Tips for Keeping Tabs on Your Cat

Welcome to Friday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

You do your best to keep your cat safely indoors, but cats are sneaky. How do you protect them?

With spring in the air, some cats just can’t resist the call of the wild. Unfortunately, the outside world isn’t always safe for cats. Keep reading to learn how to prevent your cat from accidentally getting lost.

First, let’s talk about the importance of identification.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Frisco Stainless Steel Personalized Cat ID Tag.

Both cute and functional, this stainless steel tag is the one my smallest cat, Munchkin, wears. It’s sturdy and easy to read, and I like that it’s not just the boring circle

This tag is big enough to accommodate your cat’s name along with your address and phone number. But it’s small enough that it isn’t cumbersome.

Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support!

NEW on Cats.com:

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Should Cats Go Outside? (A Vet Explains).

In case you missed Tuesday’s mailer on the subject, you can learn both sides of the indoor vs. outdoor cat debate in this week’s video. Join Sarah Wooten, DVM, as she discusses common hazards for outdoor cats and weighs the pros and cons of letting your cat outside.

Check out the video on our YouTube channel.

Do Indoor Cats Need Collars?

For dogs, a collar gives you something to clip a leash to. If your cat doesn’t go for walks (or even go outside), a collar may seem unnecessary. But collars serve another important purpose—they hold your pet’s ID tag.

If your indoor cat accidentally makes it outside and someone finds them, it’ll be a lot easier for that person to contact you if your cat is wearing identification. A collar may also help a good Samaritan distinguish your escaped indoor cat from a feral or stray.

You may be wondering, “What about my cat’s microchip?”

An implanted microchip is a permanent form of ID for pets, but they have two limitations

First, they can only be scanned by a special device. Whoever finds your cat will have to take them to a vet or shelter to scan the chip.

Second, many pet owners fail to update the information linked to their cat’s microchip. If the contact information contained in the microchip isn’t accurate, it doesn’t do you any good.

Now, let’s talk about some simple things you can do to keep your cat from getting lost.

How to Keep Your Cat From Getting Lost.

My worst nightmare is leaving town for the weekend not realizing that one of my cats had snuck out while I was taking my bags to the car.

It’s important to be vigilant as a cat owner. Cats are clever, and they can sneak their way through surprisingly small openings like a window left slightly ajar or a tear in a screen door. And if they’re desperate enough to go out, they might post up by the door to await their next opportunity for escape.

Now that it’s warming up outside, check and double-check your home’s windows and screens. Take a quick look around before opening any outside doors to be sure your cat isn’t around.

If your cat is particularly crafty—or if they’re allowed access to the outdoors—consider investing in a cat tracker.

Though these devices aren’t perfect, they can be programmed to alert you if your cat wanders beyond a designated area. If your cat does escape, some models are equipped with GPS technology to help you track your cat down.

Learn more about cat trackers in our in-depth guide.

• The Best Rated Cat Food
• The Best Rated Cat Litter
• The Best Cat Litter Boxes
• The Best Cat Insurance

A sneak peek at Sunday's Newsletter.

Cats are great at grooming themselves—and each other! In Sunday’s mailer, we’ll talk about the difference between autogrooming and allogrooming, along with tips on how you can keep your cat’s coat clean.