Plucking up the courage to
let your cat into the great outdoors
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There are lots of reasons you may be considering letting your cat outside. It could be that you have just taken on a new cat or have moved house with an existing cat.
No doubt you may be concerned that a recent relocation will have inevitably caused you cat confusion and stress – will they just run away? You may not even know if your cat has ever been outside before – will they be “worldly wise”? Whatever the situation, it is understandable that it is a nerve racking time for any cat owner.
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As a vet I see all too often what a scary world it can be out there for a cat. You may be undecided about whether an outdoor life is suitable for your cat. There are other options available. Many cats enjoy lives as completely indoor cats and some still go out under supervision. This is a perfectly valid option in some circumstances but the logistics have to be considered properly so that you are sure to take into account both your cat’s temperament and their physical and psychological needs. I have lots of resources, advice and experience on this subject. Assuming you’ve decided to take the plunge and let your cat out, please keep reading ...
Understanding the need to take things slowly but surely
After any relocation it can take us a while for our new surroundings to feel like home. Rest assured that most cats will settle in their new indoor surroundings given time and the right approach. It is worth taking a moment to consider how well each cat has coped with any change in its life so far? This will have been influenced by lots of things like their background, temperaments and hopefully the measures you’ve taken to reduce stress by making your cat’s new home “cat friendly” (eg calming plug-ins, secure hiding spots etc). I have a wealth of information on this last subject and have dedicated advice sheets if you need them – A Recipe for Happy Cats, How To Make Your Cat Stress Less and Purr More. My website also has a dedicated are on Avoiding Stress and making your home “cat friendly”.
Cats are creatures of habit and tend to feel secure once they have developed a routine that they feel comfortable with, which inevitably takes time – it will not happen within a few days. As a rule of thumb I would not advise letting any cat outside unless they have settled indoors first and this takes in most cases at least 14 days and in many cases a month is better. As tempting as it may be to let your cat out sooner, you do run the risk of them fleeing if startled without yet knowing how to return home.
There is no truth in the old belief that smearing butter on cats’ paws will discourage them from straying. Most cats do not like having wet/sticky paws and the experience will only make your cat feel even more stressed. On the subject of wandering though, if your new home is only a few streets away from your old one, then there is a chance your cat(s) may return to familiar territory. Cats have been known to travel long distances to their old home. Before moving, ask the new owners of your old house and any neighbours who knew your cats to keep a look out in case they come back. Always make sure that they have your telephone number in case you need to come back and collect one of them. Ask them not to welcome and encourage your cats (eg no feeding or stroking). Sometimes they may even need to deter them with a few flicks of water.
Cats are creatures of habit and tend to feel secure once they have developed a routine that they feel comfortable with, which inevitably takes time – it will not happen within a few days. As a rule of thumb I would not advise letting any cat outside unless they have settled indoors first and this takes in most cases at least 14 days and in many cases a month is better. As tempting as it may be to let your cat out sooner, you do run the risk of them fleeing if startled without yet knowing how to return home.
There is no truth in the old belief that smearing butter on cats’ paws will discourage them from straying. Most cats do not like having wet/sticky paws and the experience will only make your cat feel even more stressed. On the subject of wandering though, if your new home is only a few streets away from your old one, then there is a chance your cat(s) may return to familiar territory. Cats have been known to travel long distances to their old home. Before moving, ask the new owners of your old house and any neighbours who knew your cats to keep a look out in case they come back. Always make sure that they have your telephone number in case you need to come back and collect one of them. Ask them not to welcome and encourage your cats (eg no feeding or stroking). Sometimes they may even need to deter them with a few flicks of water.
