Indoor cats can be prone to many problems that can affect their health. Cats have the natural instinct to hide illness or pain to protect themselves from competitors and predators. While this behavior makes it easy to forget to regularly see a veterinarian, it is important to ensure your indoor cat’s health. By regularly taking your pet to the vet for an annual checkup, you can prevent some of the most common issues that can affect indoor cats.
Disadvantages of keeping a cat indoors
There are many health benefits to keeping a cat indoors, but there are also a few drawbacks. Indoor-only cats are at risk for certain diseases and conditions, including stress and obesity. They are also at greater risk for gastrointestinal problems, upper respiratory tract infections, and diseases of the lower urinary system.
One of the main benefits of keeping a cat indoors is that it is more protected from outside hazards, which can cause injury. Indoor cats also spend more time with their owners. This helps them stay healthy, as their diet and exercise routines can be monitored closely. Furthermore, indoor cats are less likely to become lost, picked up, or abused by other people. Indoor cats also help protect natural wildlife. Well-fed cats tend to hunt birds and other small prey, which is good for the environment. In fact, the domestic cat population kills over two billion birds every year.
Another disadvantage of indoor cats is that they are not streetwise, and can become confused when roaming around. If they escape from the house, they may be at risk for injuries, or may perceive the presence of other cats as a threat. Indoor cats can also suffer from boredom.
As a cat owner, you must consider the unique circumstances of each cat before making a decision on how to keep your pet indoors for health. If you live in an apartment complex, for example, you can place a cat flap in the doorway to prevent your pet from going out. But you need to be prepared to deal with this issue several times throughout your cat’s life.
Cats love stimulation, and the indoor environment can provide a variety of activities that stimulate their minds and bodies. However, indoor cats can also suffer from boredom and frustration. Therefore, it’s important to give your indoor cat engaging activities to keep them happy and active.
The number of owners keeping their indoor-only pets continues to rise, particularly in the UK. According to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, the number of owners keeping their cats indoors has increased by 15% and is expected to reach 26% by the year 2019.
While many cats are happy and content with an indoor life, some cats enjoy exploring the outdoors. If you choose to allow your indoor cat to go outdoors, you should microchip it so that it can be identified easily if lost. Although keeping your cat indoors can give you peace of mind, it can also shorten the life span of your cat.
For many owners, the decision to keep a cat indoors is based on their personal preferences. Many adoptive organizations, adoption centres, and cat shelters will encourage owners to keep their cats indoors. Some will recommend an indoor-only lifestyle for specific cats, while others will have a blanket policy for all cats. In addition, some pedigree animal breeders will insist on keeping their animals indoors, and many require you to sign a contract agreeing to this.
Problems that can affect an indoor cat’s health
Indoor cats should visit the veterinarian once every six months to check on their general health. This will allow your veterinarian to monitor your cat’s health and identify any changes in its behavior or weight. This is important because many feline diseases are easily spread from outside animals and can be very serious if left untreated. Visiting your vet regularly will also help you catch problems early and get the best care for your pet.
One of the most common health issues affecting indoor cats is obesity. Nearly one-quarter of all cats are overweight, and this problem is particularly common in cats that spend most of their time indoors. Their lack of exercise and lack of activity can lead them to become overweight. They may also develop behavioral problems, such as scratching furniture or walls to signal that they’re stressed. Indoor cats may also be less adaptable to changes than outdoor cats, and may become upset if new people or pets move into the house.
Other problems that can affect an indoor cat’s health include endocrine disorders, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and heart disease. While most of these problems are treatable, early detection is key. Look for spots or lumps that don’t seem right, and visit your veterinarian immediately. Cats that are overweight are more likely to develop kidney and heart problems.
Indoor cats should be checked by a veterinarian once a year. This allows them to get the vaccinations they need and identify any health problems. Indoor cats should also be vaccinated against airborne viruses and diseases. This will help them to avoid contracting these diseases, which can lead to death.
Keeping an indoor cat requires more time and attention than an outdoor cat. Providing a clean litter tray for your cat is an important part of indoor cat care. Litter trays should be located in an area where your cat will not be disturbed. It’s also important to provide your indoor cat with plenty of quiet areas. Also, your cat needs two kinds of resting places – one on the floor and one in higher areas.
Ways to keep your indoor cat healthy
One of the best ways to keep your indoor cat healthy is to provide plenty of fresh food and water. The best foods for indoor cats are those that contain high protein and moisture. Fresh water should be available all the time. Indoor cats also benefit from a water fountain or tall glass. You should also provide plenty of litter boxes.
Cats need exercise and mental stimulation. Even if they spend most of their time indoors, they still need to exercise to keep their bodies and minds active. Providing toys to play with is one way to keep your indoor cat entertained and healthy. Cats also love to climb and scratch, so provide them with enough furniture and toys to do so.
Indoor cats also need regular worming. Worms are often spread through shoes, which can cause your indoor cat to suffer from a serious illness. Vaccinations can help prevent them from contracting infectious diseases and viruses. It is also important to worm your indoor cat twice a year to prevent a worm infection. Worms lay dormant in the body tissue and can be passed to your cat by its mother.
An indoor cat can also become overweight due to lack of stimulation. Excess weight in cats can be dangerous and can lead to various health problems. A simple way to provide mental and physical stimulation is to get your indoor cat an indoor hunting feeder. This feeder will contain five mice and will keep your indoor cat busy for a while.
A good indoor cat requires more time and attention than its outdoor counterpart. It needs to have a litter box that is quiet, and a place to rest. If possible, provide your indoor cat with several different rooms to roam and use. Indoor cats should have access to two kinds of resting places, a floor level one and a higher one. If you cannot afford to provide your indoor cat with outdoor space, consider adopting a companion cat. Introduce the two cats slowly and give them plenty of room to get used to each other.
Another way to keep your indoor cat mentally stimulated is to give it toys. Try to provide 15 minutes of interactive play a day for your indoor cat. This will help satisfy the cat’s natural hunting instinct. Catnip cat toys and laser lights are also good toys for stimulating your indoor cat. However, make sure they aren’t pointed directly at your cat. Cats also love jumping into cardboard boxes and playing hide and seek.
While indoor cats are generally less active than their outdoor counterparts, they still need the stimulation that comes from outside. Try to provide a suitable environment for your indoor cat that is as close as possible to its outdoor counterpart. Cats love the warmth and activity that comes from being outdoors. If you can afford it, you can provide your indoor cat with access to the window sills or secure the window screens.
