Deciding to let your cat outside (or not) - and how you go about it - is an important decision that will affect your cat's quality of life and wellbeing. Here's what to consider before letting your cat outside - including how to follow their every step.
Whether you’ve got an indoor cat or an outdoor cat – they’ll want to venture outdoors someday. (Yes, even your couch cat-tato next to you right now.) But the minute you start to think of the big, scary, beautiful world outside your front door, you might find yourself wondering…should I let my cat outside?
Yes – if you can ensure their safety. In fact, most cats want to be outdoors! They may pounce out the front door every chance they get, or look longingly out the window. And it’s no surprise; our domesticated kitties come from a long line of felines who thrived outdoors in the wild.
Being cooped up indoors all the time isn’t healthy for your cat. They’ll love the exercise, sunlight, and sensory stimulation from the sights, sounds, and smells of nature with some outdoors time.
On the other hand, theoutdoors can also be dangerous for cats. From other cats, larger animals, predators, poisonous plants, pesticides, pet thieves, passing vehicles…there’s no end to the threats your cat might face if they wander off too far from home and get lost.
But does that mean you should let your cat outside?Here are a couple of steps to consider beforehand.
What to consider before letting your cat outside
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to give your cat outdoor access. Let’s start with some general ones.
General factors
Age. Is your cat old enough to go outside?
Health. Do they have all their vaccinations? Is your cat in good enough health to be let outdoors?
Environment. Is your outdoor space – and the surrounding area – safe for cats? Make sure to check that it’s not too hot nor too cold for them to stay outdoors for too long.
Laws. Are there any laws governing free-roaming cats in your area? For example, most countries around the world require all pets to be microchipped and registered in a national database at the very least.
Temperament. Does your cat want to go outside? In some cases, it might not be the best idea. (Like if they’re very young – or on the older side.)
Your cat’s personality, needs & history
Next, consider your cat’s own unique personality and situation. Every cat is an individual, after all – what’s best for one cat might not be what’s best for yours.
For example, if you’vejust adopted a stray cat, chances are your feline friend loves being outdoors. (Because they’ve likely gotten used to it.)
But if your cat has a traumatic history – they may feel scared going outsideand prefer to stay indoors.
If you have a newborn kitten, they might be too young to go outdoors.
That means, you can’t rely on a microchip to track down your cat in real-time or alert you if they’ve escaped. Aka, where a cat GPS tracker can be a lifesaver.
So if your cat has run away because they’re…
In heat or seeking out a female in heat, it’s wise to consider getting them fixed. (Aka, spayed or neutered.)
On the hunt, it makes sense to keep tabs on their location. So you can prevent them from wandering away too far in search of prey.
Plus, with your trusty Tractive device strapped to your cat’s collar, you can have 100% peace of mind – knowing you can find your cat with just a glance at your phone.
If you just got a new adult cat, it’s best to give them some time to get used your home before letting them go outside. A good rule of thumb is to wait 2-6 weeks before letting a new adult cat outdoors. After all, cats are territorial, so they’ll need time to map and adjust to their new territory.
⚠️ When it comes to kittens, wait until they are at least four or five months old before letting them venture into the great outdoors. You should also make sure your cat is vaccinated, microchipped and neutered before letting them roam outdoors.
Indoor vs outdoor cats: Pros & cons
There are several important differences between indoor and outdoor cats that are good to keep in mind when you make your decision about letting your cat outdoors. The lives of both indoor and outdoor cats each come with their own set of perks and perils.
Why should I let my cat go outside? The perks of being an outdoor cat
Outdoor cats typically thrive with the fresh air, enrichment, and physical activity that comes with free access to the great outdoors. Here are a few of the main benefits of letting your cat outside:
Outside your cat can enjoy engaging in their natural, instinctive feline behaviors – like scratching or stalking prey. (Aka, no more shredded curtains or carpets.)
The outdoor world offers your cat plenty of enrichment – new sights, sounds, smells, textures, tastes and experiences – which can enhance their overall wellbeing.
Your cat will have more opportunities to run, climb and explore – roaming outdoors is great for their physical fitness. Which means fewer health issues in the long run.
In short, your cat can enjoy their feline life to the fullest when they’re allowed safe outdoor access.
The risks of letting your cat outside
Letting a cat outdoors can do wonders for their happiness and wellbeing. But the decision also comes with some potential downsides.
For example, your wandering cat might end up getting:
Injured by a passing vehicle or another animal
Infected with a disease or allergy or parasite, like ticks or ear mites,
If your cat prefers staying indoors, you have a bit more reassurance you’ll (mostly) always know where they are. Indoor cats tend to be better protected from the dangers outdoor cats face. (So they’re generally safer.)
This is actually why indoor cats usually live longer than outdoor cats1.
On average, your indoor cat might live a long, leisurely life of around 10-20 years by your side.
Outdoor cats, on the other hand, might only live around 2-5 years.
With all that said – doesn’t it make perfect sense to just…keep your cat indoors all day? After all, it’s ideal for their safety, right? Nope, not quite.
The downsides of being an indoor cat
Despite the benefits, indoor cats face some risks too. I.e., a less active lifestyle (and less stimulation overall). Which, over time, could lead to health issues. – both physical and mental.
Cats who don’t have outdoor access will typically havefewer opportunities to explore, play, roam and engage in their natural cat activities. Which means, if they’re cooped up indoors all day, they’re likely to experience:
Letting your cat outside for the first time: Tips for success
Here are some best practices and tips for letting your cat outside safely – if you’re doing it for the first time ever.
What to do before you let your cat outside
Before letting your cat go outdoors, make sure to do the following:
Microchip your catto ensure they can be identified if lost and brought into a vet or shelter.
Equip your cat with a quick-release, safety collar and and an ID tag with your contact details – so you can be contacted in case they’re found missing or injured.
Make sure your cat has had all of the recommended vaccinations for outdoor cats – and that they’re up to date.
Get your cat fixed. This will prevent them from becoming a nuisance at your neighbors’ who have female cats.
Make your backyard or garden cat-friendly – remove any poisonous plants or other toxic substances.
Sprinkle some of their used litter around the perimeter of your yard – to help them establish their new territory.
Take a good photo of your cat in case you need to make a lost cat poster.
Make sure your cat can recognize their nameand train them to come to you when you call it.
What to do during your cat’s first outdoor adventures
Once your cat is prepared for their first outdoor outing, here are some tips to make it a success:
For their first few outdoor adventures, it’s a good idea to go with them and supervise your cat.
Leave the door open so your cat can return inside if they want to.
Let your cat explore the new outdoor area undisturbed if possible.
Call your cat back when you feel like they’ve wandered too far – and reward them for doing so.
Let your cat roam again sometimes after receiving a reward – so they don’t always associate coming when called with going inside.
Gradually increase the length of time your cat is outside over a few days/sessions.
Make a routine out of it – your cat can learn when it’s time to go outside and when it’s time to come back in.
Once your cat seems comfortable being outside, let them come and go without you.
Always try to let your cat back indoors immediately when they show signs of wanting to be back inside.
Consider installing a cat flap to give your kitty true independence.
Figure out your cat’s favorite hangout spots
As you let your cat outdoors more often, you’ll start to notice they have a bunch of favorite hiding, hunting, and hanging out spots. (Maybe a nearby barn or a patch of woodland full of mice or that one spot under your porch.)
And here’s why this matters: it can actually help you find your cat easier if they disappear for longer than usual. I.e., if you’re suspecting your cat is missing, you could start by checking their favorite spots first – and then widen your search, if necessary.
And here’s an example of it working in action. The San Francisco Feral Cat Coalition recently rescued a litter of sick kittensby attaching a Tractive tracker to Mama Cat.
From her Heat Map and Location History, they found she’d deposited each kitten in different areas. (Likely to keep them safe.)
With a little team work with the local community, they were able to locate each kitten, take them home, get them washed and debugged – and rehomed to warm, safe, loving forever homes.
If you want to encourage your cat to go out and come back home on their own, here are some tips that can help.
Feed your feline friend indoors only – and on a regular schedule. So they’ll want to come back inside for food.
Start off slow – only let your cat outdoors for 10 minutes at a time at first, then bring them indoors.
When you call them back inside, use a happy tone of voice.
Give them a treat when you bring them back inside.
Let your cat go out andbring them back in at the same time every day.
Don’t let them spend the night outdoors.
Alternatives to giving your cat unlimited access to the outdoors
Some cat parents want to give their cats the benefits of the great outdoors, while keeping them protected from the potential dangers. If this is you, you can try these options to give your cat safe, limited outdoor access:
Build your cat a catio– they’ll be entertained (and safe) for hours!
So…should I let my cat outside?
Yes – provided you can guarantee their safety. Because when it comes to us hoomans and our cats, no two individuals are the same. Factors like your cat’s age, health, environment – and how you can shield them from the dangers they might face outside – all play a role.
Both indoor and outdoor cats can live happy, healthy lives – but it’s your responsibility as a pet parent to ensure they have everything they need to do so. That means keeping them safe if they do go outdoors.
And even while on vacation (or 175 countries if you’re on a Premium subscription)
All with just a glance at your phone.
“Anyone with cats knows how slick they are…even if your cat is an indoor cat, they will eventually find a way out.
My cat is indoor and outdoor, and I will never again have a cat without a Tractive! First, it’s fascinating seeing where they go, their favorite spots, and the territory they establish.
Second, when she has been out too long and I start to worry, I know right where she is and I go get her! I would recommend this highly for both cats and dogs!“
See where they are in real-time, no matter how far they go. Get alerts if they roam too far home. Find out where they’ve been and discover their favorite spots. Let others track with you.
Whatever you do, be sure to make the most of your time together with your cat. The lifetime of love and joy they’ll provide you in return is always worth it.
Found this post helpful? Share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
