Cat lovers who truly wish to take a stroll with their cats and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and the ambiance of trees, bushes, and plants often feel guilty because they end up confining their cats to the indoors. But not anymore: that was the mindset of previous generations—cats were free and independent creatures.
They shouldn’t be confined. How can they truly be healthy, happy, and active if they’re not allowed to experience all the glories of the outdoors? Nowadays, we understand better the hazards of allowing cats to roam freely, either because we have personal experience with it, or simply through social media. Here are some of the most notable outdoor dangers that we should be mindful of:
- the risk of contracting a serious terminal disease, such as FIV or FeLV;
- The risk of parasitic infections
- injury/ death from attacks by dogs, other cats, or even predators;
- injury or death from vehicles;
- “cat-napping” for profit, or even personal gain;
- trapping and disposal by cat-hating neighbors;
- risk of animal cruelty;
- confiscation by animal control authorities;
- risk of ingesting toxic plants and getting in contact with pesticides;
- risk of minor injury or illness going undetected and turning into something more serious
- risk of injuring or killing local wildlife
BUT, there are plenty of safe compromises to offer your indoor cat the best of both worlds, without all the potential hazards of free-roaming outdoors.
Carrying your cat
Gary Loewenthal, former Host for the About Cats forum, used to carry his cat Mike around the backyard, letting him sniff and explore at will. Mike’s nose also led Gary on their walk, with each outdoor expedition ending up a bit different than the last.
These explorations are generally advised to be kept for a short time, whether 10 or 15 minutes, since most cats will become too eager to jump down and explore on their own. If you also consider bringing your cat outdoors, it would be advised to try this first with your cat in a safe carrier, whether a cat stroller or their travel bag.
Leash training
Some cats can be, in fact, trained to wear a harness and leash, using a gradual method of training. Many cats could initially feel confined by the weight of the harness in question, and their first attempts at walking on a leash could seem more of the “slinking” or “belly crawling” variety.
Some cats could also find ways to slip out of the harness or tangle themselves in the leash, so the best thing is to practice indoors with short sessions and establish whether or not your cat can tolerate it.
Given enough time and patience on the part of the trainer, some cats could even enjoy leash walking. Some cats could prefer just “lying around” outdoors on their leash. In all honesty, it’s a matter of time and patience if your cat is amenable to this kind of activity.
It’s worth keeping in mind that tying a cat outside on a leash shouldn’t act as a substitute for personal interaction and supervision. Cats shouldn’t be left alone with a leash or a rope extension attached to them.
There is way too much danger of them becoming all tangled up, with the possibility of strangulation, even, as well as high risks of them slipping out of the leash and just running away. We advise a sturdy harness or walking jacket, as opposed to a collar.
Collars can be slipped too easily, which will probably happen during fear, such as meeting a strange dog or cat on the street, loud noises, fast-moving vehicles, and approaching strangers. Try to buy a lightweight leash if possible, and make sure it respects all safety measures.
The additional ‘drag’ of a bulky leash will also slow your cat’s walking progress. Also, you might want to test your cat’s “leash quotient” indoors for a couple of days before taking him outside. Slow introduction and short sessions will also give you the best chance of getting your cat accustomed to the idea.
In the end, you will have a well-trained pet that will also be able to feel safe and happy while experiencing an indoor-outdoor experience. If, after all those sessions indoors with plenty of positive reinforcement, such as treats and toys, your cat still doesn’t seem to adjust or shows signs of stress or aversion to the harness, consider one of these other safe ways to introduce your cat to the outdoors.
A personal carrier
If you see potential in your cat to become a “traveling cat,” then we deeply suggest purchasing a vest or backpack cat carrier that’s comfortable and sturdy to give your cat a safe space to observe the outdoors. We bought a personal vest-style carrier, known as “Pet Pocket 2,” made by Global Pet Products.
We also bought the basic version, with a black mesh “pocket” that comfortably held the cat safely with a drawstring adjustment, as well as a mental clip that attaches to his harness. There are many other types of carriers on the market, so make sure you choose one that truly gives your cat enough room to comfortably lie down and turn around. You might have to try a couple of styles to figure out which one really suits your cat.
Wheeled walker or stroller
The Kittywalk Stroller offers both a durable nylon netting “cage,” so cats can enjoy the outdoor experience, as well as a water-resistant canvas shade for protection from the sun. The Wheel Away converts to a backpack, a car carrier, and a bed.
These stroller-style carriers can be a wonderful option, especially since they allow you to take longer walks with your cat, without actually having to carry them. Moreover, it keeps your hands free for other things. Many cats might feel safe, especially if they have some type of privacy or space to hide, so the whole thing with partial shade could give them a sense of security in the great outdoors.
Outdoor enclosures
For cats who would prefer to “free-roam” (within limits), outdoor enclosures are perfect. They can be easily built from scratch, with your own or purchased plans, or even assembled as modular enclosures. A free-roam set-up needs private outdoor space, where you can simply construct a permanent structure.
The whole point of it is that it gives cats complete freedom to wander and explore within a safe space. It also requires ongoing maintenance to make sure the structure remains sound and no defects form over time, especially ones that could cause injury or be a site where cats can escape.
Your experiences could differ, naturally, but we still think there are enough alternatives in this article to get you started.
And it goes without saying that as soon as you decide to try them out, we would love to hear from you! Tell us how your cat reacted to these changes, how the “hike” or “park expedition” was, and if you discovered it’s something you might be able to do with your furry pet on a weekly basis. More often than not, good things start by experimenting, so don’t completely dismiss the idea that your little cat would want to go outside with you!
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: Top 6 Best Kibble Brands for Your Pooch (Recommended by Vets)
