7 Reasons Why You Should Not Let Your Cats Roam Outdoors

Are you a cat parent who stays in a high rise (apartments & condos) and/or landed house and are worried about the what ifs? Whether your new family member is a kitten or a more experienced cat, it's likely that you will ultimately wrestle with what may initially seem to be a difficult decision: 
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Should I allow my cat outside or keep her indoors? What are the advantages of my cat being inside? What dangers exist if I let my cat outside? Can cats stay indoors all the time? What benefits or downsides come with living indoors? Is it appropriate to let a kitten outside? How to train a cat to stay indoors? How to keep my indoor cat entertained?‍

For the novice and even seasoned cat owners, the decision of whether to allow your cat outside or keep inside might be a crucial one. The merits of wet vs. dry food, selecting the best litter for your cat (as well as the most effective for your family), or even just if and when to draw the line about letting your cat sleep in your bed at night tend to pale in comparison to the cat lifespan indoor vs outdoor debate, as you may have already noticed if you share or have shared your life and home with one or more feline friends.
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There is no need to panic, though.
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These questions don't have to be difficult to answer with a little planning and consideration.

What Risks Arise When You Allow Your Cat Outside?

One of the biggest dangers to your cat outside is cars. Although cars can startle and hurt a cat on a calm country road, busy roadways are particularly deadly. Additionally, cats run the risk of hiding under a car's bonnet.
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Your cat could also stray too far and become lost. For this reason, it is best to stay away from giving your furry kid a collar to reduce the possibility of strangulation. 
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Other creatures like foxes, dogs, and especially other potentially hostile rival cats are also a threat to your cat, depending on where you live.
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Cats who live outside are far more likely to become ill, particularly through fighting with other cats. Feline parvovirus, feline FIV, eye infection, abscesses, upper respiratory infections, and potentially FLUTD, are a few examples of common dangerous diseases in cats. 
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A hazard is also posed by toxic compounds like rat poison, antifreeze, or slug pellets. Some typical garden flowers and plants, such lilies and poinsettias, are poisonous to cats.
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Your cat might also become stuck in a shed or garage making it harder for your cat to go home and causing stress for both cat parents and their little furry ones. 
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Your cat is also more likely to come into contact with common parasites like fleas, ticks and worms outside too passing it to other pets or family members in the house.
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Given all of these potential outcomes, it is preferable to keep your cats inside for a longer cat lifespan. However, doing so does come with certain challenges, including the possibility of despair, frustration, not wanting to eat, and lethargic behavior if the environment isn't stimulating enough. 

With these in mind, it can be costly to regularly visit vets or pay for expensive treatments. Therefore, you should consider getting pet insurance for a peace of mind.

‍So, how does one keep their indoor cats entertained?

‍Firstly, you can take a few simple steps to create a friendly, safe, and interesting environment for your cat. Most of these are reasonably priced and easy to DIY and have indoor cat activities with your furry kids. Over time, they will considerably improve the quality of life for your indoor cat.

Suggestions For Improving Your Cat's Indoor Setting

By placing both vertical and horizontal scratching posts in various locations throughout the home, you can make sure that your cat has a place to satisfy her innate want to scratch. Install a cat tree so your pet has somewhere to climb.
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Make an effort to make eating more stimulating. Puzzle feeders will help your cat think more clearly, kill boredom, and get a little more exercise.

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Create perches on window sills so your cat may enjoy seeing what's happening outdoors. But bear in mind that if she has to put up with another cat peering in from outside, she might also feel stressed. Verify that all window screens are solid and free of holes. Teach the family to gently close outdoor doors.
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Create a cat-friendly indoor planter garden that your cat can explore by removing any possibly hazardous indoor plants. 

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Play as often as you can with your cat. There are many entertaining cat toys available, or have fun building your own.

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Cat beds sold in Malaysia are a great way to ramp up your cat’s indoor setting too! They sleep most of the time, so it’s good to keep them comfy at all times. Check out our 2022 recommended list of cat things to buy this year!

Tips On Lowering The Risks When Your Adult Cats Are Outside

Make sure your cat is up to date on its vaccines. A pet insurance will be beneficial for any cat parents out there who are constantly looking out for their furry kids.

This includes regular flea, tick, ear mites, and worm treatments. For a 101-cat vaccination guide in Malaysia, click here.
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Obtain a cat microchip. A permanent kind of identification is a microchip. If your favorite pet has a microchip, it will be much simpler to locate her if she ever gets lost or wanders too far from home.
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Your cat should be neutered. This ought to prevent her from straying too far.

Looking for best vets in Malaysia? Here are a few locations to check out!
2022 Best Vet - Kuching Sarawak
2022 Best Vets - Miri, Sarawak
2022 Best Vets - Ipoh 

If you do live close to a road or a landed property, try to avoid opening the doors and windows wide open during periods of heavy traffic or rush hour.

For landed properties, remove any potentially harmful chemical products from the garden, and ask your neighbors if they may be using any. Make sure your landscape doesn't contain any harmful plants that your cat might consume whenever feasible, especially if they are bored. If you want to give your cat access to the outdoors without letting her venture too far, think about building a cat-friendly garden enclosure.

Tips for Cat Parents On How To Handle Your Kitten Outside SAFELY

If you own a cat for the first time, fret not! You can refer to a guide here or if you would like to get to know more about kittens and how to take care of them, you may also refer to this blog right here: How To Take Care Of Kittens Without Their Mum.
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Keep infectious diseases away from your kitten (very important!). After your kitten has finished her initial round of immunizations, flea and worm treatment, do not allow her to go outside for at least a week.
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Before allowing your kitten to go outside, get her microchipped.‍

Make sure you have cleared the garden of any sharp or poisonous objects that your kitten might step on or eat.
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When your cat goes outside for the first time, pick a peaceful time. Verify that no construction is taking place close by. A young kitten can be startled by loud noises.
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Never, not even for a minute, leave a young kitten unattended outside. Your cat is helpless to defend herself against attacks by other animals. Take your kitten outside with you, let her play for a short while, then bring her back inside. Keep a constant eye on your kitten and keep in mind that it might move quickly, especially if it's terrified.
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When taking your cat outside, whenever feasible, let your close neighbors know. When you meet them, keep an eye on your kitten if they have a dog.

Heard Of Outdoor Supervisions For Cats, But Unsure What To Do? Here Are Some Suggestions To Help You Out

By feeding your cat exclusively at that time each day, you can teach her to return there.
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Give your cat access to the interior of the house or a secure area close to the house so she may flee if a cat or dog is pursuing her.
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By blowing the whistle each time you feed or reward your cat, you can teach them to respond to it. (Take caution; if your cat hears the whistle, she might run across the street. If you don't sure the whistle is safe, don't use it.)
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Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag, as well as a microchip, whether it is inside or outside. The ideal collars are "quick-release" collars that is made with elastic materials to prevent your cat from becoming entangled in branches or other items thanks to these.

Bottom line

Now that you have a general understanding of why choosing an indoor lifestyle could be best for your cat, the suggested tips above are here to help you make a better informed decision that will be beneficial in the long run for both your cat and you.
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Keep in mind that this is a very personal choice that is directly influenced by your particular home setting, your cat's personality, and his or her past. As long as you pay great attention to addressing all of their physical, psychological, and emotional needs and take the appropriate precautions to keep them safe and occupied during the different stages of their life, indoor cats can be content and healthier with a longer lifespan.

By acknowledging why we should obtain a valid pet insurance in Malaysia, will offer you a peace of mind in terms of money and expenditure as well as the safety of your furry kids. 

For more 101 guides on pet health, you may click http://oyen.my/blog