The Cat Flap and the Feline Nature

As a cat owner and a chronic ‘cat enthusiast’, I often browse many cat forums and cat sites. I’ve recently came across a debate that gave me the idea for this post. The theme was ‘Indoor cats vs outdoor cats’. People were proving that since it’s so dangerous for our kitties to go outside, they should stay inside all the time. One person even said, I quote – “Cats belong indoors”.

Allow me to disagree. Cats are felines – probably the most beautiful, strong and dignified animals. Stating that they ‘belong indoors’ you are denying them their true nature, their right to freedom and independence.

Humans domesticated the wild cats many centuries ago, but this doesn’t mean that cats became soft cuddly toys without instincts, needs and rights. Any living creature deserves to see the sun and breathe fresh air every day. How would you feel if somebody told you that you belong indoors because it’s dangerous to be outside? You could get attacked, kidnapped, robbed or hit by a car! Does this ring a bell to you? Isn’t it the same thing that many people say about their cats?

It’s impossible to protect someone, even your own child, from all the dangers of this wild world. But this doesn’t mean that we should isolate ourselves and live in seclusion. The same cat be said about our pets, especially about cats.

If you live at the countryside or in the suburbs, it’s mandatory that you install a petsafe cat flap on your back door – it will allow your cat to go outside whenever he/she needs, at the same time protecting your home. How is that possible? Very simple – the petsafe cat flap has a special locking system – magnetic, microchip activated or infrared. The door will open only when receiving a special signal emitted by a transmitter that you can plant on your cat’s collar. As easy as that!

This kind of cat flap will protect not only the security of your house, but also your adventurous kitty. Whenever she’s being chased by a dog or another animal, she can hide inside the house, being sure that the unwanted guest will not be able to come after her through the flap.

If you live in the center of a big city or in a dangerous neighborhood, the situation changes a little. Don’t allow your kitty to go outside alone – instead, take her with you to the park and allow her to sunbath and play in the grass under your supervision. However, when you’re at work or too busy to do that, your kitty still deserves some fresh air!

The compromise is to install a cat flap on your balcony door – this way, your cat will be able to go to the balcony whenever she chooses, enjoy the view, watch the birds and sunbath. But don’t forget to install a cat net – sometimes, cats tend to be too ‘enthusiastic’ about the birds they’re ‘watching’ and might fall from an unprotected balcony. The cat net will catch and protect even the bravest SuperCat, at the same time allowing the sunrays to pass through.

You have to accept the fact that you can’t protect your pet all the time. This doesn’t mean that your furry friend doesn’t have the right to live a fulfilled feline life – running in the tall grass, climbing trees, chasing butterflies, socializing, hunting and exploring. If your cat will see that you respect her independence, she will trust and love you much more than before.