Every kitten owner is faced with the decision of whether to let their cat roam freely outdoors or to keep the little rascal safely inside. But even though the great outdoors may seem like the perfect playhouse for a young, energetic cat, the reality is that the risk is not worth the reward. First and foremost, we want your kitten to stay healthy and happy!
Cats who spend time outdoors are much more likely to get injured or contract disease than indoor cats. Injuries are often caused by other animals, including other cats, dogs and even wildlife, such as coyotes. Roaming cats can also get hit by cars, which can unfortunately cause serious injury or death. And sadly, sometimes mean-spirited humans may enjoy harassing roaming cats.
Outdoor kittens are more likely to contract potentially serious diseases, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Not to mention that your kitten could pick up and bring home fleas, ticks and mites just by hanging near unhealthy animals or wildlife dens. You can also add intestinal worms to the list if your kitten enjoys pouncing on prey.
And of course, you can’t forget about the weather. Your kitten could be at risk of dehydration or heatstroke in hot weather. Cold weather can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Pets can also be injured in storms by hail, blowing debris and more.
Taken all together, these risks are just not worth a bit of entertainment.
But that doesn’t mean your kitten can’t go outside at all! Here are some ideas that could allow them to enjoy some outside time:
- Consider training your kitten to walk on a leash.
- If you have a screened-in porch, consider letting your kitten spend time there.
- Get an enclosed outdoor play pen for your kitten to romp around in.
- Take your kitten on an enclosed stroller ride.
Make sure you’re always monitoring your kitten if you allow them to enjoy time outside. You can protect them by keeping them up to date on vaccines and parasite preventives.
Explore the many great ways to keep your kitten active and occupied indoors.
