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Caring For Your Outdoor Cat: From Flea Treatment to Microchipping

Market Cross Veterinary Clinic • Oct 21, 2020

Lots of cat owners unsurprisingly prefer to have their cats safely indoors rather than wandering around outside where they are prone to facing dangers such as car accidents and predatory animals. If you’ve spoken to other cat owners it is likely that the consensus is - they will insist that domestic cats are safer inside, where they will live longer and more happy lives. But we all know that cats have different personalities and temperaments. If your cat has shown strong inclinations to outside cat behaviour, or if you just adopted a stray who’s more used to the life of outdoors - the responsible thing to do is to make sure they are trained for it.

An outdoor cat will always benefit from exercise and increased sociability. They love to climb and explore to their heart's content and being highly independent comes with the territory. The outdoors cat hones in its base instinct to prey and hunt. Cats tend to exhibit instinctive behaviour that may not be that well-received indoors, this is totally natural and instinctive to them. As a good cat owner, you need to carefully assess the area you live in and see if it is a safe enough location, and of course, it’s crucial you know how to take care of an outdoor cat as well as you can.

With this in mind, here are some top tips for caring for your outdoor cat and keeping them safe.

Outdoor enclosure

You might be worried about letting your cat venture out solo and these concerns may not be entirely unfounded - statistically, indoor cats live far longer than outdoor cats. You may find a middle ground by having an enclosed outdoor space right where you will be able to keep an eye out for your feline friend. You could consider building a cat enclosure, or what is affectionately referred to by cat owners as a catio. It’s a good way to keep your outdoor cat satisfied without any risk.

A cat enclosure can be put up in the garden where the cat can get some sunshine and other outdoor sights and sounds but within a safe area. If you are on a budget and aren't too sure where to begin, take a look in the garage. Grab a box or any container that can serve as a shelter. Make some holes in the box and grab some cosy blankets or toys to keep your cat comfortable. Keep the door to your garage or shed open so your cat can return safely when it ventures out.

Make sure food and water are still available

If you’re an owner of an outdoor cat, it is still necessary that you meet their basic needs and so they will essentially want to return home. Regularly replenishing their food and water supply is a must and you can stock up in automatic feeders and water dishes too. It sounds obvious but sometimes people forget the basics.

Attend the vet

Outdoor cats have much more exposure to parasites, injuries, and other disease-causing bacteria. Frequent visits to the vet to keep their vaccines up to date go a very long way in terms of keeping your cat fit and healthy. You may also want to get your cat microchipped during one of these trips for identification reasons and if your cat gets lost. Another key point to consider is never declawed an outdoor cat. Without their claws, they won’t be able to defend themselves outdoors and will find it hard to climb walls or trees when they have to escape or avoid danger. In addition to this, at the vet you can get your cat flea treatment, this is particularly crucial if they spend significant time outside of the house and exposed to other animals and outdoor elements.

Prioritise spending time with them

Outdoor cats might be more independent, however, they still appreciate a little quality time with you. Every time they come home, spend some time playing or just chilling out with them. Lots of cat owners like to have their cats indoors during the night. Try luring them back indoors with treats before when it gets dark outside, for their own safety as much as anything else.

Train your cat

You might be interested in training a new kitten to be a “mouser,” meaning it can hunt rodents and other prey. If you think your cat has what it takes to become an effective mouser, this is a fairly common route for some cat-owners to take but very much down to preference.

Start with a crate

When you first introduce a kitten to your home, keep it inside a crate or a cage as it starts to familiarise itself with the new environment. The enclosure needs to be spacious and comfortable for them. Feed them inside the crate and give them toys to entertain them.

Limit too much time outside

It would take a week or more for the kitten to be completely comfortable. When you think you are ready, you can permit them to go out of its cage to explore. You may wish to leash train your cat at first. Leash training would also essentially teach your cat what it is like to explore outdoors and at the same time, train them to return home at the end of each outing you do.

Get the chip

As previously mentioned, we cannot stress how useful it is microchipping your cat. It’s an easy way to identify them if they are located after going off on an adventure. When you get one, be sure you keep your contact information up-to-date on the chip. A collar for your cat with a tag that has your phone number is also a good idea.

Seasonal Winter tips

With the weather getting colder here are just a few brief pointers to consider for the upcoming cooler months:

● Naturally, stray cats in winter gravitate to warmer places. Prior to starting your car, give the hood of your car a few taps to make sure that your cat or perhaps a neighbourhood cat has not hidden underneath the car or inside the engine for warmth. Also, always check between your tires and wheel wells.

● Don’t use any salt or chemicals to melt snow in winter. This can be toxic when licked off paws or ingested from melting puddles. They also hurt cats’ paw pads. Instead, pet-friendly deicers are available at most pet stores.

Here at Market Cross Veterinary Clinic, we understand that for most people having a pet is like an added member for the family. The devotion we have for our pets is special, and it’s up to us to make sure that our pets receive all of the care that they require. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced veterinarians specialise in medical, surgical and dental services. Our team of vets in Edinburgh can help to ensure that your cat is at the peak of its health. When you choose our vet clinic, you can rest assured that our staff at Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, will give your pet the care it requires. To find out more please visit our website or get in touch with us.

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