A Catio Is The Way To Go

A Catio Is The Way To Go

By Kelly Wallace

Now that turtle nesting season, typically mid-May to mid-July, has concluded, we look ahead to the arrival of turtle hatchlings in approximately 60 to 90 days. Many different animals are predators of or otherwise pose a threat to turtle hatchlings, including lesser talked about domesticated, abandoned, and feral cats.

Cats allowed to roam freely outdoors can have a devastating impact on small wildlife in their own yard, neighbor’s yard, and the surrounding area. This is driven by their inherent curiosity, playfulness, and instinct to hunt. Should you live near a pond or a body of water, chances are you have seen turtles in your yard, and so has your cat.

If the opportunity to hunt presents itself, a cat will partake in predatory behavior regardless of whether they are hungry or not. Cats enjoy variety in their diet and will inherently search for new food sources and territory. Should a cat stumble upon baby turtles fresh out of the nest or en route to the water, a cat will go after them. Owned cats capture their prey but do not always kill and consume it. Most small wildlife does not survive being caught by a cat, even as a plaything, due to injuries, infection, and stress. It is a sad truth that turtle hatchlings and many other small wildlife of varying species are lost every year to our feline friends.

All animals influence the environment somehow, but when it comes to indoor cats allowed outdoors, abandoned cats, and feral cats, the problem is they don’t care if the bird they’re hunting or the turtle hatchling they got ahold of is on the endangered species list or not. As difficult as it is to face, cats are endangering many native wildlife species and, on a global scale, are considered a harmful invasive species that have contributed to the extinction of several bird, mammal, and reptile species.

I have a calico cat and love her dearly, but I am under no delusion that no matter how well she is cared for and fed, if I let her outside, she is as efficient a killing machine as ever there was. The instinct to hunt takes over when cats see prey animals. This article is a “plea to cat owners” to keep their cats indoors, not just for the sake of turtles and the other wildlife it would save but for the welfare of cats and more. As much as some cat owners may struggle with the idea of keeping cats indoors, the decision to do this can provide many benefits for cats themselves, their owners, small wildlife, and the environment.

Safety: Cats exploring outdoor environments face numerous risks, such as being hit by vehicles and exposure to hazardous substances, chemicals, or plants that can be toxic to them. They can also get poisoned by consuming leaking anti-freeze or eating rats and mice sick from rat poisons. Cats stand to live a longer and healthier life if kept indoors.

Overpopulation: Letting cats outside contributes to pet overpopulation if they are not spayed or neutered. Unchecked population growth will continue to impact declining wildlife populations.
Protection from predators: Outdoor cats are at risk of getting into fights with other animals (including other cats, dogs, or wildlife) and are vulnerable to attacks from larger animals like dogs, coyotes, or predatory birds. This could lead to wounds requiring veterinary attention or severe injuries a cat will not survive.

Getting lost or stolen: There is no way to predict what a cat outdoors may encounter. Any sudden noises, a car honk, fireworks, or a barking dog can scare your feline family member and result in them getting lost or chased up a tree. A growing number of cats and dogs are reported stolen or adopted each year by someone with the best intentions thinking a cat is abandoned.

Minimized exposure to diseases: An indoor/outdoor cat can come into contact with infectious diseases or parasites, such as feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), or feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). These diseases can be transmitted through interactions with other infected cats or contaminated environments. This can spread to other pets.

Zoonotic disease spread: Cats can carry Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite resulting in toxoplasmosis. If your cat defecates in your garden or your neighbor’s sandbox, it can spread to people. This can result in severe issues, such as miscarriage and neurologic problems in humans, particularly in individuals that have a weakened immune system. Zoonotic diseases like rabies which can spread to humans and other animals are a significant concern.

Wildlife preservation: Cats are natural hunters and prey on a wide variety of wildlife species, such as birds, bats, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, rodents, and invertebrates like butterflies, moths, spiders, and dragonflies. Studies have shown that outdoor cats are contributing to small wildlife population declines. Keeping cats indoors helps protect the environment’s delicate ecological balance and biodiversity.

Neighborly relations: Keeping your cats indoors makes for improved relations with neighbors. Not surprisingly, having a cat spray on landscaping, the foundation of a neighbor’s house, or defecating in a neighbor’s garden can result in ill will towards you and your cat.

While keeping cats indoors offers many advantages, there are needs to be met to ensure indoor cats have a stimulating and enriching indoor environment with plenty of toys, scratching posts, and interactive playtime to keep them mentally and physically engaged. Providing your cat with an outdoor enclosure can allow them to explore the outdoor world without being outdoors. Cats often watch wildlife through windows, and being outside in a cat patio, also known as a “catio,” gives them a front-row seat. The best outdoor cat enclosures are made with durable materials to guarantee a safe and secure environment.

The following is an excellent link with DIY Catio Plans to purchase or browse for ideas about the most suitable catio type to construct for your available space or property. https://catiospaces.com/catios-cat-enclosures/diy-plans/

It is hoped that cat owners reading this will seriously consider transitioning their cat to a full-time indoor situation. Your cat may shy away from the catio at first, but once it realizes the outdoor experience it offers, your cat, like mine, will spend hours in their lovingly constructed enclosure. I assure you there is peace of mind that goes along with your cat being indoors that you will be glad of.

To contact the author e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or visit the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website at http://www.thinkturtle.ca

Facebook Post: #1069