Dangers of letting your cat out

Many of the major charities and animal shelters in the US now recommend that cats be kept indoors and even make it a condition of adoption. While there are arguments in favor of letting your cat experience the outside world, there are also many risks that must be considered before allowing her to run freely outdoors. In fact, some studies show that a cat that lives outdoors has a life expectancy of up to 10 years less than an indoor cat. Here are some reasons why.

Territories

A study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign examined the territories that cats claimed when they were allowed outside. Wild cats have a larger territory than domestic cats because they need to find food, where as a pet it can return home to be fed. However, the average range for a pet cat in the area was 4.9 acres. They covered themselves with an area to stalk their prey, rest and even meet other cats, sometimes wild ones that were looking to take over the territory.

While this may seem perfectly natural, there are many inherent risks in this territory. About a quarter of accidental cat deaths come from cars during the first year of life. Once they learn to adapt and avoid cars, cats generally handle themselves well, but there are still experienced and cunning animals that get caught up in traffic.

The other big threat when a cat spends a lot of time outdoors is the risk of eating something poisonous, either by accident or on purpose. Families without pets can use various pesticides that the cat can come into contact with and be fatal.

There is also the risk of the cat getting caught somewhere, caught by thieves in the case of pedigree breeds, and even taken away by people who mistake it for a wild cat.

Encounter danger

The other great risk is disease and these usually come from encounters with others of its kind, especially with wild cats. Wild cats do not receive vaccinations or regular check-ups, so they can be a melting pot of diseases and infections, which they can transmit to a pet cat through fighting.

An example of the toxoplasma gondii parasite that can cause respiratory, reproductive and neurological problems in cats and even spread to humans and other species. It can be passed from one cat to another, as can conditions such as rabies, cat scratch fever, feline leukemia, and feline immunodeficiency disorder. While vaccinations can help reduce a pet cat’s risk of contracting these conditions, no vaccine is 100% guaranteed coverage.

Solutions

So what can you do to allow your cat to spend time outdoors but minimize the risks? There are several ideas depending on the personality of the cat and where you live. One of the best is to train the cat from an early age to walk on a leash. Although walking the cat may seem like an odd idea, it allows him to go outside, investigate the garden or other area while you still control his reach, and can steer him away from danger. It is important to get vaccinated before doing this.

Setting up a protected area where the cat can be outdoors but not lose is another idea. If you do this, make sure there is a shady area and that food and water are accessible. Making supplies indoors is one of the easiest ways to allow them to use their instincts, like buying lots of toys and furniture for cats so they can climb and scratch.

Lastly, spend time with your cat, play with him, and give him your love and attention. While cats may seem lonely, they need this love or they will be unhappy at home and more likely to try to escape for a better life elsewhere.