Want to Let Your Cat Roam Your Backyard? 4 Ways to Avoid Needing a Trip to the Vet

Posted on: 28 June 2016

Letting your cat outside where they can roam the streets, nearby yards, and the neighborhood may seem like an excellent idea to provide them with endless entertainment, but it is also quite dangerous. It is not worth risking their health and safety to let them outside, even when they wait at the front or back door. All it takes is a nasty bug bite or a run-in with another animal to require a quick trip to the vet. But, this does not mean they have to spend the rest of their life indoors. One solution is to create a cat-safe backyard.

Preventive Vaccinations

The first thing you will want to do is take your cat in for both core and non-core vaccinations. It is important to let the vet know exactly what kind of lifestyle you intend for your cat to have. This will ensure your vet gives them the right vaccines to prevent them from getting sick when spending time outside.

Fully Fenced Area

To keep your cat on your property may be challenging, but it is possible with a fully fenced yard. The fence must be high enough to prevent your cat from leaping over the fence, and the fence should also include coyote rollers and mesh netting. You will want to attach mesh netting around the whole perimeter of your yard to stop climbing and jumping. Another thing to watch out for is trees next to the fence that could give your cat a platform to get out of the yard.

No Dangerous Plants

Most cat owners are worried about indoor plants that could cause harm to their cat. But, when you want your cat to spend time outside freely, you must pay attention to poisonous outdoor plants as well. It is best to remove any plants that are a potential risk, as trying to fence plants off might not be fully effective. These toxic plants include mushrooms, spinach, daffodils, and a variety of fruit trees. A yard void of all poisonous plants is one way to help prevent your cat from needing a vet visit due to sickness.

No Tall and Flimsy Trees

If your cat likes to climb, you may find them scaling up the trees on your property. But if you have tall trees with flimsy branches that cannot sustain much weight, you may want to get rid of them. These trees pose too much of a risk for your cat, and you cannot just tell them not to climb the tree. Cottonwood, mulberry, and empress trees are a few examples of weak trees to avoid. The last thing you want is your cat falling down from a considerable height and getting injured from the impact with the ground.

Following these tips will keep your cat away from the vet. For more information on preventive health and safety tips for cats, talk to a professional, such as those at Stewartstown Vet Services.

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