SHOULD I LET MY INDOOR CAT GO OUTSIDE?

One question many cat owners find themselves asking is: "Should I let my indoor cat go outside?" Some indoor cats love the outdoors and may even seem a little unhappy being cooped up. But at the same time، there are many dangers your cat could encounter if he's allowed outside. Every cat is different، so you should weigh these risks carefully before making up your mind. For those who choose to avoid the risk، there are other options that allow your cat to still get some fresh air، like letting him out on a harness or inside a cat tent.

The Risks of Being Outside

Many cats enjoy the outdoors. They love to climb، feel the breeze on their faces، and chase bugs. Whether or not you let your indoor cat outside can be a tough call. But you might want to be aware of these potential risks before you open your door.1

First، a cat's lifespan is longer indoors.2 In general، indoor cats have a 15-17 year life expectancy compared to outdoor cats' life expectancy of two to five years. That's a big difference.

Busy streets، unexpected encounters with wildlife، and environmental and manmade toxins can all pose risks to outdoor cats.3 If you do let your pet out، you might want to only do so when the weather's milder. Hot summer days or cold، freezing days can pose risks of their own.

Outdoor cats also pose a danger to other forms of wildlife، like birds.

If you want your cat to enjoy the outdoors without the risks، there are a number of creative ideas you can try.

Making the Outdoors Safe

You have a lot of options for letting your fur baby enjoy the outdoors safely. These range from simple to more extravagant solutions. But first، make sure your cat is up-to-date on her vaccines and microchipped. Then you might want to consider these fun options for outdoor adventures.

1. Cat Harnesses

A simple solution to give your cat some outdoor time is walking her on a cat harness that's attached to a leash.4 These are designed so cats can't easily escape them.