The enrichment of our cats’ lives is important. After all, we all want our kitty companions to have the best life possible. Inside playtime with plenty of room and quality spaces that our cats love enhances the lives of our inside cats, but what about those of us who want to let our indoor cat outside?
The prospect of outside adventures with our feline friends can be scary. This article sets up the path for knowing what dangers to avoid, having options for controlled adventures with a leash and stroller, and garnishing ideas for outside enclosures. Building the bond with your kitty is about to get that much more awesome!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me to continue creating helpful content. Don’t worry – I would never recommend something I don’t like or use myself!
Common Outside Cat Dangers
The outside world is an amazing place, but it can also be a dangerous one. The dangers for cats allowed to free-roam outside are considerable. Though cats are smart and can fend for themselves to some extent, free-roaming cats do not have us to help them reason through the various threats to their lives. When letting our indoor cat outside, it can be challenging to keep them safe.
Some of the most common outside cat dangers include:
- Cars and busy roads
- Predators and other animals like dogs or even other cats
- Grouchy neighbors or humans who don’t like cats
- Poisons and toxins such as antifreeze, pesticides, and certain plans
- Unsanitary conditions
- Communicable diseases and parasites
How to Let Your Indoor Cat Outside Safely
As you can see, allowing your cat to free-roam outside is a potentially dangerous option, especially in urban areas. The good news is that there are many safer ways to give our cats the outdoor experience.
Learning how to let your cat outside safely enriches their lives considerably and allows you to feel good about your efforts to provide your cat the best life possible.
1. Leash Walks for Cats
Leash walking for cats is a pastime that is gaining in popularity all over the world. It is an excellent way to allow your cat to experience the great outdoors in a safe and controlled way. Plus, it gives you and your kitty a fun activity you can enjoy together.
Even if you only go as far as your backyard, taking your inside cat outside on a leash is incredibly enriching. If you’re an outdoorsy person, you can even eventually work up to taking your cat out on hikes and bigger adventures!
You might be wondering why you need a leash for your cat in your own backyard. Keeping your cat on the leash ensures they will not run away or go too far. Leashed backyard adventures are also a great step to preparing them for larger adventures to new places.
The process of building your cat’s harness and leash skills from inside the home to the backyard to bigger nature hikes is one that takes time, training, and patience. It’s also important to note that going on big outdoor adventures isn’t for every cat. Out of our 6 cats, all are comfortable in the back yard, only 3 of them enjoy going on bigger adventures like hikes, and only 1 is comfortable visiting loud, urban-type environments. However, I believe that every cat can benefit from at least a good backyard or back porch adventure!
Looking for help with cat harness training?
My online cat harness and leash training course is 100% self-paced and includes bite-sized lessons that walk you through every step of the process – from choosing a harness to introducing your cat to the outdoors.
And you have direct access to a certified cat trainer if you have any questions or need any help along the way.
2. Cat Backpack or Stroller Rides
If you aren’t quite ready for the harness and leash training process, then the next best option is cat backpack and/or stroller rides. Backpack and stroller rides can be an enriching and safe way for cats to experience the outdoors. A good cat backpack or stroller has plenty of mesh material that allows your cat to see and smell everything around them. The confinement of the pack ensures that your cat can not escape.
Just like with leash walks, getting your cat comfortable riding in a backpack or stroller takes a little training. You want them to be able to get in and out of the backpack or stroller on their own and to realize that it is a safe and secure space for them.
When deciding whether to go with a backpack or stroller, you should take into consideration the types of adventures you’ll be going on. For example, when using a stroller, there really needs to be a clear, paved path. Taking a stroller on an unpaved nature trail can be a challenge. I’ve done it before, but it definitely took a little extra effort to get that stroller around on the hiking trail. Really, a backpack is a better choice if you plan to adventure in places without paved surfaces.
Strollers are great though if you have multiple cats that get along really well. The stroller presents the opportunity to be able to easily take more than one cat out at a time since they are usually roomier than a backpack. In fact, we used to take three of our cats all in the same stroller. Of course, we knew the cats got along famously and would not resent or be mad about having to share the space.
3. Catios
One of the safest ways to give your cat controlled access to the outdoors is with a catio. A catio is basically a screened-in enclosure that your cat has access to. They are usually attached to a window or door leading from your home. This connection point to their home-environment makes transitioning to a catio-environment feel safe and secure for your cat.
Catios can be:
- built and designed from scratch (my husband and I built one during the pandemic!)
- built from a design you purchase online
- custom built by someone you hire (there are actually custom catio building companies!)
- purchased online and assembled yourself
Catios come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are elaborate and large, containing cat wall structures where the cats can climb and relax, as well as plants and even water fountains. These larger catios are amazing, but smaller catios can be great too. As long as your cat is able to safely experience the outdoors, then the mission has been accomplished!
Our kitties absolutely love our catio – even our most skittish boy, Raddy. He is usually too nervous for backyard adventures, but he LOVES the catio. He especially loves going out at night – it’s his favorite! He can easily go outside and experience the birds, fresh air, and other pleasures of the backyard with a feeling of safety and security.
4. Other Outdoor Enclosures
If adding a catio to your home isn’t possible or you just aren’t ready for one, there are some simpler and less expensive outdoor enclosure options, including pet playpens, mesh tents, and window boxes. The best outdoor cat enclosures will keep your cat safely secured while still allowing them to experience the outside world.
Like with a backpack or stroller, playpens and mesh tents should first be used inside so your cat can get comfortable and used to it before taking it outside. You can use food, treats, and catnip to encourage your cat to get inside. Placing their carrier or backpack (as long as they are already comfortable with it) can also help them transition to associating the mesh tent or playpen with safety and security. Once they’re comfortable in their new space, you can move the party outside!
My husband and I have a mesh tent for our kitties that we use on camping trips. It is super easy to set up and fold into a small, easy to carry package. It’s the first thing we set up when we get to our campsite so our cats have a safe, enclosed space they can hang out in while still being a part of what’s going on outside. We always enjoy having our camping kitties Kylo and Sophie hanging out in their tent with us around the campfire!
Window boxes are another great, small alternative to catios. They fit onto the existing windows of your home, so the transition to them being a safe space is natural for your cats. Place a bird feeder close to the window box, and your cat will LOVE sitting and watching from their safe vantage point as birds and squirrels chow down at the feeder.
5. Cat Fencing
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as cat fencing. Cat fencing is an extra extension that connects to a pre-existing fence which is designed to prevent your cat from being able to climb over. There are a few different types – some cat fencing additions are designed at an inward-facing angle and others are rolling cylinders. Either way, the result is the same – most* cats won’t be able to get over the top.
Cat fencing is a great (though expensive) way to secure your cat in your yard. However, you’d still have to worry about dangers like birds of prey or even your cat finding a tree or some other source that allows them to leave the yard. For this reason, I’d recommend supervising your cat outdoors, even with a cat fence.
Remember that hanging outside to keep an eye on your kitty also means that you are bonding and enjoying time together!
*I say “most” because I have heard of cats figuring out ways around cat fencing additions.
Reasons to Let Your Indoor Cat Outside
By now you might be thinking that all of the above mentioned ways to let your indoor cat outside just sound like a lot of work. And for what?
There are many reasons why letting your cat outside in a safe and controlled way is recommended::
- It enriches their lives and creates opportunities for their personalities to blossom and evolve. Cats have a false stigma of being lazy, lay-around-and-sleep-all-day pets that require little to no interaction. This is absolutely false! They need exercise and activity just like us humans.
- Boredom can lead to depression and anxiety in cats. Getting them outside and engaged with nature truly helps. The prospect of seeing birds, tasting grass, or simply breathing the fresh air are all exciting and enjoyable activities for your cat!
- Spending time with them outside is a wonderful way to bond. It gives you both an opportunity to grow closer and increase that sense of trust.
- It’s fun!
- Going outside pushes your cat’s personality and comfort zone beyond the limits that they currently experience. Our cat Sampson is a great example. He has evolved from a cat who was panic stricken by being outside to now being so comfortable and familiar with it that he wants to go out in the backyard every day. Seeing your cat’s personality take new shapes will be a great source of joy for you and your cat.
VIDEO: 5 Ways to Let Your Cat Outside Safely
Outdoor Exploration FAQs
How do I train my cat to walk on a leash?
Training your cat to wear a harness and walk on a leash takes some time and patience. There are definitive steps you’ll want to take to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. And spoiler alert – the first step of the training process is NOT to put the harness on your cat!
For a detailed training plan, watch my video on harness training here. I also have a self-paced online course that walks you through everything from choosing a harness to introducing your cat to the outdoors.
What if I live in an apartment?
If you live in an apartment, you likely won’t be able to build a catio. But you can still take your cat on leash walks or stroller rides around your apartment complex. There are also different types of mesh netting you can add to a patio or balcony to make it cat-safe.
About the Author
Emily Hall, ABCCT is a certified cat trainer and cat adventure enthusiast. As a “mom” to five cats and one dog, she has been writing in the pet industry for 10 years, with a focus on traveling and adventuring with cats. Emily has a passion for getting out there and doing more with her cats – for pushing the bounds of cat expectations! She and her husband enjoy hiking, road-tripping, camping, and canoeing with their three cat adventurers. Read more about Emily here.
Leave a Reply