Keep 'em In!

We've all seen them - cats that troll the neighborhood, begging food and sleeping on - or under the cars. And we all know that's no way for a cat to live, right? (At least not if you want your cat to live more than a couple of years.) So bring your cat inside - permanently - and teach him how good life inside can be! If you've got a new kitten and you want him to be indoors all the time, start by giving him a little extra attention and making the great indoors a fun place to be. For instance - having one-on-one play time with your kitten will help him feel important and loved. And giving him toys and a cozy bed will help him burn some energy and give him a safe place to sleep when he's done playing. Of course, if you've already got an indoor cat, there are some things you can do to keep his time inside interesting, too.

According to Petco.com, some fun ways to keep your cat inspired include:

• Letting your cat nibble on dietary greens planted in a small pot.
• Opening a window (as long as the screens are secure) and giving him a breath of fresh air - and some nice scenery.
• Teaching your cat to walk on a leash
• Giving him a secure, enclosed space outside where he can experience the outdoors safely.

Other than giving your cat a longer life expectancy and keeping him safer, in general, your cat will also likely have a healthier life, with a drastically reduced possibility of contracting FIV, feline leukemia, rabies, distemper, and other, often fatal, diseases. While every effort should be made to keep your cat indoors, safe and healthy, you should always keep his vaccinations current and equip him with an elastic or breakaway collar with an identification tag - just in case he does sneak out.

Jed Yorkshire is a retired teacher and pet enthusiast who writes about canine health topics, specialty breeds, animal training and grooming. An avid pet lover and breeder, he owns four beautiful Giant Schnauzers. Yorkshire also works as a private pet behavior consultant.