Do you have a farm, barn, or stable? If so, you may very well have a few kitties mixed in among your other animals. Barn cats are actually very helpful. However, just like any other animal, they do need proper care. A Helotes, TX vet discusses barn cats in this article.
Barn cats spend a lot of time lounging around in the sun and being adorable. However, most of them don’t mind working for their keep. As you probably know, our feline buddies are extremely effective hunters. Even a single feline can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your place clear of mice, rats, and other vermin. (Bonus: this can also help repel the snakes who feed on these critters.) Barn cats can actually save money, by preventing losses due to contaminated grain. Rodents also often damage wires, which can be both costly and dangerous. You may find that barn kitties can be worth their weight in gold!
Barn cats are actually quite easy to care for. You won’t need to provide too many toys, scratching posts, or luxury beds. However, you do want to make sure that your feline friends always have food, fresh water, and shelter. (Catnip is optional, but appreciated.) You’ll also need to keep up with your kitty’s veterinary care needs. We recommend having your barn cats microchipped and spayed or neutered. They’ll also need regular exams, as well as parasite control and vaccinations. This is very important, as they come into contact with so many wild animals. Ask your vet for specific advice. In some cases, you may be able to schedule your furry pal’s exam when the vet comes out to check your other animals.
If you don’t have any barn cats, or if you have room for more, consider hiring one of these furballs for mouse patrol. This is often a great career path for stray or feral cats that aren’t well-suited to being housecats. You can contact local rescues to see if they have any felines that would make suitable candidates. Of course, if you wait long enough, you may find a kitty just turns up out of the blue!
Please reach out to us, your local Helotes, TX vet clinic, for all of your animals’ veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
