CATSCRATCHBOX.COM WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR CAT INSIDE   I. OUTDOOR DANGERS FOR YOUR CAT AND YOU   THE OUTDOOR CAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISEASE, INJURIES AND DEATH. THE HUMANE SOCIETY ESTIMATES THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN FOR A FREE ROAMING OUTDOOR CAT IS 3 YEARS COMPARED TO 15-18 YEARS FOR THE INDOOR CAT. IN ADDITION THEY STATE THAT FEWER THAN 5% OF "FOUND" CATS TAKEN IN BY ANIMAL SHELTERS ARE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES. UNALTERED OUTDOOR CATS ARE THE SOURCE OF MILLIONS OF UNWANTED CATS. MILLIONS ARE EUTHANIZED AT GREAT EXPENSE, OR REMAIN FERAL--MOST LIVING SHORT, TRAGIC LIVES.     A. THE SINGLE LARGEST DANGER TO CATS IS FROM HUMANS The largest number of feline deaths are caused by automobiles. In a Wikipedia article entitled "Roadkill" a 1993 study estimated the number of cats killed by automobiles in the U.S. was 26 million. Considering this statistic, we can only begin to imagine how many are injured! Then there are the sick people who don't care what happens to an animal--it can take the form of abuse, poison or abandonment. It is personally difficult for us to understand how and why people can act this way, but each year animal shelters and veterinarians treat cats who have been shot, stabbed, or set on fire. Outdoor cats may also be captured and they then used as "bait" to train fighting dogs. Other unintended poisonous consequences which result from humans range from chemicals on treated lawns, in rat or mice bait, and on driveways and roads from antifreeze. Hideous traps, sadly intended for other poor creatures, can easily ensnare, then injure or kill a cat.     B. NATURE'S PREDATORS IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES With the natural territory of many native species diminishing due to the growth of the human population, there are many animals which will go after your cat.  ANY carnivore who is unable to find enough to eat will go after a pet whether it is a cat, small dog, even in some rare cases a small child. Some examples are: FISHERS, often called by the nickname "fisher cat", although it is not a cat nor does it fish. The fishers are extremely successful hunters of small mammals, as well as being one of the few predators of porcupines. A special problem for cats is that the fishers are extraordinary climbers, so that a cat cannot get away from them by climbing a tree.                                        FISHER CATS                  COYOTES are extremely effective hunters able to run up to 40 miles per hour and weigh 35-40 pounds. Many coyotes in New England are quite larger than those in other parts of the country and the belief is that there has been some mating with dogs.                  GREAT HORNED OWL     COYOTE      WOLF   OTHER CATS Damage to ears, eyes, abscesses and other injuries can occur because of cat fights. Fatal diseases can be transmitted by bites and scratches from infected animals. OTHER HUNTERS (but by no means a complete list): wolves, bobcats, cougars, alligators, even some dogs. Large predatory birds such as eagles, hawks and great horned owls are another potential threat if they are hungry. While this refers basically to the continental U.S., in other parts of the world the predators will vary but will be by no means any less dangerous to your cat.  C. MAJOR FELINE DISEASES FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV) compromises a cat's immune system and is the leading cause of death due to infectious disease in cats. There is no cure. FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA VIRUS(FPV) also known as feline distemper, is extremely contagious either by direct cat to cat contact, or indirect means, i.e., transmitted on clothing, by people, or inanimate objects. Fleas can also spread the virus. FPV attacks and destroys white blood cells in cats, effectively disarming the cat's immune system, making it vulnerable to other diseases. FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS (FIP) is a progressively debilitating, difficult to diagnose, and fatal viral disease. FIP is transmitted via feces, urine, or nasal/oral secretions by direct contact with infected cats as well as use of common food, water dishes and litter pans. FIP causes the cat's immune system to attack its own cells, damaging blood vessels throughout the body. FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV) destroys a cat's immune system, and is always fatal. Our own rescued cat, Merlin, was about a year old when we found him abandoned in our woods, bleeding from a coyote attack he was lucky to get away from. Extremely gentle and sweet natured, he was victimized by some animal who transmitted FIV to him. UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS (URI) are highly contagious and common illnesses in felines, especially young kittens. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, and lack of appetite. About 80% of cats recover from these viruses but remain carriers of the disease for months to years.   D.  DISEASES YOUR CAT CAN PASS ON TO YOU There are insects that the cat carries into the house that can be carriers of disease. Ticks, are disgusting insects that are carriers of Lyme DIsease, and are rampant here in the Northeastern United States.  Fleas are another common insect, their bites can cause severe itching, skin infections, and can spread diseases such as cat-scratch fever, typhus and plague to humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes the following list of diseases cats are able  to transmit to humans.  For detailed information on each disease listed please copy and paste this URL into your browser (the site has been blocked in some fashion that is not allowing hot links to the site): http://www.cdc.gov/HEALTHYPETS/animals/cats.htm CAMPYLOBACTER INFECTION (CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS): A bacterial disease associated with cats, dogs, and farm animals. CAT SCRATCH DISEASE (BARTONELLA HENSELAE): A bacterial disease associated with cat scratches and bites. COXIELLA BURNETTI INFECTION (Q FEVER): A bacterial disease occasionally associated with cats. CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTION (CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS): A parasitic disease associated with cats, dogs, and farm animals. DIPYLIDIUM INFECTION (TAPEWORM): A parasitic disease associated with cats, dogs and fleas. Hookworm Infection: A parasitic disease associated with cats, dogs and their environment. LEPTOSPIRA INFECTION (LEPTOSPIROSIS): A bacterial disease associated wild and domestic animals including cats. PLAGUE (YERSINIA PESTIS) INFECTION: A rare bacterial disease associated with rodents, cats and fleas. Q FEVER (COXIELLA BURNETII): A bacterial disease occasionally associated with cats. RABIES: A viral disease associated with various animals, including cats. RINGWORM: A fungal disease associated with various animals, including cats. SALMONELLA INFECTION (SALMONELLOSIS): A bacterial disease associated with various animals, including cats. TOXOCARA INFECTION (TOXOCARIASIS, ROUNDWORM): A parasitic disease associated with cats, dogs and their environment. TOXOPLASMA INFECTION (TOXOPLASMOSIS): A parasitic disease associated with cats and their environment.   II.  YOUR CAT'S IMPACT ON THE GREAT OUTDOORS JUST AS IN THE OFTEN QUOTED LINE "GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS" FROM ROBERT FROST'S POEM "MENDING WALL", INDOOR CATS (AND THEIR OWNERS) MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS FOR THE HUMANS AS WELL AS THE FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE EVERYDAY ENVIRONMENT.   A.   FIRST, BECAUSE IT IS NOT YOUR CAT'S YARD It may be very difficult for your neighbors, cat lover or not, to put up with your outdoor cat. There are many complaints of cats making litter boxes out of a much loved garden. It is hard enough work taking care of a garden without cats contributing their own damage. THEN--there is the spraying.  We have had first hand experience, of a tomcat in our neighborhood who would "visit" our front door nightly. When we left the house, opening the inner door to the closed in porch, the smell that seeped in just about knocked us out. Walking around the yard as well, our olfactory senses let us know when we were approaching one of his marking spots! It was dreadful.   B.  DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT Felines are not native to North America, they were brought here from Europe in vast numbers in the 1800's in an ill-conceived effort to control rodents. Their natural ability to survive and their elite status as pets creates a situation of abnormal population growth which is most contrary to nature's normal method of population checks and balances. The fact that they are fierce makes them magnificent hunters, but the fact that they will attack even when they are not hungry--makes them deadly to any small creature they encounter. While researching this section for the site, learning of the numbers of "kills" attributed to outdoor cats--was absolutely shocking. HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF BIRDS, MANY ARE SONGBIRDS OR ENDANGERED, AND BILLIONS OF SMALL MAMMALS ARE KILLED EACH AND EVERY YEAR. So, once again, imagine the number of injuries that must occur to the small creatures the cats wreak havoc upon, and don't forget--most times there is no one to take them to a veterinarian. Just think about it, is it any wonder that the larger mammals are being driven to move in to human habitats? They are not only being forced out by us, but they are also losing additional food sources because of our "unnatural import". This makes it even more important that the felines we imported, and aid in maintaining in unnaturally large numbers, should be kept indoors. We must take responsibility. Further, in this endeavor, we would like to address your attention to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), which is the major U.S.organization (the Audubon and Humane Society both direct readers to ABC) concerned with and attempting to address the destruction of the bird population by felines. There are important studies validating the kill statistics cited above, as well as articles which explain ways to protect your cat and the birds. Their website is: http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/   The above link will take you to their web page for the ABC campaign. Their site is loaded with more information and many important links you may find useful. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   NEXT PAGE:  DO NOT DECLAW RETURN TO: HOME PAGE CAT BOX SUMMARY ORDER, SHIPPING AND RETURNS   CAT BEHAVIOR REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK   .