Is Your Cat's Life In Danger?

Cats always run the risk of getting injured and this is especially true if your cat is allowed to roam outside without boundaries. The greatest amount of danger to outside cats is the traffic coming from vehicles. The injuries that are caused by oncoming cars are typically so grave that cats die on the spot. However, sometimes a severely wounded cat will be able to drag himself to its home before dying. And even if there are still signs of life, most often then not the cat's injuries will be too severe to save him.

Some cats have fatal injuries that are internal and show no signs of being hit by a car. If you ever find your cat dead at your doorstep or close by without any signs of external injuries, then you can best assume that he was poisoned. This may or may not have been done on purpose but with the amount of anti-freeze that pours out of locally parked cars and other vehicles, it is not an uncommon occurrence.

Another form of injury that the free-roaming cat may experience is that of being shot by trouble-making kids and teenagers. I realize it is hard to imagine, but the fact is that there are some people that take enjoyment by shooting cats with bee-bee guns or other types of air rifles. And sometimes this violent harm to cats is not done by young teenagers, but rather by adults who feel threatened when someone else's dog or cat is on their property. It is extreme behavior on their part but your cat's best protection is to have a cautious owner of what goes on out there!

The cats that face the greatest danger of being outdoors are uncastrated male cats. These cats often find their journeys to be a long way from home. They wander off further than most cats and along the way are faced with fights and battles with other cats, dogs, and even wild animals like possums and snakes. The injuries that are sustained in these struggles are typically not severe, but battles with dogs can (and usually does) prove to be fatal.

Falling from high places, like balcony's and roofs, are another danger that cats face. And we all know how cats love to climb and rest on top of tall structures, window sills, and even trees! Although cats do have the amazing ability to land on top of all four paws, the shock of the landing can still penetrate and cause severe injuries to its legs and even the internal organs.

After reading the above dangers that outdoors face, and the possibility of fatal accidents, you can see why it's best to keep your cat indoors. Indoor cats face less problems and are less likely to get hurt. However, indoor injuries can still occur. For example, my cat was trying to squeeze out of the basement window and was crushed when the window fell closed. Fortunately she was not fatally harmed but her back leg was broken in two places. So please, from one cat owner to another, take the time to reduce possible hazards to your cat within your house as well as refraining from letting him roam outside without supervision.