Indoor cats often encounter fewer physical risks than those exposed to the outside world and for this reason many live longer and physically safer lives. Pros Of Letting Cats Outside.
Its best to make sure your cat is settled indoors and comfortable around you before starting to introduce your cat to the outside or letting them outside for the first time.
Letting indoor cats outside. Can an Indoor Cat Survive Outside. As we will discuss shortly there are risks to letting indoor cats outside. It will be a judgment call as to whether you are prepared to take this chance.
Cats are hardy and governed by survival instincts. Most indoor felines can adapt to the harsh conditions of the outside. Pros Of Letting Cats Outside.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners maintains a position statement regarding the indooroutdoor debate recognizing that although inside is safer allowing your cat to explore outside can provide some pretty significant benefits to her physical and mental health. Some of those benefits include. There are many benefits to letting your indoor cat go outside.
These are a more natural life of your cat more mental stimulation and better all-round health. Many people do not consider outside access for their cats because of the many hazards however it is possible for your kitty to have the best of both worlds. When youre letting cats outside for the first time its important that they be supervised and that they feel safeHow you do this depends on whether the cat is a kitten or an adult that has already been outside before.
Kittens because of the risk of catching diseases or getting lost or frightened on their own should be kept indoors until they are at least six months. Cats that have been outside their whole lives can be trained to enjoy being indoor only. Scratching posts fun toys clean litterboxes etc.
The original posters question is about starting to let cats that seem perfectly happy but a bit curious about being outside out regularly. Generally speaking cats who live indoors have a significantly longer life expectancy than those who go outside even part-time. Letting her outside without having complete control over her movements is risky.
She could come into contact with any number of deadly hazards that neither you nor she will be able to anticipate. There are several things that you can think about to see whether your cat may survive outside or not. Ideally dont just let it out.
If you have an indoor cat just simply letting it out its not a good idea it would be better to transition it to the outside. The more comfortable life of an indoor cat significantly increases his lifespan. An indoor cat may live 15-17 years while the life expectancy for outdoor cats is only 2-5 years according to researchers at University of California-Davis.
Jeff Levy DVM CVA owner of House Call Vet NYC also discourages owners from keeping cats outdoors. He adds that the. Letting an indoor cat outside.
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Our PurseForum community is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Answer 1 of 22. I hear this idiotic reason to allow cats outside ALL the time.
Unless you own a farm and are maintaining what is known as a semi-feral cat colony there is NO real reason to allow a pet cat outside on its own. Let me give you our perspective. If youre thinking Should I let my cat outside letting your cat go outside is the veterinary equivalent of smoking.
It significantly reduces feline life expectancy. Another pro of letting your cat outside is that your cat gets mental stimulation. But on the flip side your cat can be overly stimulated by all the stress factors surrounding them.
Any slight sound of a twig breaking could be a predator or a menacing cat waiting to pounce on them so they have to be alert at all times. How Bad Is It to Let Your Cat Outside. Your adorable house cat is also a ruthless predator.
A conservation biologist makes the case for. More stimulation from the outside world. The pleasure of fresh air and sunshine.
With those benefits in mind its also important to understand the drawbacks of letting your cat roam outdoors. Cats who roam outside face far more dangers than indoor cats and they often die much earlier often in painful ways. Please note that tying a cat outside on a leash is not a substitute for personal interaction and supervision.
Cats should never be left alone outdoors on a leash or a rope extension. There is too much danger of their becoming tangled up with the possibility of choking. Indoor cats often encounter fewer physical risks than those exposed to the outside world and for this reason many live longer and physically safer lives.
They are generally safe from territorial disputes between neighbouring cats that can lead to aggressive feline encounters that may result in injury. Some cats were even able to find their way home years after they got lost. Whether youre letting your cat outside roam freely through the neighbourhood or you prefer to keep your cat indoors providing them with a good and comfortable life while also ensuring safety is the best way to go.
Discover more tips for letting your cat safely outside. Letting your cat outside for the first time. There is an increased risk of accidents after nightfall so it is best to keep your cat indoors overnight.
Timing meals to coincide with rush hour may help to keep your cat away from busy roads. Check your car before you travel. An indoor cat to outdoor cat transition doesnt have to be stressful or difficult as I will explain in this article.
If you have an indoor cat a kitten or have adopted a cat thats now ready to start going outside there are a few things to consider and be aware of if you want the transaction to be smooth and successful. The great outdoors presents a whole new environment to explore. Its best to make sure your cat is settled indoors and comfortable around you before starting to introduce your cat to the outside or letting them outside for the first time.
Some cats will immediately start wanting to go outside regularly but some less-confident cats kittens or cats who might not have been outside before may want to build up the amount of time they spend.