The domestic cat or the Felius Catus is one of our most excellent companions. Unfortunately, these cats, and any of our pets, come with a price, and I’m not just talking in dollars. Almost every kind of pet is somehow invasive somewhere, and cats are everywhere.
So, why am I mentioning this? I bring this up because cats are part of a massive problem, and because of how we care for them now, that issue is only getting worse. These cats are causing massive damage to the environment by overhunting small birds, mammals, and reptiles, which throws the balance off and causes many other issues, including:
- Thinning populations of small birds, reptiles, and mammals
- Thinning populations of other predators who feast on the above animals
- Overpopulation in cats
- Imbalance in the food chain
What can we do?
The main issue with the way we take care of cats is that free-roaming has been normalized. Stray cats and free-roaming cats all still hunt, regardless of if they need to or not. So what should we do about our Free-roaming Cats?
No one ever likes it, but the truth is we have to keep our cats inside but don’t worry. I have solutions to help your cat stay happy indoors AND outdoors!
Free-Roaming Cats: Indoors
First comes first, “catifying” your home. Do you have cat trees? Do you have scratching posts? Do you have enough litter boxes? Do you have shelves for your cat to climb and access to windows? These should all be considered when you own a cat. When you get a cat, you must be willing to get the proper furniture for them to live on. Without any furniture or places to scratch and go to the bathroom, your house won’t only become a mess from your fluffy friend, but it will also stress them out. Cats need to be able to climb and survey from above- it’s in their instincts to get to high places.
Free-Roaming Cats: Outdoors
How can we get our cats outside without them impacting the environment? The solution is simple! You have two options:
- Build a Catio
- Leash Walking
Though, you should really do both if you want to keep your cat as healthy as possible.
A catio is like an indoor porch for your cat! They can run around and play while being “outside.”
Catio:
Catios are most likely going to be the solution for most, but what about leash walking? It is still controversial to leash-walk cats. After all, it is much harder to train them, and harnesses aren’t as readily available. I have a video that will help you understand why leash walking is important and healthy for your cats:
Now that we have gone over Free-Roaming Cats, let’s talk about strays.
Stray Cats
Anyone can help the environment when it comes to dealing with stray cats. Stray cats are wilder than the usual domestic cat that has grown up around people and are much harder to take in. The best solution for these guys is to practice TNR, (Trap, Neuter, Return). You can do this by simply laying out a humane cage trap with some food in it. Once you catch a cat, you can bring them to get neutered or spayed, and then release them back where you caught them. The reason this helps is simple: It helps keep the cat population under control without harming them.
If we can take of our cats better, we can help the environment more than ever before! I hope I’ve helped you learn something! Let’s work together to help our cats and the environment thrive!
Cat Walking Supplies are more diffuciult to come by, so here are some links to help you out!
Cat-specific harness: https://www.amazon.com/rabbitgoo-Adjustable-Harnesses-Breathable-Reflective/dp/B07SC7WFQN
(Never walk your cat on a collar or a dog harness. They can get loose very easily that way!)
Cat Backpack for easy transportation or a tired cat: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Backpack-Pet-Carrier-Bag/dp/B09XBC4MSF