Outdoor Cat

Cats like to explore the surroundings and enjoy walking around in external environment. In the first few weeks don't let your cat go out whenever you open a door. Only after the cat is accustomed with the new house you should let the cat go out. The first time the cat go out of the house should be monitored by you.

Your cat should not be allowed to the outside in bad weather. A collar should be used when exiting. The cat must also be vaccinated.

Using the Cat Door

When you have confidence in your cat and you think the cat can go out alone, it's a good idea to install a cat door so that the cat can do it whenever he/she wants.
The cat door should be installed about 15 cm from the ground. Usually the cats learn easily to use a cat door. If the cat refuses to use the cat door, find a way to keep the cat door open and put yourself at the other side and encourage your cat to come to you.

Type of Cat Door

There are several types of cat doors in the market. Some only open inwards, so the cat can enter always, but not go out when he/she wants. Other ones open for both sides. Other ones have devices which can lock the cat door to avoid for example that the cat goes out at night, or to avoid that strange cats get inside your home.

Avoiding accidents

If you live in a city, in a house surrounded by streets with traffic, and no garden, maybe it's not a good idea to let your cat go out. But even if your home has a garden, there are also some potential hazards that must be considered, and that you should preferably keep away from your cat, such as the existence of sharp utensils and tools, herbicides and fertilizers (should always be locked away from your cat), other animals, cats or dogs, and even poisonous plants in the garden.

Use of collar

When leaving your house the cat should always wear a collar with his/her name and address. Should not be too tight to not irritate the skin, nor so large that the cat can get rid of it.

Use of leash

You can walk a cat with a leash. Should be used with a harness to distribute the force of the leash by the animal's chest. You should first try it in your cat at home and only when the cat is used to it should you try a walk in the park. If the cat refuses to walk with the leash, do not insist.