Warrnambool cat owners are being encouraged to keep their cats indoors at night.
Warrnambool City Council local laws co-ordinator Tim Brosowsky said pet cats were safest if they were indoors between sunset and sunrise.
“If your cat goes out at night, there is a greater chance of it being hit by a car or injured in a fight with another cat,” Brosowsky said.
“You are also at risk of contracting the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) as a result of fighting.
“And the spraying and howling, especially during mating season, can be annoying to neighbors.
“If your cat is found wandering at night, there is also a risk of receiving a $385 fine.”
Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Veterinary College of Veterinary Behaviour, based at Lava Street Veterinary Clinic, Dr Fiona Warton, said developing a routine was important to help a cat’s transition to staying indoors at night.
“As a family, agree on a schedule and start by feeding your cat his favorite treat at the same time each night or when he comes into the house,” says Dr.
“This will encourage them to arrive at a specific time each night.
“Provide litter boxes for the same number of cats in the household, plus one extra, at all times so they know where they can go to the bathroom during the night.
“Enrich the environment with soft, comfortable bedding, favorite toys and cat trees, and playful interaction to encourage cats to enjoy their time indoors.
Warton said in Australian urban and rural cities there is an ongoing problem with feral cats and the negative effects they have on both the domestic cat population and the environment.
“Cats that spend a large part of the day/night outside have access to a complex and changeable environment – potentially good for expressing a wide range of normal behaviors such as scratching, predatory behavior, climbing and exercise,” said Dr.
“However, this brings with it a number of risk factors, including greater exposure to infectious diseases, a greater risk of injury or accidents (cat fights, road accidents, injuries to other animals, poisons) and the risk of being separated of its owner through loss.
“Some owners may be concerned about potential problem behaviors that develop with their cats if they are confined. However, I believe that by taking all of the above points into consideration, a cat-friendly indoor environment can be developed that meets all of their needs. needs and allow for the appropriate expression of their normal behaviors.”
Cats roaming around at night can have a devastating effect on wildlife. The Endangered Species Recovery Center estimates that each pet cat allowed to roam and hunt kills an average of 186 mammals, reptiles and birds per year.
Stray cats also increase the feral cat population and across Australia the combined impact of feral and domestic stray cats is significant.
In Australia, every day, cats kill 3.2 million mammals (mainly native species in the bush; mainly introduced species in cities); 1.2 million birds (almost all native species); 1.9 million reptiles (almost all native species), 250 thousand frogs (all native species) and 3 million invertebrates.
Dr. Warton’s Tips for Keeping Cats Indoors at Night
• Cats can be happy when kept indoors if their individual physical and mental needs are met. Provide an enriched environment and appropriate human interaction for each cat, as they all have individual personalities and things they like.
• Cats respond well to predictable routines, which is helpful in getting cats to consistently come inside before dark and stay confined indoors at night.
• Feeding dinner indoors before dark and then keeping the cat indoors associates a positive experience with entering the home.
• It may be helpful to give your cat dinner later, before bed, to help him settle indoors. Cats are crepuscular (meaning they can be most active at dusk and dawn) and have predatory instincts. Feeding dinner from an enrichment toy that contains food can help meet this need to perform hunting sequences or predatory play at night before settling down.
• The goal should be to provide an indoor/confined environment that meets your cat’s specific needs, which will help him adapt better to being indoors at night. Many cats live very happily as full-time indoor cats, with all their needs met. This means an environment that allows them to express their full range of normal behaviors, interact with their environment and socially in their household, which may include people and other pets.
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