Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments
Malaysians love cats! From the abundance of cat cafes to stray cats that get plenty of love (and food), it’s clear that most Malaysians have found a favourite animal in the cute felines.
But are Malaysians responsible pet owners?
Many allow their cats to go outdoors, having free reign over not only the inside of the owner’s home but also the wild outdoors of the taman. Letting your cats go outdoors however, is THE ONE THING you shouldn’t be doing! Here are 3 reasons why!
1. Outdoor cats have more health problems
An American vet, Jane Brunt, said that: “Allowing cats outdoors increases their risk of being injured and exposed to infectious diseases such as feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)”.
Fleas also love to snack on cats and they’re normally encountered outdoors, so if you have cats that go outdoors it’s pretty normal for them to come back with fleas even if they’re perfectly healthy.
Outdoor cats also have shorter lifespans than cats that stay indoors and for obvious reasons! Cats that are allowed out have to contend with other predators like feral cats or dogs and road vehicles.
“I remember finding a dead cat that kena langgar kereta while jogging around the taman,” Maddie said. “A few days later, a neighbour asked me if I’d seen her cat and I really hated that I had to tell her the circumstances in which I’d found her cat.”
2. Your neighbours probably hate your outdoor cat
Your kitty may be delighted to go outdoors, but your neighbours may be cursing you for allowing it outside!
“My neighbour has outdoor cats and I hate it!” Jason said. “They shit everywhere, including in our garden and in front of our house. No place is safe from them.”
Worst of all, they gave his dog fleas.
“I didn’t even know dogs could get cat fleas,” he said.
Many cat owners are pretty irresponsible about how their outdoor cats affect their neighbourhood. An acquaintance, Terrence, has an outdoor cat who poops in front of his neighbour’s house.
“I’ve had to start using a litter box for my cat,” he said. “My neighbour put concrete all over the outside of his house so my cat can’t poop there now.”
He never considered taking responsibility for the needs of his cat.
However, this seems to be a common misconception amongst cat owners: they believe that cats are low-maintenance creatures, but in reality it’s more that the needs of cats are easier to ignore than other pets.
3. Outdoor cats are bad for the environment
Environmentalists believe that cats may assist in the spread of zoonotic diseases. Contrary to popular belief, cats can spread rabies too.
Your kitty may be an absolutely adorable dingus, but it’s still an extremely efficient predator. Cats kill smaller animals for fun. Studies have shown that cats are partly responsible for the extinction of 63 wild species!
Outdoor cats are most dangerous to species of wild birds, with cats being categorised as the number one threat to birds. They’re considered one of the worst invasive species in the world.
Moral of the story: your cat does not belong in the local ecosystem – keep it in the house where it will be happier and healthier.
What can you do instead?
If you want to give your cat some outdoor roaming, do consider building a catio. It’s a great way to give your cat a taste of the outdoors without needing to keep an eye on it, plus it helps your cat expend some of that playful and curious energy.
If you think only dogs belong on a leash, you’d be wrong! Cats can totally be leash-trained as well and more active kitties make good partners for walks.
You should also focus on making sure your cat gets enough enrichment indoors. The point is to give your cat an environment in which it can play with the engagement of different senses. An indoor cat needs to be able to hide, climb and play with things. It may sound very high maintenance, unlike the idea of simply allowing your cat outside, but it’s worth it to keep your cat with you longer.
Enrichment helps your kitty burn off excess energy and to keep it from being anxious which keeps your kitty’s mental health intact. But it also gets your kitty to physically work out with its fullest capabilities.
For those who have cat towers and other toys for their kitties, switching the layout will also help your cat. A change of scenery is good for everyone, including your pet!
If you’re really passionate about your feline friends and you have the resources to do this, it also helps to spay and neuter any strays you come across. Of course, you should spay/neuter your own cats too!
Keeping a pet is a major responsibility
Cats are known for being low maintenance pets, but maybe that perception has to change. Cats have their own unique needs which are easily ignored.
It’s time to acknowledge that cats can be high-maintenance and that’s okay! They’re still cute and fluffy – the perfect companion for urbanites and introverts alike.
Know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my and we may feature the story!
For more stories like this, read:
Living With 14 Cats — My Family’s Story of Being Lifelong Cat Rescuers
5 Animal Personality Types That Represent All The Guys You’ll Date
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