Should cats be walked, and do they even need to go outside? On the one hand, cats love freedom, and their ancestors were wild. On the other hand, walking cats is very rare. And a large number of breeders are satisfied with the fact that daily walks with their pet, as in the case of dogs, are not necessary. So what should you do? You can’t ask a cat, but you can weigh the pros and cons and analyze the behavior and well-being of exclusively domestic animals and street cats.
Risks
- The street is dangerous for a domesticated cat. It is not as agile or aggressive, cannot always stand up for itself or escape when necessary, and even the hunting instincts of pets are dulled. On the street, they face many dangers.
- Stress. An inevitable encounter with a multitude of sounds, creatures, and strange mechanisms. Some pets are afraid of vacuum cleaners, so what will their reaction be to a car, sometimes inadequate people, a tractor, a train, a barking dog, and so on? Not all cats can cope with this, and not all of them will like it.
- Insects. Various insects can harm cats. Domestic cats are more prone to allergies than wild ones – not all bites will go away without consequences.
- Lifespan. The average lifespan of domestic cats is 12 years, while that of street cats is half that.
- Cold. The cold can quickly undermine your pet’s health. And it can be cold even in the summer, after rain or a cold night.
- Injuries. Injuries on the street can result from fights with other animals, accidental falls, collisions with cars or bicycles, and also from people who don’t like animals. Infections often get into wounds.
- Poisoning. Poisoning is not uncommon today. In summer, it can be spoiled food from a dumpster, which they will definitely look into, and at other times, it can be people. Not everyone thinks about morality. And if a pet has “annoyed” someone, they can easily be poisoned.
Which Cats Shouldn’t Be Walked?
There are cats that should categorically not be taken outside. For both the pet and its owners, this can be a big problem.
- Kittens under 5 months. They have a weak immune system, and the street is full of viruses and germs. Therefore, the chance of catching a disease or getting injured is much higher.
- Aggressive, vulnerable, and timid cats can be dangerous to others. A sudden sound, a scream, a movement – of which there are many outside the home – can easily lead to inadequate actions: an attack on passersby or the owner, escape, severe fright, and so on.
- Cats in heat attract all the cats in the neighborhood. If owners do not want such problems, it is better not to go outside during this period.
- A pet without vaccinations and a flea collar will easily get the most terrible disease and also pick up fleas. Treatment is expensive today, so it’s not worth the risk, especially since many diseases can quickly kill an animal.
- Animals over five years old that have never walked outside before should also not be tried to accustom to it. The beautiful picture outside the window has become familiar over the years, but such an animal will not want to go into reality.
Equipment
If the question of walks is resolved and the owners still want to “let out” the animal, it is worth thinking about special equipment. You should only walk with a leash. Otherwise, the animal will quickly run away and it will be very difficult to find it. Moreover, even if it returns home, its appearance will be far from neat.
For walking cats, a special self-adjusting leash and harness is purchased. It is better to take a nylon harness. It does not chafe like a leather one and does not tear quickly like a cotton one.
Walking Your Cat
Cats should be walked twice a day, like dogs, in the morning and evening. During a walk, you shouldn’t lead the cat – it’s not a dog. It’s the other way around. Usually, cats walk their owners, not the other way around. And it should always be that way.
You need to follow it (within reason), allow it to sniff bushes, the terrain, “get acquainted” with new animals, chase birds and insects.
If a cat walks without a leash, it goes and comes as it pleases. The time of absence depends on many circumstances. Not all domestic cats have the excellent sense of smell of a wild animal, and not all can (or want to) find their home. Having found the best place where it will also be fed and loved, it may not appear in its home for weeks or even months.
Alternatives to Walks
If a cat constantly sits on the windowsill, does it mean it wants to walk? No, it’s not about that at all. Unlike humans and dogs, they need vitamin D in much smaller quantities. So physiologically, they definitely don’t suffer at home. As for emotions, cats are quite curious. The big world can scare them, but they can watch it and love it. Birds, smells, cataclysms, people – it’s like a TV for humans. So “life” on the windowsill is not a sign of boredom, but simply interest.
Also, cats ask to go outside to satisfy their most important instinct – reproduction. At the same time, it should be understood that not all cat owners need unplanned offspring, and even less from an unknown cat. And cat owners must understand that such “walks” only increase the number of stray cats. So what to do? Neuter or spay, or regularly find a partner for your beloved pet.
To keep your pet happy at home, it’s enough to simply satisfy its instincts. Fresh air and beautiful landscapes can easily be replaced with a balcony, loggia, or windowsill. Other pets and children will prevent boredom throughout the day. Green grass and catnip in pots will allow them to clean their intestines and get additional vitamins. And the hunting instinct, which is much lower in domestic cats than in wild ones, can be satisfied with simple toys.