Dear Fisher,
It seems like every day, I look out the window to see people walking dogs, squirrels running up and down trees, and birds bathing in a bird bath next door. Some days I even see cats wandering freely through the neighborhood and I have to wonder how come they can be outside and I have to stay in. Why won’t my humans let me go out and play?

PeeJay

Dear PeeJay,
You bring up a good subject for all the cats on the inside looking out. There are several reasons why you should stay inside. First, it is for your own safety. Not everything out there is as peaceful and calm as you describe it. You may find enemies you never knew existed:

• dogs
• other cats
• people who hate cats or children who are just plain mean
• traffic everywhere

Dogs love to chase and may be very happy to see a new critter in the area. Some dogs just plain don’t like cats. They may belong to a home where their people do not take the responsibility to keep them on a leash. You could get into a terrific mess if the dog decided to attack you.

Cats on the “outside” don’t want any new cats in their territory. They may be fighting whiskers and tails just to survive and will not welcome an “intruder”. They can be ferocious and turn on you, biting and scratching. Cats left to roam are often infected with diseases like feline leukemia or FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). Even if the cat is nice to you, the diseases are killers and are transmitted from cat to cat. Find out about the dangers in your area at www.kittytest.com.

It breaks my heart to even think there are humans (young and old) who would hurt a cat. One form of news or another will tell the story of how some loving household pet was poisoned or tortured or stolen from his yard for sordid reasons.

And traffic! What can I say? Vehicles are huge and fast and the people in them are focused on their destination or their current text message - not on your decision to cross the road! You can just imagine the result that may come from that.  

Another very serious reason you should stay inside is to show respect for your neighbors. You know that huge litter box in their back yard with real sand in it? Well, it is for their children to play in. And that birdbath you describe, where the birds flit and play – and the nice neighbor lady is watching through her kitchen window, and then WHAM! The cat gets the bird. These events do nothing to help those who are trying to understand that cats are really wonderful beings, and they may even retaliate. (Re-read paragraph 4)

Saving the best for last reason to stay inside: Because you can! You are in air-conditioned splendor, there are no fleas, and the furniture is soft and cushy. Your humans have provided you with cute little toys to bat and chase until you get tired and take that long afternoon nap in the master bedroom on the softest pillow. Aah, the life of an inside cat!

Your friend,

Fisher