Anybody who has lived with a cat knows that domestic cats are not that different than their wild cat cousins.
Studies show that cats share nearly 96 percent of DNA with tigers, and they have retained many of the characteristics needed to survive in the wild such as being active at dawn and dusk and having a high prey drive.
Some cat owners let their cats go outside whenever they want, and many neighborhoods have a population of feral or community cats that live outdoors. But letting cats roam outside is not always safe for wildlife or the cats themselves. Cats can be hit by cars, get trapped, pick up parasites and diseases or be targeted by larger animals.
They can also harm other wildlife. According to the American Bird Conservancy, outdoor cats kill 2.4 billion birds every year and the Smithsonian says that cats kill 12.3 billion small mammals. Many outdoor cats are often not fixed, contributing to overpopulation and 1.4 million cats being euthanized in U.S. shelters every year, according to the ASPCA.
Because of this, many rescue groups will require owners to sign a contract stating that they will not allow their cats to be outside, but this can be tough when Whiskers is bored and begging to explore the great outdoors. We spoke to some local cat owners to find out how they balance giving kitty outside time, while keeping them and the local wildlife population safe.
Patios, Catios and Tents
Photo courtesy of Jeff Creager
A catio.
One of the simplest ways to get your cat some outside stimulation is allowing them to hang out on a screened-in porch, if you are lucky enough to have one. If you don’t, consider buying or building your own "catio."
A catio is a structure often made from wood and wire mesh and can range in size. A premade catio can cost anywhere from $250-$5,000. The catio can be attached to a window and cats can access it via a cat door and catwalk or it can be a stand-alone structure. Keep in mind, if it’s a stand-alone catio, you will need to leash-train your cat to get there or use a cat carrier. Just make sure the structure is compatible with any homeowner association rules or other city or county laws.
Jeff Creager, who lives in the Belleview area, has had his fair share of feral cats make themselves at home in his backyard. After one of the cats had five kittens, he and his wife decided tot ake them in as indoor cats. “I first had a tent with a tunnel going out of the basement door. Well, they loved that so much that I built a 12-by-12-by-8-foot catio so they can go in and out of the living room window,” he explained.
Backpacks and Leashes
If you’d like your cat to have a little mobility, consider training them to use a cat backpack (the cat rides along in the backpack, on your back) or a harness and leash which can be purchased at some pet stores or online. Cat backpacks can be mesh or clear plastic and allow your feline to go with you on a hike or walk. Some cat backpacks expand to give kitty more space and have a hook that you can clip to a cat harness for added safety. Make sure to carry water and a fan to keep kitty hydrated and comfortable, especially in warmer weather.
Rebecca Critics, who lives near Fairlington, trained her Norwegian Forest Cat, Galahad, to wear a harness and walk on a leash. “It took a solid couple months for him to want to go further than a couple feet down the block, but as soon as he made that breakthrough and he realized all the fun stuff going on out there, he asks for it every day now,” Critics explained.
Photo by Rebecca Critics
Galahad, outside on a leash.
What does walking with a cat look like? Critics lets Galahad set the pace. “It starts with him sitting at the front door and meowing at me to go for a walk, or I can even ask him if he wants to go for a walk and he runs to the front door and waits for his vest. Then he’ll dash out the door down the front steps and then it’s basically his direction. Sometimes we get to the end of the corner and he’s like 'No, I don’t want to continue, and we double back. I’m following him. I just make sure he doesn’t run into the streets. He stops, he sniffs, he stares at birds, he chases squirrels up trees,” Critics said.
Galahad mostly goes on adventures in the neighborhood. Critics tried to take him on walks at nearby parks, but said she has run into problems with off-leash dogs when owners don't follow leash rules or laws. These types of encounters can set Galahad back on his training. One of his favorite spots has been Theodore Roosevelt Island and exploring the marshes and boardwalk.
Critics' advice for other cat owners looking to leash-train their cat is to have patience. “I got frustrated a little bit because I knew he would enjoy it, but he was scared. So, it was very much, I let him take it at his pace. Yeah, it was frustrating, and I’m fairly certain my neighbors thought I was slightly crazy, but he loves it now, so it was definitely worth it. It’s all about patience. Cats don’t have the same type of confidence dogs do, you have to make them feel safe,” Critics said. You can follow along on Galahad’s adventures on Instagram @criticsra.
Backyard Privileges
West End resident Rachael Dickson rescued her cat Ziggy in 2016 when she was living in Chicago. While living there, Ziggy enjoyed a screened-in patio, but since living in Virginia, Ziggy has been trying to get outside in some pretty creative ways, including hiding behind the curtains near the front door until he can make his break.
Ziggy, a social butterfly, took the pandemic quarantine particularly hard, to the point he started taking an anti-depressant, so Dickson tried to figure out ways to get him outside safely. “I tried a leash with a harness, a cat carriage, and a cat pouch (like a purse). He liked all of those options, but they had their drawbacks,” explained Dickson.
Rachael Dickson
Ziggy
Dickson finally had her backyard fenced in and made sure it was escape-proof. Now, she lets Ziggy get some outdoors time 20-30 minutes at a time. An in/out of office sign by the back door reminds everybody in the house when he is outside.
Dickson reminds cat owners to be mindful when letting cats outdoors. “There’s a lot of stuff that cats can get into outside, and if you’re going to let them outside at all, you need to make sure they’re protected,” she said. This includes putting them on flea and tick prevention, getting them all their vaccines and regular vet visits. Also, avoid areas that have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
While Ziggy loved hunting cicadas during last year’s cicada "apocalypse," his impact on wildlife in their backyard has been low (minus two unlucky chipmunks), Dickson reported. She put a bell on his collar to warn away all wildlife in the future. It took some getting used to, but now he even comes when I call because he recognizes that 'collar on' means outside time."
