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Top 15 reasons why cats should be kept indoors

They are less likely to be hit by a car when crossing the living room than they are when crossing the street.
Their owners are less apt to have rabies than are free-roaming animals.
Their owners are less likely to bite them than are free-roaming animals.
Their owners are not as liable to have fleas, fungus, or worms as are free-roaming animals.
It’s unlikely their owner will transmit to them the Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immune Deficiency Virus, and other contagious, fatal diseases.
There's is less chance of getting a leg caught in a steel-jawed trap.
When it’s ten o-clock at night, their owners will always know where they are.
Birds will like them better.
Crotchety neighbors will like them better.
They’ll never come home looking like something the "cat dragged in".
It will be much more difficult for people to steal them.
They won’t disappear as often.
Their owners will never have to bail them out of the local shelter, or worse, the pound.
Their owners won’t have to go calling them all over the neighborhood when it’s time for dinner.
They’ll live longer, happier lives, and so will their owners.

FAST FACT:

Average life span of an indoor only cat: 15 years
Average life span of an indoor/outdoor cat: 3 years

*** ENOUGH SAID ***

Cats Who Love To Hunt

If your cat decides to do her own food shopping she could be putting your family at risk.Here's why, what to watch for, and how to prevent it :

Cats can contract a infection called toxoplasmosis when feasting on fresh-caught birds and rodents. The infection is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma Gonii, which ends up in your pets feces. If transmitted to humans, it can cause serious illness. It's this organism that leads experts to warn pregnant women not to handle cat litter. If a mom-to-be were to contract the infection, her child could have birthdefects.

Spotting Problems :

How can you tell if your pet has been affected ? The signs of poisoning or parasitic infestation are diarrea and vomiting. If you notice either, contact your vet immediately. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and hot water after handling cat box litter or cleaning a dog kennel.

To Keep Them In Check :

Yes dogs may be affected by this also so here are the best ways to prevent this for both fluffy and fido. Keep your dog in a fenced yard or on a leash when he's outside. Obediance training will help to control dogs so you can keep them from harm even off leash. Keep cats indoors or monitor them closely if they go outside.

Kitchen cures for cats and dogs :

The problem : Bad breath The cure : Carrots	If your pet's breath packs a potent punch, chances are te culprit is plaque, the same bacteria-laden film that builds up on humans teeth if you don't brush. Of course, brushing's the best cure, but here's one that's easier: Give your pet a little bit of raw carrot as a midday treat. This food can act as a mild tooth scraper, scouring away stink-causing plaque.
The problem : Bladder infection The cure : Juice	It's a home remedy for people that works for pets too. Cranberry juice and citrus juices like orange bosst the acidity of urine, reducing the number of bacteria and helping relieve discomfort from urinary tract infections. Here's a little tip, Since most pets don't like the taste of juice, just mix an ounce or two with your pet's breakfast!
The problem : Chewing that is destructive The cure : Tabasco sauce	Dogs are natorious for gnawing on their owner's possesions_ shredding slippers, for instance. The cure? Put a dash of hot pepper sauce on whatever your pet is chewing. The spicy flavour will quickly quell his desire to come back for more. It wipes off furniture, walls, wallpaper and lots of other chewables almost as easily as it wipes on, and it works! CAUTION !!!!: Try a test spot FIRST to make sure it won't permanently stain your belongings.
The problem : Constipation The cure : Grape-nuts flakes	Got a dog or cat that just can't seem to go? A high fiber diet may be just what the doctor ordered. And there's one tasty source of dietary fiber that's as good for you as your pet. 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls several times of day until the constipation clears. And if your pet happens to have a hankering for grape-nuts, she can have them forever without a problem.

Here is a way that most people don't know will strenghten their bond with their pet : Making The Most Out Of Mealtime

What really is mealtime to your pet? Maybe a can opener, o bowl of kibble, and there the feast begins! But follow these tips to make your pets dining experience the best it can be.

Sticking Around: Being nearby while your dog or cat eats strenghten the pet-owner bond. Some scientists beleive that pets associate eating with something pleasurable, and they associate that with your presence.

Be Predictable: Pet's digestive systems become conditioned to expect food at a particular time of day. So if you are late, your pet could be uncomfortable.

Get Puppies Used To Strangers: There is a social period around 3 to 12 weeks of age, during wich a puppy predicts that it will get food no matter whose hand goes in the dish. Having different people take turns feeding the pup enshures that your dog won't grow up to view people near it's food as a threat.

How Long is a Lifetime?

Most dogs and cats, with good care, can live to be 10 to 15 years old or older. BEFORE you adopt a puppy or a kitten, you should ask yourself the following questions:

To get an idea how long a pet’s lifetime may be, consider how old you will be 15 years from now.
How many times do you think you might move in the next 15 years? Are you willing to move the pet too, and restrict your choice of housing to places where pets are allowed?
If you are getting a pet for children you have now, how old will they be in 15 years? Will you still want this pet after the kids have grown up and moved out?
What major changes might happen in your life in the next 15 years? Marriage? Children? Are you willing to continue spending the time, energy, and money to care for your pet when taking on new responsibilities like these? What will you do if your spouse or children can’t get along with the pet?
Have you previously owned a pet that did not live with your for 10 years or more? If so, what happened to it? What will you do differently with this pet to prevent it from going the way your previous pet did?

If you’ve asked yourself these questions, and have answered them honestly and with reflection, and still feel that you are ready for the commitment required for responsible pet ownership, there are many homeless pets waiting for you to bring them into your loving and long-term home. Adoption page

If you are not sure that you are ready for a long term commitment of owning a pet, but would like to have an animal in your life on a short-term basis, consider fostering a pet from your local animal welfare organization. Foster homes provide love, training, and basic care for homeless animals until permanent homes can be found. Try this out, and help out homeless animals at the same time!! Become a foster home

Are You Responsible?

Thousands of unwanted and homeless cats are born in Canada each year. During the peak kitten season (from April to September), pounds and humane shelters euthanize unwanted and abandoned kittens and cats at the rate of over one per minute. Others, less fortunate, are left to wander and become easy prey for larger animals, easy targets for automobiles and easy marks for cruel pranksters and fanatics. If they do survive the hazards, they soon attain maturity and bring forth five or six kittens, mostly females, to continue this hopeless cycle. Every cat owner who allows their unspayed or unneutered cat to roam becomes responsible for the pet overpopulation tragedy.

PLEASE REMEMBER just one female cat’s cumulative offspring in 10 years could total OVER 80 MILLION CATS!!!

Two uncontrolled breeding cats plus all their kittens and all their kittens’ kittens, if none are ever neutered or spayed, add up to:

2 litters per year
2.8 surviving kittens/litter
10 years breeding life
in 10 yrs. Multiply to 80,399,780

First Year: 12
Second Year: 66
Third Year: 382
Fourth Year: 2,201
Fifth Year: 12,680
Sixth Year: 73, 041
Seventh Year: 420,715
Eighth Year: 2,423,316
Ninth Year: 13,958,290
Tenth Year: 80,399,780

Signs of a Responsible Pet Owner

Your dogs and cats

Are all spayed by six months or neutered by 7-9 months of age (unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian)
Always wear licenses and current personalized ID tags. Are microchipped, if available in your area.
Spend most of the time indoors or with the family…are cherished companions.
Stay in a safely enclosed yard, on a leash or under your supervision (with a pooper scooper in hand!) when outdoors.
Learn acceptable behaviour through positive, consistent training.
Have fresh water and appropriate food, a clean and safe environment, plenty of exercise, and brushing or baths if needed.
Are rescued, or adopted, from a shelter after careful consideration of their needs and your lifestyle.
With your guidance and through your ingenuity and patience, are allowed to be themselves.
Are treated with love and kindness.
Are transported SAFELY.
Receive regular vaccinations, treatment for common problems such as fleas or worms, and veterinary care as needed.
Are a part of the family, and will stay with you through moves and other life changes.