Is it ok to let your rescue cat go outside? This is what the experts say
We all love to get outdoors for some fresh air and if you own a cat you may feel it’s the same for them. But before you do so, here’s a few things to know.
Adopting a cat can bring much joy to a household. Not only can they be great companions to snuggle up with, but their antics can also leave you in stitches.
But when they sit by the window looking longingly outside, you may be tempted to open the door to let them out. After all who doesn’t like to get outside for some fresh air? But there are a few things that you should know before unleashing them into the great outdoors.
The outdoors can be deadly for your cat
First and foremost, cat owners that want to let their feline friend explore the outdoors should know that it can greatly reduce their life expectancy. Indoor cats can live up to 20 years in the safety of your home. But outdoor cats typically don’t see their fifth birthday.
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There are many dangers that cats face when they are outside. One of the biggest is getting runover, especially in more urbanized areas.
But, they may also get attacked by other animals, including people that don’t want them around, which even if they don’t kill your cat, they can leave them injured, maimed or transmit diseases to your feline. The Animal Humane Society says, that if your cat doesn’t have claws, going outside is an absolute “no” as they cannot defend themselves.
In general, being outside there is a higher risk of your cat getting diseases like feline leukemia, feline AIDS, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), toxoplasmosis, distemper, and rabies along with parasites, fleas and ticks. They could also be exposed to toxic chemicals and plants as well as poisons when exploring the outdoors.
And its not just the outdoors that are dangerous for your cat, but your cat for the outdoors. Cats are natural predators and they kill birds and small mammals. In the US alone, free-ranging cats were responsible for killing an estimated 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals per year according to a Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute study.
Preparations to make before you let your cat go outside
If you are still thinking about letting your cat outside there are some things that you can do to keep them and their surroundings safe. First off, you should wait until your cat is fully settle into your home which can take several weeks. Kittens should be at least four months old and not be out at night.
Your cat should be spayed or neutered, have had all their vaccinations and should have year-round tick prevention. Your cat should have a microchip and always wear a collar with an ID tag so they don’t need to be taken someplace to have their chip scanned if they wander off.
Wondering how to give your cats enrichment time while keeping them — and surrounding wildlife — safe? Check out the iconic actor & cat mom Wendi McLendon-Covey's decked-out catio 😻 From toys to jungle gyms, & more, she's making sure her cats are happy, enriched, & safe 💕 pic.twitter.com/qrR3e4UQzZ
— PETA (@peta) March 31, 2025
Being outdoors can be healthy for your feline friend, giving them a chance to explore and get some direct sunlight to help bolster their Vitamin D levels. So that they stay safe, you should try using a harness and leash to take them for a walk. Or you can set up a ‘catio’, an enclosure that allows them to be outdoors but keeps them safe.
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