Bringing your Indoor Cat Outdoors (SAFELy!)
Going outdoors gives your cat a world of enrichment (literally!)
Going outside changes what all of their senses experience; sight, sound, touch, scent, and taste. Your cat’s indoor environment probably doesn’t change much or often, so their senses are rarely flexed or exposed to new stimuli, which isn’t always beneficial for an animal who thrives on novelty - hence why we’re so passionate about Toy Cycling.
By going outside, their senses get to be stimulated by an environment different from what they’re used to indoors. It also changes each time they go outside since the outdoor surroundings are always changing day to day, even slightly, something has changed and they’ll have new stimuli since the last time they went out.
However, not all cats even like to go outside. Lucy is allowed on our fenced in patio but only when we’re out there with her, and she only likes to go out in the evening when it’s quiet. She’s pretty nervous when it comes to new surroundings so I don’t think she’ll be going on neighborhood walks or park picnics any time soon.
Whether your cat is trepidatious like Lucy or an outdoor adventurer, here are some great ways to let your cat experience the outdoors (safely!) in the Summer weather.
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Outdoors At Home
Catios
A fun and simple way to let your cat experience the outdoors safely is getting them a catio! You can buy pre-made catios to put in your yard, on your porch or patio, etc. or you can buy the materials yourself and build, or hire someone to build, a custom one! If you own and aren’t renting, a great way to give your cat outdoor freedom is to connect it through a window in your home so your cat can come and go as they please.
Lucy’s tip: even if your cat is in a secure catio, they should ALWAYS be supervised to make sure they don’t get out or hurt.
If you’re renting, you can still have a catio! You can get one of the pre-built ones.
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Or if you have a balcony or patio, wrap some netting or chicken wire securely around so your cat can safely go on the patio without getting out. Cats who tend to chew and claw should opt for wire rather than netting - it will be more costly but worth it for the safety of your cat.
An extra layer of fun for kitty would be to build them a playscape with climbing shelves, levels, and anything else you can think of to give them some variety. They can be small or take up your whole back yard!
If you have a yard, you can set up a secure tent-style catio for your cat, like this set from Kitty City that has multiple different pieces you can zip together for a custom cat tent! Play pens like those for dogs, rabbits, or kids might not work as well for cats since cats are more likely to climb and jump them. Their space should be enclosed.
On The Go
Backpacks
Cat backpacks are becoming more and more popular as cat parents want to bring their cats on the go with them. Missy MoMo has some ADORABLE ways to transport your kitty with backpacks, carriers, & bags, but they are on the pricer side.
Check out this SUPER helpful video Dr. Annie pet behaviorist made for Purina about getting your cat used to carriers and ready for a road trip!
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Harnesses & Leashes
If your cat likes going on walks, to the park, or exploring the outdoors outside of a catio or a backpack, it’s best to take them with a harness and leash rather than let them roam free.
Lucy & Co. make harnesses specifically for cats (not just dog harnesses!) with MULTIPLE SIZES FOR CATS! (not one size fits all!!) in the cutest designs with matching leashes and matching collars!
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Lucy’s tip: not all cats love harnesses, and your cat may need to get used to them if they want to go outside. So if your cat likes to go on walks, try having them wear the harness in the home the first time or two so they can get comfortable with it before taking them outside. If your cat continues to reject the harness, do not force them into it and stress them out.
Once you're Outside
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Bring a water bowl! The summer weather is nice, but if you’re hot, so is your cat. Make sure they have plenty of water and have a mix of sunny spots to lay in and shaded areas to cool off. Try one of these collapsible water bowls to save on space if you can’t carry a whole bowl, or a double collapsible one so they can have a bowl for each food and water.
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Solo Cat Outings
Letting your cat go outside can be dangerous, so it’s not typically recommended for them to be outside unsupervised. But these are some safety items for your cat to help you keep track of where they are, or to find them if they get loose or sneak out.
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Airtags or GPS Trackers
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this tracker from Tractive updates every 2-3 seconds for live gps updates
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Collar Cameras
Safety Tips
Extra tips to make sure your cat is as safe as possible when they’re let outside.
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Know which plants are toxic to cats!
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Familiarize yourself with this helpful guide from GoodRx outlining 37 plants & flowers that are toxic to cats
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Always check your backyard for toxic plants before letting your cat out. And double check any plants or flowers in your hard to make sure they’re safe
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Use a plant identifier app and double check by looking up the plant to see if it’s toxic to cats
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Even if your yard is fenced in, supervise your cat when they’re outside in case they try to climb or jump the fence
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Do not let your cat eat anything. Your cat may love to hunt rodents or bugs but they could be carrying diseases or infections you don’t want your cat getting. I know you’ve already checked all of your surrounding plants for cat-toxicity, but to be on the safe side you still shouldn’t let them eat any
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If you see a hawk circling where you are, it’s time to bring your cat inside
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Check your cat for bugs or ticks once you get inside
Places you CAN bring your cat
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Your patio or back yard, modified and/or supervised
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Car rides
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Most places if they’re in a backpack
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If your cat is on a leash/harness you should still avoid areas where dogs or other potentially unsupervised animals may be, like a public park
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Where you SHOULDN’T bring your cat
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Dog parks
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Fenced in areas your cat could climb out of if let off of a leash unsupervised
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Loud places your cat could get overstimulated like an amusement park or fireworks show
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Anywhere UNsupervised. Cats are natural hunters and curious, so they can easily stray away out of your sight
Which cats shouldn’t go outside
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Scared or nervous cats
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Kittens or small cats who could easily get picked up by another animals
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Cats prone to getting lost or over-exploring shouldn’t be let out on their own. Keep them on a harness and leash
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We love all kitties, but if your cat maybe only has one brain cell, the outdoors might not be for them, for their own safety
And if your cat is too scared to go outside
You can always bring the outdoors inside to them with some cat grass or a kitty lawn.
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