For the cat, it is of course very nice to be able to go outside. Outside they have all the space they need to hunt, play, run and interact with other cats. Today you can’t just let a cat out without danger.
You will have to decide for yourself whether you would do well to let your cat outside or to keep it inside the house. This also depends on the options that you have at home. Do you want to let your cat outside? In this blog, we give you 11 tips to make this as safe as possible.
If the cat is away, then anything can happen to your cat. An accident is in a small corner. For example, your cat may eat something wrong, get injured, get lost, or go missing. What if your cat doesn’t return home at all? You must not think about it! If you still like to leave your cat outside, it is good to take the following tips into account.
- Add a Chip
- Have a meal outside with the cat
- Call his name
- Choose the best time
- Look for quiet moments
- Take them when tired
- Give him confidence
- Don’t go outside after relocating
- Leave door open
- Use cat harness
- Make sure cat has vaccinated
Add a Chip
First of all, it is very wise to provide your cat with a chip and to register the chip. An identification chip contains a unique identification number with which your cat can always be recognized. This number is linked to the data you provided when registering. Once your cat runs away or gets lost, the chip can be read and returned to you safely on the basis of this data.
Have a meal outside with the cat
Have your cat outside when your cat is hungry, for example, just before eating. Your cat is used to getting food at home and will want to come home when hungry. Even when your cat goes looking for a meal outside, there is a good chance that it will be taken home.
Call his name
Take a bite to eat and call your cat a number of times when your cat is walking outside. With this, you teach your cat that hearing the name can also mean something fun and can deliver some goodies. If you do not do this and only call your cat when it has to go back in, your cat will soon realize this and will not want to come back when you call.
Choose the best time
If your cat has never been outside before, it is wise to skip the evenings. Always keep your cat indoors during the nights. First, let your cat get used to being outside a few times in daylight. Cats are twilight hunters and will then go out faster to hunt. The chance of getting lost is greater than if you first let your cat get used to it in daylight.
Look for quiet moments
Always choose quiet moments when you let your cat go outside. When you do this at busy or stressful moments, your cat will see going outside as an ideal flight during the unrest. The chance that your cat will slip out once, for example in case of fireworks fright or a thunderstorm, is getting bigger.
Even when it is very restless or noisy outside, it is better to wait for a quieter moment. Your cat can be very shocked by this and therefore won’t want to go outside the next time.
Take them when tired
With playful and active cats it is advisable to only release them outside when they are already tired and finished. If you let them out with fresh energy, they will want to go on an adventure sooner.
Give him confidence
Walk the first time with your cat outside. All the stimuli smells and sounds outside can be quite overwhelming for your cat. Walking along can give your cat that little bit of confidence to take the first steps. When your cat defrosts a little more, this will no longer be necessary.
Don’t go outside after relocating
Cats that have just moved to a new address sometimes have the tendency to immediately want to walk back to the old address. To be sure, keep the cat indoors for a few weeks before the cat can safely go outside again at the new address.
Leave door open
Always leave a window, cat flap or door open at home. (Note: DO NOT leave tilt windows open, these are very dangerous!) If necessary, from a shed near the house. Your cat must always have the opportunity to look for safety at home. If something goes wrong, your cat can start looking for another hiding place, making it difficult to find your cat again.
Use cat harness
If you do not want your cat to walk freely outside, you can also use a cat harness. With a cat harness and a line, you can explore the neighborhood together without running the risk of your cat running away or missing. When using a cat harness, it is important to first let the cat get used to wearing it.
Not every cat likes this and sometimes it takes a little more time to learn this. Another option is to build a large cat run yourself where your cat can safely enjoy being outdoors.
Make sure cat has vaccinated
Make sure your cat has been vaccinated against possible infectious diseases and regularly worm your cat. With outdoor cats, the chance of contracting a worm infection is very high.
Do you have questions about letting cats in or out? Would you like customized advice? Feel free to drop by email. We are happy to help you!
