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Why Are Cats Allowed To Roam Free But Not Dogs?

If you have ever wondered why cats are allowed to roam freely but dogs are restricted you have come to the right place.

Why are cats allowed to roam free but not dogs?

There are several reasons why cats can roam free and fogs can’t. Firstly, dogs are more likely to bite or approach a person, rather than cats. They also find it harder to survive without their owners, hence the reason you don’t get feral dogs. Also, cats find it easier to get back home.

So, now you know why. But, if a dog was let out would it return? Are there any dangers of letting a cat outside? Would a dog just run away if it was allowed out? Keep reading to get these answers, and so much more.

 

Will dogs run away if you let them out?

Why are cats allowed to roam free but not dogs.

Dog roaming free.

Some dogs will run away if you let them out. And, some have the ability to find their way home. However, others may keep running, especially if they become scared of something. If this does happen there is a danger that they may run too far and find it difficult to find home again.

So, this is one of the reasons dogs are not let out to roam like cats due to the fear of them not returning home. Dogs are quite loyal, and in most cases, they will want to get back home, but may just not know how to.

Is it cruel to keep cats inside all the time?

There are some legitimate reasons why a cat may need to be kept inside such as health-related problems or even practical reasons, such as the owner living in a high-rise apartment that does not have easy access to outside.

whether it’s cruel or not is a point of personal opinion. But, whatever your beliefs are the key thing is, if the cat is in all the time it gets what it needs. This is not just food and drink. It also needs exercise, mental stimulation, and love.

Can dogs be trained not to kill cats?

Dogs can be trained to not kill or attack cats but it needs time, patience, and precautions. Dogs instinctively see cats as prey (what about a calico cat? click here) unless they see them as a family member. For the latter, it takes time. And, the danger is while you are training it your cat is in danger.

The best way to get around this risk is to not give your dog direct access to your cat unattended. This is crucial for your cat’s safety until it is fully trained.

Is it OK to let your indoor cat outside?

You can let your indoor cat outside but it’s not as easy as just opening your door. If you want to keep your cat from getting bored there are easier options such as keeping it entertained indoors. Simple things can help like interactive toys (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad), a cat tree (Click here to see my best one), etc.

If you have decided to keep your cat indoors, and it is used to it. It is normal to wonder if you should change this trend and let it out. So, now you understand some other alternatives to keep it entertained instead of just letting it out.

Do cats get sad if they can’t go outside?

Cats do not tend to get sad if they can’t go outside. This is because they have developed your home as their comfort zone. Because they have not ventured outside they are happy with this comfort zone as their own territory.

As long as your cat is well fed, watered, and entertained in your home it will not need or desire to venture out. For outside cats, they claim their comfort zone in a larger open area. Which they then claim as their territory.

But, even with outdoor cats, they are unlikely to stray out of their local territory. So, they have set their own personal restrictions on how far they will roam.

What are the dangers of letting your cat outside?

Cats who are allowed outside are at a higher risk than an indoor risk. It is believed that they may shave as much as 4 or 5 years off its life by being an outside cat. While it is true that many outdoor cats lead long and healthy lives, arguably, it could have lived longer indoors.

As well as this there are other challenges with outdoor cats that not only impact your cat’s lifespan. There is the mess they tend to make on neighboring gardens (Could your neighbor take your cat? Click here), etc. It is an ongoing debate to be truthful, with valid arguments on both sides.

What precautions do you need to take with an indoor cat going outside?

If you decide to take your indoor cat out you will need to take precautions such as using a harness and leash (Click here to see my best ones), or restricting her to a caged off area of your garden. This will reduce the chances of your cat getting attacked or bothered by other cats.

If you wish to take your cat outdoors you may have wondered what you need to consider or prepare to make this happen. Now you know what you need to do to keep your cat safer and make you feel assured.

How can you stop indoor cats from getting bored?

To stop your indoor cat from getting bored you can do simple things like let it have a window perch (Click here to see my best ones) to let it see the outside world go by. Also, cats love being up high, so it will help with this. Even basic things like a food puzzle (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) can help to keep it from being bored.

Keeping an indoor cat can be challenging if you are not used to it. But, now you have some simple strategies that you can use to keep it from being bored and active.

What are the advantages of letting your cat outside?

Outside cats do have some distinct advantages, regardless of some of the challenges they face. Such as a lot more natural exercise, taking in an array of scents, and experience that an indoor cat would never experience.

This is why some cat owners are still keen to get their cats outside even though there are some risks associated with it.

Do Indoor cats put on more weight?

Indoor cats are often assumed to put on more weight. But, this is not just because they are indoor cats, it’s based on how they are looked after. It’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure they are not overfed and have enough exercise.

One of the problems that some owners make is allowing their cats to free-feed and not restrict the portions they consume in a day. Basically allowing the cat an unlimited supply of food as long as they keep begging.

To combat this either transition them to a scheduled feeding time. Or, only allow a certain amount of free-fed food per day. this can be adjusted based on how much they consume, their weight, etc.

Lindsey Browlingdon