Cats are the real city slickers

Running parallel with this is the space we need to share with our beloved pets. Birds are mostly housed in cages, and exotic animals and pocket-money pets are housed in specifically-designed habitats which, in some instances, are highly innovative especially with regard to hamsters and bearded dragons.

Cats have become much more popular as companion animals over the past three decades and while they don’t really require much space to live a contented life, there remains a large percentage of pet cats which roam the neighbourhoods causing a variety of problems to themselves, their species and their owners.

Cat. Image supplied

There are obvious concerns about free-roaming cat pets being run over by vehicles, caught and killed by dogs, caught and eaten by certain people, suffering injuries from inter-feline conflict situations which not only result in injury, pain and abscesses but may, in the long-term, become victims to fatal diseases such as Leukaemia and Feline AIDS arising as a sequel from infected cats, particularly of feral origin.

While vaccines are available to prevent these diseases, most caring and responsible cat owners are in a dilemma between keeping their pets healthy and safe and allowing them to be cats which includes freedom to explore, hunt and do what they are genetically programmed to do, for mental and physical stimulation.

In many countries overseas a popular acceptable compromise has been developed which has not been considered in this country due to body corporate rules, sectional title deeds regulations and the aesthetics of constructing outdoor habitats for cats and small dogs adjoined to the dwelling.

The so-called “catios” are screened-in verandas, patios, decks and porches which allow the owners, their cats and small dogs to view and appreciate the environment without the pets having to roam. Sometimes people live at great heights and suffer from anxiety and trepidation in case the pet may fall off the balcony and suffer high-rise syndrome complications, even death.

Within these enclosures one can be innovative with all types of features ranging from catnip plants, scratching posts, tunnels and towers to give cats places to hide and strategically observe, respectively. There are other benefits derived from this design. Birds cannot invade the area and mess on the pet food. It increases security for both owners and pets.

It is a sacrifice to relinquish these areas and the habitats can range from small practical structures to enormous playgrounds. The entry to these areas may be a window from the owner’s main bedroom, lounge or other room which can lead from there through a tunnel which has a firm, comfortable platform until the cat or small dog reaches the main part of the outdoor habitat which may even be constructed around accessible trees and foliage.

Overseas the catios may be a do-it-yourself variety, ready-made by certain companies or custom-made to suit individual requirements. Modular cat enclosures with tubes and rooms can be designed for individual felines or fashioned into multi-feline kingdoms.

Read more on this topic next week.