Calvin gets an Invisible fence!!

Calvin gets an invisible fence

It has been sometime since I posted about Calvin but since that time we did decide to get an invisible fence.  Our neighbors looked at us like we were NUTS but like I said in a previous post I did not want to lose Calvin to coyotes or hawks. 

There is a process that you go through with an invisible  fence.  First a practice fence with white flags is put in your house in a designated area.  Calvin was fitted with a collar and we would let him see the flags an then he would basically get a shock and run off.  This went on for a week.  After that the fence was actually put in the back yard. 

Calvin and his invisible fence collar!

About a week later a trainer came and worked with me with Calvin.  It was a bit of a traumatic experience for him but he learned what the white flags were for.  They told me to put Calvin on a harness with a leash but that did not go over well at all.  I finally gave that up and just stayed out with him.  We have white flags atthe perimeter of our fences and he knows what those white flags mean.

For quite some time he would not leave our patio; which is actually where we wanted him to stay.  He has learned that he can go in to the bushes at the back of our house also.  It is really strange but he also seems to be more settled.  He doesn’t cry to get out in the middle of the night.  He is content to stay in the house more and when he does go out he doesn’t try to stray.  We are PLEASED!!

Is an invisible fence the answer for our cat Calvin?

In my last post I talked about Calvin’s history.  Since I wrote that post Calvin has been sick.  He got a flea bite that became infected.  We had him on medicine but I guess he was not on it long enough.  I came back from visiting my sister in Colorado and he was one sick kitty.  We got him back in to the vet and he now has to be on the medicine for 20 days as the infection was in his bloodstream.  We have decided that we need to make Calvin an inside kitty for his own protection.  He loves the outside and is not happy with this new set of circumstances.  We are trying to consider our options.  Our neighbors made a great outdoor cattery out of wire for their cats but our house is just not receptive to doing that.  We do have a great covered patio and have considered putting an invisible fence around it so Calvin could sit outside there and enjoy seeing the wildlife.  I really have not paid much attention to invisible fences.  If you have any knowledge of cats and invisible fences please share.

Are the coyotes taking our cats?

We live in a subdivision and until recently we have been surrounded by country.  So it is has been a sudivision in the country but not a country subdivision.  Until recently we had a lot of outdoor cats in our neighborhood.  Recently I know of nine outdoor cats that are missing.  It has been a mystery but I have been wondering if it might not be coyotes.  The Woodlands is building a subdivision just to the north of where we live and the hunting ground for the coyotes is becoming less and less as we invade their territory.  I have to wonder if they are not feeding on our cats.

I have often wondered about the practice of turning the cat out of doors at night.  To me it seems cruel and not necessary.  Our Calvin loves to go outdoors and he does have his claws so he can somewhat fend for himself but as soon as dusk arrives I make him come in.  As I have seen so many cats disappear in our neighborhood I have become quite adamant about making sure he is in it dusk.

I really don’t know how we would be able to figure out if it is actually the coyotes taking our cats.  I do know that we have left the windows open and have heard them in the distance.  So as far as my cats going you will find them safely tucked inside when it gets dark.