Did you know that one of the most beneficial things you can do for your feline companion is to ground her? Kitties can be rather adventurous. Many of them enjoy going outside and engaging in popular kitty activities, such as leaving paw prints on your windshield, rolling around in the driveway, and, of course, dropping dead animals on your porch. However, these charismatic little furballs are definitely much safer remaining indoors! In this story, a local Wichita, KS veterinarian shares some tips for keeping an inside cat happy, healthy, and purring.

Is It Okay To Keep My Cat Indoors All The Time?

It is not only acceptable, but also strongly recommended. Your cat is considerably safer indoors. As soon as your cute pet steps outside, she is vulnerable to a variety of risks.

These include:

  • Cars
  • Weather
  • Wild animals
  • Parasites
  • Chemical Exposure
  • Unsafe Plants
  • Stray dogs
  • Viruses and Diseases

Kitties that go out are also much more likely to be injured, lost, stolen, or murdered.

Keeping Fluffy indoors is also safer for the nearby fauna. Cats kill billions of tiny creatures each year, primarily birds, reptiles, and rodents. With so many native wildlife species under jeopardy, every effort we make to help them out matters.

How Can I Keep My Cat Healthy Indoors?

Fluffy’s basic care requirements are always the same, regardless whether she is an indoor cat, an outdoor cat, or is free to come and go as she pleases. Your feline pal will need nutritious, age-appropriate food, fresh water, a clean litterbox, and a comfortable shelter.

Proper veterinarian care is also important. We recommend that all cats be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and up to date on immunizations and parasite management. Fluffy will also need to come for checkups and screenings regularly. 

Ask your  veterinarian to recommend an appointment schedule.

How Can I Keep My Cat Safe at Home?

Petproofing is crucial here. Cats are curious, playful, and somewhat reckless. This is a pretty cute combo, but it can also be dangerous. You’ll want to remove or secure anything that could endanger your pet. That includes any small or sharp objects, such as fishing lures, pens, safety pins, craft kit pieces, and pins. Ropes and strings are also hazardous. Other potential threats include hazardous plants, household chemicals, and medications. Ask your veterinarian for further information.

How Can I Keep My Kitty Happy Indoors?

Start by giving Fluffy lots of entertaining toys and a good scratching post or board. Cat furniture, such as a cat tower, can also keep her motor running. We’d also recommend giving your cat a good window seat.

Aside from that, simply spend time with Fluffy. Talk to her, pet her, play with her, and allow her to snuggle up with you. 

Small conveniences can go a long way. If you won’t be home before nightfall, turn on a light and television for your cat before you leave. Clean litterboxes are also important.

Will Fluffy Feel Safer Indoors?

She very well may! Many cats are homebodies who feel safest in their own spaces. While some kitties are determined to get out, others prefer to stay indoors.

How Can I Get My Cat to Stay In?

As you may have noticed, our feline companions can be very determined. It’s not always easy convincing a cat that they live indoors. In fact, you may find yourself continuously attempting to corral your feline companion.

One of the best things you can do here is to start young. If your feline friend is still a kitten, raise her to be an inside cat from the start.

You may need to use some cunning to make Fluffy apprehensive of going outside. When you find her sniffing near the door, do something to scare her. You don’t want to injure or terrify her; it will simply make her more determined to flee. Try squirting her with water. Making a loud noise could also help. Sound a bike horn, set an alarm on your phone, rattle a jar of change, or simply clap your hands.

Spay/neuter surgery will also help a lot. Ask your vet for more information.

 

Give Your Cat The Best Of Both Worlds

It is true that our feline friends benefit from the activity and excitement that comes from being outside. There is a way to give your cat the best of both worlds: provide a safe, secure environment with some of the pleasures of being outside. A catio, of course, is the ideal solution. This can include a screened or enclosed porch or patio, an extra room, or even a sunny corner. Once you’ve picked the spot, add some cat furniture and toys. You may also want to include some pet-friendly plants for your cat to investigate and chew on. Catnip is the obvious choice, but there are many others to pick from:

Here are some good ones:

  • Wheatgrass Wheatgrass is a popular supplement. It turns out that it’s also beneficial for Fluffy. Wheatgrass contains important vitamins and nutrients, such as riboflavin, vitamin E, and folic acid. Your cute pet can safely eat some greens, and you’ll have fresh ingredients for smoothies.
  • Herbs Many common herbs are suitable for our feline companions. You’ll be able to use them for cooking, and your cat can safely eat them. Rosemary, basil, lemongrass, sage, thyme, mint, dill, and cilantro are all acceptable.
  • Flowers Zinnias and marigolds are both suitable for cats. African violets are also non-toxic to cats and quite easy to grow! Other safe choices are asters, Freesia, Gerbera daisies, orchids, roses, snapdragons, and sunflowers. (A word of caution: we would not recommend getting lilies. Any lily—particularly those from the True Lily family—can be deadly to your kitty companion.)
  • House Plants Spider plants are extremely popular houseplants, and for good reason. They’re lovely and easy to grow. They are also safe for cats, though this does not mean they are safe from cats; many kitties simply cannot resist them! Boston ferns, prayer plants, ferns, bromeliads, cast iron plants, peperomias, and friendship plants are also viable possibilities.
  • Potted Trees If you want a larger plant, consider purchasing a rubber tree plant. These are ideal for bad gardeners because they are nearly impossible to kill. Ponytail palms and money trees are also safe for Fluffy. Areca palms are also acceptable.

The ASPCA website contains additional information regarding safe and dangerous plants. That page can be found here.  You should also consider Fluffy’s safety when arranging them: don’t place a large plant with trailing leaves on a tiny stand that your cat could knock over upon herself. Ask your Wichita, KS vet for more information. 

Should I Walk My Indoor Cat?

That really depends on Fluffy. While some bold and adventurous kittens enjoy going for walks, a more timid furball may be too afraid of the outdoors to enjoy the excursions. If your furball appears to be satisfied as an indoor pet, simply let sleeping kitties lie. Otherwise, you can give it a try. Ask your Wichita, KS veterinarian for training advice.

Schedule A Visit To Our Wichita, KS Pet Clinic

Do you have questions about cat care? As your local Wichita, KS  veterinary practice, we are committed to providing excellent care. Please feel free to contact us at any time!