Household Cat or Untamed Tiger?

by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

            Anyone remember when Ashburn Farms was actually made up of farms?  How about when Waxpool Road and Route 28 came together at a lighted intersection?  Or, who can recall the time when the Broadlands—our own community—was not yet a “community” at all?

            If you said yes to any of these questions, chances are that you also remember when it was natural for neighborhood cats to live the majority of their time outdoors.  They had plenty of space to roam, exercise, and even socialize if they chose.  Their urges to stalk, chase, and hunt could be easily satisfied.  As long as there was a dirt patch or leaf pile to be found, litter boxes may have gone untouched (and hence, may not have required cleaning) for long stretches of time.  Kitties came home to warm up, cool down, enjoy a guaranteed meal, or just check in with their families.

            Today, there are still some outdoor cats in our community, but increased traffic and decreased “wild” space can make life outside more dangerous and even less appealing.  A brave, wise, well-protected, and fully-vaccinated feline can have a fulfilling outdoor life in the face of the related challenges, but it is so important to work closely with your veterinarian to maintain appropriate vaccinations, testings, and preventatives.  You want to help keep your pet safe from fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal parasites, rabies, distemper…and unfortunately the list goes on and on.  Additionally, you should use a break-away safety collar to hold rabies and identification tags, and back up that information with a microchip, which can be implanted at your vet’s office.  (Side note: it is also a great idea to keep indoor cats fully-vaccinated, protected, and identifiable in case of escape or incidental exposure).

            If you feel confident that your cat can hold her own in the great wide world, our community can still afford the opportunity for quality outdoor living.  Just be sure that you see your cat on a regular basis so that you can keep an eye out for illness or injury.  Also, keep up with those semi-annual vet visits so you can have the support of a full healthcare team to help protect your adventurous kitty.

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