| Cats are some of the best pets imaginable. Far more | | | | This can happen for a number of reasons . . . perhaps |
| independent than dogs, they still enjoy human | | | | the cat was lost or injured and someone rescued it |
| company and are an endless source of entertainment | | | | and called animal control, or it might simply be a |
| and comfort. As a cat owner, one of the things you | | | | routine sweep for animals without ID collars. |
| will definitely want to avoid is letting your cat go | | | | 6. Human problems. It can be dangerous not only to |
| outside. It's a big, dangerous world for felines and | | | | cats, but also to humans to let your cat out. When a |
| there are many reasons why your cat should stay | | | | cat dashes across the street in front of a car, the |
| indoors where he will be safe and sound. | | | | driver usually swerves to miss. This is a huge cause |
| Here are just a few of the reasons why it's not safe | | | | of car accidents, trying to avoid hitting an animal on |
| for your cat to head out into the great outdoors. | | | | the road. |
| 1. Physical dangers. There are many things that can | | | | But It's Natural! |
| happen to an unsuspecting cat, especially one who | | | | Many people feel that cats, even pedigree cats, |
| has been indoors his entire life. Busy streets, larger | | | | should really be allowed outside. It's the natural way |
| animals, and other dangers make taking a stroll a | | | | of things, after all. But when that natural way means |
| potentially deadly adventure for your cat. | | | | your cat faces death every time he steps out the |
| 2. Parasites and insects. You can save yourself a | | | | door, it's your responsibility to keep him indoors and |
| fortune on vet fees by keeping your cat indoors. | | | | safe. |
| Even just a few minutes outside can result in ticks, | | | | You wouldn't let your children play in traffic or leave |
| fleas and intestinal parasites that can cause disease | | | | your toddler to play alone outside, so why should |
| and require a visit to the vet, as well as expensive | | | | your cat be left to his own devices. Cats are no |
| medications and treatments. | | | | longer able to care for themselves and protect |
| 3. Responsibility. When you took your cat home with | | | | themselves as they may have been thousands of |
| you, there was responsibility taken. Cats have been | | | | years ago when they were still feral. These days, |
| domesticated for thousands of years. They need | | | | they need to be indoors, away from the perils and it |
| their humans for comfort, food and security. | | | | is well worth it to protect your feline friends. |
| 4. Disease. Sadly, there are a lot of nasty illnesses | | | | What may seem natural to some is simply dangerous. |
| that could affect your cat. From feline AIDS to | | | | The fact that cats still hunt mice and stalk birds |
| rabies, there are many, many things your cat could | | | | doesn't mean that they are capable of living in the |
| be infected with, simply by coming into contact with | | | | wild successfully anymore. The hunting instinct |
| other animals outside. Some of these can be treated, | | | | remains intact, but the practical use of it does not. |
| of course, but not all of them are curable and most | | | | The simple fact of the matter is that it's dangerous |
| pet owners don't want to put their cat through the | | | | for your pedigreed cat to be outdoors. There are |
| suffering of a debilitating disease. | | | | too many bad things that could happen and you |
| 5. Animal control. Even a cat who has owners can | | | | would forever blame yourself. Why let your cats |
| end up being picked up by animal control and taken in. | | | | suffer? Keep them inside. |