Our indoor cats love to explore their wild roots sometimes. They will sit excitedly by the window, dreaming of what it would be like to hold a small tufted titmouse in their fangs. When you open the door, they’re ready to scoot off to explore the unknown.
If you allow your cat the luxury of outdoor exploration, you may be surprised how far they actually go. Most domestic cats only roam within 650 feet (200 meters) of their home. Let’s take a look at how far cats can roam, how you can track or stop them from roaming, and some of the dangers of roaming cats.
Cats Can Wander Pretty Far!
It’s hard to know how far a cat can really roam. This distance will vary, based on the cat and their desire to travel. Some of them will be motivated by marriage and others by potential victims.
Your cat probably won’t go far if you have a stray cat in the house. On average, they will go about 130 to 650 feet (about 40 to 200 meters) around their home.
However, these distances can be increased if a cat is motivated by hormones. Breeding can make cats act crazy. If a cat is in heat, a tom cat will smell her up to a mile away and find her! So, various factors influence the actual distance.
Most of the trips around the yard are relatively unremarkable, with the cats generally staying local.
Dangers of Roaming Cats
Cats left to roam can be dangerous for them! Every time you take them out, you take a risk.
There is a possibility that they will not return, as they may encounter some potential dangers along the way. So, most professionals will advise against letting your cat outside unless they are in a controlled space.
Ultimately, it is entirely up to you because you are the pet parent, and you know best. But here are some dangers of stray cats that you may want to consider, both for the safety of your cat and the local wildlife.
1. Cats Grow Fast
A single mother cat can give birth to one or more litters throughout a year. Each litter usually contains 6 to 10 kittens. Men travel long distances to find women to marry. If cats are left to their own devices, they multiply quickly, which can be very problematic for homeless animal populations.
2. Cats Kill Wildlife
Cats are responsible for killing wildlife. While many people want cats in a barn to keep the rat population under control, it’s often not that easy. Cats, especially those left to their own devices, will kill wildlife that should be protected, such as birds.
In fact, cats are the number one predator of birds and have a devastating effect on their overall population. We can’t be mad at cats for simply doing what they do best. But many believe that letting your cat outside unsupervised contributes to unnecessary problems.
3. Killing Cats
Although cats are predators and attack wildlife, they are not safe outdoors either. They can be victims of many incidents, anything from poisoning, being hit by a car, being attacked by a dog, or being shot by a person. There are many dangers wherever you live.
4. Cats Spread Disease
If there are feral or feral cats around your home, they can still infect you, even if you keep up with vaccinations. Your cat can get diseases like toxoplasmosis or parasites by sharing outside food bowls, getting close to, or even fighting with outdoor cats.
Top 3 Tips to Track Your Cat
If you want to know, you can track your cat or encourage them to stay nearby. Here are some ideas on how to protect your cat while they explore.
1. GPS Collars
If you haven’t heard of them, let us introduce you to the idea of GPS trackers for your cat. That’s right! This small device is attached to the collar, allowing you to see where your pet is no matter where they wander.
These GPS systems usually have a very wide range, covering the distance most cats will travel in a day. However, there are limitations. No two GPS companies are created equal. You should research products and see reviews of what customers have to say about the product before buying.
Be sure to keep an eye on your little friend while they’re out and about, and if they seem to be going out or you can’t see them anymore, it might be time to use GPS to track them.
2. AirTags
AirTags can be great for luggage, keychains for kids, and all kinds of things! What you may not have considered is getting an AirTag for your cat. You can easily put an AirTag on their collar with their identification. There are even collars available for purchase that hold AirTags.
This way, you can see where they are in real-time and intervene if necessary.
3. Microchipping
Microchipping cats is a common practice. Although not all kittens have one, it is an optional item that you can get from your vet. Many shelter animals come microchipped, but you still need to register them with your information.
Microchipping is a way for veterinarians or other professionals to scan the chip and obtain information about the owner. This is one way to ensure that lost pets get home safely. Please note that microchipping does not allow you to track your cat, but if your cat wanders too far and is picked up by someone, they can scan the microchip to find the owner as long as the contact information is relationship is timely.
Make Spaying and Neutering Your Cat a Point
If you find that your cat likes to roam more, you need to ask yourself a question. Have they been fixed? If not, it’s time to get them in as soon as possible. Your vet can perform a spay-neuter surgery to curb the urge to roam and find a mate.
Because these desires are suppressed, they will not feel the need to wonder or explore. The truth of the matter is, there really aren’t too many downsides, with the rare exception of surgical accidents, including adverse reactions to anesthesia.
For females, this will end their heat cycles, which will eliminate many behavioral problems. It will also prevent their pregnancy. This can lead to a longer life, better reproductive health, and prevention of issues such as cancer and diseases of the reproductive system.
Boys can also display many problematic behaviors, but they differ significantly from girls. Men tend to start wandering, fighting, and urine marking when they are hormonal. These behaviors can be very difficult to break, even after grooming a cat.
For the preservation of your home and the health benefits to your cat, it is best to get them fixed as early as possible. Most veterinarians recommend grooming cats at 4 months of age.
Conclusion
Now you have a better understanding of the distances that house cats travel when they are outside. If you do allow your cat outside, make sure you keep them safe by putting in place measures to track their whereabouts.
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
