10 tips for safely letting your cat go outside for the first time

Cat going outside for the first time

Yes, the time has finally come! You have made good preparations, so your cat is allowed outside. Below we give you the most important tips for when you let your cat outside for the first time:

Tip 1: A cat harness
It may be that you don’t want your cat to roam freely outside, but you still want to go outside with him. It may also be that you find it nerve-wracking to let your cat roam freely outside for the first time. A cat harness can then be an ideal solution, provided the cat is used to it. It is therefore important to first train indoors with putting on and walking with a harness. If you don’t do this, a harness will actually have the opposite effect and cause stress.

Tip 2: Walk outside with the cat
If you have an insecure cat, it can help to walk outside with him the first few times. This way the cat has support from you and it gives him a little extra confidence. When you notice that the cat is relaxed and exploring, you can walk back inside.

Tip 3: Let the cat go outside only during the day
Cats are crepuscular hunters. If your cat is not used to being outside in the dark, the chance that he gets lost while exploring is greater. Therefore, let the cat go outside only during the day at first so he has the chance to explore the surroundings in daylight and learn the way back home.

Tip 4: Choose quiet moments
Do you live in a busy area? Then don’t let the cat outside during rush hours. At busy and stressful times, a cat can get scared and run away or not dare to go outside next time. Also keep the cat inside during rain, thunderstorms, and fireworks, and choose quieter moments to let the cat outside for the first time.

Tip 5: Let the cat outside just before mealtime
A cat that has never been outside before is used to getting food at home. He will therefore come back home when he is hungry. So if you let the cat outside for the first time around mealtime, the chance that he stays away for hours is smaller. Also, if the cat catches prey outside, it is likely he will eat it at home.

Tip 6: Play with the cat before letting it outside
Do you have an adventurous or very playful cat? Then choose to play with your cat first before letting it outside. This way, the cat will already be a bit tired and not full of energy when you let it out, reducing the chance that it will go on hours-long adventures.

Tip 7: Call the cat inside in between
Don’t just call the cat inside when it’s actually time to stay indoors, but do this a few times to then reward it and let it back outside. This way, you prevent the cat from associating coming home with staying inside and keep coming home fun for the cat.

Tip 8: Always leave a window, door, or cat flap open
When a cat has to wait in front of a closed door, it’s not exactly motivated to come home nicely. Therefore, always leave a window or door open or get a cat flap. It’s also important that the cat always has the option to go inside if it wants to seek safety. If it can’t go inside at all times, it will look for another hiding place, which can make it difficult to find the cat again.

Tip 9: Stay calm if the cat doesn’t come back immediately
Does your cat not come back right away when you call it? Then stay calm and don’t shout or chase the cat to try to catch it. Food with a strong smell can help lure the cat. Put the food outside by the door, keep the door open, and wait calmly until the cat returns.

Tip 10: Gradually increase the time the cat spends outside
Practice is the key to success. Let the cat outside every day and gradually extend the training session each time. When your cat consistently comes back nicely, you can let it outside for a longer time without supervision with confidence.

With the above preparations and tips, your cat can safely go on adventures outside!

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