12 Reasons to Keep Your Cat Indoors

Over the years through my work with rescues and shelters, I hear from guilt-ridden pet parents regarding the horrible things that happened to their cats when they went outside ~ they were hit by cars, attacked by predators, infected with diseases or they simply disappeared.

Even today with so much information available, many people still let their cats outdoors ~ often with misplaced good intentions. Here are twelve strong reasons to keep your cats indoors where they will safe and protected. And no, it's not cruel to keep your cats indoors. There are plenty of ways to keep them happy and content.


1.      Indoor Cats Generally Live Longer ~ In general, a cat who spends his entire life indoors will live many years longer than a cat restricted exclusively to the outdoors. If you cat has indoor/outdoor access, chances are that he will live longer than the exclusively outdoor feline, but he still faces increased risks to his health and safety that can impact lifespan.  If you wish to let your cats outdoors, perhaps you might consider a safe enclosure, such as a "catio".

2.      Indoor Cats Will Not Get Struck by Vehicles ~ The outdoor cat is always at risk of being struck by a vehicle. Even the most supposedly “street savvy” feline can become distracted while in pursuit of prey or while being chased by another cat or a dog. Cats get hit by cars at an alarmingly high rate, and a little eight-pound cat is no match against a car or truck. Even if the cat survives, the injuries are usually extremely severe.

3.      Reduced Risk of Poisoning ~ Outdoors cats are at risk of exposure to ethylene glycol (antifreeze) poisoning, lawn pesticides, poisoning from spoiled food in trash cans, mole and rodent poisons and intentional poisoning from people.  Even though there’s a risk of poisoning in an indoor environment as well, you are better able to remove toxic plants, toxic chemicals and other dangers in order to keep them out of your cat’s reach.

4.      Prevent Injury from Animal Fights ~ It’s not unusual for an outdoor cat to become injured or develop a painful and serious abscess from fighting with another cat, dog or other outdoor animal. Even if you have your cat neutered or spayed, there are many intact cats roaming outside who are extremely territorial and will fight to the death . . . . even when unprovoked.

5.      Decreased Risk of Disease ~ If your cat isn’t exposed to other outdoor cats, he has a greatly reduced risk of contracting a contagious disease.

6.      Decreased Risk of Parasites ~ The chances of your cat becoming infested with fleas, ticks or internal worms will be greatly reduced if he remains in an indoor environment because he won’t be coming in contact with infected feces, prey, grass or soil.

7.      No Danger from Predators ~ Cats are potential prey to some dogs and if you live in certain areas of the country they are also at risk of being attacked by coyotes or even owls.

8.      Food Control ~ With an indoor cat you can control what he eats and how much he consumes each day. If your cat goes outdoors you have no idea whether he is munching on some cheap food left out on a neighbor’s back porch for the local stray cats. By eating from that same food bowl he will also be at risk of contracting disease.

9.      No Risk of Cruelty ~ Outdoors, your cat may easily become the victim of a cat-hating neighbor, mean children who think it’s fun to abuse a helpless animal or people who use cats for unspeakable things.

10.   You’ll Know Where Your Cat Is ~ If your cat is indoors, there is a greatly reduced risk of him getting lost or stolen.

11.   Better Health Monitoring ~ With an indoor cat you can easily monitor what is or isn’t happening in the litter box. That early detection of any change in your cat’s litter box habits could mean less pain and suffering. You will also be able to better monitor changes in food or water intake, activity level, etc.

12.   You’ll be a Better Neighbor ~ Not everyone wants a cat peeing in their garden, stalking the backyard bird feeder or lounging on the car in their driveway. In most cases, your neighbors will be happier knowing your cat is quietly watching the outdoor activity from inside the house.  ♥

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), holistic health products and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

Pet Parents ~ How Many More Recalls Will It Take?

Many pet parents usually don’t give a second thought about what they are feeding their pets . . . that is until we all hear about a recall in the news. We check to see if our pet food is on the list, and when it’s not, we breathe a sigh of relief. Don't you think it’s time that we stop burying our heads in the sand and hoping there isn’t something wrong with our pet food, and instead start ensuring that something is right with it?! 

Have you ever read the label on your pet's food or treats?  Not just a glance . . . I mean REALLY read the label from start to finish?!  What are some of the ingredients?  Wheat or Wheat Gluten? Corn or Corn Gluten?  Bone or By-Product Meal?  Artificial Colors and Flavors?  BHA and / or BHT? Propylene Glycol?  Do you even know what half of these ingredients are, or what harm they can cause to your pets?!  

Wheat and corn can contain aflatoxin, which is a fungal toxin that commonly contaminates maize and other types of crops during production, harvest, storage or processing.  Wheat and corn are also highly indigestible for most pets and can cause great stress on their digestive systems, as well as their kidneys.  These grains are also the cause of food allergies in many of our precious pets.

Bone meal and by-product meal tend to keep us guessing as to which animal they may come from.  What if your pet has a beef allergy, yet the food or treat label is non-specific as to which animal these "meals" or "by-products" came from.  Do you really want to take that chance?  

The same thing goes for artificial coloring, which has no nutritional value and is designed specifically as visual marketing to pet parents . . . not to the pets!  And, did you know that the dyes that are used have not been subject to testing for safety?  The most common ones are Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Red #40, Blue #1 and Blue #2, which have been known to be contaminated with cancer-causing substances and may even cause death, as these additives are toxic to our pets.  The discussion regarding their lack of nutritional value, as well as their potential hazards has been swirling about for years, yet no one has done anything about banning these substances from your pet's food, or from our own foods, for that matter.

BHT / BHA are NOT natural preservatives and can also cause health problems in your pets, as can Propylene Glycol, which is better known as the key component in newer automotive antifreeze.  Why are using a known toxic substance to preserve moisture in our dog's food and treats?  It has already been shown to cause anemia in cats, and has been banned by the FDA for use in cat food and treats.  

Did you know that there have been more than 110 FDA recalls since 2007?  



Check to see if your pet's food or treats have been recalled on the FDA website by logging on here: 
 http://www.fda.gov/animalVeterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/default.htm

Keeping our fur kids safe begins with giving them the best food and treats possible ~ Natural, NEVER RECALLED . . . Corn & Wheat-Free, No GMOs, Gluten-Free, NO Artificial Colors or Flavors . . . just real food with vital nutrients prepared under the highest standards.

If you're ready to stop taking chances with your pet's health (and possibly your pet's life), then shop our line of premium pet food, treats, nutritional supplements, and pet care products.  If you could feed your pets premium pet foods & treats that will provide them with abundant nutrition, and may help ensure longer, healthier lives for your precious fur kids for about the same or less than you are currently spending on food & treats, why wouldn't you?  Safety is our primary objective! When it comes to product safety and quality ingredients, we don't do shortcuts. In fact, we act as if your pet's life depends on us. 

Request samples, ask questions, and learn more about true premium nutrition for your furkids by visiting our website ~ http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

You'll be so glad you did . . . and, so will your pets!


Life's Abundance . . . paving new roads to wellness every day!