by Alden Morris
(Lakewood, WA, United States)
Spooks the Terrorizer
Having been a proud parent of both outdoor and indoor cats my entire life, I firmly believe that outdoor cats live much happier, healthier, and lovable lives. Naturally any indoor cat trapped inside all of its life will grow curious to what adventures lie behind the door leading outside. However, too many owners go by that age old saying ‘curiosity killed the cat.’ What they don’t seem to remember is that cats are very wise and intelligent creatures and apparently ‘have nine lives.
Cats that are allowed by their owners to venture outside do live happier lives. Outside a cat is allowed to chase and hunt smaller prey such as bugs and have the opportunity to play with other cats and dogs. Just because cats lounge around the majority of the day does not mean that they do not like to go outside and get riled up from time to time. The outdoors create an environment for cats to be able to exercise and burn off any extra fat that may be gathering from those cat foods that are so high in protein and carbohydrates. Allowing your cat to play outside is like helping fight obesity for cats.
A cat that can go play outside and then come home as they please in my opinion is a much happier cat. Releasing steam from playing outside and exhausting themselves to the point of sleep means that when a cat finally comes home at their end of the day, they’ll be much more open to lounging with their owner and cuddling.
Cats have an opportunity to literally be cats when they are outdoors. Just like larger felines that live in the wild, like tigers and lions, a household cat too can share in the excitement of stalking their prey and sun bathing on those beautiful sunny days. In the winter, it is always a fruitful feeling to see little tiny kitty paw prints tracked in the snow all over the yard and street. You can see the remnants of their fun-filled adventure that they probably previously just had.
Not to mention it is always so adorable to see a cat sleeping on the hood of the car because of the heat that the once running engine is still producing. Cat owners should be happier and more pleased with owning an outdoor cat as well because it means having to change the litter box less frequently. Cats do use the bathroom outside and unlike dogs they bury their feces meaning you’ll most likely never step in it.
An outdoor cat can still live a safe life to that of an indoor cat as well. With the proper vaccinations, owners never have to worry about their cat contracting a disease or illness. As for other cats or larger predators that may harm cats, always be confident in the local area that the cat may frolic in. It is the owner’s job as a parent to be aware of the surroundings that involve a family member. A cat will always return home because again cats are an intelligent species and they will always come home to their kitty toys and food.
