Transitioning an indoor cat to an outdoor lifestyle takes time, training and patience. With the proper precautions, indoor cats can safely experience the stimulating sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to make a cat an outdoor cat.

Is It Safe to Make an Indoor Cat an Outdoor Cat?

Before making any changes, it’s important to consider the risks and benefits of an outdoor life for your cat. Here are some key factors to weigh:

Benefits of Being an Outdoor Cat

More exercise and mental stimulation. Outdoor access allows cats to satisfy their natural instincts to hunt, climb, explore and patrol territory. This provides much-needed physical activity and mental enrichment.
Exposure to fresh air and sunshine. Natural light and access to the outdoors supports good health.
Less stress and anxiety. The wider space and stimulus of the outdoors can reduce stress-related behaviors like aggression and inappropriate elimination that may develop when confined indoors.
Stronger immune system. Outdoor cats who are exposed to a wider range of microbes tend to have more robust immune function.

Risks of Being an Outdoor Cat

Injuries from fights with other cats. Intact males in particular are likely to roam and fight over territory and mates.
Exposure to infectious diseases. Outdoor cats are at higher risk of contracting illnesses like feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), upper respiratory infections and intestinal parasites.
Accidents with cars, wildlife or toxins. Curious cats can get hurt exploring areas like roads, sheds and garages.
Becoming lost. Unfamiliar, newly outdoor cats may get disoriented or lost. Outdoor cats also face risks like theft and cruelty from strangers.
Impact on wildlife. When outdoor, cats follow their predatory instincts and can decimate local wildlife populations.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

The decision depends on your cat’s individual temperament and your local environment. A bored indoor cat living in a rural area may benefit from supervised outdoor access. An anxious city cat may face more risks than rewards outdoors. Talk to your veterinarian to decide what’s best for your pet.

Choose the Right Cat for an Outdoor Lifestyle

Not every indoor cat is a good candidate for an outdoor life. Selecting the right cat is key to managing risks:

Age

Kittens under one year and senior cats over 10 will require extra supervision outdoors. Adolescent and adult cats from 1-10 years old can better handle the physical demands and risks of being outside.

Health

Only healthy cats with up-to-date vaccines and parasite control should go outdoors. Cats who are elderly, sick, or immunocompromised won’t be able to cope with new challenges. Have your vet examine your cat first.

Personality

Timid, anxious and easily stressed cats won’t thrive outdoors. Bold, confident, energetic cats who are strongly motivated to roam and explore make the easiest transition. Know your cat’s individual personality.

Environment

Cats living near busy roads, in rural areas with predatory wildlife or other environmental hazards need to be supervised when outside. Low-risk areas are better for unsupervised outdoor access.

Neutering

Intact male cats are extremely likely to roam, fight and breed, risking disease and injuries. Have your male cat neutered at least 4-6 weeks before outdoor access. Female cats will need to be spayed.

Choosing an established adult cat (1-10 years old) with an easygoing personality who is neutered/spayed and healthy overall offers the best odds for success. Kittens and senior cats face more risks.

Cat-Proof Your Outdoor Space

Before your indoor cat’s first outdoor adventures, ensure your yard is safe and escape-proof:

Enclose the Yard

Install cat-proof perimeter fencing or netting at least 6 feet high and buried a foot underground to prevent escapes and deter other animals from entering. Cover the top of the enclosure with netting as well.

Check for Gaps

Walk the perimeter and look for any gaps wider than 3 inches that your cat could squeeze through. Close up gaps between fence boards, around pipes or under gates.

Remove Hiding Spots

Get rid of debris piles, thick vegetation or other hiding spots other cats could use as ambush points for an attack. Clear sight lines help deter rival cats.

Provide Shelter

Give your cat access to shady hiding spots and an enclosed cat house or shelter stocked with familiar bedding when outside, so they can retreat when scared.

Install Climbing Structures

Add stable cat trees, shelves, perches and scratching posts outdoors to enrich the space with appropriate climbing and scratching spots.

Grow Cat-Friendly Plants

Choose non-toxic grass varieties and herbs like catmint, rosemary and lemon balm to interest your cat. Avoid thorny plants and poisonous lilies, azaleas and oleander.

Provide Water

Have fresh water freely available outdoors in stable, tip-proof bowls placed in shaded areas. Refresh water frequently.

Check for Toxins

Ensure fertilizers, weed killers, antifreeze and other toxins are securely locked away. Walk the yard to remove any windblown trash, chemicals or sharp objects.

ID and Containment

Make sure your cat has a secure, well-fitting safety collar with ID tag, microchip and any necessary containment devices before first allowing outdoor access.

Doing this cat-proofing in advance lets your cat explore and acclimate safely to the great outdoors.

Introduce an Indoor Cat to the Outdoors Slowly

When transitioning an indoor cat to outdoor access, take it slowly through graduated steps:

Let Them Observe

At first, just crack windows or use pet mesh screens so your cat can watch and listen to the outdoors without leaving home. This will pique their interest.

Take Short Trips Outside

Put a harness and leash on your cat and take them outside for just 5-10 minutes at a time, keeping them close by. Reward calm behavior with treats.

Expand Access

Over two weeks, gradually increase your cat’ssupervised outdoor time in an enclosed porch or yard up to a few hours daily as they become acclimated.

Leave the Door Open

With you still at home, prop your door open to finally allow your cat to freely come and go for a few hours, still bringing them in at night.

Practice Recall

Before unsupervised access, be sure your cat reliably comes when called and rewarded with treats. This ensures you can get them back indoors when needed.

Supervise at First

When comfortable with recall, your cat can have longer periods of outdoor access even when you’re not outside. But continue monitoring them closely at first.

With this gradual introduction, an indoor cat is eased into their new outdoor freedoms, giving you time to assess how they handle risks before full unsupervised access.

Provide Outdoor Enrichment for Your Cat

Outdoor cats especially need environmental enrichment to keep them engaged, stimulated and less prone to getting into trouble.

Give Them a Job

Hide treats around the yard and encourage your cat to “hunt” for them. Better yet, use feeder puzzles so they have to work for their food.

Grow Cat Grass

Cats can nibble on nutritious wheatgrass you grow in pots outdoors. It aids digestion and satisfies their urge to graze.

Set Up Scratching Areas

Provide sturdy scratching posts and pads made from natural materials like wood, sisal or cardboard around your yard.

Create a Digging Pit

Fill a sandbox with loose soil or sand so your cat can dig to their heart’s content, saving your garden beds.

Use Catnip

Plant catnip or rub dried catnip on scratching posts, toys or surfaces to add appealing smells that attract your cat.

Offer Novelty

Rotate new toys, boxes, tunnels and objects to sniff, paw and explore to keep their outdoor environment interesting.

Build Climbing Structures

Install shelves, ramps and platforms on fences, trees or a standalone cat climbing tree for 3D exploration.

Provide Interactive Toys

Outdoor toys that move or can be batted around like balls, wind chimes and hanging danglers provide physical and mental exercise.

A sufficiently enriched outdoor space provides your cat with appropriate outlets for their energy, hunting urges and curiosity so they’re less likely to get into trouble.

Manage Outdoor Risks for Your Cat

While no outdoor environment is risk-free, smart management goes a long way to reducing the hazards:

Proper ID

Ensure your cat always wears a safety collar with ID tag and contact info in case they get lost, along with proof of rabies vaccine.

Parasite Prevention

Use veterinarian-prescribed products to protect your outdoor cat from fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and heartworms which thrive outdoors.

Limit Roaming

For high-risk cats like former strays, use catios or leash walks to prevent excessive roaming and fighting. Set clear boundaries.

Discourage Predators

Use humane deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or alarms to scare away wildlife that may prey on cats in your area.

Monitor Interactions

Watch how your cat interacts with neighboring outdoor cats. Conflicts leading to fights should be managed by limiting contact.

Establish a Routine

Set designated times to bring your outdoor cat back indoors daily so they don’t get lost or forget where home is. Feed indoor mealtimes.

Keep Up With Vet Care

Outdoor cats need regular veterinary exams, vaccines, parasiticide treatments and prompt care for any injuries to stay healthy.

Bring Them In at Night

Having your cat sleep indoors at night reduces risks and helps maintain their sense of home. Provide litterboxes.

Prep for Emergencies

Keep your cat microchipped and store a pet first aid kit and blanket in your home in case quick care is needed after an outdoor injury or fight.

While some risks always remain, proactive precautions keep your cat safe as possible. Vigilance is key.

Choose the Right Containment Method

To provide outdoor access while controlling risks, choose the ideal containment method for your cat and yard:

Catios

Fully enclosed cat patios let your cat relax safely outdoors. They can be standalone structures or DIY conversions of porches or decks.

Leash Walking

Take your cat for walks on a secure harness and leash to explore the yard or neighborhood under your watchful eye and full control.

Pet Strollers

Allow cats who may be too old or unable to be leash trained to still ride along and experience outdoor sights and sounds from the security of a pet stroller.

Cat Fences

Special flexible fence toppers attach to existing fencing to create an angled barrier cats cannot climb over.

Monitored Exits

Train cats to use a cat door that unlocks with an ID collar chip, only allowing outdoor access when you permit via an app.

GPS Trackers

Safety collars with built-in trackers help monitor your cat’s outdoor location and send alerts if they stray too far.

Choose the right containment method based on your cat’s abilities and yard setup to provide enriching outdoor access while prioritizing their safety and keeping risks in check.

What to Do If Your Outdoor Cat Goes Missing

Despite best efforts, outdoor cats can occasionally slip away or become lost. Here’s what to do:

Search the neighborhood yourself, paying extra attention to warm hidden spots cats may take shelter behind like hedges or porches. Ask neighbors to check their yards.
Have your cat microchipped and call the microchip company to report them lost so they can notify local vets and shelters.
File a lost pet report with your local animal control and shelters. Provide a detailed description and current photo of your cat.
Post clear “Missing Cat” flyers and notices on community boards and social media groups, including your contact info and any reward offered.
Place worn unwashed bedding or clothing with familiar scents outside near your home to help guide your cat back.
Visit shelters frequently in person to check for your cat, don’t rely on phone calls alone. Shelter staff may not make the match.
For longer-term missing cats, consider using humane traps baited with strong-smelling food near your home to capture roaming pet cats after hours. This technique often succeeds when other methods have failed. Check traps frequently.
Don’t give up! While prospects decline after 2-3 weeks, lost cats have been recovered months later. Be vigilant and keep searching.

If they have ID, most healthy missing cats turned outdoors tend to be recovered. Persistence is key.

Conclusion

The decision to make an indoor cat an outdoor cat should not be taken lightly. There are risks to balance against potential benefits. With thoughtful preparation, introductions and enrichment, plus vigilant management of risks, indoor cats can safely enjoy time in the fresh air and wider world outside. Patience and proper precautions go a long way to ensuring your cat can thrive in their new outdoor environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making an Indoor Cat an Outdoor Cat

Should I build an enclosure before letting my cat outside?

Yes, building a secure, cat-proof enclosure is strongly recommended before an indoor cat’s first ventures outdoors. This allows them to explore safely. Make sure fencing has no gaps, remove hazards, and provide climbing structures and hideaways.

How often should I take an indoor cat outside?

When first introducing your indoor cat to the outdoors, take them out on a harness and leash for just 5-10 minutes at a time, a few times a week. Slowly increase the time outside over a period of weeks as they adjust.

Is it OK to leave my indoor cat outside unattended?

Never leave an indoor cat who is not used to being outdoors alone and unattended – they can escape or panic. Wait until they are fully acclimated over weeks before allowing any unsupervised solo time outdoors.

Should I get a GPS tracker for an outdoor cat?

Yes, a safety collar with a built-in GPS tracker is highly recommended for newly outdoor cats. This allows you to monitor their location and make sure they stay close to home. Trackers provide added assurance.

How do I find my lost outdoor cat?

First search the neighborhood yourself, then contact the microchip company to report your cat missing so they can alert vets. File lost pet reports, hang flyers and visit shelters in person frequently. Use humane traps and don’t give up.

What dangers do outdoor cats face?

Major risks to be aware of include injuries from fights with other cats, exposure to infectious diseases, accidents with cars or wildlife, getting lost and facing cruelty or theft from strangers. Manage risks proactively.

Is it better to transition kittens or adult cats to being outdoor cats?

Adult cats from 1-10 years old handle outdoor risks and changes best. Kittens under a year will need very close supervision. Senior cats are too fragile. Choose an adult cat for the easiest transition.

How often should outdoor cats see the vet?

Outdoor cats need vet visits at least every 6 months for a full exam, recommended vaccines, parasite prevention treatment and to catch any health issues early. Annual visits are required at a minimum.

Can indoor cats become outdoor cats?

Yes, with proper preparation, introductions and enrichment, indoor cats can transition to being outdoor cats. Go slowly, providing supervised access and cat-proofing your yard. Not all cats may adjust well, however.

How to Teach Your Cat to Walk on a Leash

Teaching an indoor cat to accept walking outdoors on a leash and harness takes time and patience. But the training investment is well worth it for the extra enrichment and exercise it provides. Follow these steps to leash train your cat:

Choose the Right Gear

Invest in quality, well-fitting, escape-proof equipment designed for cats before training:

Harness: Use a harness made specifically for cats, never a collar alone. Make sure it fits snugly enough not to slide off or allow escapes.
Leash: Select a sturdy leash 5-10 feet long. A long line allows more freedom while still maintaining control. Retractable dog leashes may be risky and frighten cats.
ID tag: Attach an ID tag listing your current contact info to your cat’s harness, not their collar. The harness with tag should be worn every time you leash walk.

Proper gear like harnesses, leashes, and ID tags keep your pet both comfortable and safe on outdoor adventures.

Get Them Used to Wearing a Harness

Cats unaccustomed to wearing harnesses will need gradual exposure:

Place the harness near your cat’s food and treats so they associate it with good things.
Rub catnip or treats on the inside of the harness to make it more attractive.
Have your cat wear the harness for just 5 minutes at a time indoors, with praise and treats for cooperation.
Slowly increase the duration your cat wears their harness over multiple days and weeks.

Taking it slowly, a harness becomes a routine, non-threatening part of your cat’s wardrobe.

Start Leash Training Inside

Before going outside, begin leash training sessions indoors in a quiet room:

With the leash attached to the harness, let your cat drag it around while supervised so they get used to the feel.
Practice picking up the leash and following your cat briefly around the room before dropping the leash again.
If they resist or freeze, calmly distract them with a toy or treat. Never pull on the leash and drag your cat.
Use positive reinforcement, rewarding with treats anytime the leash remains loose and your cat moves with it on their own.

This associates the leash with safety and reward before facing the extra challenges outdoors.

Head Outdoors

After at least a week of indoor

How to Make a Cat an Outdoor Cat