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Cats are little predators, and as such love to be out-of-doors, chasing birds, catching field mice, or just curling up in a patch of sunshine. However, domestic cats have been bred and trained to live within a niche in a human dwelling. Traditionally, they were kept for rodent control. Having a cat just to cuddle and love is a fairly modern concept.

We live in a modern world, with ever-increasing crowding, shrinking habitat for animals of any kind, whizzing automobiles, and often in thickly populated neighborhoods where other families have pets or animals they are raising for fun, food or profit. A cat roaming loose can pose a threat to domestic fowl or small meat animals, such as rabbits. It can become a problem in game preserves or protected areas where conservationists are attempting to replenish the members of a dwindling species. Bird fanciers, who have put up feeders, will not appreciate a visit from your pet.

An outside cat is subject to many potential dangers and illnesses. It can get in a fight with other cats, it can become ill from being wet or cold, it may get infectious diseases from parasites or other animals. It can be run over by motor vehicles when crossing roads. It can ingest poisons from rodents or insects that have eaten pesticides or from wastes such as antifreeze. Sadly, it is even at risk from human beings who may tease, trap or shoot cats. Even on isolated farmsteads, outside poses a certain amount of danger to cats. Coyotes and some predatory birds view kitten as a favored menu item.

Seeing your cat out-of-doors (cats can travel quite a way on their own), other people may assume your kitty is a stray and try to feed it, or invite it into their home. If you cat does not have an identifying chip or tags, they may adopt it. Animal control authorities may trap your cat and take it to the local pound or shelter. Under that same heading, a free-roaming cat with a collar is in danger of getting it entangled in vines or fencing and not being able to pull loose. Unlike a dog, which may be strong enough to break free, a cat simply does not have the strength to free itself. Caught in such a way, it is at great risk from larger animals; or it may simply die of hunger and thirst.

Cats need sunshine and fresh air-just as any animal does. But this can be provided in a protected run or screened in patio. Add plots of oat grass for chewing, a patch or two of catnip, cat toys, fresh water and a crunchy kibbles snack station, your fierce little tiger can safely play "outside" in its own "jungle", away from the dangers in the big world.

Learn more about this author, Daisy Peasblossom.
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