Indoor or Outdoor Cat ... a Message from Boots

Hello all Boots the Cat here. Ya know when we get visitors to the house I may be hiding under the bed but I'm still listening. Every now and then someone tells my human that they should let me outside to play.

Now I'm here to set the record straight I'm perfectly happy right here inside where it's safe!

Our vet told my human that the average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is only 2 to 5 years while an indoor cat can live for 15 years or more. I remember my old friend Fitz he lived for 18 years before he got sick.

There are all kind of deadly things waiting for a house cat like me cars, dogs , coyotes or foxes just to name a few. There's also those little biting bugs like fleas and ticks just waiting for a nice furry guy like me to happen along.

There is also a bigger exposure to cat illnesses like rabies leukemia and distemper. Not to mention WORMS ... ew can you imagine those crawling around inside you? Just thinking about it makes me want to hide under the couch.

When my humans are watching the box with the moving pictures, I'm watching the birds but I'm still listening. They say there are people who watch dogs fight for the fun of it. Now I"m not a big dog fan, let me tell you, but that sounds cruel even to me. My owners were talking of how those people steal other people pets like small dogs and cats to use as bait. Can you imagine the horror.... out for a nice stroll, stalking a bird or mouse and someone grabs you up hauls you away from your comfy home and throws you to a dog who proceeds to rip you to shreds.....

NO Thanks I'll stay inside! Thanks for your concern I'm happy, healthy and well intertained by my big picture window and my playful owners.

Now if you have been letting your cat out and want to keep him safe and not missing the outdoors make sure he has a nice window seat to look out from.
Play with him often and when your not home make sure he has so toys to play with. I love my empty box to climb in and hide out. I also love paper bags and tissue paper is a blast. Don't forget the Catnip (send some to me to please I LOVE the catnip its just soooo purrrfect.)
Keep his litter box clean.
Spay or neuter them to help reduce the wanderlust and un wanted kittens
Last don't forget those vet checkups to head off any problems.

Thanks for listening I'm off to make one of those mad dashes that leave my humans scratching their heads and wondering what I"m up to. Hey I gotta keep them guessing right?