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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat Saftey
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Question
Hello,
I have a question about cat safety. My friend Kate and I are moving in together in July. She's got a small dog and I have a cat. Kate really wants to install a doggy door so her dog can go out and pee when he needs to - as we'll both be in school. She's concerned about my cat's safety as well, and has said that there are lots of "Secure" doggy doors that only unlock when the dog is in front of it, and what naught. Are those as safe as they sound? How do you feel about doggy doors in a cat house hold?
Thanks.
Dave,
You don't say whether your doggy door would open into a yard or out in the open. Yes there are infared 'keys' that you put on the collar that makes the doggy door open for just that animal. You can also get a copy for the cat. If they happen to lose the 'key' or their collar then they can't get back in. Or if the cat follows the dog out the cat couldn't get back in. The infrared protects other animals or wildlife from coming inside. I think that would be good if you wanted the dog to be able to go out but not the cat. There are pros and cons either way.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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