What is Best For Your Pet
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 is, outside is not a safe place for a cat or a dog. When you adopt a pet, you must ensure you are ready to allow your pet into your home.
Pets Love Being Outside
Cats and dogs 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 than cats. Owners take their dogs out for walks and, in some cases, allow them unsupervised access to the backyard occasionally. Cats are usually either indoor pets or outdoor pets.
It is more common nowadays for owners to keep their cats indoors as they realize the dangers of allowing them to live outdoors at all times. It is highly recommended that you keep your cats and dogs inside. You can help cats explore their instincts inside by giving them plenty of places to run and play inside your home. Buy your cat a scratching post with a high perch and install a window seat so they can gaze at the birds outdoors.
Dangers of Outside
Other animals are the number one danger to your pets when they go outside. 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 the health condition of other animals outside. In addition, if your dog or cat fights with another animal. Your pet can be seriously injured or harmed. You need to supervise your pet(s) when they are outside.
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, you will likely 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 exposure to heartworms. This is not to say that you should not treat an indoor pet for these problems. All dogs, whether the event is 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, that if your cat or dog lives outdoors, you will have many more problems with 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 outside ones. 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.
