![\"\"](\"\/EN\/CA\/wp-content\/uploads\/cat-sleeping-in-bed.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCats are adorable, there\u2019s no doubt about that. But behind those cute eyes and little nose is a very skilled hunter, and that can be really bad news for birds. That\u2019s why we\u2019re teaming up with Cats&Birds and Nature Canada to give you some tips to help you take good care of your cat AND take good care of the birds! <\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"\/EN\/CA\/wp-content\/uploads\/cat-walking-on-fence.jpg\")
It\u2019s natural for cats to hunt. Just look at their larger feline relatives. We wouldn\u2019t want to be near a tiger when it\u2019s hungry, that\u2019s for sure! But there are so many domestic (pet) cats on the hunt that it’s really taking a toll on birds. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that cats kill 100 to 350 million birds per year in Canada.<\/p>\n
Protecting birds isn\u2019t the only reason to keep your cat from going outside alone. It’s better for the cats too! We don’t let our dogs go out on the streets without us, and we need to take just as good care of our cats. When we keep our cats indoors, or supervise them when they are outdoors, we protect them from diseases, toxins, and other animals. They are also less likely to run away, get lost or hit by cars.<\/p>\n
You can retrain your cat to be happy indoors, or you can walk them on a leash or create a safe outdoor space. Training an outdoor cat to stay inside can be tough, so you\u2019ll need to have patience. Here are some tips to help:![\"\"](\"\/EN\/CA\/wp-content\/uploads\/cat-looking-outside.jpg\")
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Start slowly.<\/strong><\/em> If your cat spends most of its time outside, keep it inside for longer and longer periods before letting it out. It might be a good idea to start this when the weather is getting colder, since most cats like warm, dry places. By the end of winter, your cat could be living the indoor life.<\/p>\n Give your cat enough to do inside and it won\u2019t This is just the beginning! You can find tons of resources to help you keep your cat safe, and save birds lives:<\/em><\/strong>![\"\"](\"\/EN\/CA\/wp-content\/uploads\/cat-playing-with-toy.jpg\")
need to go outside to find fun. Here are some ideas:<\/strong><\/em>
\n– Build a window perch so your cat can look outside
\n– Get a scratching post or cat furniture
\n– Spend time playing with your cat
\n– Try giving your cat catnip, honeysuckle or cat grass
\n– Think about getting your cat a playmate<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/EN\/CA\/wp-content\/uploads\/cats-in-cat-tree.jpg\")
\n– How to provide safe outdoor options and keep an indoor cat sufficiently stimulated<\/a>
\n– How to transition an outdoor cat to an indoor cat<\/a>
\n– What to do if you have a cat that always tries to get outside <\/a>
\n– DIY cat Shelf <\/a>
\n– Cat Enclosures and \u2018catios\u2019<\/a>
\n– Harness Training your cat <\/a><\/p>\nYou can also help birds by putting out food for them to eat. Accept the For the Birds Mission to learn how to build your own bird feeder! <\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"3_AcceptButton\"](\"\/EN\/CA\/wp-content\/uploads\/3_AcceptButton.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"NC_YourVoiceForNature\"](\"\/public\/content\/wildwire\/NC_YourVoiceForNature.png\")
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