There is always a discussion – often a heated one – about whether or not cats should be kept strictly indoors or if they should be allowed to roam and climb trees, catch rodents and be in the fresh air. This post outlines some of the arguments for each side of the debate, alongside local regulations, and proposes some simple solutions for helping keep your cats safe.
First: The Regulations in Petawawa
The Town of Petawawa in their Animal ByLaws state that:
- All dogs and cats residing within the town of Petawawa must be licenced and tagged.
- The owners of any dog or cat must ensure that the animal is confined to that owner’s property by any means necessary. Dogs and cats must not be allowed to roam free off the owner’s property.
- All animals shall be leashed when off the owner’s property.
- All animal waste, regardless of location, shall be cleaned up at the time of deposit.
For those living on base, the CFHA Handbook also states:
You will need to consult and adhere to the local municipal by-laws and the base/wing standing orders regarding domestic pets. In accordance with the above, the HSC will limit the kind and number of domestic pets you are allowed to have in your house, or ban them completely.
- Your pets cannot bother other neighbours or damage property. You could be held legally responsible for any injuries or damage caused by your pets to persons, property or other pets.
- Cats do not normally need to be restrained to the same extent as dogs unless complaints are received that they are a nuisance or are causing damage;
- You are responsible for cleaning up and immediately throwing out any pet waste left on any property by your dog or cat (stoop and scoop)
Lifestyle Considerations for Cats
There are both benefits and risks to both indoor and outdoor cats.
Indoor Cats
Benefits:
- tend to live longer because there are no natural enemies, no traffic and are exposed to fewer diseases
- become very attached to their people and routine (which can also be a downfall if those people travel or something disrupts their routine)
Risks
- can get bored and frustrated if not stimulated, leading to destructive behaviours
- may lose their ability to hunt if kept solely indoor
- may not have a place to escape if a quiet space is needed
- are susceptible to poisoning from plants and other household items
- can easily become obese
If you decide to keep your cat as an indoor-only pet, here are some tips to keep them happy:
Outdoor Cats
Benefits:
- enjoy having a larger territory to explore
- are able to express their natural behaviors and hone their natural instincts
- enjoy the constantly changing smells, tastes, textures and sights, keeping them stimulated
- keep rodent population under control
- more exercise due to running, climbing, and hunting
- able to escape from chaos or conflict, stressors from child or other pets
- have less hair, litter and smell indoors
Risk:
- shorter lifespan due to increased risk of being killed by predators, struck by vehicles, poisoned
- exposure to additional parasites and disease
- being out of control, which could lead to digging the gardens of neighbors and/or using the washroom in places they should not be (which can lead to smells and other critter issues)
Middle Ground
It is important to understand that your cat will have his or her own personality and preferences. Some cats are perfectly happy to stay indoors for their entire lifetimes, others will prefer to come inside only to eat or sleep. Your cat could have the best of both worlds. By giving your indoor cat a “catio” or leash training your cat, they can be outside but have all of the comforts and safety of being an indoor-only cat.
For a more in-depth explanation and other arguments for both indoor and outdoor cats, Olive Knows has written an excellent article.
Either Way…
Regardless of whether your cat stays inside or goes outside, he or she should:
- stay up to date with vaccinations, particularly rabies
- be spayed or neutered
- wear a collar with a registration tag and contact information
- if it is an outdoor or indoor cat, make sure this is clear on the collar
- be microchipped with up to date contact information
For added safety if your cat is an outdoor cat, or if you have an outdoor pet in the home, preventative medicine such as flea and tick management would also be a great idea.
For more information on both indoor and outdoor cats: Cats Protection PDF, Indoor, and Outdoor.
How Can I Tell If It’s an Indoor or Outdoor Cat?
As the weather gets colder, well-intentioned people in the community will see cats outside and be concerned. How do you effectively indicate if your cat is a little Houdini, or a happy outdoor kitty? There are a few quick ways to help make it easier for others – and may help get your kitty home safe if they’re out where they shouldn’t be.
Outdoor Cats: If You Love It, Put A Collar On It
(… and microchip it, too.)
If your cat is an outdoor cat, it’s doubly important that they wear a collar. Having your name, address, and something that indicates that it’s an outside cat is critical for letting others know your kitty is street-savvy. Otherwise, they could easily be scooped up by a good samaritan and dropped off at the SPCA. If there’s no tag or microchip, this can make it difficult to recover your pet.
While we want to think all outdoor experiences are positive, collars are also helpful if something unfortunate happens as sometimes this is the only way to identify an animal that has been struck by a car or caught by local wildlife (such as a coyote).
Indoor Cats: The Kitty Convict Program
Have you heard of this program? The concept is simple – if your cat has an orange collar, it identifies your pet as an escaped convict. This will allow people to help get your loved one home safe by not assuming the cat is an outdoor cat. Without clear identification, there’s a chance they may become one of the 95% of cats that are reported missing and never come home.
The Kitty Convict program has more information about the challenges of letting out cats without good identification.
Conclusion
Whatever you decide – indoor or outdoor – make sure that your decision is made based on what is right for you, your cat, and your neighbours, rather than what is most convenient. We’re a small community and it’s important to take the time to ensure that everyone is cared for properly.
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