Inside Outside, You Decide
To let your cat outside or not, that is one of those vexing questions that cat owners wrestle with… the pros and cons are almost limitless. Pros: Envision your cat scampering up trees, stalking butterflies in the tall grass or lazily basking in the sun…what an idyllic life for a cat. Cons: the cat fight on your back fence that results in a deep bite wound and the subsequent deadly Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infection it contracts, or the encounter with a speeding car as it attempts to cross the street and let’s not forget about the mauling on your own property by a free roaming dog.
Cats love to go outside but we know that there are innumerable dangers just beyond your backdoor, even in your backyard. But is it fair to keep them solely inside? Won’t they get bored, fat, destructive? What can concerned responsible cat owners do to keep their cats and the wildlife that cats are drawn to predate safe?
Dr. Kelly St. Denis is the president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. She is certified with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the specialty of feline practice. Dr. St. Denis is proudly one of the 6 Canadian feline specialist members of Cat Healthy Canada.
BIO:
Dr. St. Denis is a practicing feline medicine specialist, board certified with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the specialty of feline practice. In her early career she trained in molecular biology and immunology, working in the field of cancer research. In 1999 she graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, going on to own and operate the Charing Cross Cat Clinic from 2007 to 2020. Dr. St. Denis is the 2020-2021 President for the American Association of Feline Practitioners and an active volunteer in the organization, participating in many committees and task forces. Dr. St. Denis is a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network in feline internal medicine.