Cats and the Outdoors

There’s a cat that visits my patio from time to time. It has no collar and it hisses at me if I approach it. I nicknamed it Smokey, and I know what you’re thinking: Smokey is a stray. I thought so too, at first, but it’s fat with a clean coat. The strays I’m used to seeing in my area are usually skinny, so I have a feeling Smokey belongs to someone, and that Smokey’s owner lets it roam outside.

Every time I see Smokey, I always wonder why the owner lets it be outside. In fact, why does anyone allow their cat to go outside? I am not talking about enclosed patios or fenced backyards. I’m talking about opening the front door, watching your cat leave, and then shutting the door behind them. I’ve seen social media posts of cat parents saying it's good for cats to be outside. I’ll admit, I judged them. I judged them hard. I even thought they were lying.

I did some digging and as it turns out, they might be telling the truth. Nothing is concrete, but it's been suggested that cats who have access to the outdoors can benefit from more exercise and are able to indulge in natural behaviors. This includes hunting, exploring, and climbing (Tan et al.). A cat may also benefit from the stimulation they receive while outdoors. They can take in the sights, smells, and sounds, and entertain themselves with what nature has to offer (“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina”). There’s also the possibility that cats who remain indoors could develop issues such as indoor spraying and scratching due to stress, or engaging in destructive behavior due to boredom. (“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats”). I suppose it makes sense that some cats might thrive being outside if these benefits are proven to be true.

I also can’t forget the cons. Take my area, for example. We have coyotes here, and they aren’t afraid to jump over walls and fences to get to small animals. A cat walking down the street is easy pickings, so that is the number one reason why I don’t let my own cat outside. Not to mention the other risks outdoor cats face: moving cars, diseases, parasites, and humans with very ill intentions. To this day, I carry the haunting memory of seeing a dead cat lying in the middle of the street. You just never know what might happen. 

Alas, I can’t control what other people do with their pets. So, if you are thinking about letting your cat explore the great outdoors, use common sense. Consider the pros and cons, and acknowledge the risks. The Purina article takes it a step further and advises owners to have their cats microchipped and neutered before letting them out, which I whole-heartedly agree with. If your cat gets lost or goes too far, a microchip will go a long way in letting people know who your kitty belongs to when they are found. Getting your cat fixed should go without saying, but it's especially important if they are going to be let out. For one, you don’t want to add to the already high cat population, and two, unneutered males are more territorial and may get into fights with other cats. 

As I finish writing this post, my mind goes back to Smokey. I know some may be thinking that I should just bring Smokey indoors, but it's not my place to do so and Chunky would not appreciate it. All I can do is hope that the next time I see Smokey, it won’t be lying dead in the street.

Sources

“Outdoor Cats: Pros & Cons of Outdoor Life | Purina.” Purina UK, https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/kitten/welcoming/outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

“Pros & cons: Indoor or outdoor cats.” Banfield Pet Hospital, https://www.banfield.com/en/Wellness-at-banfield/kitten-hub/indoor-vs-outdoor-cats. Accessed 23 July 2024.

Tan, Sarah M.L., et al. “Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Cats: An Assessment of Risks and Benefits.” NCBI, 6 February 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070728/. Accessed 23 July 2024.

June Gloom: Chunky Edition

After my last blog post about Cas’ heart disease, I didn’t anticipate bringing up another personal matter so soon. This time it’s for my cat Chunky. He is seventeen and on the thin side, so I’m always on the lookout for any medical issues due to his age.

In early June, he started to vomit. Chunky has occasionally thrown up here and there over the course of his life, especially during the summer when he chucks up at least one hairball a week. But these weren’t hairballs; these were large puddles of yellow bile and undigested food. He abruptly stopped eating his kibble too, which was worrying because it was a prescription to help with his kidneys. The only thing he wanted to eat was his wet food.

I took him to the vet and they ran some tests to see if they could pinpoint the issue. They thought that perhaps his kidney issues had evolved into full-blown kidney disease, but the blood work didn’t show that. The only thing they found was that he was severely dehydrated. They gave him some fluids and scheduled two follow-up appointments.

The fluids he was given seemed to help and he became interested in his kibble again when I brought him home. He still threw up, though. He also lost interest in his wet food. At his first follow-up appointment, they checked to see if the problem was with his thyroid, but tests ruled that out. They recommended that I take him to an Internist to get an abdominal ultrasound, and in the meantime prescribed Cerenia (anti-nausea meds) to help with the vomiting. 

Big mistake on the Cerenia. Chunky experienced such bad side-effects from it. Complete loss of appetite, lethargy, and obvious weakness in the limbs. He was completely disconnected from me and my husband, and only wanted to sleep all day and night. I stopped giving it to him and decided never to give him Cerenia again.

As for the abdominal ultrasound, I think we all know how expensive specialty medicine is. The cheapest I could find for the ultrasound in my area was about $600. I had already spent $500 for the tests they ran on Chunky, and just a few weeks prior to that I had spent $900 for Cas’ echocardiogram. My plan was to save up money for Chunky’s ultrasound.

In the days leading up to his second follow-up visit, Chunky seemed to be doing better. The Cerenia was wearing off, which was a huge relief. He wasn't vomiting buckets of yellow bile, either. He was active and nibbling on his wet food again, as well as some bland chicken I made for him. He stopped touching his kibble again, but I started to suspect his vomiting had turned him off from it since he didn't mind the chicken.

During the second follow-up, the vet asked if there were any updates on the ultrasound. I told her my plan and her vibe became somber. She insisted that I get the ultrasound sooner because she suspected that the underlying issue was cancer. Chunky was now at five pounds—one pound lighter than he was when she saw him last. He was docile and not really engaged during the appointment. She claimed that the last time she saw him he was a bit more active, but because he was just lying there she felt that he was rapidly declining. She told me that I had to be realistic and start thinking about what was good for Chunky, and the possibility that it was time for him to be put to sleep.

Her words drove me to the ER to get that ultrasound because appointment availability was weeks out among the hospitals I contacted and I was so sure I was about to lose him. I was crying on and off, terrified that I would have to put him down.

The ER vet took me aside and asked if I really wanted to do an ultrasound that day. A couple of things they wanted me to consider: 

1. They had an ER Internist who could do the ultrasound but that was their last day at that hospital, and if something were to be found in the ultrasound I would still need to make an appointment with an in-house Internist for continued care; 

2. They suspected kidney disease as being the culprit for the chronic vomiting even though the bloodwork didn’t really show it; 

3. They agreed that an ultrasound was needed to rule out any possible GI issues, but it didn’t need to be done that day as they didn’t believe that he was declining the way the other vet claimed.

I appreciated the ER vet’s honesty and compassion. Their calm demeanor and thorough explanation dug me out from this dark hole I had buried myself in. They even went as far as to void the exam and consultation fee. The experience in itself was so wonderful that I went ahead and made an appointment with their in-house Internist for mid-August. 

So what did I take away from this entire experience? For one, delivering wonderful customer service can result in a returning customer. For another, I’m not sure I’ll be taking Chunky back to that vet who basically said that he was dying.

Look, I understand where she was coming from. Sometimes you have to think about the worst possible scenario. I just don't think her delivery was the best. Also, the cancer diagnosis was only a guess. Yes, it’s a possibility that I have to consider, but maybe there is another GI issue at work. Maybe Chunky just had an upset tummy that resolved on its own.

I’m not dismissing anything here, but pushing the idea of cancer had sent me into a spiral I could have done without. Would it have been different if another vet had delivered that kind of news? Honestly, who knows.

At the end of the day, Chunky is here and alive. He is eating kibble again (I did end up having to switch brands) and he commandeered Cas’ bed as his own to sleep in, much to Cas’ annoyance. Hopefully the ultrasound will reveal nothing and the only thing I walk away with is another expensive vet bill. For my peace of mind, it will be well worth the cost.