Most people know at least one person who lets their cat outside. While there are some benefits to this, there are also several serious risks that warrant your consideration. In this article, we will go over the main pros and cons of letting your cat outside.
Benefits of letting your cat outside
1. Mental stimulation
You can imagine how letting your cat outside can provide him or her with an unlimited amount of fun. By opening your front door, you can introduce your cat to an entirely new world beyond the confines of your home.
Offering enough mental stimulation is very important in maximizing your cat’s emotional health. Allowing your cat to roam outside gives them the opportunity to explore the world, experience new sights and sounds, and just feel free.
2. Exercise
When kept inside, cats naturally tend to spend the majority of their time sleeping or lounging. On the other hand, with so much open space to see, do, and explore, cats have the potential to get a great deal of exercise if let outside.
Exercise is crucial in maintaining a cat’s physical and overall health. In particular, getting adequate exercise helps prevent serious problems like obesity— an ever-growing issue in domesticated cats, among other diseases.
Risks of letting your cat outside
1. Becoming lost, stolen, or re-homed
Although most cats who are frequently let outside are usually able to find their way home, it’s still very possible for your cat to become lost. This is especially true if your cat is just getting used to going outside. Additionally, if your cat becomes startled and runs off to hide, he or she may then find him or herself lost and disoriented.
Next, there is the risk of someone coming across your cat and mistaking them for a cat with no home. This may unfortunately lead someone taking your cat and forever claiming him or her as their own.
Finally, consider the idea that a well-meaning rescue organization may come across your cat, trap him or her, and attempt to find your cat a new home. This happens all too often when pet cats are mistaken for strays.
To reduce the risk of your precious kitty becoming permanently lost, taken, or re-homed, make sure to have him or her microchipped. A collar and name tag with your contact information on it can also help reunite you with your cat if he or she strays a little too far from home.
2. Infectious diseases
Unfortunately, your cat will naturally be at higher risk for contracting a variety of infectious diseases if let outside. This is because many diseases can be encountered through direct or indirect contact with other cats or wild animals.
Some diseases that outdoor cats are at risk for include upper respiratory infections, flea infestations, ringworm, and Rabies. In addition, outdoor cats are at a much higher risk for contracting Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) from other cats. Unfortunately, there is no cure for these two particular viruses and they both can lead to serious illness.
While the risk of contracting some of these diseases can be minimized through regular vaccination and the use of anti-parasitic products, the risk of becoming ill should still be a big consideration when deciding whether or not to let your cat outside.
Related article: Top 7 Signs That Your Pet Is Sick
3. Serious injuries
When one cat encounters another, there is no guarantee that the interaction will go well. Outdoor cats are at risk for injuries stemming from fights with other cats or altercations with wild animals. These injuries can range from minor abrasions to serious lacerations that may require surgery.
Unfortunately, outdoor cats are also at risk for sustaining very serious and even life-threatening injuries through attacks by wild predators. Being fatally struck by a car is also a very real risk.
Related article: What To Expect When Your Pet Needs Surgery
4. Unplanned pregnancy
Truthfully, if you let your intact female cat roam outside, it’s only a matter of time before she winds up pregnant. This is because our pets are animals and some animal instincts such as the drive to mate are very hard if not impossible to break.
Thankfully, the risk of unwanted pregnancy can be eliminated by simply having your cat spayed. Similarly, male cats who are allowed outside should always be neutered. Fixing our pets is arguably the #1 thing we can do to help reduce the ever-growing number of dogs and cats living on the streets and in shelters.
There you have it! You’ve now learned the main pros and cons of letting your cat outside. As you can see, there is a lot to consider. We truly hope the information in this article will help you make an informed decision for you and your feline friends.
