naturalpet


or a small flat of grasses. Most cats enjoy munching on oat or wheat grasses and relish treats of fresh catnip and catmint. Marigolds can repel fleas and basil will both ward off mos- quitoes and complement family meals. Many plants can be toxic. Veterinarian Jane Brunt, execu-


tive director of the nonprofit CATalyst Council, in Annapolis, Maryland, advises: “Make sure the plants in your garden are safe, in case your cat is tempted to taste anything. Say no to foxglove and lily species, since they’re poisonous to cats.” Find an extensive list of both safe and problem plants


at Tinyurl.com/ASPC-ToxicPlantGuide. Note that aloe vera, asparagus fern, philodendron, dieffenbachia, tomatoes and many varieties of ivy are also among species that can cause consequences ranging from an upset stomach to kidney fail- ure and even death, if ingested.


Outdoor Options


for Feline Friends Safe Ways to


Let Them Explore by Sandra Murphy


W


hile some cats are content to stay indoors, oth- ers want to go outside. Even if they remain in the yard, letting them out without a plan can put them


in danger. Gently managing a cat’s outdoor experience can instead ensure a consistently safe, enjoyable time without worry or compromising its freedom. A few guidelines will help.


Make the Garden Safe Cats love to chew on greenery, so set up a small pot or two


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Protect from Predators “Never leave a cat outdoors unattended,” says Dr. Cindy Hou- lihan, owner of The Cat Practice, in Birmingham, Michigan. “During the day, problems can include stray cats, hawks or loose dogs. Another danger is the movement of foxes, raccoons, coyotes and owls close to urban areas where the food supply is more plentiful. Elderly cats are particularly prone to harm. An enclosure is the best way to keep a cat safe outdoors.” Paris Permenter and John Bigley, bloggers at CatTipper.


com, an online magazine for cat lovers, built a “catio” for daytime use by their felines. Located in Cedar Park, Texas, their four rescue cats need protection from coyotes. “It’s at- tached to our house, like a small screened porch,” explains Permenter. “The cats use an open window that’s fitted with a cat flap for access; we also have a human-sized screened door, so that we can go in to clean the room. It’s enriched their lives and given a former community cat a better home, as well.” In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Jane Dorsey, volunteer co- ordinator for the Cat Care Society, utilizes “habicats” both at the shelter and at home. Because her first cat, Chessie, was an escape artist, Dorsey decided to use a large dog pen (12 feet long by six feet tall) as an enclosure. Stood on end, it attaches to the house and has a weatherproof panel roof. A cat door leads to the kitchen. “Chessie’s personality improved be- cause she was able to decide when to go in and out. For easy cleanup, we used pavers for flooring.”


In lieu of safe garden access, experts suggest likewise


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