When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
Five Things You Can Do To Keep An Outdoor Cat Safe
Lucy Grant
If you have a cat that spends time outdoors, they might run into some safety issues that indoor cats would not. If, for whatever reason, your cat will be spending time outside, make sure to take into consideration a few safety measures. Here are five things that you might want to look into in order to keep an outdoor cat safer.
1. Spayed or Neutered
Most veterinarians will recommend having cats spayed or neutered not only to keep cat populations down, but also because this is healthier for your cat. Aside from keeping female cats from getting pregnant, fixed cats won't roam as much or be as likely to get into fights with other cats. Outdoor cats will have an advantage if they are fixed and will be less aggressive overall.
2. Immunization
When you first bring home your cat, be sure to get your pet on an immunization schedule at your vet's office to keep your cat healthy. There might be additional vaccinations that your vet will recommend to keep your cat safer in an outdoor environment. If you were originally planning on keeping your cat indoors and this has changed, be sure to let your vet know.
3. Enclosures and Hard-to-Jump Fencing
If your cat loves sitting in the sun or being with the family in the yard, there are ways you can limit their roaming past this point. If you have fencing in your yard that cats can still scale, adding chicken wire, screened material, or lattice to the top at an angle turning inward can thwart most escape efforts and can keep cats close to home.
4. Collars and Microchips
Even if your cat doesn't go far when they are outside, it is still a good idea to have your cat set up with a collar, microchip, or both. If your cat wanders too far or gets hurt, they will be easily identifiable and can get back to you quickly and safely.
5. Flea and Tick Treatments
Spending time outdoors can make your cat susceptible to other pests that commonly wouldn't find a way into your home on their own. By preemptively treating your cat for fleas and ticks, they can stay pest-free. If you do catch a flea on your cat, be sure to treat them immediately and look out for worms that become a secondary issue.
Some cats are just programmed to be outdoors or this arrangement might fit your household better. If so, make sure that your cat is set up with all of the necessary precautions to make the outdoors a safer place for them to enjoy. If you have any concerns on your specific situation, run them by your veterinarian as well.
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