The cat lifestyle consists of various factors that are very important to take into account. These include age, gender, and number of cats, dogs, and children in the home. It is also a good idea to consider the kind of cat you have, such as a pedigree or an indoor cat. In addition, you should know about the common causes of accidental death for younger cats.
Pedigree cats are more likely to be kept indoors
Pedigree cats are typically kept indoors because of their temperament. A recent study on UK feline trends suggests that a significant percentage of cats are now indoor-only. However, it’s not all bad news for pedigree owners. For instance, they are less likely to get hit by a car than a mixed breed. This may be due to their unique physiology.
As a result, they are often kept indoors for longer periods of time than non-pedigree cats. While some breeds may have the ability to survive outdoors, it’s a different story for others. Many are hairless, which is difficult to keep warm in cold climates. In fact, some rescue organisations advise that all cats should be kept indoors.
Interestingly, there are many factors that influence cat owners’ lifestyle decisions. The most obvious one is the aforementioned opinion of others. Alternatively, some breeds are designed to thrive in the wild, but many owners feel that they are unable to look after themselves outside.
Owner gender, age, and number of other cats, dogs, and children
When considering the question, “what is the best cat lifestyle for me?” many owners may have a variety of factors to consider. The answer may depend on the needs of the owner, the lifestyle of the pet, and the environment of the home.
Cats provide a host of services for their owners, including love, affection, care, and company. They are also seen as a part of the family. Owners may consider the health and safety of their pets, the amount of time spent with their cats, and the environment in which the pets are kept.
Several studies have surveyed owners about their attitudes towards cat management. Some have found that cat owners tend to choose an indoor-only lifestyle, while others cite the advantages of outdoor access. Although the number of indoor-only cats is increasing, little is known about the factors influencing their choices.
Predation is a major cause of accidental death for younger cats
A recent study of UK felines compiled the statistical tally for the number of road traffic accident related deaths amongst younger cats. It was found that there were a small number of felines killed in the first place but a large number of felines succumbed to injuries caused by other road users. Although the study did not look at the influence of outdoor access on these losses, it’s safe to assume that free-ranging owned cats had a plethora of risky encounters.
The aforementioned study also revealed a few other curious findings. For instance, the number of risky encounters were a bit lower for the more mature cats. Interestingly, the number of predation events for these cats were relatively low compared to the younger cats, possibly a function of the age factor.
Indoor-only cats prefer to roam outdoors
There are a number of health issues associated with an indoor-only lifestyle. Cats in this scenario are at greater risk of contracting diseases, parasites, and stress-related illnesses. Indoor-only cats are more likely to suffer from obesity. In addition, many behavioural needs are better fulfilled outdoors. Hence, owners of indoor-only cats may choose to restrict their cat’s outdoor access to alleviate pre-existing conditions.
However, it is not known how these owners decide whether or not to restrict their cat’s access to the outdoors. Some owners perceive some aspects of this alternative lifestyle as beneficial and others as detrimental. This study seeks to explore the factors that motivate an indoor-only owner to restrict their cat’s outdoor access.
To address this, two surveys were conducted. The first survey aimed to identify the factors that most influence an owner’s decision to limit their cat’s outdoor access. It also asked owners to identify the strength of their consideration.
Indoor-only cats are a risk factor for feline obesity
One of the biggest health issues for pet cats in developed countries is obesity. This is one of the most preventable diseases in cats. Several studies have looked at risk factors in cats.
The Bristol Cats study is the first to use prospective data to explore early-life risk factors for feline overweight and obesity. A large number of variables were examined.
Obesity was found to be more common among cats kept indoors. It also was more likely to occur in cats with no outdoor access. In addition, owners who were less conscientious and fed their cats at will had an increased risk of their cat being obese.
Other potential risk factors include owner psychological dispositions. These were assessed by measures of personality and behavior.