As a cat owner, you have many decisions to make about how you raise your Maine Coon kitten. This article will focus on whether or not you should allow your cat to roam freely outdoors.
Reasons Why Cat Owners Let Their Cats Outside
- to allow the cat to use their hunting instincts
- to let the cat climb trees
- to let the cat chase lizards, mice and insects
- so the cat can exercise
- to use the outdoors for elimination
- they do not understand the risks
Cats are Perfectly Happy Indoors
Cats who live indoors exclusively live an average of 17 years or more. Outdoor cats usually only live two to five years.
Allowing your Maine Coon to roam outdoors can expose them to various hazards, including traffic, predators, parasites, and infectious diseases. It may seem enriching for them to explore freely. However, you’ll want to weigh these risks against any potential benefits of outdoor activity. A secure, well-supervised environment—such as an enclosed catio—can help your cat enjoy the fresh air while staying safe and healthy.
Risks of Allowing Your Maine Coon Outdoors
- Predators
- Infectious Diseases
- Toxoplasmosis
- Ringworm
- Rabies
- Traffic/Cars
- Theft
Most Common Causes of Death: Indoor Vs.Outdoor Cats
Indoor cats and outdoor cats are met with different risks and health issues. These can contribute to death. It’s important to compare the leading causes of death between indoor and outdoor cats.
Outdoor cats are most commonly killed by trauma. Trauma can include incidents like cats being hit by cars. Next on the list is other types of trauma, such as being bitten by dogs or gunshots.
Indoor cats often pass away due to feline leukemia or heart disease. It’s worth noting the differences here. When cats are sick or have a disease, they can go to the veterinarian and receive medication. Indoor cats regularly have checkups and may be prescribed a special diet to manage their sickness. Learn what to feed your Maine Coon cat.
How to Give Your Maine Coon an Outdoor “Experience” and Still be Safe
You might be wondering how to provide your cat with the same opportunities as an outdoor cat. You want to keep them safe indoors. Fortunately, you have a good number of options.
These will allow your Maine Coon Kitten to explore, play, and interact without being at susceptible to trauma and other outdoor risks.
- Leash/Harness Training—You can buy a cat leash and harness and take your cat outdoors under your supervision. Some cats can even go for walks around the neighborhood like dogs do.
- Outdoor Enclosures—You can set up an outdoor enclosure that keeps your cat safe. This allows them to get some fresh air. The Sassy Shack is the apartment where the Sassy Koonz resides. It’s a heated and cooled building. There is an outdoor enclosure so the cats can enjoy fresh air and bird watching.
- Cat Trees—Cats love to play and climb on cat trees. Cats like to scratch and claw these trees too. They are also a good place for cats to lounge. They give cats the feeling of climbing and exploring without putting them in danger outside.
- Indoor Enrichment and Activities—There are many toys available that simulate the hunting experience for cats. Look for toys that chirp or squeak. You can play with your cat too to add even more excitement to their life.
As Your Maine Coon’s Guardian, It’s Better to Be Safe Than Sorry
Though it is very risky for cats to go outside, you can give them outdoor experiences without causing any danger. This will help to keep your cat happy and healthy!
This article was written in an effort to educate pet owners about the risks of allowing their Maine Coons outside. Let’s do what we can to extend the average lifespan of a Maine Coon! <3 Please leave your comments with your thoughts on indoor vs. outdoor cats.
Here are more way to take care of your Maine Coon cat.
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