If you enjoy sharing life with a feline friend, it’s important to know that most cats are likely happier if they are given a little freedom to be outdoors. Some indoor cats don’t mind not going outside, but most would prefer to explore the garden. But there are a few safety tips to be aware of, to keep cats safe (and wildlife safe from cats) along with items to avoid or adapt.
Cat flats enable felines to go outside and come inside when they like, and you can buy ones that only allow your cat’s microchip to open. For cats that cannot safely go outdoors, you can buy ‘catios’ that are like large enclosed spaces that give freedom but with safety. For cats that cannot safely go outdoors, you can buy ‘catios’ that are like large enclosed spaces that give freedom but with safety.
keep cats away from birds & other wildlife
Cats obviously like to attack birds (along with other creatures like bats and hedgehogs, both of which could cause injury to them). So if you live with cats, it’s likely best to have others attract these creatures to their gardens, and don’t do anything to actively encourage them.
Keep cats indoors at dawn and dusk (when birds are likely feeding) and avoid wooden bird feeders (cats can claw up them). Instead, get involved in local community efforts to provide natural food and habitats for birds and other creatures like hedgerows (full of berries) and tree-planting efforts in the wild (to provide natural roosts for bats).
landscape your garden to be safe for cats
Our feline friends are very curious, and usually will explore everything. So go through your entire garden (front and back) to ensure that you remove and take any toxic chemicals to the tip, keep your garage and shed locked (to avoid them getting stuck). Avoid the use of toxic windscreen sprays by using a windscreen cover (and parking your car facing east overnight).
Antifreeze is lethal to pets and wildlife. Ideally have your mechanic use it within a controlled area. If you do use it, do so in a controlled environment and choose propylene glycol over ethylene glycol (think P for protection – not safe, but safer). In case of spills, use kitty litter to absorb and dispose (don’t mop, you’ll spread the spill).
garden organically (avoid slug/snail pellets)
Even so-called ‘organic’ slug pellets containing iron phosphate can harm cats, dogs and all garden wildlife (and are very unkind to snails and slugs, that form important benefits for our ecosystem, including being free food for birds and many other wild creatures). Instead, choose safe humane ways to deter slugs and snails in the garden) which are now widely available.
provided shaded areas (even for sun-loving cats)
Another myth is that cats can’t get heatstroke. In fact, they can, just like dogs. Even though most cats love the sun, it’s still important to provide shaded areas so they can enjoy the good weather, without over-heating (especially long-haired and elderly cats).
Cats with light/pink skin in particular may suffer sunburn (if you do use sun protection, only use cat-safe versions). Never use human sunscreens on pets (they contain toxic zinc or titanium dioxide, so wash your own skin, before letting them lick you!)
ensure cat collars break away (if snagged)
It’s now UK law for all cats over 20 weeks to be microchipped (a vet inserts a chip the size of a grain of rice, to ensure that guardians can be located, if lost). If you can’t afford it, Cats Protection offers the service at reduce rates for those on benefits. This can in some cases negate the need for collars that snag.
However if you prefer to use a collar (for kittens over 6 months only), choose a good brand like Kitty Collars, which can embroider contact info into the collar, but break away if snagged on a fence etc. You may lose the collar, but hopefully save the life of your cat.
why neutering male cats keeps them safe
Spaying female cats is also good, as it helps to prevent uncomfortable ‘periods’ every few weeks and also prevents certain kinds of cancer (a 90% reduction for mammary cancer).
But neutering male cats also has many benefits including reduced risk of ‘spraying’. But mostly for outdoor cats, this stops them roaming the streets looking for mates (so avoids car accidents) and also prevents fights between territorial male cats in the local area.
only choose cat-safe plants (indoors and out)
Many plants are unsafe near cats (lilies and sago palm are two particularly dangerous plants, which can even harm cats by a tail brushing past – and often independent cats will come across them and knock them over in the house – also avoid facing indoor plants to face gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows).
You can find lists of pet-friendly plants online (but be careful as some shops often suggest toxic plants as safe – instead, visit Cats Protection for an up-to-date list of cat-friendly plants, and those to avoid.
All bulbs (including lilies and daffodils) are unsafe. Signs of poisoning (a medical emergency) are vomiting, drooling, lethargy, lack of appetite, excessive drinking, diarrhoea and collapse.
Also avoid plants that are rich with essential oils (pine, lavender etc – cats can’t break these down in their livers, which is why such oils, candles, cleaning products etc, should never be used inside the home – air rooms before allowing them back in after use). If you live with cats, choose unscented cleaning, washing-up and laundry brands.
use cat-safe garden mulch
No-dig garden in particular these days is very popular to avoid using forks and spades, which harm earthworms and stag beetles. But it requires heavy use of mulch and compost.
This is great, but know that (just as with dogs) some mulches are unsafe near cats. Avoid cocoa mulch (toxic), pine mulch (can puncture) and rubber mulch (can choke). Also keep fresh compost away from pets, as it contains a mould which can harm.
ensure garden ponds are safe around cats
Just like discouraging birds, ponds full of fish are likely not the best landscaping feature to have in a garden with or near cats. But if you do have a pond, avoid netting (which can tangle) and ensure it has sloping sides, for cats (and all creatures) to easily enter and exit, to prevent drowning.
Likewise, remove open barrels of water and any other water hazards (including stagnant water, which can breed bacteria and attract mosquitoes). Also cover swimming pools (and children’s sandpits – cats see them as litter trays) when not in use.
ensure ‘garden view’ windows are safe
It’s a myth that cats always ‘right themselves’ if they fall out of windows. So if your cat likes to look out upper windows towards the garden, ensure that it is securely closed, with just a secure opening like an ajar window that he or she can’t escape from.
You can buy cat screens now for ‘flat cats’ that allow cats to look out of windows, without falling out.
