Simba really wants to go outside. I want to accommodate him but also keep him safe.

Simba has been wanting to go outside quite badly for some time now. He's been neutered and our female spayed, so it's not like he wants to go outside and find a female to mate with and we don’t have any (maybe just a couple) stray cats in the area. He's always enjoyed looking out of and sitting in the window sill, fascinated by the sounds and movements he sees. I sometimes take him out front and hold him while I'm standing or I sit in the chair right outside our front door and hold him on my lap so he can see and smell what's out there. However, I don’t let him walk on the ground and I don't go past a few feet around my house or walk on the lawn while holding him. My mother is concerned he will get “bugs” if I let him walk on the ground. Both Nala and Simba got fleas last year without even going outside and we treated them and they were flea-free after the initial three-month treatment. In our old house in the city, our previous cats would sometimes dash out the door and we'd have to bring them back in the house and they never got fleas, even after walking on the lawn. Simba will coax me to the front door a few times a day (on average) and meow to be let outside if he’s ignored. He sounds sad when he does that. I bought a cat harness for him and made a leash from the strap of a purse I don’t use. I’d like to let him walk around the front yard, driveway, and back yard without having to worry about him getting ”bugs.” I don’t need to take him on walks, but I would use the harness because I don’t trust him to not get distracted by something off our property and take off in pursuit. He and I communicate very well and understand each other’s body language and vocalizations intuitively by now. He’s now 18 months old and a steady 14.4 lbs.

That’s the story, so here are my questions.

1. What are the real risks of him getting “bugs,” i.e. fleas, ticks, mites, etc. just by being in our yard? I live in a suburb and there is a small patch of woods a couple blocks away, but it’s not very big.
2. What can I do to reduce the risk of him getting said “bugs?” Are there any preventative flea treatments, some other “home remedy” preventatives, or protective coverings that won’t bother him? I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to this sort of thing.
3. Is it more mean/stressful/teasing to take him out the way I have been or to not take him out at all?
4. Is there a certain time of year and/or weather conditions where he will be less likely to encounter and be infested with parasites and what times should I avoid taking him outside at all? I mean other than freezing cold, excessive heat, rain, and during thunderstorms.
5. He was diagnosed with the feline herpes virus by the vet based on a visual examination in conjunction with my description of his previous bouts of conjunctivitis, so does that mean he has an increased risk of getting sick, catching any other diseases, or of catching parasites by going outside than a cat without FHV?
6. Just out of curiosity, how could my cats have gotten fleas without going outside? Did the fleas jump off another animal and come in my house or could they have gotten them during their last (at the time) vet visit and it just took me a while to notice them? Or maybe we visited someone who had contact with a pet that had or was being treated for fleas and they got on us and we brought them home? My cats didn’t have many and I took them to the vet the week after I found them on Simba.

Here are some photos of the harness and him begging to go outside. I did take him out for a few minutes after I took these and now he’s meowing at the door and coming in my room and trilling at me to follow him because he wants to go out again. You can see in the fourth photo how big he is. He's not fat at all; he's just muscularly built, has a thick skeleton and has some loose skin on his lower belly like most neutered cats.



He just brightens up my life SOOO much, despite all the personal and medical issues I'm dealing with, and I just want him to be as happy as possible but also keep him safe. He's like a brother/son to me.

Many feel it is OK to take a cat out on a leash and let them enjoy the outdoors with you there watching.  Other build cat enclosures, which would probably be your best bet.  They also sell them already made at pet specialty stores or online, warning: They are expensive, so it might be cheaper and better suit you to build one yourself.  Jackson Galaxy says if you have fenced in yard, put 180 degree angles at the top of the fence, this way the cat cannot climb over it. The outdoor enclosure would ensure the safety of the indoors with the beauty and stimulation of the outdoors.  So it's a win-win. 

Since he does have FHV, it can compromise him to be outdoors completely so an enclosure is your best bet or short walks on his leash.  Bugs and stuff will bite and make him their hosts.  It's a given.  The biggest worry will be flies and mosquitos, though.  Both can carry disease and with his already compromised system, it could be worse for him.  As far as "natural remedies" they sound good, but you must be careful.... Many of the "ingredients" or natural elements can be harmful or irritating to cats.  Some with severe consequences.  You can get a topical at your vet and make sure it works against flies and mosquitos, as well. 

Also, you probably have the "indoor" vaccinations done, if you do vaccinations... Go ahead and upgrade to the "outdoor" while talking to your vet. 

1.) There is always the possibility of Simba getting fleas by going outside. Ticks as well; but, less likely.

2.)You can use a topical flea preventative on him every month (Advantage, Frontline, Activyl, Revolution...talk with your vet about which topical works best in your area.) You will also need to treat Nala, even if she doesn't go outside.

3.) If you decide to start taking him outside, know that it's very likely that you will have to take him out daily. Is that something you can commit to? I don't think he will do well with going out just once in awhile. If you can't do that, than I think it's best to keep him indoors only. No teasing him with short excursions. I think that will make things worse.
Also, you need to invest in an actual leash if you pursue letting him out.

4.) Fleas are year round. So, he will need to be an a preventive every month.

5.) Has your cat received all of his vaccinations? If my cat were going to be outside, I would want him to have FVRCP, Rabies AND the Feline Leukemia vaccine.

I have several cats with FHV. My cats with FHV are certainly more prone to getting sick than my other cats. My FHV cats' immune systems simply are not as strong as the others.

6. Fleas often travel inside on people or other animals that are in and out. More common than you would think.

He has had all his regular vaccinations, including rabies. It sounds like it would be better for me to keep him indoors for now and just let him enjoy the outdoors from the window.