How to Have an Outdoor Cat - Outdoor Cabinets

Outdoor cats can lead happy, fulfilling lives, but ensuring their health and safety takes some extra planning and effort on the part of their owners. Here’s a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know to successfully have an outdoor cat.

Deciding if an Outdoor Lifestyle is Right for Your Cat

Before making your cat an outdoor pet, consider if this lifestyle suits their personality and needs:

Personality and Breed

Active, curious cats that enjoy exploring are better suited to outdoor life than timid homebodies. Observe your cat’s personality to see if they seem eager to get outside.
Some breeds like Maine Coons, Bengals, and Savannah cats have a stronger wanderlust and enjoy roaming. Other breeds like Persians and Ragdolls prefer staying indoors. Consider your cat’s breed tendencies.
Kittens under one year old shouldn’t have unsupervised outdoor time as they lack traffic sense and survival skills. Wait until they mature before granting outdoor freedom.
If adopting an adult cat with an unknown history, introduce them to the outdoors gradually to ensure they adjust well.

Your Home Environment

Cats are territorial, so a home with multiple pets may do better if some remain indoors to avoid conflicts over territory.
Apartments and urban areas with heavy traffic provide fewer safe roaming spaces than a rural or suburban home with a yard.
Houses bordering wooded areas give cats access to more interesting terrain to explore but also greater risks like wild animals. Assess your surroundings.

If after considering these factors your cat seems a good candidate for outdoor freedom, take the proper precautions to ensure their safety and health.

Preparing Your Home for an Outdoor Cat

Before letting your cat begin venturing outside, make some adjustments to your home and yard to create a safe environment:

Installing a Cat Flap

Install a cat flap on an exterior door so your cat can come and go from the house freely. Select a sturdy, weatherproof flap designed to deter other animals from entering.

Cat-Proof Fencing

Repair any holes or weak spots in your fence that a cat could slip through. They will need at least 6 feet of secure space.
Coyotes and other wild animals can jump fences, so a cat-proof mesh apron lining the interior sides of the fence will deter this. Bury the bottom edge about 6 inches deep.

Safe Outdoor Spaces

Provide appealing outdoor spaces your cat can enjoy like:

An enclosed “catio” attached to a window for securely observing birds and squirrels
Window perches or shelving offering outdoor views
Shady hiding spots in trees or plants to explore and nap in
A scratching post to mark territory

Hazards to Avoid

Scan your yard for any hazards to eliminate:

Toxic plants, gardening chemicals, or auto fluids that could make a cat sick if ingested
Garden netting, twine, or wire they could become entangled in
Lawn mowers, tools, farm equipment that could maim or kill
Water features like ponds cats could fall into and drown

Preparing Your Cat for Outdoor Access

Take steps to ensure your cat is prepared before granting outdoor freedom:

Collar and ID Tags

Fit your cat with a breakaway collar and visible ID tags with your current contact info so they can be identified if lost.
Consider also microchipping your cat as back-up identification.

Vaccinations

Get your cat proper preventative vaccinations as recommended by your vet, especially for feline leukemia and rabies.
Vaccinations protect community cats as well when roaming. Keep boosters up to date.

Parasite Control

Use veterinarian-prescribed flea, tick, and heartworm preventative medicines to protect against parasites.
Check your cat’s coat thoroughly for any signs of fleas or ticks when they come indoors and treat immediately.
Schedule regular vet checkups to monitor parasite prevention effectiveness.

Spay/Neuter

Spay or neuter your cat before allowing outdoor access to prevent roaming for mates and unwanted kittens.
Neutered males are less likely to fight over territory or roam as far. Female heat cycles also attract aggressive males.

Gradual Introduction

Initially allow your cat outdoors only for brief, supervised periods to learn their surroundings safely.
Accompany timid cats outdoors until they gain confidence. Never force them outside if fearful.
When leaving an adult cat at home alone, restrict outdoor access at first before gradually increasing roaming privileges over several weeks.

Providing Ongoing Safety and Enrichment

As an outdoor cat owner, you play an important role in keeping your cat safe and their life fulfilling through attentive care:

Shelter and Water Access

Provide accessible fresh water bowls in shady spots around your yard. Change water daily.
Ensure your cat can get back into your home easily through their flap, especially during extreme weather.
In winter, bang on your car hood to scare away any cats seeking engine warmth so they aren’t injured when you drive.

Supervision

Monitor your cat when outdoors and call them inside at your discretion. Some outdoor time should always be supervised.
Accompany new kittens and cats exploring your yard for the first few weeks to ensure they recognize dangers to avoid.
Check on older cats frequently outdoors to confirm they are moving smoothly and not in distress.

Mental Stimulation

Engage your outdoor cat’s instincts and intelligence through:

Puzzle feeders and treat balls rather than free-feeding to encourage “hunting”
Catnip, feather teasers, and wands for energetic play sessions
Outdoor treasure hunts hiding treats in different spots to discover
Providing access to cat grass to nibble on
DIY obstacle courses with cardboard boxes and tunnels

Grooming and Health Checks

Groom your cat frequently to monitor skin for any new lumps, lesions, or parasites.
Note any decrease in grooming habits that could indicate illness or pain.
Weigh your cat regularly to catch any weight loss that warrants a veterinarian visit.

Scheduling Predictability

Feed meals, engage in playtime, and call your cat in for cuddles at consistent times each day.
Cats feel secure when they can predict their daily routine. Avoid unpredictability.
If introducing any changes to their schedule, do so gradually to avoid stress.

Positive Reinforcement

Use treats and affection to reward your cat for coming when called instead of scolding for being late.
Indoors-only cats can grow insecure if they sense you prefer your outdoor pet. Ensure equal love and attention.
Celebrate when your cat uses their litter box consistently to reinforce desired behavior.

Common Concerns and Challenges

Having an outdoor cat introduces some unique risks and issues to navigate:

Roaming and Fighting

If your cat is roaming and fighting with neighborhood cats, try these solutions:

Identify any unneutered cats contributing to conflicts and offer to get them fixed for free at a TNR clinic.
Place repellents like citrus peels, coffee grounds, or vinegar around the edges of your yard.
Use synthetic feline pheromones (Feliway) to calm territorial urges and de-stress your home environment.
Block windows that create tension between your indoor cats and roaming cats outside.

Traffic and Injuries

Supervise kittens and adolescent cats closely when first going outdoors until they gain street smarts about cars.
Avoid granting outdoor access at dawn/dusk when harder to see. Use reflective tags/collars to improve visibility.
Provide yard access only when supervised so you can intervene and protect your cat from harm. A fully enclosed catio is safest.

Poisons and Hazards

Ensure your yard remains free from any dangers like:

Pesticides, weed killers, auto chemicals, antifreeze – keep securely stored
Fertilizers – opt for pet-safe, organic products
Rat and mouse baits – use humane, enclosed traps instead
Piles of yard waste – may contain hazardous compost or sharp debris
Trash cans – lock lids to deter fishing for food remains

Nuisance Complaints

If neighbors complain about your outdoor cat, solutions include:

Providing enclosed catios for safe access outside rather than full roaming privileges
Using citrus peels or cayenne pepper fertilizer around your property line to deter digging/elimination
Removing outdoor food sources that might attract their interest, like prolific bird feeders or food waste
Loan no-cost humane traps to capture and rehome strays causing problems rather than harming them
Compromising to limit outdoor access to strictly daytime hours if a night prowler

Ensuring Continued Health

While rewarding, an outdoor lifestyle does require heightened vigilance monitoring your cat’s health:

Parasite Prevention

Administer year-round flea, tick and heartworm preventative as prescribed by your vet.
Thoroughly comb and check your cat’s coat for any signs of fleas or ticks when returning indoors.
Note any excessive scratching and treat parasites immediately.

Injury Care

Inspect your cat for scrapes, limping or other injuries when they come home and treat promptly.
Keep basic first aid supplies on hand like bandages, antibiotic ointment and pet-safe wound cleaning solutions.
Know emergency vet clinic contact information and hours if professional care is ever required.

Vaccination Boosters

Maintain your cat’s core vaccines like rabies, feline leukemia, and distemper boosters as advised by your vet.
Update vaccines more frequently for cats with high community exposure.
Annually test cats not vaccinated for FeLV and FIV and treat any positive results.

Dental Care

Schedule professional dental cleanings at least annually to treat gum disease aggravated by hunting and scavenging.
Brush your cat’s teeth weekly and provide chew toys to improve dental health between vet cleanings.

Parasite Screens

Run fecal tests for intestinal parasites annually or biannually since outdoor cats are vulnerable.
Periodically screen for deadly heartworms, especially in warm, humid climates with mosquitoes.
Catching and treating parasites early is critical before they make your cat severely ill.

Signs It Might Be Time for a Lifestyle Change

While outdoor freedom benefits many cats, senior cats or those struggling with health issues may need to transition to a calmer indoor only lifestyle:

Advancing Age

Consider restricting outdoor access for senior cats who:

Struggle jumping fences, trees or navigating terrain due to arthritis
Appear deaf or confused, wandering into unsafe situations
Show cognitive decline and forget familiar people or locations

Illnesses

Cats with chronic conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, heart disease may be safer kept indoors where their health can be closely monitored.

Injuries

If your cat suffers major injuries from outdoor risks like cars or fights with other animals, this signals it may be time to convert to a solely indoor lifestyle.

Litter Box Avoidance

If your previously house-trained cat avoids their litter box and eliminates outdoors, have your vet check for underlying medical issues and consider indoor-only living temporarily or permanently.

Decline in Grooming

A drop in your cat’s normal grooming habits can enable parasites like fleas and ticks to take over – a sign they may cope better without outdoor exposures.

If health issues or aging make outdoor life less suitable for your cat, focus on providing mental stimulation indoors through play, cat trees, windows with views and daily routines to keep their lives fulfilling within your home. With attentive care and proactive safety measures though, many cats can thrive with outdoor independence.

Outdoor Cat Safety FAQs

How long can cats stay outside in winter?

Letting your cat spend brief periods outdoors when temperatures dip below freezing is fine, but limit exposure to 1 hour or less at a time. Provide warm shelter options and unlimited food/water to support their health in cold weather.

Do outdoor cats need vaccinations?

Yes, outdoor cats absolutely require current core vaccinations for rabies, distemper, upper respiratory infections and feline leukemia virus to stay protected against contagious illnesses they face from community and wild animal exposures.

What senses do cats use outside?

Outdoor cats rely heavily on their excellent vision, hearing, and sense of smell to hunt prey, observe threats, and navigate safely. Their whiskers also detect air currents and tight spaces.

What does it mean when cats leave dead animals?

When cats leave “gifts” of dead prey at your door, this signals they regard you as family. By sharing their kill, they are showing affection and attempting to teach you hunting skills. Praise them instead of scolding.

Do outdoor cats need deworming?

Yes, have your vet deworm your outdoor cat at least quarterly. Cat feces can transmit parasitic roundworms and hookworms to humans, especially children who ingest contaminated soil. Annual fecal tests help detect infestations.

Final Tips for a Fulfilling Outdoor Lifestyle

With proper precautions, outdoor access can greatly enrich your adventurous feline’s life. Here are final tips for maximizing their safety and enjoyment:

Start young – Gradually introduce kittens to the great outdoors to build skills and confidence. Wait until 1 year old.
Ensure identification – Collar tags and a microchip provide backup contact info if your cat becomes lost.
Protect with vaccines – Maintain strict adherence to all core vaccine schedules recommended by your vet. Rabies is legally required.
Monitor interactions – Watch your cat outdoors and intervene in any fights with interlopers harming their enjoyment.
Eliminate hazards – Frequently scan your property and correct any unsafe conditions your clever cat could encounter.
Manage parasites – Administer rigorous flea/tick/heartworm prevention medicines prescribed by your vet to protect health.
Provide enrichment – Rotate outdoor toys to tap into curiosity and exercise their body and mind.
Practice rewards – Use treats and affection to positively reinforce coming when called and other desired behaviors.

With attentive supervision, proactive health management, patience introducing changes gradually, and clear boundaries to establish a predictable routine, an outdoor cat lifestyle can be immensely rewarding for both guardian and pet. The key is ensuring safety comes first. Given the proper care and precautions, your beloved feline companion can enjoy their time in nature while remaining protected.