I’m so sad. Yesterday my life long friend, Missy, the sweet Abyssinian next door was run over as her Mum was backing out of the drive. Everyone was devastated as she lay there dying. Immediately, my owners grabbed me and took me indoors to protect me from such a fate. I’ve always been an outdoors sort of guy and I don’t know if I’ll enjoy being an indoor cat. Will I develop “cabin fever”? (Sebastian, 4 years, domestic short hair, Dalmeny)

Dr. Alan

Sebastian, as you know, cats are one of the most adaptable critters ever invented. Your owners are trying hard to protect you from a similar fate to Missy. They are demonstrating they really care for you. Protection from diseases and accidents are a couple of advantages being an indoor cat. Your owners can monitor your eating and drinking habits while keeping an eye on what you put into your kitty litter so any deviations from normal are spotted quickly. Action can be taken before you get really sick. Outdoor cats can get into all sorts of trouble. Cat fights over territory and being mauled by aggressive dogs are two serious problems. It takes a fraction of a second to loose your concentration and become another road fatality. Also, when you play with other cats in the neighbourhood they can transmit diseases to you.