I’m a vet and right here’s the most typical questions I get requested about cats
With an estimated 11 million pet cats at present dwelling within the UK, it’s secure to say we’re a nation of cat lovers.
Last 12 months’s PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that two in 5 of the UK’s pet cats dwell with a number of different cats*, whereas the vast majority of cats within the UK** have entry to each indoor and out of doors environments – 28% dwell indoors solely, however is it greatest to maintain your cats indoors, or allow them to roam outdoors? And what’s a catio?
PDSA Vet, and self-confessed cat-lover, Catherine Burke solutions essentially the most incessantly requested questions all about cat welfare.
Is indoors higher than outside?
“You may resolve to maintain your cat indoors for a lot of completely different causes, whether or not it’s to maintain them secure from out of doors hazards, to guard native wildlife, or for medical causes for instance to cease them passing on infectious illnesses like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).”
“All cats are people, and while some cats will take each alternative to enterprise out, others will merely select to not go outdoors and develop into an indoor cat on their very own! The most suitable choice in your cat is factoring in what they like alongside what’s greatest for his or her particular person wants. You may also wish to bear in mind any medical points your cat might have. Whether they dwell indoors, or they do go outdoors, guaranteeing they’ve the proper dwelling setting for his or her wants will assist to maintain them secure and completely satisfied.
Is it imply to maintain my cat indoors?
“Most cats take pleasure in exploring and may profit from spending time outside, however we all know in some circumstances it’s not all the time potential (and generally not secure) to provide your feline buddy free entry to the nice outside. Many cats can lead completely satisfied and wholesome indoor lives, so long as they’re given the best setting to thrive in. As with all pets, assembly an indoor cat’s 5 Welfare Needs is crucial for them to dwell their greatest lives. An indoor cat will want additional consideration and assets, to satisfy the wants that they’d naturally fulfil in the event that they have been going outside. Playtime, searching apply, locations to scratch, new issues to discover and puzzle feeders are nice for a cat’s psychological and bodily well being.
If I’ve an indoor cat, do they nonetheless want a microchip?
“In June 2024, it can develop into regulation for all pet cats to be microchipped, no matter in the event that they dwell indoors, or enterprise out. Owners danger a £500 wonderful after this date, for any cats aged over 20 weeks discovered and not using a microchip. Even in case your cat prefers the indoor life, microchipping gives an additional security internet, ought to they handle to flee and develop into misplaced, or in the event that they get stolen.
What is a ‘catio’?
“A ‘catio’ is a function constructed cat patio space and could also be an answer to provide your principally indoor-living feline buddy secure and safe entry to the outside. A ‘catio’ is a secure, fenced enclosure, normally connected to the skin of an proprietor’s home, that your cat can freely come and go from. If that’s not potential, you may even have it as a separate space that you may recurrently take your cat out to. Having a ‘catio’ permits your cat to take pleasure in being outdoors whereas maintaining them secure, safe and near your own home.
What do I have to create the proper feline-friendly residence for my indoor cat?
“Anyone with a cat is aware of they are typically creatures of behavior! Cats typically love routine and familiarity. If you’ll be able to, it’s greatest to maintain your cat to the identical routine daily. Although your cat will like familiarity, you’ll nonetheless want to offer them with new objects and toys to discover, in order that they don’t get bored. You can depart empty cardboard bins out for them to discover earlier than you recycle them, to provide your cat a little bit of straightforward, low price leisure.
“Just a few prime suggestions embrace:
“Making certain you recurrently rotate your cat’s toys, will assist forestall them from becoming bored. Make certain you present a few good high quality scratching posts in your cat to redirect them from clawing your furnishings – scratching is a pure behaviour for cats in order that they want someplace they’ll do that.
“Cats are solitary animals and really unbiased, which is why it’s necessary that they’ll have their very own house. Setting up quiet areas in your house in your cat to provide them someplace to flee to in the event that they want a little bit of alone time is a good suggestion.
“Cats are very curious and can discover the whole lot they’ll bodily get to. While this shouldn’t be discouraged as a result of it’s regular cat behaviour, you could be certain they’ll discover safely. Anything that may make your cat ill, or may trigger your cat hurt must be locked away securely, away from prying paws!
Does my indoor cat nonetheless want train?
“Whether you resolve your cat ought to keep indoors, or your cat is a homebody and prefers staying in, daily exercise is very important to maintain them completely satisfied and wholesome. Cats are naturally energetic briefly bursts of 5-10 minutes at a time – chasing, pouncing and doing ‘zoomies’. If your cat is already energetic you might not have to encourage them to train; nevertheless in case your cat is extra sedentary, it’s a good suggestion to introduce train to their day by day routine. Depending on how suit your cat is, you can begin with brief bursts of 5-10 minutes a few instances a day and enhance this progressively.
Staying match and energetic will scale back your cat’s probability of growing circumstances resembling diabetes, weight problems and arthritis. Plus, train can also be necessary in your cat’s psychological well being – it prevents boredom and permits them to precise pure behaviours. In addition to this, additional house alongside the familiarity of your own home can permit your indoor cat to stretch their paws – which is when a ‘catio’ is helpful!”
For extra details about maintaining your cat completely satisfied and wholesome, head to the Pet Health Hub on PDSA’s web site: www.pdsa.org.uk/phh
