July 31, 2024, 10:05 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Many owners of outdoor cats often say things like: “Oh, she doesn’t cross the big street” or “She just lies in the backyard”. But an analysis of 100 cats equipped with GPS trackers paints a completely different picture: three out of five cats actually “cheat” on their families on a regular basis!
As a cat owner, you often wonder what your pet is up to when they are outside. Especially when they don’t come home for a long time, the worry is high. How far have they wandered? Where do they go regularly when outdoors, so you know to search there? As part of a data analysis of cat movement in combination with an owner survey, the GPS tracker manufacturer Weenect has now found the answer to these questions. Even owners who think their cats are just lying in the garden need to be vigilant.
According to GPS data, 3 out of 5 cats regularly ‘visit’ other homes without their owners’ knowledge
For the study, Weenect analyzed data from 100 cats that were out and about with GPS trackers. In addition, a survey of 483 users in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland completed the analysis. Here, the cats’ outdoor behavior, living situation, and popular, known destinations were surveyed.
The analysis showed that cats walk an average of two kilometers (ca. 1.24 miles) per day. However, this average was calculated among cats that really only walk a few hundred meters in the garden. Others walk up to seven kilometers (ca. 4.34 miles). According to the analysis, cats cover an average of 20.23 kilometers (ca. 12.5 miles) per week and 56.50 kilometers (ca. 35.1 miles) per month. The analysis also showed that cats are real creatures of habit. Even when they are outside, five out of six (83.89 percent) regularly spend time in recurring locations.
However, three out of five (60.2 percent) cats regularly spend time with neighbors, unbeknownst to their owners. This suggests a double life or the acquisition of a “second family”. Apparently, many cats have learned which neighbors are friendly to them and where they can perhaps even get a little more food in case of doubt. Forests and parks for self-service at the insect or mouse buffet, on the other hand, are still regularly visited by one in ten cats (10.2 percent). They are found somewhat less frequently in fields and meadows (8.16 percent).
Cats also have to sleep outdoors
However, cats are still dependent on regular naps, even when they are outside. Cats need an average of 16 hours of sleep per day. This is so that they can digest in peace and properly manage their energy.
The GPS tracker data also revealed this. The cats were outside for an average of between nine and twelve hours. Of this time, 72.46 percent showed no movement activity. Only during the remaining 27.54 percent of the time were the cats actually on the move, according to the GPS data.
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Only half of the cats are still considered ‘true’ outdoor cats
However, the analysis of the questionnaires showed a trend away from unsecured outdoor access. In the larger sample, slightly more than half (53.44 percent) of the owners stated that they only let their cats outside under supervision, i.e., they only allow them to go outside safely.
Given the number of cats that find a second family due to unsecured outdoor access, supervised outings appear to be a prudent option. Alternatively, you can, of course, ask your neighbors not to feed them and not to let them in. This is particularly important for the health of cats with known food intolerances or who are overweight.
However, the use of a GPS tracker also opens up a new way of independently recalling cats that are out of earshot. According to the press release, 44.05 percent of users stated that they use a bell or vibration function to send an impulse to their cats. They have already set up this function in advance as a signal that food is now available. Thus, cats can be trained to return home promptly, similar to the principles of clicker training.