Cat cages are a must for any responsible cat owner. When I had my first cat, I made the mistake of letting him sleep on the front seat of my car when I made those long trips home. This worked well for about a year, as he slept the whole way home. Then suddenly one night he jumped onto the dash and I swerved off the road trying to catch him. From that day on I have always kept my cat in a cage when I am traveling in a car, even if it is down the street to the vet.

I know other cat owners who have a moral dilemma about using indoor cat cages, and feel like they are doing the animal a favor by not using a cage when they travel. However, if you buy large cat cages, he/she will have no trouble moving around, and it will be much safer for the both of you.

An even bigger problem is owners who let their cats run outside, again thinking they are doing the animal a favor. The life expectancy of an outdoor cat is 7-8 years shorter than that of an indoor cat because of the dangers of being hit by a vehicle, attacked by other animals and the increased risk of catching a disease. This is why I have always been adamant about using outdoor cat cages.

There are a number of cat enclosures on the market that will allow you to put your pet outside and keep him/her safe from harm (except fleas, obviously). One that I have always liked is the Kittywalk Town and Country Pet Enclosure, which has 30 cubic feet for your cat to play, and includes a penthouse area, play area and even a little balcony with a hammock and canvas coverings. It is a little pricey at $220, however.

If that is a little out of your price range, you could try something like the Outdoor Feline Funhouse Tent, which can be easy folded and moved around to any area of your yard. It gives ample room for your cat to move around and runs about $65-70.