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You might not think so, but keeping cats inside can actually be the best thing for your feline friend. The primary reason for keeping cats indoors or within the boundaries of your property is for their safety. SPCA scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan says, “‘Stay-at-home’ or indoor cats enjoy longer, healthier lives, and are significantly less likely to encounter a number of risks – including car accidents, poisons, parasites, disease and other animals who might fight or attack them.”
Dr Vaughan says your circumstances and your cat’s needs will also factor into the decision to keep a cat indoors. “If you live near a busy road or are the owner of a cat with special needs – such as being deaf, blind or missing a leg – we recommend keeping them at home to ensure they are safe.
“Another reason you might choose to keep your cat at home is to prevent them from causing harm to other animals – in particular, native wildlife,” she adds. “Keeping your cat at home is a foolproof way to ensure they do not pose a threat to New Zealand’s sensitive biodiversity.”
From setting up a safe indoor environment for cats to making sure your home has time-out zones for your animal companion, here’s how to keep a happy house cat.
“Perhaps the most important thing to consider when keeping your cat at home is how you will ensure that they get all the play, exercise and fun they need,” says Dr Vaughan. “While cats often seem content to nap and lounge for much of the day, all felines need enrichment to ensure they live full, active lives.”
Provide them with lots of interesting sights, smells and experiences. Give them a view of the outdoors – cat-proof fly or security screens are a good idea – and equipment like climbing frames and scratching posts, toys, food puzzles and hiding places. “Monitor your cat for signs of stress or boredom, and periodically add new elements to their environment to keep it interesting,” she adds.
Having your cat inside also means you’ll get to spend more time bonding with them. Even if they’re past the kitten stage, your cat will appreciate at least 30 minutes of play each day – pick a toy you can play with together, such as a wand. A daily grooming session is another great way to spend quality time with your purrball. .
Meeting your indoor cat’s needs means more than just food and water. Other essential resources include resting and hiding places, as well as places to scratch and mark by rubbing their faces, says Dr Vaughan. Try an igloo bed or a box in a quiet place, where they can retreat if they get stressed. As well as giving them a scratching spot, cat towers also let cats escape to a high place and enjoy a new perspective.
It’s also important to have the right litter tray. Your cat should be able to turn around comfortably inside the tray and have enough headroom. A bit of privacy is appreciated too, as is regular changing of the litter.
If you’d like your cat to have access to some fresh air, try an outdoor enclosure. Options include an escape-proof fence (“Check with your local council for consent requirements about the height of your fence,” says Dr Vaughan), or an outdoor enclosure, also known as a ‘catio’. This can be a freestanding enclosure, or an area attached to your home and accessed via a window or cat flap.
“An outdoor area linked to the inside of your home allows your cat to choose where they spend their time,” says Dr Vaughan. “The enclosure should be safe from dogs and other cats, and include a variety of platforms at different heights, hiding places, food, water, litter trays, and protection from the weather and extremes of heat and cold.”
Check out our range of cat supplies, from food to toys.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
