My cat wants to go outside—what should I do?
"A cat kept indoors lives like it's in prison"!“—this is a phrase that often comes up in discussions about the need to let indoor cats roam freely.This is compounded by the stereotypical image of a stray cat that goes "its own way".It turns out, however, that this statement is far removed from the reality of life for domestic cats today.Just because an animal shows a desire to go outside doesn’t necessarily mean it’s missing something.
Can a cat spend its entire life indoors??
The answer is: of course!What's more, this won't harm him, as long as we make sure his feline needs are properly met.If we keep our cat’s instincts in mind, help them fulfill their hunting instinct at home, and make sure their world is interesting and full of challenges, everything will be fine.
Why does a cat even want to go outside??Often because someone showed him at some point in his life that he could do it.The reason really is that simple!Cats that have never been outside the apartment are often completely uninterested in what’s happening outside the door.Their world is at home, and that's enough for them.So here’s the first piece of advice: if you don’t want your cat to go outside, don’t let it out!
What about pets that used to go outside but can no longer do so (e.g., because of a move or illness)??We need to try harder here.
How to deal with a cat's need to go outside?
The truth is that in many cases, boredom is what drives people to leave the house!The outside world is more interesting: it smells, it moves, it changes.And in a familiar space, it's always the same.So what needs to be done??Keep your cat entertained!Invest your time in appropriate interaction, set up a screen over a window or balcony to create a safe “viewing area,” organize mental exercises or scent-based games, and provide a variety of stimulation.A cat is an animal with significant needs of its own.The claim that it is more “low-maintenance” than a dog is, unfortunately, nothing but a myth, and proper care requires a lot of human effort.
Adapt your garden to your cat's needs
What if we have a house and, for example, a habit of leaving the door open in the summer so we can always go out into the garden??There's no problem here either!You can install a special raised fence with posts curved inward toward the property, reinforced with steel cable and covered with mesh, which prevents the cat from leaving the garden area.If it’s not possible to install such safety measures, the next best option is an outdoor enclosure—whether freestanding or attached to the house—that your cat can safely use at any time (you can easily find a wide variety of designs online to use as inspiration).The third option is what’s known as “tethering,” which involves securing the cat—wearing a harness and attached to a long leash—to a suitable anchor point in the center of the garden.This isn't always the best solution, as the pet could get tangled up, which is why the owner must be present at all times.
Unfortunately, neither a raised fence nor a rope will completely stop a cat’s hunting instincts, but they will certainly limit them significantly, which is definitely good news. The most important thing, however, is that your pet won’t disappear from sight and will remain under your control, and thus will be safer.
Walks with the cat
Of course, there’s also the option of getting your cat used to a harness and taking it for walks on a leash—though keep in mind that this is a completely different kind of “walk” than with a dog!.You can't just put a leash on a cat and take it for a walk.Few cats would feel comfortable enough in such a situation to walk freely on the sidewalk.The entire training process should be broken down into stages—starting by putting the harness on once a day at home for a few to several minutes, then attaching the leash, and gradually moving out into the hallway.In this case, rushing is a bad idea—it’s better to take your time with each step rather than rush through them and cause the cat additional stress.Remember not to attach the leash to the collar, as the cat can easily slip out of it.For particularly active and escape-prone pets, you may want to consider an anti-escape harness with an additional belly strap.This type of gear is usually custom-made and will certainly provide greater comfort and safety for our furry friend.It is important to note, however, that not every pet is suited for this kind of activity, and you shouldn’t force them to do it if they don’t show any interest in such walks—after all, the point isn’t to unnecessarily increase their stress.
It's all about responsibility
As you can see, you can arrange for your cat to go outside in a way that is both satisfying and safe for him.Of course, it’s important to remember to take all necessary preventive health measures (including up-to-date vaccinations and parasite prevention), without which the cat is at risk of additional health problems.On the other hand, letting your pet stay outside without human supervision is definitely not a good idea.It's playing with fate, because a cat isn't able to assess the dangers it isn't prepared for from the start.That is why we, as guardians, should first and foremost be guided by the principle that “you are responsible for what you have tamed”.
CAT BEHAVIOR EXPERT
Małgorzata Biegańska-Hendryk