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Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats

Is it better to have an inside cat or an outside cat? This is a question I get all the time. But it...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Is it better to have an inside cat or an outside cat? This is a question I get all the time. But it really depends on the animal and the pet owner's situation.

Personally, I would prefer if all cats stayed inside and never went out. It's a rough and scary place out there, even in the best neighborhoods. Outdoor cats are up against cars, other cats, dogs, wildlife, and more. And don't forget all the parasites cats can pick up from being outside, or the possible exposure to both natural and man-made toxins. Not a day goes by in my practice when we are not treating an injured cat due to one of these hazards.

With that being said, I do understand that the outdoor-indoor decision is not always so black and white. My family cat, Sally, was a stray barn cat that someone brought to my office. She had just had kittens and had already lived a tough life outside. I fell in love with her. So I had her spayed, vaccinated, and cleaned her up. I brought her home to live with my family, and my plan was to keep her inside for the rest of her life. She would have regular meals, a clean litter box, and kids to play with -- a perfect and safe life.

My plan lasted all of one week. For the first week, she was happy indoors and loved all the attention. She got along with my kids and my dogs. But then she started standing by the door, wanting to get out. Having been a barn cat, she had some real street smarts. So when I tried to slip in and out of the front door, she learned to hide across the room and dart for the door when opened. And she was fast, so she got out often.

One day, when as I was trying to get her back inside, I noticed how she was just sitting on our deck, looking happy in the sun. Right then I realized that my everyday struggle to keep her inside was no good for either of us. She was much happier going outside. So I rethought my plan and concluded that there are some pets you just cannot keep indoors. She was miserable being inside all the time. And as soon as we started letting her out -- making her an indoor-outdoor cat -- she was happy.

In appreciation for my change of heart, she rewarded us daily with "gifts" that she'd catch outside. The only problem was that her "gifts" were usually alive, resulting in our having to chase a chipmunk, squirrel, bird, mole, and even a snake out of our house. My wife still hasn't recovered!

As a veterinarian, I would love for all pets to live inside in controlled environments without the exposure to so many outdoor dangers. But for many animals this is torture. If you have a cat like Sally, the best you can do is try to protect it as much as you can. Keep its flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives current. Try to get it to stay in your yard away from cars, and watch it carefully for any signs of trauma or abscesses.

What has influenced you to allow or prevent your cat from going outdoors? What steps do you take to keep your wandering cat as safe, healthy, and protected as you can?View Thread

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats Is it better to have an inside cat or an outside cat? This is a question I get all the time. But it...

Behavior Problems Related to Disease?

In my practice, I deal with many pets that have behavioral problems, such as aggression and...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

In my practice, I deal with many pets that have behavioral problems, such as aggression and obsessive compulsive disorder. I've seen these behaviors get much worse when pets are agitated from skin disease and irritation, allergies, or other medical conditions.

One of my patients, Tiger, is a cat who is grumpy even on a good day. You can pet him, but it has to be quick. If you linger too long, you will get bitten. On top of his gloomy disposition, he also has seasonal allergies. So when his allergies flare up, he will attack even his owner. She walked into the same room with Tiger during one of his flares, and he actually ran over and bit her! After treating his allergies multiple times, we noticed that he calms down once they're under control. Since the owner is scared of him when his allergies are bad, I am very proactive about treating his allergies with antihistamines so that his behavior and demeanor remain more controlled.

I have canine patients who display symptoms of obsessive compulsive behavior, such as repetitive barking, excessive grooming, and circling. These behaviors, too, will often get much worse at times when pets are uncomfortable. Dogs may start barking incessantly. And their owners can't get them to stop until we deal with any additional issues. So when a pet in this situation is brought to me for a behavioral consult, in reality, she may need to be treated for an unforeseen medical condition first.

I have a few patients whose allergies trigger their excessive grooming behaviors. The grooming and licking can get so bad that pets will actually lick themselves raw or pull out all their fur. Once I have treated the condition, a pet sometimes will not stop licking his hotspots. This keeps the existing inflammation active and leads to a very frustrating cycle. Once we finally break the cycle, I do everything I can to keep the animal's skin issues under control from then on. Many of these pets are very sensitive to all allergens, such as fleas and ticks. So I make sure they have good flea and tick protection on all year round. Again, I want to do everything I can to prevent the cycle from starting again.

The connection between certain pet behaviors and wellness is understandable. I know when I don't feel well, I certainly have less tolerance for all types of annoyances. And why should our pets be any different? A pet that's in pain or is suffering from inflammation might do things that seem to be out of his nature, which is yet another reason to make sure our pets are cared for and comfortable. So, if your pet starts displaying unusual behavioral problems, always consider that there may be a medical condition that started the behavior. You cannot always just work on fixing the behavioral problem; you may have to investigate and treat an underlying medical condition before things will improve.

Have you ever had to deal with a pet's behavioral decline due to illness? Share your story about what you did for your furry friend.View Thread

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Behavior Problems Related to Disease? In my practice, I deal with many pets that have behavioral problems, such as aggression and...

What's wrong with my cat?

My cat is 6-7 months old and today shes walking very low to the ground. She's always active but today she...

Posted by thisgurl143

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:What's wrong with my cat? My cat is 6-7 months old and today shes walking very low to the ground. She's always active but today she...

Help!!!

My 10 year old Siberian Husky has suddenly become ill. She has no interest in eating and is walking very...

Posted by zoebird2002

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Help!!! My 10 year old Siberian Husky has suddenly become ill. She has no interest in eating and is walking very...

Idiopathic Epilepsy, with secondary Idiopathic Nep...

Hello, I have a 4 year old, Australian Shepherd Mix, Male (Neutered) dog. He went to the vet on 4/17/12 for...

Posted by jasonboy808

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Idiopathic Epilepsy, with secondary Idiopathic Nephritis Hello, I have a 4 year old, Australian Shepherd Mix, Male (Neutered) dog. He went to the vet on 4/17/12 for...

Major Cat bite

I received a major cat bite on my index finger about 3 weeks ago. I went to the dr for a tetnus shot and...

Posted by poohbear538

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Major Cat bite I received a major cat bite on my index finger about 3 weeks ago. I went to the dr for a tetnus shot and...

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My dog keeps sneezing

I live in the country and weeds have kinda gotten out of control at the moment in my field. My beagle runs...

Posted by An_245311

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:My dog keeps sneezing I live in the country and weeds have kinda gotten out of control at the moment in my field. My beagle runs...

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Stinky Urine

Hello, My 9 year old female kitty has very stinky urine otherwise she seems to be in perfect health. Is there a...

Posted by SLMP56

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Stinky Urine Hello, My 9 year old female kitty has very stinky urine otherwise she seems to be in perfect health. Is there a...

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Heart Disease

Our almost 8 year old Bull Terrier has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. We are...

Posted by AllegatorBaby1937

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Heart Disease Our almost 8 year old Bull Terrier has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. We are...

Sick Persian Cat

I have a six year old strictly indoor Persian that became ill over the weekend. I left for a long weekend on...

Posted by 01j01j

I have a six year old strictly indoor Persian that became ill over the weekend. I left for a long weekend on Thursday night and returned Sunday evening to find him lethargic and running a fever. He wouldn't purr like he normaly does. Wouldn't eat or drink, but he would turn his head to the left slightly on occasion, like something was caught in his throat. Looked like he was going to die. Took him to the vet the next morning. Blood test turned up nothing (no kidney problems). Couldn't get him to urinate. He was given 150 ml of fluid. Picked him up in the afternoon with no diagnosis. That night I was able to get him to eat about ten small kibbles from my finger. Still no drinking, but I was able to give him about 20 ml of water through a one ml syringe. No throwing up. No defecation, no urination. He went to sleep and didn't wake up all night. The next day (Tuesday) he is a little better but still sick. Took him back to the vet. He became more active there, but still sick. Vet said his bladder was full. Took him home and he immediately went to the litter box to urinate. The thrid day (today), he seems better, but stil will not eat unless he is hand fed and then just a few kibbles. still no drinking, but I gave him 20 ml of water through the syringe. Was very whiney in the morning, but slept all day (normal for him). Whiney in the afternoon. Still will not eat or drink and still seems like he has something caught somewhere. Gave him CatLax twice. Seems uncomfortable. Suddenly doesn't like to be held on his back (not normal). The Vet or me cannot find anything sticking out of him, but he still is moving his head to the left ever so slightly on occasion. Is not sore anywhere to the touch, but move slowly, possible because he is sore, but possibly because he has no energy. Started purring on the second day (Monday) and generally seems happy, if slightly uncomfortable. Tonight (Wednesday) he puked out a quarter size ball of flim. He didn't caugh it up, it just fell out of his mouth.

Can anyone give me a clue as to where to look next?View Thread

Posted by 01j01j

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Odd mark on dog biting her hips

My dog, Roxy, is a 4-5 year old German Shepard/Black Lab mix. Yesterday, after I left for school and my...

Posted by lovemyroxy

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Odd mark on dog biting her hips My dog, Roxy, is a 4-5 year old German Shepard/Black Lab mix. Yesterday, after I left for school and my...

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Cat with Diaherra??

My 1 yr old female has had diaherra for a few days now and she had a little blood in it. now she went...

Posted by Mandi_moo1982

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Cat with Diaherra?? My 1 yr old female has had diaherra for a few days now and she had a little blood in it. now she went...

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Dog Coughing

I live in the country and have a barn with horses. I have a minature dachshund that loves to hunt for rats....

Posted by rcsmith812

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Dog Coughing I live in the country and have a barn with horses. I have a minature dachshund that loves to hunt for rats....

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Consant Licking at lower legs

We have a doberman that has started to constantly lick at his lower legs (near his dew claw area and around) to...

Posted by 04storm

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Consant Licking at lower legs We have a doberman that has started to constantly lick at his lower legs (near his dew claw area and around) to...

Myths and Facts about Ticks

Anyone who has ever found a tick on their pet (or on themselves) knows that these creatures can be...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Anyone who has ever found a tick on their pet (or on themselves) knows that these creatures can be really bothersome. They burrow into the skin of other creatures and actually feed and live on their blood. The CDC reports that ticks are found in every US state and that the number of tick-borne diseases is currently on the rise. To dispel some of the mystery, here are a few commonly-held myths about ticks and the facts that we have to debunk them.

Myth # 1: Ticks are insects.

Ticks are actually parasites that belong to the arachnid family. An arachnid is classified as having eight legs, although the front legs of some species have converted to a sensory function. Ticks are joined in this class by other wonderful creatures such as spiders, scorpions, and mites.

Myth # 2: Ticks live in trees.

Many people think that if they live in an urban setting -- where there are few trees -- their pets are safe from ticks. Unfortunately, ticks are everywhere. Many are found living in grass. They sit at the end of blades of grass and cling to warm bodies as they pass by. Then they migrate upwards on their hosts, which is why they are usually found around the head and neck of a pet.

Myth # 3: Ticks are easy to kill in the environment.

Ticks are great survivors. They can live in some of the toughest environments. They will actually cease their own development in order to survive in harsh conditions. This is why environmental control of ticks can be very difficult.

Myth # 4: If you live in a cold environment, you do not have to worry about ticks.

As I said before, ticks can stop their own development and wait until environmental conditions are more favorable. They are also good at laying eggs in areas where they can survive, such as your house. This is why year-round tick protection is so important.

Myth # 5: If your pet gets a tick-borne disease, it will be easy to diagnose.

The tick-borne diseases that veterinarians deal with most often include Lyme disease, ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Each of these is very difficult to diagnose and symptoms may not appear until long after the tick is gone. It may take multiple blood tests to confirm a diagnosis.

So, if you were not worried about ticks before, you should be. Not only are they tough to kill and the source of some significant and hard-to-diagnose diseases. They are something your pet can pass on to you and other people they come in contact with. So remember to protect your pet from these nasty little parasites.

Was anyone surprised by the truth behind some of these myths? What bits of information have you heard about ticks and tick-borne diseases that have struck your curiosity? Share them with the Community.View Thread

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Myths and Facts about Ticks Anyone who has ever found a tick on their pet (or on themselves) knows that these creatures can be...

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Older cat OCD?

Hello Dr. I have a senior kitty who is the smartest cat and just so lovable. This is not really a problem,...

Posted by Winterblue2

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Older cat OCD? Hello Dr. I have a senior kitty who is the smartest cat and just so lovable. This is not really a problem,...

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HELP - broken arm & blisters

I am freaking out, my puppy broke her arm 2 days ago. we seen the vet and she got a splint put on. today we...

Posted by An_245193

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:HELP - broken arm & blisters I am freaking out, my puppy broke her arm 2 days ago. we seen the vet and she got a splint put on. today we...

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Steriods

My sister in law's vet has had her Standard Poodle on steriod for two years and now her 11 year old dog is...

Posted by SLMP56

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Steriods My sister in law's vet has had her Standard Poodle on steriod for two years and now her 11 year old dog is...

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Older Cat Needs Medical Check...Suggest Financial ...

Hello. I have two questions. My older cat seemed to have some sort of seizure. He was sleeping very soundly...

Posted by Anon_182844

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Older Cat Needs Medical Check...Suggest Financial Assistance? Hello. I have two questions. My older cat seemed to have some sort of seizure. He was sleeping very soundly...

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My dog won't eat his dry food

I give my dog a little dry food in the morning and a little semi-moist food in the evening. In the last...

Posted by An_245160

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:My dog won't eat his dry food I give my dog a little dry food in the morning and a little semi-moist food in the evening. In the last...

Pomeranian

I have 4 yr old female pom, this morning she threw up 3 times, she has drank some water but will not eat, she...

Posted by An_245139

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Pomeranian I have 4 yr old female pom, this morning she threw up 3 times, she has drank some water but will not eat, she...

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Talkative Cat!

I have had MANY cats during my life, Siamese, Burmese, etc. but have never had a cat who was as talkative as my...

Posted by Dee9840

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Talkative Cat! I have had MANY cats during my life, Siamese, Burmese, etc. but have never had a cat who was as talkative as my...

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Feline renal failure

My cat Tess was diagnosed with renal failure recently and switched to K/d diet but she refuses to eat it....

Posted by tessiecat

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Feline renal failure My cat Tess was diagnosed with renal failure recently and switched to K/d diet but she refuses to eat it....

worried please help

have a pug/shih-tzu that will be one at the end of june. for the past couple of days he has not had an...

Posted by jessporter

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:worried please help have a pug/shih-tzu that will be one at the end of june. for the past couple of days he has not had an...

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kitten's having spasms

the kitten is about 9 months old. today she has started having these spasms. She shakes her head, twitches...

Posted by An_245059

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:kitten's having spasms the kitten is about 9 months old. today she has started having these spasms. She shakes her head, twitches...

Treatment for Your Pet's Seasonal Allergies

Treating seasonal allergies is all about managing the allergies and keeping inflammation to a...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Treating seasonal allergies is all about managing the allergies and keeping inflammation to a minimum. And the key is knowing what time of year these reactions occur in your pet. I have many patients who are spring reactors, some that are fall reactors, and a few that react in the winter. So after several years of treatment, if I see a distinct pattern of allergy symptoms, I will encourage pet owners to start treatment in advance of their pet's reactive allergy season.

For starters, I recommend:

-- Using drugs and therapies that have the fewest side effects. Antihistamines typically have very few side effects. But there are many types of antihistamines, so check with your veterinarian to see which one is best for your pet.
-- Increasing how often you bathe your pet. Sometimes just washing all the allergens off your pet can make a big difference for how they will react. However, there is a fine line for how much bathing is too much. Excessive bathing can wash away important oils which protect the skin and coat.
-- Choosing a shampoo specifically for your pet's needs. There are many kinds of shampoos for specific skin conditions, and your veterinarian can help you choose which will work best.
-- Getting your pet's hair cut shorter. I discovered this with my own dog, Ellie, who suffers from seasonal allergies. Once, in the midst of trying to get her allergies under control, I had her groomed with a shorter hair cut because her hair was getting tangled from all her scratching. Lo and behold, she was much better after the grooming. But as soon as her hair grew back, she was miserable again. I had her groomed short again, and sure enough, she once again was relieved. (Of course, I was happy that she was better. But my ego was a little bruised since the groomer did more for her allergies than I could!) I believe this works because shorter hair holds less pollen and allergens. I have suggested it to many of my clients who have also had success with shorter grooming.

Another important measure for seasonal allergy treatment is good flea and tick control for your pet. This may seem unrelated. But remember, once pets already have inflammation in the skin, they tend to be more reactive to other types of allergens and irritants. For example, since I already know that I'm going to be managing my dog's seasonal allergies in the spring, I keep good flea control on her all year around. If she gets a few fleas while her seasonal allergies are flaring up, then she will be so much itchier than she would if she got fleas another time of the year. Once pets have inflammation, their systems are primed to react, which makes it harder to get things under control.

Have your pets ever shown symptoms of seasonal allergies? What have you learned about treating or preventing these symptoms?View Thread

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Treatment for Your Pet's Seasonal Allergies Treating seasonal allergies is all about managing the allergies and keeping inflammation to a...

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Comfortis on cats

We have a stray cat that we are feeding in our backyard. She is wild but we hope to domesticate her and get...

Posted by emerald3358

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Comfortis on cats We have a stray cat that we are feeding in our backyard. She is wild but we hope to domesticate her and get...

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1 year old Lab with Joint problems

I have a 1 year old male lab that was diagnosed with Osteochondrosis at 6 months old in his front shoulders....

Posted by LeviKona

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:1 year old Lab with Joint problems I have a 1 year old male lab that was diagnosed with Osteochondrosis at 6 months old in his front shoulders....

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Why does this happen??

While I was at work on Saturday, April 7, my dad let our 2 cats out in the backyard to play. This is a...

Posted by melissakaysmith

While I was at work on Saturday, April 7, my dad let our 2 cats out in the backyard to play. This is a normal, almost everyday occurence. Charlie is 2 years old and Whiskers is 17. Well, on this day, Charlie came in and Whiskers didn't.

We thought he was just out and about (hopped the brick wall for some fun in the neighborhood like he has before) and kept an eye out for him to return. It has now been over 2 weeks and there is still no sign of him.

I have posted flyers with his photo and my phone number, talked to neighbors and animal shelters, and kept up hope. It is very hard to get through the days since I have no idea where he is. That's the hardest part of it all.

When I see missing pet posters, it deeply saddens me that someone has lost a loved family member. You never think this could happen to you, and when it does, it is nothing like you have ever experienced.

I have been told by a couple different people (an employee at an animal shelter and a neighbor) that when cats get older and know it's their time to go, they run away. It is in their nature. Why?? Why do they do this??

I cannot imagine him running away to die. The fear of not knowing where he is, if he is ok, etc are what keep me up at night. I have truely lost a best friend in the worst possible way.

I am keeping up hope as best I can. My parents broke my heart even more today by telling me they called Banfield (inside PetsMart) and cancelled his medical insurance a few days ago. I don't need them to give up on him, and this possibly just confirmed the worst...something I never want to think about. How could they just give up? Is it easier for some people to just let go after a certain amount of time?

As I sit and write this now, I am crying. Charlie is watching me and only he knows what he is thinking seeing me like this. There are times he will walk by Whiskers food dish and meow. It is like he is looking for him.

I love Whiskers and I miss him so much. I truely hope he comes home...I first brought Whiskers home when he was 2 weeks old because his mother did not care for him because he didn't look like her (she was pure Siamese and he was white and grey). I had just lost my dog Mutzy a few weeks earlier to old age (she was 14).

I was so happy, and I never thought I would sit here 17 years later and have to write something like this. Life is just so hard and unfair sometimes.

Has this ever happened to anyone? Has anyone ever heard of cats running away to do something like this?

I really wish I had gotten the chip implanted in him to help me find him. I am going to do it to Charlie. I can't do this again...View Thread

Posted by melissakaysmith

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Why does this happen?? While I was at work on Saturday, April 7, my dad let our 2 cats out in the backyard to play. This is a...

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