Cats are our precious friends and it’s no secret that they are sensitive to change. They are always alert and even just a change in scent will be noticed by them. Entering a new environment for a cat is a cautious situation and they will normally show signs of nervousness and alert. It might be necessary to take your cat outdoors now and then and it’s important to make sure visits, excursions and other outings are carried out safely.
“It’s dangerous to go alone! Take This.” Before heading out on an adventure with your kitty, equip yourself with some trusty tools. A leash to keep your cat from going astray, some cat food, water and a trusty cat travel bag.
Cat leashes ensure safety while in an unpredictable environmental that can introduce sudden noises and disturbances. Cats that usually remain in the safety of their homes are sensitive to any threatening sounds or movements in the area. Their shock and fear will be amplified while roaming the outdoors, sudden departure and losing your cat is very possible in this situation. Firmly grip and handle your cat’s leash, controlling where your kitty walks. Make sure that enough slack and breathing space is given, almost a finger space that secures your cat without allowing them to play a great escape.
Leashes/harnesses take a while to get used to and it’s important to acclimate your cat to wearing one at home beforehand. Use a week to introduce wearing of the body harness, slowly increasing the time of wear until they are comfortable and can walk around the house as normal. Some cats may take more times to adjust, don’t rush and allow as long as it takes to make them feel comfortable. Next, it’s finally time to greet the great outdoors with your cat. Allow them to move with moderate freedom by allowing the retractable leash to extend to an adequate length as they roam. Prepare some tasty cat treats to help reward your fur baby as the adapt to this challenging process.
Cat treats are great for rewarding your kitty for overcoming difficult tasks, but you’ll need to prepare some sustaining food and water if you’re to be out for an extended period. Being generous with your cat on their adventure outside is encouraged and close attention should always be given to observe their state of mind, if your cat shows signs of panic it may be time to go home and come back out another day.
A final essential item to bring with you on a journey out is a cat travel bag. Travel cat bags are usually made of nylon or canvas materials that is both durable and lightweight for transport convenience. A black gauze window will normally allow your cat to get some air and for them to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings. Opaque designs with darker colors makes your cat feel secure in their portable shrine. Unfortunately, the main drawback of cat bags relate to limited space so your cat will not be able to stretch much or move around while in transit. If travelling for long distances, check on your cat regularly and make sure enough ventilation is provided.
Travel cages that are orientated to air travel are generally made of plastic and metal. They will typically provide more space, shelter and even give enough room for a miniature litter box. Tradeoffs include reduced portability, added weight, handling difficulty and sometimes added associated price. Travel cages/crates normally have larger gates that may make your at feel exposed and uneasy. It’s best to assess your cat’s personal requirements and travel arrangements to pick the best cat travel bag or crate.
After all preparations are made, there’s no rush to head outdoors on a big adventure just yet. Your cat should get familiar with all items atleast a week in advance. Allow them interact with everything, spreading their scent is important and they will find security and familiarity from these items when outdoors. Slowly acclimate your cat to social environments with other people and don’t forget to feed some healthy and delicious treats!
The outdoors are filled with many unknowns, some that cat are unseen. Parasitic contact is possible when venturing out with your cat, prevention is mandatory and a course of deworming, flea removal and required vaccines should be taken care of before going out. Immunization protocol recommends that the earliest a kitten should be allowed outside is 16 weeks after birth with the correct course of treatment administered. Your cat will be in a vulnerable state of health after every vaccination and shouldn’t be exposed outdoors until sufficient time has passed.
It’s important to pace your outings and gradually ease into longer periods outdoors with your cat. First sessions should be spent in a quiet enclosed area with little to no people, allow your cat to explore at their own leisure. A nearby community garden, away from busy high streets and traffic is ideal. A quiet and peaceful introduction to outdoor walks will help your cat avoid sudden frights and feelings of stress due to copious sound and movement in the area.
Avoid contact with other pets when going for a walk with your cat. Aside from preventing bacterial and disease cross infection, aggression between animals can occur. Social interactions between passing animals is not to be expected. Calmly pick your cat up if needed and move in a direction that will avoid direct contact with other cats or dogs.
After going out on a lovely walk with your feline partner, it’s time to clean up and get rid of bacteria that may have accumulated on their paws or around their body. You can use an automatic cat paw cleaner to clean your cat’s paws easily. Cats are highly capable of cleaning and grooming themselves as they do so regularly throughout the day. Offering a helping hand after a walk outdoors is beneficial especially if your cat sleeps with you in bed. Meow! 🐾
