Coyotes and Bobcats and Bears, Oh My!

As summer approaches, cats have undoubtedly noticed the warm weather and allure of the outdoors. While many owners struggle to keep their enthusiastic felines indoors, others allow their cats to visit outdoors.

It is important that cat owners understand the dangers cats face every time they step outside.

One of the main dangers cats face is that of predation. Wild predators view house cats as easy prey as these cats have never had to learn to detect and flee from threats.

The pictures below are of predators all seen in Connecticut and Massachusetts by cat owners and shelter volunteers this spring.

As development has increased, bears, bobcats, and coyotes have adapted to living alongside humans, so even living in a more urban environment like Enfield does not protect your cats from these predators.


From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hbarrison/ HBarrison





From: Marya (emdot) from San Luis Obispo, USA

If you consider your area too urban to have these wild animals, consider the now added danger of more cars and more potentially aggressive dogs in your neighborhood.

So next time you let your cat out, do so with the knowledge that an indoor cat lives an average of 2 years longer than an outdoor cat, with fewer severe injuries and diseases to contend with as well.