Being able to come and go as you please and explore the world outside the home is something that many cats appreciate.
With a few smart tricks, you give your four-legged friend the very best conditions to cope with outdoor life well.
1. Take it slow
You who have just brought home a cat should wait a bit to let it out. The cat needs peace and quiet and time to adapt to its new home. Get the cat used to being outdoors step by step. All new and strong impressions can make it scared and run away. Be with the cat outdoors and try using a cat leash. Walk around your immediate area at a leisurely pace, let the cat stop and sniff at things. When it feels safe, you can remove the leash. Reward the cat with food or sweets every time it returns to the house in the beginning, this way it learns faster where it lives.
2. Vaccinate and castrate
There are an estimated more than 100,000 homeless cats in Sweden, and if you do not plan to have kittens, it is a good idea to neuter it. By neutering your cat, you can help reduce the number of homeless and vulnerable cats who often live a hard life. In addition, neutered male cats become calmer and less prone to territory. Compared to indoor cats, outdoor cats are more exposed to infection, so it is good to vaccinate it against some of the most serious infectious diseases, such as feline colds and feline plague.
Deworm regularly
Does your cat like to hunt mice and small birds? Have a routine of deworming your cat regularly so that it avoids problems.
4. ID tag your cat
Should your cat disappear or be injured, an ID tag will make it easier to track. The most common ID marking is done in the form of a tattoo in the ear. It is also possible to microchip the cat by injecting a chip under the skin. Remember to register the cat and yourself in the Swedish Kennel Club’s owner register DjurID.
5. Pay attention
Make it a habit to look at and feel your cat regularly to more easily detect wounds and swelling after fights and the like. Many cats live in some areas, and the battle for territory can be tough. Feel the fur after ticks and feel free to use a tick repellent intended for cats.
6. Protect according to season
During the winter, the cat can get cold on its paws. Feel free to create a sheltered place where it can escape the most bitter cold while waiting to be let in. The darker half of the year also makes traffic a greater danger for our cats. Get a necklace with reflectors for the cat so that it is better visible in the dark.