Page 224 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

222 C ARE AND BEHA VIOR

INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?

One of the most important decisions you need to make before you
acquire a cat is whether it is going to be a house cat or left free to roam
the great outdoors. For many people, the decision rests on how “great” the
outdoors would be for their cat. Owners need to take stock of their own
lifestyle and their home’s surroundings when deciding what is best
The freedom of
for the long-term safety and happiness of their cat. the pet door

Call of the wild
Domestic cats were once wild animals, adapted to living in
open spaces. Many of their wild instincts remain, but the
world that cats inhabit has changed dramatically. Many cat
owners live in urban environments, surrounded by busy
roads, buildings, people, and other animals, and an outdoor
cat will have to contend with all these hazards. In making
your indoors-or-outdoors decision, the safety of your cat
is paramount. Not all cats develop a good road sense, and
some fall victim to passing cars. If you let your cat out at
night, buy it a collar with reflective patches that can be seen
in the dark by drivers. Cats are naturally more active at dawn
or dusk—times that often correspond with rush hours. Try
to keep your cat indoors at these times. Given the run of
WINDOW ON THE WORLD
the neighborhood, your cat will probably explore beyond
If your cat is to be truly independent, install a pet door so that he
your yard, leading to encounters with other neighborhood can come and go as he pleases. Otherwise, you will be perpetually
cats, and possibly wild animals too. opening doors to see whether he wants to go out.
Creating cat heaven
The best way to keep an outdoor cat
close to home is to make your yard
a cat-friendly sanctuary. Plant it with
bushes to provide shade and shelter
and a few scented plants that cats
love—such as catnip, mint, valerian,
heather, and lemongrass—in sunny
places for your cat to bask among.
A clump of cat grass is ideal for your
pet to snack on if you habitually spray
your grass and plants with chemicals.

A PLACE IN THE SUN
Provide your cat with plenty of spots in the
yard to bask and doze. A garden basket
makes an ideal bed for a laid-back cat.