3 Ways to Teach Your Cat to Get Out of the Home Safely

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3 Ways to Teach Your Cat to Get Out of the Home Safely
3 Ways to Teach Your Cat to Get Out of the Home Safely

Video: 3 Ways to Teach Your Cat to Get Out of the Home Safely

Video: 3 Ways to Teach Your Cat to Get Out of the Home Safely
Video: How To Get a Cat to Eat : 13 Steps to GUARANTEED Success! - Cat Health Vet Advice 2024, March
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Letting a cat out of the house for the first time can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to keep it safe and healthy. Do this gradually when he is at least six months old and limit how long he is outside. Remember to vaccinate and neuter the animal first and remove anything harmful from the garden, such as chemicals. Also remember that veterinarians recommend that cats stay indoors, so think about how to make the indoor environment more attractive for pussies, with toys and places they can climb and hide.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Teaching the Cat to Get Out of the House

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 1
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 1

Step 1. Fence the garden first

To prevent him from escaping, install some sort of fence or screen. Ask petshops for help to find out how to do this or search the internet.

Fencing the garden is especially important if you live on busy streets or avenues

Security notice:

Remember that most veterinarians recommend keeping cats indoors at all times. Those who leave are more likely to catch diseases, parasites and injure themselves, and generally live less than those who don't. Also, animals whose claws have been removed should stay indoors as they cannot defend themselves if they get into trouble.

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 2
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 2

Step 2. Take the cat outside right before his meal

If he always has food available, remove it for a few hours before training him. Otherwise, let him out for the first time just before his normal mealtime. A hungry cat will likely obey when you offer him a bowl of food and call him inside.

Get the food ready on the first try. That way, you don't have to leave it unattended while preparing the feed

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 3
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 3

Step 3. Choose a calm, worry-free time to let him out

Make sure the surroundings are free of noise or scenes that are stressful or that might frighten the animal, such as a dog barking next door or children playing nearby and making a lot of noise. Also, check the weather forecast and let the cat out on a dry day.

  • The cat may associate leaving the house with something negative or even running away and getting lost if scared.
  • Cats use their sense of smell to find their way back. Avoid leaving him outside during the rain as it removes odors and makes it harder for him to return.
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 4
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 4

Step 4. Open the door and let him explore on his own

When you're ready to train the cat, simply open the door and let it wander around the garden. Leave the door open and allow him to follow you in his time. Cats are cautious animals, so it will probably take them a few minutes to feel free to leave the house.

  • Leave the door open so he can come back if he gets scared. Do not pick him up or force him back inside. Don't worry if he starts running or hiding somewhere. Keep your distance and let him get used to the garden.
  • Let him stay inside if he doesn't want to go out or run back inside. Keep him active and entertained with toys, scrapers and places he can climb if he doesn't want to go out.
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 5
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 5

Step 5. Call the cat and offer food after about ten minutes

In the beginning, keep your outings short. After ten minutes, offer the food bowl and call him back inside. Shake the bowl a little and encourage him to get his attention if he doesn't come right away.

  • Remember to prepare food in advance so you don't have to go back inside and leave it alone outside. Also, bring some of his favorite treats in case the ration doesn't attract attention.
  • It's also helpful to teach the cat to come to you before you let him out. Offer him something he likes, call his name, and reward him when he approaches. Keep practicing until he answers the call often.
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 6
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 6

Step 6. Stay calm

Avoid running after him, yelling or calling too much if he doesn't return right away. Use a soft voice instead.

Foods with a strong odor, such as sardines or tuna, may do the trick. Place the food inside near the open door and wait for the cat to come close

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 7
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 7

Step 7. Increase the amount of time he spends outside little by little

Let him out every day and gradually increase the amount of time he is outside. When he begins to develop the confidence to leave and return, let him spend more time outside unsupervised.

Even after he gets used to being outside, leave him indoors at night and on hot, cold, or rainy days. Cars and other animals are greater risks in the dark and bad weather conditions can harm the animal's health

Method 2 of 3: Taking care of your cat's health indoors

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 8
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 8

Step 1. Only let the animal out when it has received all the vaccinations

Wait at least a week after vaccinating the cat before letting it out. He could be exposed to more diseases, so these vaccines are essential. Consult a veterinarian about which ones are mandatory and if there are other recommendations for outdoor cats.

  • Generally, cats should be vaccinated when they are five or six months old.
  • Research which vaccines are important, even if they are not mandatory. Talk to your veterinarian to find out which vaccinations are recommended for outgoing cats, even if they are not mandatory.
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 9
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 9

Step 2. Neuter the cat before letting it out

Make an appointment with the vet to do this. The most common is castrating them when they are six months old. However, with proper veterinary care, even an adult animal can be neutered.

Neutering a cat lowers the risk that it will develop cancer and other illnesses. Plus, you won't have to worry about a litter of kittens when you let a cat go out unattended. Lastly, doing so decreases his chances of getting into fights with other cats

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 10
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 10

Step 3. Give medicine to prevent fleas and ticks frequently

While there are oral medications, topical treatments are more popular for cats. Apply on his back, between his shoulders, once a month. Follow the dosage instructions on the package. They vary and usually depend on the animal's weight.

  • Ask your veterinarian for recommendations and use the product as directed.
  • Although it is possible to buy these medications over the counter, those prescribed by veterinarians are more efficient and it is always better to ask for professional advice about the product and the right dosage.
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 11
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 11

Step 4. Keep the cat away from chemicals, poisonous plants and other hazards

Look for things that might hurt him and remove them from his reach. Store chemicals on shelves inside the garage or other safe location. Research the plants in the garden to see if they are harmful to cats.

Some toxic plants include oleander, azalea, eucalyptus, hydrangea, lilies and daffodils. For a more complete list, visit

Tip:

Spread citrus peels, eggshells or gravel around dangerous plants to keep the cat out of harm's way. Try to train him to get away from these plants by clapping his hands, shaking something that makes a noise, or gently spraying him with water when he gets too close.

Method 3 of 3: Keeping it from getting lost

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 12
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 12

Step 1. Let the cat get used to the house before letting him out

It usually takes a few weeks for it to adjust to the environment. However, the right time depends on him. Observe his behavior and make sure he is confident, interacts with you and other family members, and knows where to find his food, sandbox and toys.

Tip:

Although it's a little disgusting, spread some used sand around the perimeter of the garden to help you become familiar with the boundaries of the territory. This can also help neighborhood cats know that this garden is already owned.

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 13
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 13

Step 2. Place a tag with contact information on the collar for safety

Attach a collar with a tag that contains the owner's name, cat's name, phone number, and address.

Cats can get rid of collars easily, so make sure they are securely attached. Don't make the collar too loose, but leave a space of two fingers between it and his neck

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 14
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 14

Step 3. Implant the cat with a chip to prevent it from getting lost

They are smaller than a grain of rice and contain contact information. Talk to a veterinarian to find out about the availability of this service in the region where you live.

Once the chip is implanted in a cat's neck or back, it will need to be updated frequently. Do this online or contact the company responsible for the SIM card to provide new contact information if you move or change your phone number

Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 15
Introduce Your Kitten to the Outdoors Safely Step 15

Step 4. Try wearing a collar or prepare a fenced space for him

To prevent him from getting lost, don't let him go out unsupervised under any circumstances. Take it for a walk on a leash, leave it huddled in the garden, or set it free in an enclosed area or a cat pen.

Keeping the cat on a leash or in an enclosed area is best if there are hazards where you live, such as a busy street or other animals that could harm you, such as a large dog

Tips

  • When you notice that the cat is used to leaving the house and coming back and if possible where he lives, install a door for pets in the door that gives access to the yard so that he can go out whenever he wants. There are options online that have sensors that are activated by the collar, which prevents other animals from entering the house.
  • Remember that veterinarians recommend that cats be kept indoors. Unless he demonstrates behaviors that cannot be corrected with training, don't let him out.
  • Instead of letting him out, provide him with various toys, scrapers, and places he can climb and use as hiding places.

Notices

  • Don't let the cat out unless it's six months old. Even taking into account vaccinations and neutering, puppies are very fragile and shouldn't venture out alone.
  • Avoid leaving him outside unattended if he lives near a busy street or there are other animals that could harm him.

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