Cats with access to the great outdoors enjoy lots of fun experiences but they also face risks too: traffic, dogs, other cats, picking up fleas or contracting diseases…the list is endless. If you decide to let your cat explore the world outside your house, there are things you can do to help keep your cat safe.
What Age Should Your Cat Go Outside?
Kittens should not be allowed outside to mix with other cats until they are vaccinated. It is also much better to have your cat neutered before letting it have free access outdoors. Male cats that are not neutered tend to wander over a much wider area and get into fights with other male cats. This commonly results in cat bite abscesses developing and can even cause your cat to contract a viral disease. By the time a cat has completed a course of vaccinations and been neutered, they will be around 6 months of age and much more capable of looking after themselves.
What Time of Day is Best to Go Outside?
It is far better to let your cat outdoors in the morning, rather than at night, when they are more likely to be involved in a road accident because of poor visibility. Ideally adopt scheduled meal times, rather than allowing free access to food, for some weeks before allowing your cat outside. If you let your cat out shortly before feeding time, hunger will encourage your cat to comeback at meal times. You can also train your cat by using a sound - such as a bell, clicker or jangling keys before offering meals or food based treats. Making that sound tells your pet that you are in the vicinity with a food based reward. Simply shaking the food bag may result in lots of cats coming running! Leaving food outdoors can work but does not always help as it can attract neighboring cats that your own cat might be afraid of, further reducing the chances of them coming home.
Tasty Tips
Precautions for Outside
A collar with a bell will significantly reduce your cat's success in capturing small birds and can help you hear when your cat is in the area. Microchipping will enhance the likelihood of your cat being returned to you if found. There are a number of organizations that will register your contact details and give you a coded pet tag to place on your cat's collar. This is not just a visible means of identification; it can also be a more secure way of protecting your contact details. Some cat owners using address marked pet tags have been lured to a spot by a person who claims to have found their cat, only to return and find their home has been burgled.
Flagging the boundaries of your home and garden with cat scents from home can also help attract your cat back: a bit of bedding, hair or the contents of the litter box can all be used in an emergency when your cat has been away for too long.
When Not to Let Your Cat Outside
Moving to a new house can be a stressful time and the last thing you want is to lose your cat too. Keep your cat indoors for at least 2 weeks before allowing outdoor access at the new house and consider using a plug-in pheromone diffuser to encourage your cat to feel secure and relaxed in the new home. Last but not least, always keep an up to date photo of your cat to use in posters and so on if they are lost.
Related products
Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Tender Chicken Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Tender Chicken Dinner
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Chicken & Rice Recipe Cat Food
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Hill's Science Diet Adult No Corn, Wheat, Soy Tender Tuna & Vegetables Stew cat food
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Roasted Vegetable & Chicken Medley cat food
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food
Highly digestible food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Chicken Recipe Cat Food
Fewer calories for less active cats
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Liver & Chicken Entrée
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Indoor Chicken Recipe
Healthy digestion for easy litter box clean-up
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Tender Chicken Dinner
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Salmon & Vegetable Medley Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory salmon and vegetables
Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Entrée Can Variety Pack Cat Food
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Entrée Cat Food
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine Tender Chicken & Rice Medley
Delicious tender chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce with precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Cat Food
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Hill's Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entrée cat food
Supports the health of the whole urinary system with optimal levels of magnesium
Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner cat food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
Highly digestible food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
Related articles
How Cats Show Affection to Their Humans
Discover some common ways that cats show love for their owners. Learn to recognize these signs of affection, even though they might seem a little bizarre.
All About Giardia in Cats
Learn important information about giardia in cats, including signs, diagnosis and treatment options for dealing with this parasitic infection.
Stress and Feline Urinary Problems: How to Deal With It
Learn how to identify and reduce the chances of feline urinary issues by helping alleviate stress in her life.
Steps for Command Training Your Kitten
Learn how to properly train your new kitten to obey your commands while keeping them happy and healthy.
Healthy Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
Learn how to make homemade kitten treats that are healthy for your pet. Enjoy this cat treat recipe from Hill's Pet to supplement a cat's healthy balanced diet.
What You Should Know About Cat Sneezing
Like human sneezing, cat sneezing is normal to a certain extent, but it can signal an underlying health concern that requires support or treatment.
What Types of Litter, Food & Supplies Are Safe for Kittens?
Learn which types of products and supplies are safest for your kitten, including specific kinds of litter, food, shampoo, carriers, collars and toys.
Cat Heart Health and Feline Heart Disease
Learn more about the causes of feline heart disease and the signs you can watch out for to promote heart health in your cat.
Ways to Maintain Your Cat's Healthy Coat
Learn the visual signs that your cat is healthy including what to look for in her skin, ears, and eyes, as well as as signs you should call your vet about.
Deciphering Your Kitten's Behavior & Body Language
Kitten's body language and behaviors tell you a lot about what they want. Learn what each behavior means and start to better understand your cat's needs.
Explaining Your Cat's Greeting
Learn about the different types of greetings cats can show you, such as head butting or slow blinking, and how to interpret each of her signals.
Vegan Cat Food for Carnivorous Felines?
Discover what vegan or vegetarian cat food is, and why it is not the best choice to feed your carnivorous cat.
Techniques for Obedience Training Your Kitten
Get some quick tips on how to shape your kitten's behaviour with early training. Learn what to do and what not to do.
Cat-Proofing Your Fish Tank: How to Protect Your Fish from a Curious Kitty
Learn why cats are often fascinated with fish tanks, including factors like their prey drive, and tips for cat-proofing it from your curious kitty.
5 New Fun Things to Do With Your Cat
Looking for way to enrich playtime for your kitty? Discover fun new cat activities, such as cat apps, that can keep your furry friend occupied for hours.
Cat Aggression: How to Calm Them Down
Learn how to identify causes of aggression in your cat, how you can help calm them down or diffuse an aggressive situation, and when a vet visit is needed.
Managing Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Learn tips for managing your cat's diarrhea, including how to recognize it, what might be causing it and treatment options your vet could recommend.
Weight Gain in Your Cat & How You Can Help
Learn the different factors that might be contributing to your cat's weight gain, and how bigger doesn't always mean better.
Why Do Cats Try to Eat Plastic?
You may wonder why your cat loves chewing & eating all kinds of plastic. Find out why she's fascinated by these items and what you can do to discourage it.
Hill's Kitten Foods: A Healthy Choice for Your Kitten
Discover the benefits of Hill's line of kitten foods and how they provide complete and balance nutrition for growing kittens.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.