I'm a happy barn cat!
At the barn where I board my horse there are barn cats. Well, two young cats, each about 5-6 months of age and an adult cat that wandered down from another barn and decided to stay. I have several published books and numerous articles on the care of indoor cats, and every day I watch these barn cats, who are more like house cats in many ways, running down barn aisles, playing in the grass, eating grasshoppers and mice and tumbling around with one another having a grand time in the sun. Fortunately for these cats, the barn is a nice place with a heated viewing room and lounge chair, lots of saddle pads to sleep on, a 140 X 140 foot litter box (or one of any number of 12 ft X 12 ft stalls, whichever is closest at the time), people in and out all day long to love, pet, play with and feed them... and the road is too far away to be much of a concern.
Nonetheless, there are still dangers. Coyotes plague the wooded areas surrounding the farm, huge hawks circle overhead daily and cars drive in and out of the parking lot all the time. There are also horses everywhere, stepping down aisles with their hooved feet. Thus far, the young cats have steered clear of these dangers. But they exist. Yet, this is particular barn is one of the most ideal situations I have ever seen for an outdoor cat.
So, how do you keep your house cat indoors yet still provide all the wonders and freedom that these barns cats experience, without the dangers?
The answer is to bring the outdoors in, to replicate everything your cat would have if he were to head outside, only within a safe area, location, or confined space. This article is the first in a series of articles on doing just that, on bringing your cat indoors, on opening up the virtual window so to speak nd letting the sunshine in. For your cat's health, as well as for yourself.
Nonetheless, there are still dangers. Coyotes plague the wooded areas surrounding the farm, huge hawks circle overhead daily and cars drive in and out of the parking lot all the time. There are also horses everywhere, stepping down aisles with their hooved feet. Thus far, the young cats have steered clear of these dangers. But they exist. Yet, this is particular barn is one of the most ideal situations I have ever seen for an outdoor cat.
So, how do you keep your house cat indoors yet still provide all the wonders and freedom that these barns cats experience, without the dangers?
The answer is to bring the outdoors in, to replicate everything your cat would have if he were to head outside, only within a safe area, location, or confined space. This article is the first in a series of articles on doing just that, on bringing your cat indoors, on opening up the virtual window so to speak nd letting the sunshine in. For your cat's health, as well as for yourself.
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