It's a hairy world for an outdoor cat
Rubber band balls and laser pointers are usually among a feline’s fiercest foes. But if a cat ventures past the front door, it can encounter a whole new set of real dangers before it even leaves the yard—diseases, infections and other animals. And don’t forget about cars, bikes and humans in the wider world. But with preparation and supervision, your cat could benefit from a stroll outside.
Who’s really in charge?
Because of the array of dangers they face in the wider world, house cats belong in the house, says Dr. Jane Brunt, executive director of the CATalyst Council in Annapolis, Md., a national coalition of feline health and welfare organizations.
She says it’s hard to understand the reasoning of many owners, who often make up excuses such as, “‘She won’t stay inside, and likes to go out and explore,’ or, ‘It’s more natural for cats to be outdoors,’” Brunt says.
“Death is natural, too. But why have it be due to injury or preventable illness? When I see a cat come in dragging and dehydrated, and I find a wound that’s frequently days old or longer, my heart breaks.”
You’re in charge. Be the owner, so recognize when your animal is danger. Free-roaming cats increase their chances of illness and injury from parasites and animals like dogs, coyotes and foxes. Most animals are territorial creatures, so these kinds of conflicts are likely once cats step out of the house.
And cats that fight with other cats are at the biggest risk, says veterinarian Dr. Clark Fobian, of Thompson Hills Animal Clinic in Sedalia, Mo. “There are some bad diseases from other cats that your cat can contract, like feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia,” says Fobian, also president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Useful, preventive measures
Although Fobian strongly recommends keeping cats indoors, he says there can be benefits of getting outside if it fits your cat’s specific needs. “If a cat has any destructive indoor behavior, like clawing furniture or doorjambs, by exposing them to the outside, they can do their claw maintenance in an outdoor environment,” he says. “It can also discourage them from marking behaviors and inappropriate urinating in the home.”
If you plan to let your cat outside, Fobian says, owners need to be prepared, and go with them. Meet with your veterinarian to get your cat up-to-date on immunizations and parasite prevention. The next step is to get the proper equipment—a harness or leash and a collar that fits snug around the cat’s neck.
If walks don’t seem like the best fit, bring the outdoors inside. Create a place for your cat by a screened window, where they can sit and safely experience the outdoors.
“It can be unpredictable if you have an outdoor cat,” Fobian says. “You never know when you or your cat might be surprised by some event. Some cats can be as smart as a 2-year-old, but you wouldn’t let your 2-year-old cross a highway.”