Many cat owners worry about letting their cat outside, especially if they live in a city. You want to keep your cat safe from road traffic accidents, picking up infections, from wandering off and becoming lost, and being injured in cat fights. And if they’re an expensive, treasured pedigree breed, there is also the worry that they’ll be stolen.
This is where you'll find answers and pros and cons to some of the concerns cat owners may have before they let their feline friends access to the great outdoors. Read on to find the best ways in which to help your cat enjoy some fresh air safely.
When Can Kittens Go Outside?
Kittens should be allowed to go outside once they're about four or five months old (under supervision) and have settled into their new home. They should be neutered and have had all their vaccinations (at around 12 weeks old).
Top Tips for Letting a Kitten Outside
One way to get started letting your kitten outside is to do it before breakfast. Leave the back door open and see if they venture out. If they do, leave them for 10 or 20 minutes before calling them back in for their breakfast. Repeat this, increasing the time outside until they're comfortable being outdoors.
Here are some other top tips:
- Identification: Make sure that your cat can be identified with a microchip and a collar with an ID tag. If your kitten hasn't already been microchipped, this should be done as soon as you get them home.
- Collars: Wearing a quick-release safety collar is recommended so that if the collar gets caught on something, it will snap open, and the cat can go free.
- Cat-ify the garden: The garden or outside space should be cat-friendly with places to hide and climb. A scratching post can also be a good idea.
- Create a catio: If you only have a small patio or balcony, a catio could be the answer. Put a climbing tree, perch, somewhere to snooze and a place to hide inside.
Letting an New Adult Cat Outside
If you have recently adopted an adult cat, make sure that they're settled in their new home before letting them have outdoor time. Some cats may have been kept as indoor cats at their previous home and may not be confident enough to leave the house.
It might take anything from two to six weeks before they want to take their first steps outside. Never force them to go outside, as this will just make them feel more anxious. Try leaving the back door open and see if they want to go out. You may have to train them to come back inside - more on this below.
What to Do Before Letting a Cat Outside for the First Time?
If you're worried about letting your bundle of feline fur out for the first time, there are some things you can do to prepare as fully as possible and help calm your pet parent anxiety too:
- Lead by example: Head out with them to show there's nothing to worry about - and to keep an eye on them. Just remember to keep the door open, so they can retreat if they want to.
- Start slow and quiet: Choose a quiet day and time when you let your cat out for the first time so that the experience is positive. You want your cat to feel safe and not spooked by any loud noises.
- Try before mealtime: The best time to let your cat outside is just before a meal, that way they're more likely to return for food.
- Train your cat: Before building up their exposure to the outdoors, it's a good idea to teach your cat to respond to a certain command or sound. Reward them with a tasty treat when they come back to you following the command. This is where clicker training your cat can be helpful.
- Prep your garden: Go through your current garden setup and remove any toxic plants and sharp objects that could harm your curious kitty.
- Get them neutered: Making sure your cat is neutered before letting them venture outside can help with preventing cat fights.
Will My Cat Come Back if I Let Them Outside?
You can train your cat to come to you by using treats. Call their name and shake the packet of their favourite treats and they’ll soon learn to come running to you. Practice this inside from different rooms until your cat always finds you when you call out their name.
Another idea is to sprinkle some used cat litter around the perimeter of your garden to help establish their territory.
Keep to a feeding routine and only allow them to go out before feeding time so that they know they’ll get fed when they return. This will help if you don’t want your cat to stay out overnight. And always feed indoors so your cat knows they’ll get fed when they go back inside.
Installing a Cat Flap
Installing a cat flap will allow your cat to come and go as they please. These can be fitted with a microchip scanner so that only your cat can come into your home. Most cats find using a cat flap easy, but some can be nervous about going through one. You can guide them through the flap giving them rewards of praise, treats, or toys until they’re comfortable with it.
What Should I Do if They Don't Come Back?
Don’t panic if your cat disappears over the garden fence. If you’ve trained it to return for mealtimes and treats, and they’ve been neutered, they should come back when they’re ready. Some adventurous cats may go AWOL for a couple of days, but if they’re missing for longer, it might be time to contact your vet.
What Do Cats Do Outside?
Cats love to explore the wild and can spend up to eight hours a day hunting. It's part of their natural behaviour. Their prey drive means that even if well-fed indoors, they'll still spend a lot of time hunting if they're allowed outside.
Cats allowed to roam will patrol their territory, and being territorial, they can get into fights with other cats, especially if they haven't been neutered. Another good reason to make sure your cat is neutered before they venture outside.
If you want to keep the local birds and small wildlife safe, add a small bell to their collar so they can be heard before it's too late!
Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats
Indoor vs outdoor cats can depend on the breed of cat you have. There are benefits to keeping your cat indoors, but forcing them into an indoor environment if they're disposed to being outdoors can lead to your cat becoming bored.
With training, your kitten or cat will soon adapt to the routine of being outdoors and returning indoors for food. You'll always want to ensure your cat is safe. But after getting used to it, you'll be able to let your cat outside with the confidence that they'll come back to their home comforts.
Everypaw Cat Insurance
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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis – https://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis
Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.