Q: Our house is positioned on a quiet avenue, and we now have a good-sized yard. Since the highway is quiet, we do let our cat outside. Our cat is now 4 and fairly the avid hunter. Last week, our daughter got here in excited and nervous saying our cat had caught a small bunny and was killing and consuming it. By the time we acquired to the scene, the cat had bit off the newborn rabbit’s head and disemboweled the little factor. We don’t know if he ate the center or no matter. We have rabbits and chipmunks far and wide. Should we be involved? Our daughter is sufficiently old to deal with the stress of what she noticed however what potential dangers are there for our cat, who appears to be appearing completely usually? Are there any particular precautions that we must be taking? Our cat has at all times hunted exterior and introduced different undiscernible issues to our doorstep but by no means appeared to endure for his actions and who is aware of what else he might have eaten.
A: You are lucky that your cat has by no means suffered any apparent sick penalties from the pure predatory habits that he’s exhibiting and fulfilling outside. There are so many potential unfavorable issues that might occur however fortunately none have, so far as you already know. The concern with cats catching and consuming wildlife together with rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and extra embody potential publicity to rabies, varied parasites equivalent to giardia, fleas and, in rabbits, one thing known as rabbit fever or tularemia. Except for rabies, most all of those potential points will be handled in the event that they have been to develop. My different issues can be in case your cat have been to chase an animal throughout the road and the danger of being hit by a automobile or if the rodent caught by your cat had ingested a poison making it weaker after which your cat caught and ate it. Then the poison could possibly be harmful if not deadly to the cat. Birds caught by cats also can result in publicity to issues like salmonella.
So, do you have to be involved? Well, previous historical past suggests you don’t should be however make sure you preserve an eye fixed out for any irregular well being habits in your cat. While I’ve coated among the many potential dangers, smart precautions embody ensuring your cat is vaccinated for rabies and different applicable feline ailments, takes preventive flea and tick drugs, and has common bodily examinations at your veterinarian with fecal analysis to rule out all intestinal parasites. You might forestall the entire potential negatives by retaining the cat indoors, however I anticipate your cat wouldn’t be completely happy and at all times attempt to sneak outside since his life-style has been established. The good factor is that at the very least the cat leaves his hunt on the doorstep and doesn’t convey it indoors. Hope that is useful.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He will be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”