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The Abyssinian cat boasts a loveable temperament and enjoys being energetic and playful. Although they enjoy jumping, climbing, and being busy overall, can Abyssinian cats go outside?
Yes, Abyssinian cats can go outside, as they are incredibly playful, active, and love exploring due to their curious nature. However, they should be monitored closely while they are outdoors for safety.
While the Abyssinian breed can undoubtedly benefit from a balance of being indoors and spending time outside, there are still plenty of risks and safety actors that caregivers should consider.
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- This cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for the Abyssinian Cat since it can go pretty much anywhere you need it to while being versatile (Affiliate Link): Click Here.
- This is the cat backpack on Amazon I recommend for the Abyssinian Cat since it has excellent airflow and will give your cat a great view (Affiliate Link): Click Here.
Stick around to find out everything you need to know and what measures you can implement to ensure that your furry feline friend stays protected while outdoors.
Can Abyssinian Cats Go Outside?
There are plenty of safety and health risks outdoors. Sadly, there is not much that caregivers can do to influence external factors apart from monitoring the environment chosen and guiding the cat to stay within safer areas.
Certain dangers that could harm your cat include cars and other vehicles in terms of collision and physical harm, as well as threats posed by other cats outside, which may be aggressive or territorial. Some cats may be domestic and merely roaming the area, but others may be stray cats that pose the threat of contracting illness or diseases.
When cats encounter each other outside, it can be very unpredictable. When cats fight, they can expose themselves to injuries. To learn more about if cats will fight to the death: Click Here.
The best safety precaution here would be to keep a close eye on your cat, stay within safe residential areas, keep away from vehicles, ensure their vaccinations are entirely up to date, as well as a tick, flea, and heartworm medicine.
I’d also recommend keeping your Abyssinian cat on a leash/harness, in a cat backpack or cat stroller. Using a combination of these products can ensure that your Abyssinian cat remains safe outside while still being under close control by the cat owner.
Can You Keep an Abyssinian Cat Outside?
No, you cannot keep an Abyssinian cat outside. Abyssinian cats are acrobatic and agile; they love to play, investigate, explore their surroundings and are curious about outdoor areas.
It’s not advised to keep this furry friend outside wholly, particularly if the area has harsh climates, as most cats thrive off of the freedom to explore their surroundings in combination with the security and comfort that indoor life provides.
There are also dangers outdoors for cats that roam freely.
Is it Bad to Let Cats Outside?
Letting your feline friend outside is not harmful in general, as cats often flourish with a balanced combination of indoor and outdoor life. Allowing them to recline with fresh air and let their fur coats bask in sunlight may be incredibly beneficial for them. However, if you plan to let your cat outside, it will be best to keep in a controlled environment for their safety.
If they are being taken for walks, then selecting an environment that is safe, secure, and away from threats is crucial. Many cat owners opt for a cat door so their cat can come and go as they please. Cat doors present safety issues for your cat and household and cats that roam freely can have a devastating impact on the local ecosystem due to their effectiveness as hunters.
Read more about cat doors and why I do not recommend you use them: Click Here.
Things to Consider if You Let Your Abyssinian Cat Outside
Are They Chipped in Case They Get Lost?
One of the biggest fears is the thought of this loving and attentive companion somehow getting lost while they are outside. There are various means by which this can happen – they can get frightened and runoff in any direction, follow the trail of something that catches their interest, plus an array of scenarios that owners might never know or understand.
While it’s not pleasant to think about, planning ahead can make a bad situation far less daunting. It’s essential to ensure that your cat has a collar with a valid ID tag on at all times, even when they are not being let outside or going for walks, as this allows identification if another person or agency finds them.
Cat collars are essential, and many people do not put collars on their cats. Even if you keep your cat indoors, your cat may sneak out sometimes. Read our article on if cat collars are inhumane: Click Here.
Microchipping your cat is a fantastic option for extra safety measures, as this will allow someone to return your Abyssinian cat to you quickly if they find your cat, even if the collar has somehow fallen off.
Are You Leaving Water Out for Them?
When you let your cat outside or go for walks, it’s essential to make sure that their water and refreshment needs are kept satisfied. Always bring along water and plenty of treats for your furry friend to make sure they are fully hydrated and nourished for the adventure-filled day ahead.
You do not want your cat to get dehydrated. This will also help prevent toxicities and illnesses, as cats may eat harmful plants or substances or drink from murky puddles of water if they feel inclined to do so.
Do You Bring the Abyssinian In at Night?
There are plenty of dangers of leaving your cat outdoors overnight, and the Abyssinian, in particular, has a sensitive and fragile fur coat. Macro elements like the cold temperatures during low light hours can be incredibly harmful and may allow exposure to harmful factors or pose the risk of your cat falling ill.
The Abyssinian is an intelligent breed, and would probably understand that they need to return to the shelter of their home when the sun sets. Still, they can get carried away with their curiosity and adventurous traits, so it’s best to be safe and bring them in yourself.
There are a lot of dangers outdoors and you do not want your Abyssinian cat outside overnight. In addition to other cats that your Abyssinian cat may encounter, they could also encounter raccoons, which are known to intimidate cats.
Read more about if raccoons and cats can get along or if they will fight: Click Here.
Should You Give Your Abyssinian a Bath After Going Outside?
Whether or not you bathe the cat after they have been outside will depend on several factors. In particular, the Abyssinian should not be over-groomed as they have somewhat fragile coats despite the fact that they are thick and dense.
If they have rolled around in dirt, grime, unknown substances, or unknown plant matter, it may be a good idea. But, if the experience has not been a dirty one and they have only been around toys, sidewalks, or grass, then regular brushing may be sufficient before bedtime.
Can Abyssinian Cats Be Good Indoor Cats?
The Abyssinian is incredibly active and athletic. They love to perform stunts and tricks, enjoy jumping and climbing perches or furniture, and thrive off the interactive play with toys, puzzles, and games.
Although cat breeds assist in identifying general traits, every cat is unique in their own personality, and your cat may or may not be as interested in spending time outdoors as opposed to playing in the home.
Coaxing and encouragement may be necessary for getting this cat outdoors. Open spaces that will allow more freedom of movement coupled with climbable objects like trees and ornaments may be more inviting for this breed.
Can Abyssinian Cats Be Left Alone?
This breed does not particularly enjoy being alone, but they are relatively independent and can keep themselves busy while you are away. However, in combination with their adventurous personalities and high intelligence, they can get up to mischief out of boredom.
Investing in toys, puzzle feeders, and interactive activities will assist in keeping them busy constructively, as well as welcoming another active feline companion into the home as they will be compatible with activity levels and keep each other occupied. However, there should still be plenty of toys, as lack thereof could result in double the trouble.
I recommend adopting a Domestic Shorthair cat to keep your Abyssinian company. Domestic Shorthairs are very loving and quite playful. I have a Domestic Shorthair cat named Charlotte, and she is an active cat (when it isn’t nap time).
Ways to Take an Abyssinian Cats Outside More Often
Even for cats that are less interested, they would still benefit from spending some time outdoors, even if they are simply accompanying you while you perhaps relax and watch the sunset from your deck or porch or tend to the garden.
It could be a great idea to invite your cat to join you in such activities and spend some time petting them to help them relax while outdoors. This will greatly depend on the unique nature of your cat, but they are generally quite attentive and enjoy spending time with caregivers, participating in whatever activities they are busy with.
Cat Harness and Leash: Cat harnesses and leashes are best fitted for this breed, as it allows freedom of movement and freedom to explore within boundaries set by the caregiver. This also allows caregivers to monitor behavior closely for safety.
Just be conscious of the fact that cats march to the beat of their own drummer. They aren’t dogs. So, you might take a cat out on a leash and harness, but they may choose to walk very, very slowly…or lay down in the sunshine.
If you are trying to cover ground on your walk but still give your Abyssinian some real outside time, I recommend using a cat backpack or cat stroller combined with a cat harness and leash.
Check out our article about cat harnesses since you might be wondering if it is cruel to put your cat in one: Click Here.
Cat Backpacks: Cat backpacks allow cats to gain the overall experience and view of outdoor life without being exposed to any of the environmental conditions. Cat backpacks are great because they allow you to give your cat an excellent view while keeping them safe and not allowing them to run off.
- This is the cat backpack on Amazon I recommend for the Abyssinian Cat since it has excellent airflow and will give your cat a great view (Affiliate Link): Click Here.
Cat Strollers: Cat strollers allow cats to gain the overall experience and view of outdoor life without walking or running off. The nice thing about cat strollers is that you can cover a lot of ground, and then when you want to let your cat out to walk around a little bit, you can still do that with a harness and leash. Then, when you are ready to leave, back in the cat stroller the Abyssinian goes!
- This cat stroller on Amazon I recommend for the Abyssinian Cat since it can go pretty much anywhere you need it to while being versatile (Affiliate Link): Click Here.
Conclusion
Taking your Abyssinian cat outdoors can be an extremely enriching experience for their life. This breed thrives off of activity and play, and although it may take some time to get this breed into the hang of spending time outdoors, they may become major fans of the activity, rushing to your side the second you pull out the outdoor supplies.
With some proper leash training, the establishment of ground rules, plus lots of love and patience, your furry Abyssinian friend could be running and jumping on plush green pastures in no time.
