Dear neighbours,

It’s lovely seeing so many folks out and about in spring, as well as seeing how many folks enjoy the companionship of pets. I love watching dogs enjoy themselves at the off-leash dog park by Eastwood Arena. However, I’ve noticed an increase in house cats wandering the neighbourhood, most often during the day. Please, if you want to bring your cat outdoors, come with them. Use a leash and a harness and enjoy the sight of your beloved furry family member exploring your yard or other local green spaces while you do the same! 

I ask this because there are many folks who drive in the neighbourhood (some residents, some not) and don’t check their speed. This includes driving through marked playground zones. Excessive speed greatly decreases the ability of a driver to stop suddenly and avoid injuring pedestrians, animals, and even other drivers. 

Keeping your cat on a leash is important because the lifespan of an average, indoor house cat is between 10 and 15 years, while the lifespan of an outdoor cat is between two and five years (petplace.com/article/cats/pet-health/average-life-expectancy-cats/). 

Vehicles aren’t the only risk outdoor cats face. Other risks include other cats, dogs, and wild animals; parasites (e.g., fleas, ticks, and worms); poisons (including pesticides, fertilizers, or antifreeze); and finally, toxic garden plants such as lilies. And if your cat comes home injured, the unexpected financial impact of expensive veterinary bills can be catastrophic to our budgets.

If you’re worried about your cat receiving enough stimulation and activity, there are many fantastic ways to enrich your home environment. One option is a catio, which is an outdoor enclosure where you can create the playground of your cat’s dreams. YouTube has many beautiful examples and instructions. Another option, as mentioned above, is taking your cat outside on a leash and a harness. A harness ensures that they can’t wiggle out of the leash if, for example, they become frightened or disoriented and try to run.

Indoor environments can also be improved: a wide variety of toys that you can switch between will keep your cat interested in playing with you as well as allow for some great bonding time. You might also consider creating platforms and vertical spaces for your cat to play or snooze in. Outdoor bird feeders offer hours of “Cat TV” for sensory stimulation, as do interactive feeders that require cats to literally play with their food. 

Having animal companions has been proven to benefit mental health, to boost overall well-being, and even to improve recovery times from acute illness or injury. Let’s keep our loved ones safe and around for as long as we can. 

Jay McCoy, Eastwood

Jay is an acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine who has lived in the Eastwood neighbourhood for the last decade. He is a gardener and proud parent of two energetic kiddos.