Anyone who has been lucky enough to care for an animal knows how special having a pet can be in life. But for cat owners, keeping these beloved animals close while outside of the home can be difficult. Unlike a dog, that can be conditioned to stay close to his owner with voice commands or use a leash, cats have a more wild and free personality so taking them outdoors safely takes some getting used to.
Here are some tips for keeping your outside cat in your own backyard.
Comfort is Everything
One of the most important things an animal can have is comfort and trust. When you build that bond it creates a mutually beneficial relationship. Your pet is loyal, obedient and wants to remain close to you. Making sure your outside cat feels this bond and level of comfort with you and with the habitat is key to keeping them in the backyard and not off chasing birds and other critters across town. Remember to also keep food, water and plenty of toys available in this space for your cat.
Accommodate Needs
If you’d like to keep your cat in your yard you might also want to think about planting some greenery that they favor. Things like catnip and wheatgrass sprouts will have your kitty happy to remain on premises. You’ll also want to think about getting tall enough fencing to prevent your cat from jumping out of the yard. Some recommend finding fencing and other materials that don’t seem sturdy enough for your cat as a way to discourage climbing. These types of fences are designed specifically to assist with keeping cats outdoors and can be used around trees as well to stop cats from clawing their way up the bark.
Wireless Technologies
We hear about dog collars and wireless fencing for containment purposes all the time. But did you know that these same technologies are being adapted to also work for cats now?
DogWatch Hidden Fences help keep your cat within invisible fencing in your yard. If you’d like to allow your cat to go outdoors this is an affordable, reliable option to consider. Not only can you set up specific boundaries to keep your cat in your yard but you can also keep them away from trees or other dangers around the yard.
Trainers work specifically with the cat, starting indoors, for about two weeks to get them used to the system and lightweight collar. After the cat is adjusted, they then move outside and carefully test how the cat handles the freedom to roam around as well as the boundaries that have been set.
If you’re ready to let your feline friend explore the great outdoors, contact DogWatch of Western MA and see how easily reliable freedom can be achieved.