Taking Care Of An Outdoor Cat

Having an outdoor cat is amazing. You get to play with your cat and at the same time, you give them all the freedom in the world so that they can enjoy life. As cats love hunting, climbing up high places and chasing things that induce their curiosity, you can make sure that your cat will have the time of its life when it lives outdoors. But how do you take care of your feline friends when they are not always in your sight? Here are 5 tips that you can use to take care of your kitty so that they can live a wild life and have a comfortable life at the same time.

1. Set up a shelterOne of the biggest responsibilities when having an outdoor cat is to provide it with a home that it considers safe and cozy. At times, your cat may want to rest after having the adventure of its lifetime and it would want to do so in a place that is a haven. Also, it can protect your cat against harsh weather conditions in case it strikes. Take your time to find/build a shelter that your cat will like. Place cushions, newspapers, hay, or any material that will make your cat feel comfortable. Regularly clean the shelter as outdoor cats tend to go out a lot.
2. Place food and water at appropriate locationsSince your cat is living outdoors, you need to make sure that you provide access to good food and clean water. It's easy for cats to get dehydrated because of the weather conditions outside and also because they get to roam around. Keep the food and water in places that your cat considers safe so that they can eat without worrying about other predators running away with their food. Place it close to the shelter so that they won’t have to go far in search of food and water.
3. Vaccinate your feline friendA vaccinated cat is a healthy cat. Cats that are up to date with their vaccinations can live life outdoors without worrying about catching diseases that can prove fatal to them or severely affect their health. It will also stop your cat from spreading infections to other cats and prevent them from catching those infections themselves. There are numerous vaccinations that cats need such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), feline leukemia and rabies to name a few.
4. Keep the environment toxin-freeMake sure that the surrounding environment is clean and free of toxins. If you have to dispose of material that is hazardous such as fertilizers, anti-icing agents, or any other product that has poisonous chemicals. Cats are extremely curious about their surroundings and reach places that you might have considered as safe to store chemical products. Hand over such material to the garbage collectors so that cats don’t have the opportunity to go through the trash.
5. Avoid declawingYou should never declaw a cat that lives outdoors. Cats use their claws to defend themselves against other predators and they use them to climb to safety when they are getting chased. Declawed cats are at a major disadvantage as they have no means to protect themselves.

Taking care of outdoor cats is fun with these tips. Your cat will live a healthy life as it gets all the exercise it needs for its brain and body. You also won’t feel sad as your cat will get plenty of opportunities to explore the world around it.