Pet Health: Creating an Environment Your Cat Will Love

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Pet Health By Dr. Scot Trefz, D.V.M.

Create an Environment Your Cat Will Love… 

Comfort in their environment dictates feline emotional wellbeing, behavior and physical health.

Indoor Vs. Outdoor 

Veterinarians advocate that domestic cats be kept inside for their health, safety, and the safety of surrounding native wildlife. Many dangers are faced by cats roaming outdoors:

  • Vehicles
  • Other animals 
  • Cruel humans
  • Poisons, traps 
  • Diseases 

Pet cats do not hunt for survival but will kill and maim animals based on instinct. This predation can have a significant impact on rodent and bird species. 

Creating an Enriched Indoor Environment 

Indoor cats can get bored from predictability, stressed and obese from inactivity, especially if it once was an outdoor cat. The best solution to prevent any of these issues is to give indoor cats what they need to thrive: 

  • Keep a litter tray in a private area. Avoid a potential health issue by cleaning and removing eliminations daily. 
  • Be sure to carefully place potentially toxic house plants. Lock cabinets with cleaning supplies. We know how curious cats are – they’ll try to get inside anything left slightly ajar. 
  • Provide scratching posts or climbing wall, balls, feathers, and other play toys. Some catnip can be placed inside toys. 
  • Consider getting them a companion. At first, felines may be reluctant to welcome another cat, but over time most thrive on the interaction. 

There are things you can do to protect cats when outside. If you have a solid backyard fence, you can build an overhang at the top of the fence with piping and netting. If you do not have a solid fence, you can build an enclosed patio so Fluffy has access from the house. 

If you enjoyed this article, visit Dr. Scot M. Trefz, DVM – Tierra Verde resident and Medical Director at Bay Moorings Animal Hospital. Dr. Trefz, a 35-year experienced DVM, and his amazing team of veterinary professionals are located at 3695 50th Ave S., St Petersburg, FL 33711 (next to the Maximo Moorings Marina and Bay Pointe Plaza Publix) 727.867.0118.

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