When It’s Your Cat’s First Time Outdoors

 Be sure your pet cat has some identification on her prior to allowing her access to the outdoors.  Your cat’s collar can be fitted with tags that bear your contact information.  Or better yet, have her microchipped, which is the ideal pet identifier. 

One more thing to consider before allowing your pet some outdoor time is how you are planning long-term outdoor access for her.  If your schedule allows you to stay home for long periods during the day, you can consider anytime access through a convenient window or your back door.  But if during the daytime you are mostly away from home, a cat flap might help.  

Your local environment should give you an idea of the rules you are to enforce regarding outside access time limits.  You can stop your pet from going outside at sunset so that at night, she stays with you inside the home.  Or if you have an idea about the road traffic flow patterns in your neighborhood, you may want to manage her outdoor excursions to avoid days with heavy vehicular traffic.

Make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccines are up to date before outdoor excursions. Call your animal hospital Shawnee, OK for information.