Homesteading has been on the rise in recent years, with growing numbers of Americans becoming increasingly interested in self-sufficiency. Some keep it simple, with perhaps a garden and a few chickens. Others go all-in and get cows, goats, pigs, or horses. While we generally would give customized advice based on the type of animal you have, one thing that we can definitely recommend to anyone with a barn. Barn cats! A local Walton County vet goes over some of Fluffy’s best traits in this article.
Why Is It Good To Have Barn Cats?
Kitties are always cute, but barn cats actually do serve a pretty important purrposes! Here are a few of the highlights on Fluffy’s resume:
Pest Control
Fluffy’s number one job is, of course, keeping rodents and vermin out of your barn. That’s more important than you may think. Rodents can carry parasites, such as tapeworm, and can carry dangerous diseases. They may also contaminate food and bedding, and can chew through wire, which is a huge fire risk.
Save Money
Did you know that barn cats may actually save you money? As mentioned above, rodents can carry diseases, which can be expensive to treat, not to mention dangerous. You may also find yourself footing the bill to replace soiled bedding and feed, not to mention pest control. If you add up all of those potential risks, then weigh them against the cost of cat food and veterinary care, well, Fluffy is going to come out on top. She’s also much cuter than a vet bill or a tube of rodenticide.
Entertainment
Whether Fluffy lives in your house or in your barn, entertainment is always going to be a huge perk of having cats. Kitties just add that extra layer of cuteness and fun. You may find yourself becoming quite attached to your feline buddies. Cats also have a talent for being unintentionally adorable and hilarious. You may find your pet chasing a baby goat around, or snoozing on top of your milk cow’s back.
Pest Repellant
We’ve already discussed pest control, but did you know that having cats around can actually help keep pets away? Many rodents are automatically repelled by the scents of feline pheromones. This makes sense from a survival standpoint, at least from the rodent’s perspective. Plus, whatever vermin Fluffy hunts won’t be adding more to the population. In the long run, that translates to less time, effort, and resources you’ll need to spend on other pet control methods. It also helps reduce the amount of toxic chemicals you’ll be utilizing.
Barn Buddies
To be honest, this one is an extra perk, but it does sometimes come into play. Sometimes barn cats do form strong bonds with other animals. That’s good for both Fluffy and her pal!
Are There Cons To Having Barn Cats?
There are far more positive than negative aspects to having a barn cat, but there are a few things to consider. The biggest thing is that they do hunt. This is generally a plus, of course. However, if you have small animals, such as baby chicks or ducks, you’ll need to keep Fluffy away until they are big enough to defend themselves.
There really aren’t any other cons. You will need to take care of your feline residents, though. Just like any other kitty, Fluffy will need good food, fresh water, and regular veterinary care. And while barn kitties usually don’t mind sprawling out on grain sacks or hay bales, we would suggest putting together something a bit more comfortable. You can make comfy kitty shelters out of storage totes, or put a few store-bought beds in a tack room.
How Do You Care For Barn Cats?
Barn cats can vary quite widely when it comes to how friendly they are. Some will follow you around meowing for attention, and purr as soon as you pet them. Others are more wary, and will only watch you from a distance. Socialization has quite a bit to do with that, of course.
If you’re adopting an adult cat, keep Fluffy contained to a specific area for a few weeks if you can. Give your pet her food there, and take time to visit her every day. Once she’s settled in and doesn’t seem scared, you can let her start to explore a bit more.
What Kind Of Veterinary Care Do Barn Cats Need?
The general recommendations are the same for Fluffy as they would be for any other kitty.
Get Them Fixed: Your feline friend should be spayed or neutered: otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a barn full of cats! That may sound cute, but with so many homeless cats out there already, it’s hard to justify letting more kittens come into the world. Plus, cats won’t spray, fight, or yowl as much once they’ve been fixed, and they’ll be less likely to wander.
Keep Up With Vaccines: This is a big one for any cat, but it’s particularly important for barn cats, as they will be more exposed to wild animals that may be carrying dangerous diseases. Fluffy should have the core vaccines, which include the following:
- FHV-1
- FCV
- FPV
- Rabies
- FeLV
Your vet may recommend additional vaccines as well, depending on your location.
Deworming: Even if your feline pal doesn’t eat her prey, she’ll still be at risk of parasites. We recommend keeping barn cats on a regular deworming schedule. Ask your Walton County vet for more information.
How Do You Keep Barn Cats Safe?
Barn cats will be more exposed to certain dangers than the average house cat. They unfortunately often have shorter lifespans than domesticated kitties. However, they are generally safer, healthier, and happier than strays.
There are a few things you can do to keep your barn cats healthy.
Avoid Using Poisons: If you have hired Fluffy to keep mice away, you could be putting her at risk by also using rodenticides. Don’t use poisons around the barn. Your kitty could get very sick if she were to eat a mouse that has ingested these toxins.
Provide Fresh Water: One thing that all animals need to survive and stay healthy is fresh water. You may want to get an automatic waterer. If you can, put it in a tack room or grain room so it won’t get as dusty. Just make sure Fluffy can get to it at all times.
Watch For Signs Of Sickness: Just like any other cat, barn cats are susceptible to a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. Something as minor as getting scratched by a mouse or getting a scrape from a rusty nail can lead to serious infections! Pay attention to Fluffy, and keep a close eye out for signs that your adorable little pest control tech isn’t feeling well.
Give Fluffy Good Food: Even if you got a barn cat to hunt mice, it’s unrealistic to expect Fluffy to survive only on what she can hunt. Offer your feline buddy good food. Kibble tends to be the go-to here, as it lasts longer and is cheaper. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Make An Appointment At Our Walton County Pet Hospital
Do you have barn cats? Are you considering adopting any? Please feel free to contact us anytime. As your Walton County pet clinic, we are here to help!
