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Keep Your Cat Safe, Happy, and Healthy in Whistler Here in Sea to Sky country, we share our environment with lots of wildlife. Most free- roaming cats in Whistler fall prey to coyotes, cougars, foxes, raccoons, lynx, bob cats, and even eagles. Domestic cats do not stand a chance against these wild hunters
Only 30% of
cats that are reported missing are found alive.
We’ve documented an alarming increase in lost and missing cats, and
created this guide to help you keep your cat safe.
Free Roaming vs. Safe cats Although most of us grew up believing that cats need to go outside, what WAG has learned about cat behaviour runs contrary to this belief: indoor cats can be healthier, and happier, than free-roaming cats. It is our commitment to share what we know with Whistler’s cat owners, and to reduce the number of cats that lost and injured each year. Here’s a guide to safe and happy cats: what they need, how to provide for them, and how to transition your free-roaming cat to a happier, safer, and healthier existence. Aren’t indoor-only cats deprived? Many worry that keeping a cat indoors will deprive their cat of something that is essential to their quality of life. This dilemma can be resolved by providing an enriched indoor environment for your cat, one that stimulates them and provides the activity they need. Enriching your cat’s environment not only makes your cat safe and happy, but it can strengthen the bond you share and enrich your life as well. This doesn’t have to be an overwhelming responsibility — it’s fairly easy if you follow these simple guidelines: Recipe for a Safe & Happy Cat 1. A litter box for each cat, kept in a quiet place where kitty will not be startled or ambushed. Clean the litter box every day. 2. One or more scratching posts placed in prominent places. 3. A place to perch and see outside. Cats also like to climb, and many cat owners opt for a cat tree. 4. A hiding place where they can retreat if they feel unsafe or need time away from other pets, children, or activity. 5. Play time! Play with your cat every day to satisfy kitty’s urge to hunt, and the need for exercise. Tips: try a variety of different toys, until you find a type that your cat responds to. 6. Touch is one of your most important communication tools. Gentle petting and handling that is not forced will build a bond between you and your cat. Cats form attachments with humans based upon how they are treated by their humans. 7. A consistent daily routine for your cat: to keep your home free of stress for kitty, establish a regular time for feeding, play and interaction, grooming, and daily cleaning of the litter box. 8. Provide a stable environment: keep their environment free of things that may cause stress (such as: unpredictable or forced handling, loud noises). 9. Consider safe access to the outdoors such as an outdoor enclosure or on a harness 10.Spay or neuter your cat Are the risks really that bad for free-roaming cats? Yes. Remember that 70% of cats reported missing are never found or are found dead. The risks include: Predators, e.g. coyotes, cougars, raccoons, lynx, and eagles. Coyotes will hunt during the daytime; no time of day is safe Cars Exposure to Highly Infectious Diseases, such as Feline AIDS (FIV), distemper, and feline leukemia. Serious damage to already struggling wildlife populations. Free roaming felines also have a decimating effect on wildlife populations, especially birds Poisons Extreme weather Fleas and other parasites Theft: for example, individuals take cats to sell for experimentation, retail, or companionship Abuse from angry neighbors or disturbed people Creating public health problems: Cats carry parasites that can be transferred to humans and cause serious health issues. Cats love to eliminate in areas where children play, and roundworms shed in the feces of free-roaming cats can cause blindness or serious eye disease in humans. Cats also carry Toxoplasmosis; this disease can cause birth defects in humans.
1. Playing with the cat is a great way to keep both his mind and his body in shape. Some former free-roamers will appreciate your providing "kitty greens" for them to munch on instead of your houseplants: Try planting grass, alfalfa, catnip, wheat, or oat grass (sold in pet supply stores) in indoor pots for this purpose. 2. It may be better to go "cold turkey" If you're having trouble slowly transitioning your cat to a happy life indoors. Letting your cat outdoors occasionally may only reinforce his pestering behaviors. 3. Ignore your cat’s pleas to go outside. Kitty is meowing to be let outside because this is his routine and the meows have been rewarded with what he wants. Keeping him inside involves breaking this routine and letting the behaviour go unrewarded. Once you deny him of his daily exploits outdoors, you will need to make sure you are providing him with the opportunity to hunt (play) indoors. 4. Other members of the household may have to be "retrained" to close doors quickly and provide more stimulation for their feline friend.
First, make sure you are providing the Essentials, listed on the previous page. Second, be patient. Cats dislike change and may need weeks to adjust to a new routine. If your cat still seems bored, there are many ways to enhance your cat’s environment: 1. Hide treats for kitty to find 2. Try a variety of different toys. You can also purchase videos and CDs for cats. 3. Periodically introduce a new, interesting item — such as a cardboard box or paper bags — for them to explore. 4. Many cats enjoy cat grass or catnip. 5. Make small, periodic changes in their environment. Subtle changes, such as moving a chair, will help your cat adjust to other necessary changes in their environment.
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