances of treating flower pots, floor rugs and slippers as a litter pan. They may also believe that if your home is friendly, that all homes are friendly and wander into people's apartments.

The same applies to cats in private estates. Even "well-bred" cats will venture into neighbors' yards when allowed to roam free. People who don't like cats will not tolerate cats using their gardens as litter boxes, and will sometimes resort to extreme measures to keep the cats out. It is also a known fact that private home owners can borrow cat traps from AVA to be set in their gardens for the removal of errant cats.

Indoor cats rarely get abscesses from fighting
Cats are very territorial and will defend their territory, if challenged by another cat. At the very least, these territorial battles often result in abscessed wounds, which can be deadly if not treated in time. There's also the chance, of course, of cats contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) from deep bite wounds.

Indoor cats are safe from human abuse
Freely-roaming cats are easy targets for gangs of youths with time on their hands, for cat-haters, who seek cats out for target practice, and for neighbors who would think nothing of killing a cat for trespassing on their property. Although animal protection laws are beefing up, prosecution will never bring a loved cat back to life. It's a well known fact that serial killers often practice first with animals.

Indoor cats don't get lost
As outdoor cats widen their outdoor territories, they may become lost or picked up by animal control as strays. Statistics show that of "owned" cats turned in to shelters, only three percent are eventually relocated with their owners. Collars can break, and even microchips do not guarantee a cat will not be adopted and kept as an indoor cat by someone else. Why take the chance?

Indoor cats are not stolen
A pretty cat can be a target for some cat lovers. But more often than not, some well-meaning person may mistake the cat as a stray or an abandoned cat, take pity on it and take it home.

Indoor cats can get plenty of exercise
Cats do get exercise, but they can get it safely with interactive toys, climbing towers, scratchings posts, and other indoor toys; all much safer than running from dogs or fighting with other cats. Remember also that there are safe compromises for the outdoor experience.

Ask IKEA, they are happier inside!

If you have always let your cat roam,
help your cat adjust to being indoors by ...

• Purchasing toys and catnip. This will help to distract your feline from the lure of the outdoors. Play with your cat and make indoors seem like a happy place. He may cry to go out, but do not give in.




• Get a litter box, if you don't already have one. Outdoor cats may be used to digging in the dirt to do their business. Help your cat by gathering some dirt or sand and putting a few inches in the litter box. Place the litter box in an easily accessible spot. Gradually mix the dirt with kitty litter. You eventually want to be using kitty litter only.

  Note: Be sure to clean the litter box daily. Cats are naturally clean creatures, and you want to encourage them to use the litter box. If it's too dirty, your cat may decide to go elsewhere in the house.




• Mesh up your windows and gates. There are many options for this in the market according to your preference for price and aesthetics. Consult Cat Welfare Society for suitable options.




• Be alert! Your crafty cat may try to sneak by you whenever someone opens the door. Keep an eye out.




• Make sure your cat has permanent identification. Hopefully you'll never have to use their ID, but just in case, be sure your cat is wearing an ID tag (with the most up-to-date information on file) and/or a microchip.




• Be patient! It can take a while for both you and your cat to adjust to his new indoor life. He may yowl at the door to go outside, but be firm.

It's well worth the effort to reform an outdoor cat to the indoors. Your cat will lead a much safer, longer, and happier life with you. Together, let's show Singapore that cat owners are responsible owners and that cats make good pets!

(Source: cats.about.com and www.pawsperouspets.com)