Is It Safe to Let Your Cat Outside?

Welcome to Tuesday's Edition of our Newsletter.

Is It Safe to Let Your Cat Outside?

In this Tuesday’s newsletter, we’ll dive into the subject of indoor vs. outdoor cats, weighing the risks against the potential benefits. You’ll also learn how to let your cat outside safely.

Learn more on Cats.com:

The Debate on Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats.

When I got divorced and moved back to Pittsburgh, my cats spent a year living with my parents because my apartment didn’t allow pets. My mother had a habit of leaving doors open, so Munchkin and Bagel effectively became indoor/outdoor cats.

One weekend my mom went out of town and forgot to check that both cats were inside before she left. When she came back, she realized Munchkin was nowhere to be found.

I’ll never forget the panic and heartbreak I felt not knowing where she was. Fortunately, Munchkin turned up, and she’s been a healthy indoor cat ever since.

Cats are natural predators, so they love to roam and explore. However, being outside puts them at risk for predation by wild animals, injury by cars or people, and exposure to poison, parasites, and disease.

Outdoor cats have a much shorter life expectancy than indoor cats. But there are ways to safely let your cat go outside.

Let’s talk about it!

3 Ways to Let Your Cat Go Outside Safely.

After they spent a year having all but unlimited access to the outdoors, it’s been difficult to keep my cats from sneaking outside at every opportunity. Instead of fighting it, I’ve found safe ways to give them what they want.

1. Purchase a long leash or lead (like the kind used for dogs), and give your cat supervised time to wander around the yard.
   
   
2. Train your cat to walk on a leash and get them used to wearing a harness so you can take them on short walks around the neighborhood.
   
   
3. Build or purchase an outdoor enclosure (a catio) where your cats can safely enjoy extended outdoor time.

If your cat gets outside accidentally, take action immediately. Perform a thorough search of your property (a frightened cat will often hide nearby,) and check with your neighbors. If you don’t find them right away, keep checking periodically.

Protect Your Cat’s Health With Lemonade Pet Insurance.

Keeping your cat inside eliminates certain risks, but it doesn’t guarantee your cat will never get sick or hurt. Routine wellness exams are key for keeping tabs on your cat’s health and catching developing health problems before they progress.

If you’re looking for a way to make veterinary care for your cat more affordable, consider a cat insurance policy from Lemonade.

Lemonade pet insurance helps cover the cost of diagnostics, treatments, and medications related to unexpected illnesses or injuries. Customize your coverage to fit your needs and your budget with monthly premiums that start as low as $100.

To further simplify your cat’s care, supplement your policy with one of Lemonade’s preventive care plans. These plans cover your cat’s annual wellness visit along with vaccinations, dental cleanings, flea/tick prevention and more.

• The Best Rated Cat Food
• The Best Rated Cat Litter
• The Best Cat Litter Boxes
• The Best Cat Insurance

A sneak peek at Friday's Newsletter.

Cats are crafty and if they’re determined to find a way to get outside, they often will. In Friday’s mailer, we’ll talk about ways to keep tabs on your cat’s location.