Cats are highly independent and curious animals by nature. For this reason, it is common for many to make regular excursions abroad despite being domestic cats. A home cat is one that always lives inside the home of its human family, while a stray cat does not belong to any family and lives constantly on the street, generally grouped in colonies with other cats.
However, halfway we find house cats which are allowed to go outside from time to time freely. The desire to explore the outside depends on the particular character of each kitten, something that is usually closely related to his breed. Some are more curious and active, while others are lazy and prefer the warmth of home. That your cat wants to go outside does not mean that he is not receiving adequate care or that he does not love you, but that he also has a strong adventurous instinct.
Now, there are a number of differences between a cat that only lives indoors and one that accesses the outside. You must know them and take them into account if you want to provide your pet with maximum well-being.
The fact of being able to freely explore the outside world is very beneficial for the animal’s cognitive enrichment, since it is constantly in contact with new environments, smells and other living beings. This is very positive when it comes to reducing boredom or stress, which lead to behavioral problems. Also, outdoor cats practice a lot of physical exercise, which is beneficial for their health.
Therefore, if you do not want to let your cat go outside, you must make sure that it has entertainment and environmental enrichment inside the house, as well as correct physical stimulation. To do this, buy interactive toys, scratching posts and climbing structures. You can also let it look out the window or balcony, always adopting security measures so that it does not escape or fall.
The nutritional needs of an outdoor cat will be greater, as it consumes more energy; while a less active indoor cat will need to control its diet so as not to become overweight. However, you should also take into account that if your cat goes outside he may eat mice or other insects, he feeds himself with food from street colonies or from a neighbor who offers him food. Keep an eye on his weight so that he does not suffer from obesity and perform periodic health checks at the vet.
Undoubtedly, an outdoor cat is exposed to many more dangers than a home one. They can run over it, poison it, steal it, get lost, fight with other animals… If you are going to let your kitty go outside, make sure it is a safe environment. Put a collar with an identification tag with your data and the mandatory microchip, so that it is easier to find it if it gets lost. In addition, you must keep your vaccinations and deworming up to date, as well as sterilize it to avoid unwanted pregnancies and litters.
