Living and Loving the Tweed

Allowing your cats to roam outdoors can significantly shorten their lives. You can make

your cat very happy with life indoors and even cats who’ve been outside all their lives are

happy to enjoy the comfort and security of home life.

9 out of 10 cats that go missing never come home

Where is your cat

right now?

Keeps your cat safe

Cats roaming outside have many threats – cars, snakes, ticks, cat fights, poisoning, getting catnapped or getting lost!

“We made the decision to keep our cats at home after one cat was attacked by a feral cat and then bitten by a snake” – Jan, Murwillumbah.

Protects wildlife

All cats hunt, regardless of how well fed they are. Hunting is part of their natural instinct.

Indoor cats live longer

Being indoors gives them a better chance to enjoy a longer, healthier life.

“With an indoor cat you have peace of mind. You know where they are all the time. They bring you a lot of joy and pleasure” – Carolyn, Tweed Heads.

Avoid costly vet bills

Keeping your cat in keeps it safe from unexpected injuries, ticks and disease.

“Cats that roam can be a costly exercise for cat owners” - Twin Towns Vet, King Street Veterinary Hospital and Murwillumbah Veterinary Clinic.

Keeps healthy neighbour relations

Roaming cats impact on your neighbours and their animals including: cat fights, spraying, digging, defecating and spreading disease.

Strengthens the bond

Your cat will be calmer and you will know where they are and that they are safe.

Transitioning your cat

from outdoors to indoors

Sugar glider

1. Believe you (and your cat) can do it

The idea that all cats need to roam outdoors has changed. Many owners now provide a safe and stimulating environment for their cat inside at home.

“Cats normally sleep and cat nap around 18 hours a day anyway and my Felix is no exception” – Ray, South Tweed.

2. Make the home a safe place

Check for any dangers around your home as your cat will be looking for things to occupy themselves. Things like electrical cords, toxic plants, bones and medications.

3. Make the indoors fun for them

Cats don’t need to be outside. If they have an enriched environment they won’t be bored or disruptive. Have lots of toys, places to hide, lookouts on windows and scratch posts etc.

4. Bring the outdoors in

Have screens on windows and doors to provide fresh air and sunshine. Consider a “catio” or cat house, install a “cat tree” inside by a sunny window, grow or buy cat grasses (e.g. catnip) for them to chew on and keep the kitty litter tidy and appealing.

“We’ve built a ‘Kitty Condo’ so our cats can be outside for fresh air and sunshine” – Tim, Bogangar.

5. Transition them indoors slowly

Make the change from outdoors to indoors gradually - many cats will adjust with little effort, it just takes time. Feed your cat indoors. When they’ve finished eating, keep them inside for increasing periods of time. Spend time with your cat.

“As a responsible cat owner you have to be prepared to withstand cat displeasure” – Jan, Murwillumbah.

6. Get two cats

If you feel you can’t give your cat enough one-on-one personal attention time. Speak with your vet or visit Friends of the Pound for advice.

7. Don’t give up ... seek help!

Remember that you are doing a great thing to keep your cat safe and protect our wildlife.

See some happy cats who have made the transition at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/CatTales

For more information, go to www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/LoveCatsLoveWildlife www.friendsofthepound.com www.catprotection.org.au, www.tvwc.org.au

Living and Loving the Tweed

Tips to transition your cat indoors

Making the transition from outdoors to indoors can be easy for a cat if you set up the indoor environment to be interesting and fun. It will also be much safer.