How do you keep outdoor cats from running away?

Answer 1

When you first have them, or move to another house, keep them indoors for about a month, to tie them to the territory. If you are in an area without much traffic, then they may do okay outside. If you are in a rural area, then you risk having them become a "naive food source" for wildlife, including coyotes, owls and so on. Cats who are outside all of the time do have shorter lives due to various mishaps, rather than running away. I did have one cat for about 7 years who was out when I was home during the day, but indoors at night. If I was out to work, the cat was indoors.

Answer 2

To prevent outdoor cats from running away, ensure they are spayed or neutered to reduce their desire to wander. Create a safe outdoor environment with proper Fencing or enclosures, provide mental and physical stimulation, and always ensure they have identification tags or are microchipped in case they do stray. Regular feeding and positive interactions can also help keep them content and less likely to roam.