How to Keep Your Cat Safe When Outdoors
The outdoors can be a dangerous place for cats. Speeding cars, deadly predators, and toxic plants and chemicals could sicken or even kill your furry friend. Fortunately, your cat can safely enjoy a little outdoor time with your help.
9 Ways to Protect Your Cat
Creating a safe, positive outdoor experience for your pet can be as simple as:
- Making Your Yard a Safe Place. Fenced yards won't necessarily prevent predators from attacking your cat. A determined dog or wild animal could jump over the fence or squeeze through a gap. A fully enclosed cat exercise area, commonly called a "catio," is a better option. Catios are screened on all sides to allow your cat to enjoy fresh breezes without compromising safety. Adding perches inside the catio gives your furry friend convenient resting places to observe birds and squirrels. You'll also need to create a shady spot by placing a shade cloth over part of the top of the enclosure if the catio doesn't have a solid roof. Catios should be at least 75 to 100 square feet, according to Modern Cat. Build your own catio, or buy a pre-made enclosure from a pet supply company. Don't have a yard? Attach a fully screened cat perch outside a window instead.
- Protecting Your Pet from Fleas and Ticks. Any cat that spends time outdoors, even for short periods, should be protected from fleas and ticks. Spraying your yard with flea and tick spray every month kills adult insects, larvae, and eggs. Keep your cat out of your yard or your enclosure until the spray is dry. It's important to spray your entire yard, as fleas and ticks can travel from one section of the yard to another. Monthly flea and tick medication applied to your pet's fur or taken orally offers additional protection for your cat.
- Providing ID. Identification increases the likelihood that your cat will be reunited with you if it goes missing. Place a collar with an ID tag on your cat and consider microchipping your pet. Microchips are no bigger than a grain of rice and contain a code linked to a registry that stores your contact information. Chips are placed under the pet's skin and scanned by veterinary offices or humane societies.
- Offering Water. Keep your cat's outdoor water bowl full with fresh water. Clean the bowl every day to remove debris, bugs, and bacteria.
- Using a Harness. A harness offers another option for safe outdoor time. Harnesses fit around your cat's upper body and are attached to a lead, which you hold. Walking with a cat on a harness is a little different than taking a walk with a dog. Your job will be to follow your pet as it inspects your yard.
- Spaying or Neutering. Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) are surgeries that prevent your cat from reproducing. The surgery is important even if your pet doesn't usually spend any time outdoors unsupervised. Your cat could sneak through an open door when you bring in groceries or push through a loose screen. By the time you catch up with your pet, it could already be pregnant or have contributed to the pet overpopulation problem.
- Vaccinating Your Cat. Vaccinations prevent your furry friend from potentially serious or deadly diseases, including rabies, feline distemper, and feline calicivirus. Some vaccines must be updated yearly, while others protect your pet for several years.
- Checking In. Although catios offer a safe outdoor space for your cat, you will need to check on your pet periodically. Check for spilled water dishes, loose screens, and bored kitties who want to come inside.
- Watching the Weather Forecast. A solid roof on a catio doesn't provide complete protection from the elements. Bring your cat indoors if it's raining heavily, snowing, or sleeting. Pay attention to heat and humidity too. According to PetMD, temperatures between 59 and 86F are most comfortable for cats. Spending too much time outdoors on a hot and humid day can lead to heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke include panting, confusion, diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, and seizures. Bring your pet inside if it shows any of these symptoms, and call your veterinarian immediately.
Wondering if your cat is up-to-date on its vaccinations? Does your furry friend need flea and tick protection? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
American Animal Hospital Association: Cool Cats: Summer Safety Tips for Outdoor Cats, 7/16/2024
https://www.aaha.org/resources/cool-cats-summer-safety-tips-for-outdoor-cats/
PetMD: 8 Outdoor Dangers for Cats and How To Keep Your Feline Safe, 8/2/2024
https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/outdoor-dangers-cats
American Humane Society: Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats
https://www.americanhumane.org/public-education/indoor-cats-vs-outdoor-cats/
Modern Cat: Why Your Cat Needs a Catio, 11/2/2023
https://moderncat.com/articles/why-your-cat-needs-a-catio/
Animal Wellness Magazine: Choosing the Right Cat Enclosure, 5/3/2019