10 ways to help keep your outdoor cat safe

By Lauren Rey

It’s well-known and widely advised that keeping cats indoors is far safer for them, but recent studies show that only about 63% of cats in the United States are kept strictly indoors. While the best approach would be transitioning these outdoor cats to indoor cats, some cat owners or caretakers can face unique challenges, especially when caring for feral or stray cats. So, how can we keep these outdoor cats safe?

Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof way to guarantee safety for outdoor cats, from cars to coyotes, free-roaming felines can face many risks — but what we can do is work to reduce some of these risks. Let’s discuss some common risks that outdoor cats can face and how to reduce these risks.

Outdoor cat safety risks

Outdoor cats face much higher risks to their health and safety than indoor cats. Statistically, they can also have a shorter lifespan. Some common outdoor cat safety risks include:

• Getting lost or stolen
• Being hit by a car
• Fighting with other cats or dogs
• Becoming prey to wildlife like coyotes or owls
• Picking up parasites or infectious diseases from the environment or other animals
• Ingesting toxic chemicals or poisonous plants
• Accidental injuries from falls or climbing on dangerous objects
• Falling ill from eating dead rodents, birds, or garbage

While most of these risks can occur anywhere, cat owners who plan to let their feline friend roam freely should closely assess these risks based on their location. Every area can come with its own unique risks; city cats may be more susceptible to being hit by cars and accidental poisonings whereas rural cats may run into more wildlife altercations or parasite exposure.

Some cat owners also face unique challenges containing their cats, especially those that previously lived as strays or are expert escape artists. Or they may live in a farm environment where raising “barn cats” is a normal way of life. Whatever the reason a cat may be outdoors, it’s important to take precautions whenever possible to protect these free-spirited felines.

Keeping outdoor cats safe

Keeping outdoor cats safe can be challenging, especially if they spend a lot of unsupervised time outside or roam off-property. But there are ways to help increase the likelihood that your feline friend will return home safely — here are 10 outdoor cat safety tips to consider.

1. Use cat ID tags and microchips

All pets should have ID tags and a microchip to prevent them from getting lost, but this is especially important for outdoor cats that may routinely roam far from home. Make sure your cat has up-to-date ID tags and a microchip so they can be easily identified if they are found by a stranger or picked up by animal control officers. High-tech options, like the ByteTag, or one of the many GPS trackers for cats, like Tractive, can also offer added protection.

2. Vaccinate your cat against infectious disease

Vaccines and routine veterinary check-ups are vital for every cat’s health and well-being, but when it comes to outdoor cats, it’s especially important to keep up with their vaccine schedule. Outdoor cats have a much higher risk of contracting infectious diseases like rabies, feline leukemia, calicivirus, and others through fights or close contact with wildlife or other unvaccinated pets. Always consult your vet about what cat vaccinations are necessary for your feline friend based on their location and lifestyle.

3. Protect your cat from parasites

Outdoor cats can be very susceptible to picking up parasites such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and a number of other worms that can take up residence in their intestinal tract. These parasites can be present in the environment or transferred through contact with other animals or animal waste. But the good news is — there are plenty of options when it comes to parasite prevention for cats! Talk to your vet about getting your cat on an appropriate parasite-prevention regimen for their lifestyle.

4. Spay or neuter your cat

Spaying or neutering your cat is not only beneficial for their health but may also help prevent them from getting lost, being struck by a vehicle, or ending up in a fight while searching for a mate. Unsterilized cats are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors, roam farther from home to find a mate, and contribute to pet overpopulation if they breed. Talk to your vet about spaying or neutering your cat, especially if they go outside.

5. Make sure your cat always has access to resources

Cats need access to food, water, litter boxes, and shelter at all times. Be sure to provide your outdoor cat with a way to access all of these necessities, as well as a safe space to retreat should they need to escape inclement weather or potential predators. Some cat owners accomplish this by installing a cat door to their home or some type of easily accessible outdoor cat house. Not only will this help keep your cat safe, but they may be less likely to roam far away in search of resources.

6. Have a curfew for your cat

While outdoor cats can face risks at any time of day, nighttime can increase some of these risks. At night, cats can be more likely to get hit by a car due to low visibility or get into a fight with other cats or wildlife. Many predators are nocturnal, such as coyotes, which have been known to hunt cats. Rodents are also more active at night, so cats may stray far from home to hunt them and come across dangers or pick up parasites in the process. These are just a few of the additional risks cats can face at night — consider enforcing a curfew to keep your kitty safe.

7. Incorporate daily health checks

When cats return home from spending time outdoors, there’s no telling what they may have gotten into during their adventure. They may have eaten something they shouldn’t have, injured themselves, or picked up “hitchhikers” i.e. fleas or ticks.

Get into the habit of performing a quick inspection to check for any signs of injuries, illnesses, or parasites. Look for any wounds, swollen areas, limping or abnormal gait, visible fleas or ticks, or signs of poisoning like drooling, vomiting, trouble breathing, disorientation, and lethargy. Seek veterinary care immediately if your cat shows any signs of injury or illness!

8. Check the environment regularly for safety concerns

While there’s no foolproof way to ensure your cat won’t get into something dangerous when outside, it’s still a good idea to regularly check for potential hazards and consider adjusting your cat’s outdoor schedule accordingly. This could mean making sure your cat stays inside when lawns and gardens are being chemically treated, when construction is being done in the neighborhood, or when a holiday is approaching and fireworks may occur.

9. Consider predator protection

Cats can be seen as prey by many animals, including coyotes, cougars, hawks, eagles, owls, foxes, wolves, and sometimes just your neighbor’s dog. Depending on where you live, your cat can have a higher or lower risk of these types of encounters, so it’s important to assess your local predator risk. If you live in a high-risk area, you may want to reconsider allowing your cat outdoors, or at least ensure they’re brought in at night, when many predators hunt. Some pet owners also employ the use of predator vests for cats, which contain outward spikes to help deter attacks.

10. Be prepared for accidents and emergencies

Even when taking precautions, accidents can still happen. It’s important to be prepared for anything when caring for an outdoor cat. Consider getting a cat first aid kit, keeping the number to Pet Poison Control handy, and familiarizing yourself with where your local veterinary emergency hospital is located. To be financially prepared, consider enrolling your cat in a pet insurance plan to help cover costs if they become ill or injured.

Alternatives to free-roaming outdoor access for cats

If you’re able to make some adjustments, there are alternatives to allowing your cat unfettered outdoor access.

There’s a wide range of catios (outdoor cat enclosures) on the market that can give your cat some fresh air and sunshine while keeping them safe. Some cat owners also have luck with leash training. This can take some time and patience to accomplish, but if you and your cat are up for the challenge, you can both explore the outdoors together. And most importantly, you’ll have more control over what your cat may try to sniff, eat, climb, or chase.

Some cat owners feel the only way to give their cats an enriching life is to let them roam freely, but today, there are many options for indoor cat enrichment. From food puzzles, “stuffin” mice, and interactive toys that cats can chase and hunt, to window perches, indoor cat trees, and scratching posts — there are lots of ways to keep your cat active and happy while indoors!

Keep your cat safe wherever they roam

Whether indoors or outdoors, all cats need someone watching their back — keep your cat safe wherever they roam with a Lifetime Protection Membership from 24Petwatch. You’ll have access to vet telehealth for any health questions that arise, discounts on pet-sitting services, and lost pet recovery specialists, in case your cat ever roams too far from home. 24Petwatch has reunited over 730,000 lost pets and will be there for yours too!