Before you take on the responsibility of owning a cat or
dog, you need to take the time to consider the living
arrangements for your pet. Many people adopt pets with the idea
that they will be raising an outdoor animal. How many people in
your neighborhood keep their dogs or cat’s outdoors at all
times? The fact of the matter is, outside is not a safe place
for a cat or a dog. When you adopt a pet, you need to make sure
that you are ready to allow your pet into your home.
Pets Love Being Outside
It is true that cats and dogs both will love being outside, it
is their natural environment. Cats delight in chasing birds,
climbing trees, and hiding in shrubs. Dogs adore barking at the
neighbors, chasing squirrels, and digging. However, there are
many dangers to keeping your pet outside at all times. Dogs tend
to get more outside time in cats. Owners take their dogs out for
walks, and in some cases allow their dogs, unsupervised access
to the backyard from time to time. Cats are usually either
indoor pets or outdoor pets.
It is more common nowadays, for owners to keep their cats
indoors as they begin to realize the dangers of allowing their
cat to live outdoors at all time. It is highly recommended that
you keep your cats and dogs inside. For cats, you can help them
explore their natural instincts inside by giving them plenty of
places to run and play inside your home. Buy your cat a good
scratching post with a high perch and install a window seat so
they can gaze at the birds outdoors.
Dangers of Outside
The number one danger to your pets when they go outside is other
animals. You never know when your dog or cat will encounter a
stray or strange cat or dog from down the street. You know that
your pet is properly vaccinated, but you do not know that health
condition of other animals outside. In addition, if your dog or
cat gets into a fight with another animal. Your pet can be
seriously injured or harmed. Unless you supervise your pet at
all times when they are outside, you never know when your cat or
dog will encounter a strange animal.
Other dangers of allowing your pet to live outside are cars and
other people. A cat darting across the street late at night is a
recipe for disaster. What if your dog gets loose from your yard
and encounters a child? How will your dog react? You hope that
your dog will be good and stay friendly. However, what happens
if the child begins to taunt or tease your dog or poke a stick
at him? If your dog bites or scratches another person, chances
are, you will be responsible for your pet's actions. Many pet
owners have found themselves in a serious situation when their
dog or cat has acted aggressively when outdoors.
When your cat or dog stays indoors, you can also help control
fleas, ticks, and the exposure to heartworms. This is not to say
that you should not treat an indoor pet for these problems. All
dogs, whether the event indoors or outdoors, should be on a
monthly heartworm preventative. Both cats and dogs should also
be treated with monthly preventative. It is important to
remember though, if your cat or dog lives outdoors, you will
have many more problems when it comes to fleas and ticks.
As you can see, there are many reasons why you should keep your
dog or cat indoors. Pets that are indoor pets live longer and
healthier lives than pets that live outside. This includes all
pets, once you make them an indoor animal; you need to protect
them from anything that might happen if they get outdoors, they
now depend on you to provide a home for them.