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There are about a million different ways you can obtain a cat! You might buy one from a pet store, adopt one from a shelter, acquire a stray, or take one of your friend’s new kittens, just to name a few.
A new cat leaves you with many questions; what do you feed them? Do you buy them a bed or let them sleep in yours? Do you keep them inside or let them go out? If you have adopted a stray who is used to going outside, you might find yourself with little choice in that matter. If you have adopted one who has never set paw outside the house, you’ll have a better time keeping them in.
Do I let My Cat Out, Or Keep My Cat In?
Your cat might have a desire to go outside, but how do you know if you should let them? Honestly, it all comes down to what is best for your cat. The general consensus is, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), your cat will not only live longer when you keep her inside, she’ll stay healthier. Indoor cats can live up to an average age of seventeen years, while their counterparts who go outside live an average of five years. But no matter what others may say, it is up to you and your cat to decide if you want to let her out, or keep him in.
If You Decide To Let Your Cat Out
If your cat has already gone outside, there might not be any going back. Some cats will meow and yodel, or tear up the furniture, in order to get back out into the open. If you do decide to let your kitty become an indoor-outdoor feline, make sure that you take precautions to keep them as safe as you possibly can.
- Bring them inside at night. The risk of getting attacked by a wild animal, or hit by a car, is higher after dark.
- See the vet. Your outdoor kitty should take a trip to the vet twice each year to keep up on vaccines and health checks.
- Positive identification. Make sure that kitty has a collar with your info clearly listed or have a microchip implanted for quick ID.
- Flea prevention. Use a 30-day flea treatment to keep pesky creatures at bay.
- Have them spayed or neutered. You don’t want your cat to produce more kittens, so be sure to have them fixed before you let them head out.
Truthfully, an outdoor cat will typically stay at a healthy weight due to all of the exercise he gets, you’ll use and scoop less kitty litter since he’ll most likely use the potty outside, and if you have a barn or a shed, your outdoor cat will keep you mouse-free.
If You Decide To Keep Your Cat In
Though your indoor cat will be exposed to fewer dangers, she has a higher chance of gaining too much weight with her sedentary lifestyle. Be sure that you keep her as active as you can with toys and balls, scratching posts and perches. If you think that your cat gets too bored inside, you can remedy that by putting up shelves near the window where she can look out and enjoy the sights; crack the window slightly to let her enjoy the sounds. You might even consider getting a second cat so that the two can have fun together and keep each other company.
The Best of Both Worlds
If you want to keep your cat inside, but he has other ideas, you can consider buying a harness and leash fit for his small size and take him for a walk around the yard. Of course, this requires you go with him, but it can put more steps in your day. Some cats even like to walk around the neighborhood like a dog! You can also invest in an enclosure that can be set up next to the house so that he can get the fresh air experience while staying put.
Food For The Outdoor Cat
Feeding your cat wellness cat food is important, whether they are indoor or outdoor. Chances are good that your outdoor cat is getting a little bit more protein from crunchable birds and mice, but your cat might not be a refined hunter yet. It is always important that your cat’s diet include plenty of protein for energy and taurine for eye health, such as:
- Nature’s Variety Duck Meal and Turkey Meal
- Artemis Fresh Mix Feline Formula Dry
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Chicken
Food For The Indoor Cat
You also want to consider a wellness cat food that provides some of the ingredients that a cat would eat in the wild, such as meat. Felix Adult As Good As It Looks Variety Cat Formula includes high quantities of real meat or fish, based on the variety, and this is something that cats crave and need. Solid Gold Indigo Moon All Life Stages contains balanced and nutritious ingredients that can complement Felix to give your indoor cat a varied dining experience. Natural Balance Indoor Ultra Chicken Meal and Salmon Meal can be the perfect balance of both protein and essential nutrients to support the well-being of your cat.
The Best Opportunity
Regardless of whether your pretty kitty stays inside or wanders out, be sure that she is well taken care of. Give her lots of love and set aside time for play every day. It’s up to you to do your best to keep her well-fed with the best wellness cat food you can get. By providing her good food, you provider her with every opportunity to stay happy, healthy, and strong for years to come.
