Cat Gardens and Enclosures
sby Roger Snell
Statistics show that the life span of an indoor cat are much longer than an outdoor cat. On average, an indoor cat lives twelve years, but some live for as many as twenty years. In comparison, an outdoor cat’s life expectancy is less than five years.
Busy highways, roads, suburban streets and country lanes, pesticides, car and motor products, poisonous plants all present a life threatening danger for cats that roam. Danger of contracting an infectious disease rises for the outdoor cat. Many feline diseases including Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) are transmitted from an infected cat to another.
Outdoors cats are more prone to becoming lost, less than 5% of cats taken to animal shelters are reclaimed by owners. All cats should wear either safety collars with identifying information, when outside, but micro-chipping is the only permanent way to identify a cat.
Outdoor cat enthusiasts claim cats love the outdoors, which is true, but the dangers outweigh the benefits. However, such views, are outdated and outranked by most animal professionals. The majority of veterinarians believe cats should be indoor pets. As do members of most Humane Societies and animal protection societies. Responsible cat owners are urged to do what is best for the cat.
Cat owners uncertain about keeping a pet indoors can give their cat the best of both worlds by offering outdoor experiences in controlled situations. A perfect opportunity to build a cat enclosure and plant a cat garden.
My cats love their enclosure and the special landscape. Cat grass is planted along side Catmint, Snapdragons and begonias. In summer cucumbers climb the wire enclosure. While bamboo graces one of the corners, give them a little stalking cover, because the local birds and squirrels have figured out that this is a their zoo of wild animals to gawk at, in complete protection. There has been some unwarranted taunting by the squirrels, but everyone seems to benefit. My cats wait at the door to go out and walk by themselves to the enclosure.
Here are a few links to plants that are safe for our pet partners.
http://www.nygardvetclinic.com/cat_friendly_plants.htm
http://www.petfriendlyhouse.com/information/Plants/non_poisonous_plants.aspx
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