8 Outdoor Dangers for Cats and How To Keep Your Feline Safe

On the surface, there appear to be many benefits to outdoor time for cats, such as getting exercise, breathing the fresh air, and smelling new scents. However, allowing your cat outside without supervision can be a risk to his health and safety.

On average, an indoor cat’s lifespan is 15–17 years, whereas cats with the freedom to roam outdoors unsupervised live, on average, just two to five years. This stark difference is because there are many threats to a cat’s safety when he’s allowed outdoors on his own—including other animals, vehicles, toxic substances, and other dangers.

Here are some of the everyday dangers outdoor cats face.

Outdoor Dangers for Cats

1. Extreme Temperatures

Cats are most comfortable between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit can start to be uncomfortable for cats, and temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit are simply too cold for cats and can risk frostbite and dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia).

Temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, especially over 106 degrees Fahrenheit, are too hot for cats and can risk heat stress and heatstroke, potentially leading to issues with blood clotting, seizures, and permanent kidney damage.

Any prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can be life-threatening, so keeping your cat in a climate-controlled environment and limiting exposure to temperature extremes is best.

2. Wildlife

While cats are predators, they can also be prey for various types of wildlife, including:

• Coyotes

• Foxes

• Dogs

• Alligators

But it’s not just predators that pose a threat. Cats can get into fights with other cats outdoors and sustain injuries or contract illnesses. Cats who interact with (or eat) wild birds and rodents can also contract parasites or bacterial infections, as well as potentially expose themselves to any toxic substances the bird or rodent may have ingested.

In addition, outdoor cats contribute to steep declines in wild bird and rodent populations, which can be detrimental to the local ecosystem.

3. Parasites, Viruses, Fungi, and Bacteria

Cats can contract tapeworm infections and toxoplasmosis by eating infected rodents they encounter outdoors. And if your cat isn’t on a good flea and tick preventative, he can become infested with mites, lice, ticks, and fleas, which can pass along bacterial infections.

Feral cat populations may harbor ringworm, a highly contagious fungal infection in the skin that can pass to humans. So, if your cat were to pick up ringworm from a feral cat, you could be at risk of infection, too.

Many feral cat colonies also have a high percentage of animals infected with viruses, including:

• Feline leukemia virus

• Feline immunodeficiency virus

• Feline infectious peritonitis virus

• Feline panleukopenia virus

• Feline herpesvirus

• Calicivirus

Bacterial infections that cats can contract when exposed to feral cat populations include Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bartonella henselae.

4. Cars

Because cats move quickly and motorists are often not on alert for them, it’s unfortunately common for cats to be hit by cars.

Aside from the potential loss of life, cats who have been involved in accidents with vehicles may face chronic bladder issues, breathing problems, or limb amputation.

5. Humans

Other humans are another risk your cat may face when outdoors. Some well-meaning people may think your cat is lost and take him in.

Unfortunately, some people may be less friendly to cats and potentially set out traps, poison, or even use firearms as a deterrent to outdoor cats, whom they may assume are feral or a nuisance.   

6. Toxins

While wandering through populated areas, your cat may be exposed to chemicals that are commonly used on lawns or around homes, such as insecticides, fertilizers, and rodent poisons. Not knowing what substances your cat could have ingested outdoors may delay proper decontamination and treatment.

7. Weather and Natural Disasters

During severe weather events like tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, snowstorms, floods, and fires, your cat may not be able to seek proper shelter if caught outside.

During these events, your cat may be exposed not only to temperature extremes but also increased risk of injury and even loss of life from flying debris, falling trees, collapsing buildings, burns, frostbite, or drowning.

8. Becoming Lost

The natural territory size for cats in the wild is a few square miles, so your cat may end up far from home during an excursion. And if your cat wanders into an unfamiliar area, he may lose his sense of direction.

If your cat is not microchipped or lacks tags with your contact information, someone who may find your cat might not be able to return him to you. In fact, data suggests that only about 10% of lost cats return home.

Keeping Your Cat Safe Outside

If you’d like your cat to have outdoor time, it’s best to take him outside on a leash with a secure harness or even purchase an enclosure for him to play and relax in while outdoors. Some ambitious pet parents even design catios (structures that are attached to the exterior of the home) to allow cats sunlight and air while keeping them secure and close by.

With these methods, it’s possible to allow your cat to experience the outdoors in a safe and stress-free way.