Cats with access to the great outdoors enjoy lots of fun experiences but they also face risks too: traffic, dogs, other cats, picking up fleas or contracting nasty diseases…the list is endless. Understandably it can be a nerve racking experience to finally allow your cat to step into the wide world. Luckily, there are things you can do to help keep your cat safe.

When?

Kittens should not be allowed outside to mix with other cats until they are vaccinated. It is also much better to have your cat neutered before letting it have free access outdoors. Male cats that are not neutered tend to wander over a much wider area and get into fights with other male cats. This commonly results in cat bite abscesses developing and can even cause your cat to contract a viral disease. By the time a cat has completed a course of vaccinations and been neutered, he or she will be around 6 months of age and much more capable of looking after themselves.

Timing

It is far better to let your cat outdoors in the morning, rather than at night, when they are more likely to be involved in a road accident because of poor visibility. Ideally adopt scheduled meal times, rather than allowing free access to food, for some weeks before allowing your cat outside and let your cat out shortly before feeding time. Hunger will encourage your cat back at meal times. You can also train your cat by using a sound - such as a bell, clicker or jangling keys before offering meals or food based treats. Making that sound tells your pet that you are in the vicinity with a food based reward. Simply shaking the food bag may result in lots of cats coming running! Leaving food outdoors can work but does not always help as it can attract neighbouring cats that your own cat might be afraid of, further reducing the chances of them coming home.