Is It Safe to Let Your Indoor Cat Outside?
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Choosing whether to let your cat outside or keep him inside can be challenging for new and even experienced cat owners. So, whether your new family member is a tiny kitten or an older surefooted cat, you'll have to answer the question that can seem intimidating at first: should I allow my cat outside or keep her inside? And, because one good inquiry typically leads to another, you may ask yourself a series of linked questions.
What are the advantages of my cat being outside? What are the dangers of releasing my cat? Is it okay if I take my indoor cat outside? Can my cat live happily inside? What are the benefits and cons of living indoors? Is it appropriate to let a kitten outside? There is, however, no need to be concerned. These questions don't have to be overwhelming with a little planning and consideration.
Is it time for your indoor cat to venture outside?
In reality, deciding whether or not to let your cat out does not have to be a painful process for either you or your cat. We recommend that you consider some of the most common issues associated with indoor vs. outdoor cats to make an informed decision that is first and foremost best for your cat's health and, incidentally, a decision you can live with.
It's natural to feel terrible as a cat parent for keeping your cat indoors all of the time, especially if they express an interest in going outside. Many cats 'beg' to go outside without fully comprehending what they would find there.
It cannot be easy to replicate the outdoor experience completely. Still, many pet parents can provide a stimulating indoor environment for their cats by incorporating enrichment activities, plenty of windows, cat-friendly plants, and some of the outdoor alternatives discussed below.
However, your cat's safety should always come first, and permitting your indoor cat to go outside has several significant concerns. We've broken them down below and some helpful hints for allowing your cat to explore the outdoors safely.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cat Benefits
Many cat rescues demand that potential adopters keep their cats indoors, and many veterinarians agree. There's some sound reasoning here, especially regarding your cat's health and safety.
According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, indoor cats live roughly 10 to 15 years longer than outdoor cats, ranging from two to five years. This is because cats can be exposed to various outside threats, including parasites and diseases and automobiles, and predators such as coyotes, poisons, and other animals.
You protect your cat from these potential dangers by keeping them indoors. You also spend a lot more time with your cat, which allows you to spot any potential health problems sooner rather than later. You also reduce the possibility of your cat being lost or picked up by animal control or other humans by keeping them inside.
You also protect natural species, as even well-fed cats have a penchant for hunting birds and other small prey and can significantly negatively impact wildlife in the vicinity. Domestic cats kill about 2 billion birds each year in the United States alone.
If you still don't believe it's preferable to keep your cat inside, consider how many more risks there are than benefits to allowing your cat to wander freely outside:
Pros
- More fitness and running space
- Increased exposure to sunlight and fresh air
- It smells that are novel and intriguing.
Cons
- Animals, vehicles, pollutants, parasites, and other factors make them more vulnerable to illness, damage, or death.
- Outdoor creatures may be killed.
- How to Safely Allow Your Cat to Explore the Outdoors
Even if a cat spends all of its time inside, having access to a sunny windowsill can provide many of the benefits of being outside. Install a cat tree or a hammock bed in front of your cat's favorite window so they can sit and watch the birds and squirrels in comfort.
Open the window when the weather permits (and if you have a screen in place) so they can enjoy the breeze as well. If you insist on allowing your cat to go outside, make sure you do so carefully.
It's natural to feel terrible as a cat parent for keeping your cat indoors all of the time, especially if they express an interest in going outside. Many cats 'beg' to go outside without fully comprehending what they would find there. It cannot be easy to replicate the outdoor experience completely.
Still, many pet parents can provide a stimulating indoor environment for their cats by incorporating enrichment activities, plenty of windows, cat-friendly plants, and some of the outdoor alternatives discussed below.
However, your cat's safety should always come first, and permitting your indoor cat to go outside has several significant concerns. We've broken them down below and some helpful hints for allowing your cat to explore the outdoors safely.
How to Safely Allow Your Cat to Explore the Outdoors
Even if a cat spends all of its time inside, having access to a sunny windowsill can provide many of the benefits of being outside. Install a cat tree or a hammock bed in front of your cat's favorite window so they can sit and watch the birds and squirrels in comfort.
Open the window when the weather permits (and if you have a screen in place) so they can enjoy the breeze as well. If you insist on allowing your cat to go outside, make sure you do so carefully. This comprises. Teach your cat to go with you outside on a leash and harness. Making or buying a catio or mesh cat enclosure (you can find a ton of roomy and secure outdoor cat enclosures online).
Keep your cat up to date on flea/tick and heartworm meds, and notify your veterinarian if your cat spends time outside so that any necessary yearly screenings can be performed. Always keep an eye on your cat outside and never leave them alone.
There is a nice medium between keeping your cat indoors all the time and exposing them to the hazards of outdoor life. You may be able to leash train your cat for walks and other activities, or you may have a nice buddy to sit in the backyard with you and soak up the sun.
In any case, keep safety in mind and pay attention to your cat's signals. Many cats are quite content to live entirely indoors. In contrast, others may be happier gradually acclimating to strolling outdoors on a leash or exploring a tiny patch of grass under your direct supervision.
Now that you have a better understanding of the primary considerations to consider when selecting whether indoor or outdoor life is best for your cat, you will be in a much better position to make a decision that will benefit both your cat and you in the long run.
Remember that this is a highly personal decision based on your cat's personality and background and your unique living situation. Cats can be happy and healthy whether they live inside or outside if you pay great attention to addressing all of their physical, psychological, and emotional needs and taking the essential precautions to keep them safe and stimulated at all phases of their lives.
