Keeping Your Cat Safe Outside

Owning a cat that enjoys going outside can make you worry. Although having access to the outdoors is very beneficial to cats as it provides them with exercise and enrichment, it can still be dangerous. Cars, diseases, parasites, and other cats are some dangers that your cat will face outside, so it’s a good idea to be cautious and put in appropriate measures to ensure your cat’s safety. Here are some things to know and tips on keeping your cat safe when it’s outside.

Vaccinations and Flea/Worm Treatments

Outdoor cats can be prone to a lot of illnesses and diseases, like feline herpes virus and feline parvovirus, as they frequently come into contact with other cats and animals. To keep your cat healthy, you need to make sure it has all of its vaccinations up-to-date. Kittens generally have two sets of vaccinations when they are between 8 and 12 weeks old, but they also need booster vaccinations every year. Booster vaccinations are needed every year to keep your cat’s immune system in order. If it has been over one year since your cat had its vaccinations, then it may need to start over and have two sets of vaccinations.

In addition to vaccinations, you should also flea and worm your cat regularly. Flea treatments should be done every 4-6 weeks, and worming should be done every 3 months. Outdoor cats are more likely to pick up fleas and internal parasites, so it’s important to regularly flea and worm your cat.

Neutering

It’s a good idea to neuter your cat anyway, but for outdoor cats, it’s mandatory. Not only does neutering help reduce the number of unwanted litters, but it also helps protect them against certain diseases. Cat often fight for territory with other cats when they are outside – neutering your cat can help reduce aggression. Unneutered cats are also more likely to go looking for a mate when they are let outside, which could get them into trouble if they wander too far or across a busy road.

Busy Roads

Keeping your cat safe when living on a busy road with a cat is a common concern for cat owners. It’s generally best to avoid letting your cat outside if you live on a street that’s always busy. However, if you do plan to let your cat outside, make sure it isn’t during rush hour or when there is a high amount of traffic on the streets. Additionally, time your cat’s meal-times so it is more likely to come back when it’s hungry before the rush hour period begins.

Night-Time

Cats are usually more active night as this is when rodents and prey animals start to wake up. You should not let your cat outside in the evening as this is when most accidents occur. The bright lights from passing cars could disorientate your cat, and drivers are less likely to see your cat when it’s dark. Animals like foxes also come out at night-time, who could attack or injure your cat.

GPS Tracking Collars

All cats need to have a collar with your contact details attached to it, but you could also consider purchasing a collar with a GPS tracking device inside it for keeping your cats safe. Although more expensive than your average collar, GPS tracking collars will let you know where your cat is at all times. Most GPS tracking collars allow you to see your cat’s whereabouts using an app on your smartphone. This type of collar could be priceless for your peace of mind.