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The first time you let your cat outside can be daunting. You might feel like an anxious mother waving your kid off at kindergarten.
We’ve domesticated cats to love the indoors, but they’re still curious creatures. What if your cat gets so curious that he just… wanders off forever? Or worse: what if he gets lost or injured?
Today we’ll give you some pointers to consider whether your cat will come back if let outside.
Letting My Cat Outside – Starter Advice
Baby Steps
If your home situation allows it, by all means, try to let your cat outside. But do it slowly, especially if he’s a kitten or has never been out before.
Open the door, let them have a sniff, and if they’re unsure, leave it at that. Then next time, let them walk a few feet down the path. Don’t let them explore unsupervised until two or three times after that.
A cat might need to explore the stairwell several times before graduating to the garden. Be patient, encourage them with treats, and don’t force them out if they’re stressed. This all would decrease the chances of your cat getting lost and not coming back.
When To Step Back
While your cat’s getting used to the outside, your presence will bring them confidence and comfort, encouraging them to explore further than they might on their own. But you can’t always be there.
Walk around with them the first few times, letting your cat lead the way. Then try standing at the door while your cat runs into the bushes and see if they come back without too much persuasion. (Keep some treats on hand in case they don’t).
If they can do this repeatedly, they’re probably ready to come back after being let outside. But remember that no one knows your cat better than you, so play it by ear.
Cats Are Natural Roamers
If your cat wants out, they’ve got a good reason to. Not because they don’t love you or your home, but because it’s in their nature! In fact, cats are said to roam on average up to 40-200 meters from their home. This is because they like to explore, assess their environment, and check up on their “territory”.
That might sound like a lot, but it’s hardly cross-country, and your cat’s excellent sense of smell and direction will steer them home from these kinds of distances no problem.
Some cats will only peek their head out every so often, but some cats will spend all day coming and going to assess their environment and check up on their “territory”. Or they’ll try to, at least. In which case, a catflap is ideal.
Will My Cat Come Back If Let Outside? – Location
There’s no surefire way to guarantee your cat will come back home when you want them to. But depending on your situation, is letting your cat out a wise move at all?
In The Countryside
Rural cats can roam for longer as they have more freedom in the environment (fewer cars, more mice to hunt, etc.). This is just quite normal and no cause for alarm.
In the countryside, you’ll even see people leaving their door ajar for hours on end to let the cat out. And many people have front porches surrounding their front door, which are great for controlling when the catflap can be used.
Conversely, you can install the catflap in the porch door itself. This way, the porch can provide shelter for the cat if they come back or while you’re out.
In The City
In general, city cats don’t stay outside as long. They might not even have a catflap, as many people in urban areas live in blocks of flats.
If you’re renting in the city, you might have to accept that letting your cat outside might be impossible.
It is not just because of the city’s dangerous nature but because renting contracts don’t allow tenants to install things like catflaps. And if you had one, it might only lead to an empty stairwell.
It’s actually advisable for some cat breeds (ragdolls, for example) not to go outside unsupervised at all as they may not come back.
And some cats don’t want to. But if you live in a quiet area with main door access to a garden, there’s little reason not to.
Letting Cat Outside – Microchipping Option
What Is Microchipping?
Microchipping is a quick and painless procedure performed by your vet. Your vet will inject a tiny chip (no longer than a couple of millimeters), allowing your furry friend to be identified if they ever fail to come back after being let outside.
If someone finds your cat and brings it to the local shelter or vet, the cat can be scanned and your ID number reached.
Do You Need To Microchip Your Cat Before Letting It Outside?
While not yet a legal requirement for cats, microchipping could save you from heartbreak if worst comes to worst. And if you let your cat outside at all, it is sometimes a must.
If your cat is indoor-only, that’s a different story. Most people with indoor cats might never even think to microchip, but depending on your cat’s disposition, you might want to consider it.
A timid cat with no interest in going outside would only get lost under extreme circumstances. But a curious and rebellious cat might just run out the door one day while you’re collecting mail. This also goes for skittish cats who dart in random directions when scared by loud noises.
Overall, if your cat has a stable disposition, they won’t put themselves in harm’s way. But accidents do happen. In the case of a house fire or natural disaster, microchipping could be the saving grace that reunites you.
Will My Cat Come Back If I Let Him Outside? – Conclusion
In general, your cat will get back if let outside. Still, it is essential to introduce them slowly to the outside area and make sure they know how to find their way back.
No one knows your cat better than you. If you decide that your cat is better off indoors, or they simply don’t want to venture out, don’t feel bad about it.
They’re domesticated animals, after all. Just make sure they have various toys, a scratching post, and things to climb on to mimic the kind of stimulation they’d get in the wild.
Zoey is a long-time pet owner and animal rights advocate, a vital part of Purrfect n’ Pawesome. She shares her unique experiences and learnings with her readers to enhance their understanding of pet behavior and nutrition. Along with being an active pet writer, she volunteers at multiple animal shelters, rescue centres with some bespokenly awesome pets.
Zoey has a lot to share when raising the pets and spending life being their true friends. She has a quite pampered Persian cat and a Ragdoll, whom she loves the most. Readout her blogs to know more about being a responsible parent to your beloved pets.
“I love to be around cats and dogs; that’s my passion and my trick to get away from all the negativity and soaking in unconditional love and affection. Being attached to this platform gives me the reason to be vocal about pet love, care, and nurturing. Although I am not an expert or veterinarian by any means, I have a lot of experience and learnings to share with my fellow readers.”
