Cats by nature are extremely independent animals, curious and lovers of new adventures. Many people think that cats need open environments and freedom to be happy and maintain their wild instinct, but there are many cat owners who do not feel comfortable or are afraid to allow them to go outside.
Letting a cat out can be beneficial for its physical and emotional he alth, but at the same time, it is important to do it with the best of precautions and be aware of the possible implications that this may bring.
If you're wondering Is it bad to let my cat out? the answer lies in a he althy balance. Continue reading this article on our site where we will teach you how to reach that point where your cat is happy and you can be calm.
Benefits of letting your cat out
For domestic felines, taking a break once a day offers them positive natural stimuli, so much so that it can seem like a real amusement park to cats. Also helps keep them in a good mood: trees to climb, branches to play with, mice and insects to chase and sunlight to feel warm and have a drink refreshing nap after the adventure.
Cats that are allowed to go outside can be free to relieve themselves elsewhere with a more natural look and feel, thus reducing or eliminating the need for their owners to clean the litter box and buy the sand so often.
It is said that domestic cats do not have the extreme need to go outside and that an indoor cat does not have to become a lazy and obese pet like the cat "Garfield", even more so, if we take care of it and give it a good and interesting life in the warmth of home.
However, we cannot deny that cats like to go out and walk free as the wind without responding to anyone. They can benefit from that physical activity and the distraction that comes with it. If you are in favor of cats being masters of their own freedom, that they can come and go at home whenever they want and you want to give your feline that benefit, it is important that you first take certain precautions that will later protect him when he is alone in "the wild World":
Be sure to take your feline to the vet to review his he alth status and the vaccination schedule for cats
- If you are going to let it out, it is very important that you spay or neuter your feline. Cats that roam freely outside and have not received this attention contribute to the unwanted breeding of pets, of which the vast majority end up wandering into the abandoned streets.
- Put your cat in a harness or collar with an identification tag that has your contact information on it.
- If you have completely cut your cat's nails (a practice that some owners do but which is not at all he althy for the feline) you should not let him go outside the house, since he will not have enough capacity to defend itself against other animals.
- Microchip him. Many cats go out looking for adventure but get lost trying and then can't find their way home. The microchip will allow you to find and identify it.
Disadvantages of letting your cat out
Every decision you make regarding your pet will have a major effect on its life, whether in the short or long term. Letting him out whenever he wants could directly influence the life expectancy of your cat.
Cats that live outside have a shorter life expectancy than cats that live comfortably in the safety of the home because they are at risk of disease and accidents such as fights with other animals, robbery, run over and altercations with people not very close to cats that can hurt or even poison them.
Many cats that live on the street can be carriers of diseases that can then be transmitted to your pet. Some can be severe or even deadly, not forgetting those that can be contracted due to rotten food and agents in the external environment. Among them we can mention:
- Feline AIDS
- Feline leukemia
- Feline infectious peritonitis
- Feline distemper
- Fleas and ticks
- Intestinal worms
- Yeast Infections
