Outdoor weddings can be extremely fun and a great way to add the rustic charm of nature to your wedding day. However, they turn ten times more interesting when you include pet cats in your celebration. In the last few years, there has been a growing trend towards including your feline friends on the most important day of your life since they are your family.

However, it can be challenging to accommodate and find ways to make your cat a part of your nuptials due to safety concerns. If you’re one of the pet-loving couples looking for ways to include and keep your cats safe at outdoor weddings, this quick guide will help you find practical solutions to your problem and help you enjoy the most special day of your life to the fullest.

5 Ways To Keep Cats Safe At Outdoor Weddings

Pick A Cat-Friendly Venue

The foremost requirement for any cat-friendly wedding, especially one conducted outdoors, is to find a cat-friendly venue. Whether you’re hosting a romantic wedding in the picturesque, exquisite architectural venues of San Francisco, known for their affordability and elegance, or you want a Malibu wedding with the right amount of luxury and adventure, finding a place to accommodate your four-legged friends should be your priority.

Just because an outdoor venue mentions that pets are allowed in, it doesn’t automatically make it cat-friendly. Consider factors such as space, environment, safety and security, and weather management protocols before deciding. Knowing how trained the staff members are at the venue can also be an indicator of how comfortable your furry pet is going to be on the wedding day.

Arrange For Cat Supplies

Making space for cat supplies at your venue or including cat-friendly decoration material in your wedding decor can be a fun way to keep your feline pet busy during the ceremony, keeping them safe from running away from the venue and making them feel comfortable around the other guests.

While cat food, snacks, and water are a few of the essentials that you need to have with you, try to incorporate food that your cat is familiar with and place them in discreet corners so that your furry baby can enjoy their food and water away from the hustle and bustle of the wedding guests.

 For decor, try placing catnip or cat toys around the venue, hanging them from tree branches if you’re hosting a garden or forest-themed wedding so they can play with them and feel at home during the ceremony.

Create A Designated Cat Area

This is integral to a successful ‘protect your cat’ agenda at outdoor weddings. Whether your cat is the only feline around or a few other pets will join them, having a designated cat area is one of the best ways to make your cat feel safe and secure while attending an outdoor wedding.

You could spread a simple sheet on the grass and surround it with wooden boxes, or if the venue that you’ve chosen is prone to weeds, you may want to choose a sturdier landscape fabric to make the ground comfortable for your pets. Make the area cozy by adding many toys, blankets, pillows, and comforters to the space, depending on the season. If your cat feels overwhelmed, it can run off to its safe space instead of roaming outside the venue.

Place Litter Boxes Across The Venue

Your cat needs a quiet place to take care of their business, no matter where they are. An outdoor wedding can be filled with people and situations your feline is most certainly uncomfortable with. This can make it uncomfortable for them to take care of themselves and find a place for themselves.

By placing litter boxes across the venue, whether a simple backyard wedding or a larger garden-themed venue, you can ensure that your cat is taken care of, even if you can’t be around them throughout the day. Ensure all the litter boxes are placed in discreet corners to ensure privacy. Monitor your cat’s behavior to see any signs of discomfort.

If you think your cat may still be uncomfortable, consider hiring a pet sitter or finding a trusted friend or family member to not only make them relieve themselves but also eat and keep them safe throughout the event.

Train Your Cat

Contrary to popular belief, cats are easy to train if they receive the right guidance. While many cat training myths are associated with your feline pets, training them before your wedding day can help you exponentially keep them safe at outdoor events.

If your cat stays indoors most of the time, it might be smart to introduce them to the outdoor venue well in advance. You could take them to the venue beforehand or for a few days so they get comfortable with the surroundings. It might be even more important if you’re traveling out of state for your wedding.

For instance, traveling from Texas to California can be a big change for your furry baby. If you plan to have an outdoor wedding in a place with many gardens and cultural attractions, such as a Thousand Oaks venue, you should train your cat to stay safe and out of trouble outdoors. Use treats and lots of petting to reinforce your cat’s behavior for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the biggest challenges that pet cats can face at outdoor weddings?

Ans. Since cats aren’t used to staying outdoors, an outdoor wedding might make them uncomfortable and risk their safety, with an increasing risk of them running away. 

2. What components should I consider when choosing a cat-friendly wedding venue?

Ans. When choosing a cat-friendly wedding venue, look for factors like safe and secure space, pet-friendly decor, and a staff trained to handle pets. Look at customer testimonials to gauge the level of professionalism in weddings that include pets.

3. How can I train my cat before bringing them to an outdoor wedding?

Ans. Before bringing your cat to an outdoor wedding, familiarizing them with the venue and their surroundings, training them to stay in a safe space, and reinforcing their behavior with treats and pets might be beneficial. On the other hand, hiring a pet sitter that’s professional and your cat feels comfortable with can also be useful and ensure a stress-free environment for your cat.

Final Thoughts

Your pet cats deserve to be a part of your special day as much as your friends and family. While an outdoor wedding can seem concerning for pet-loving couples, it can be made safe by following a few quick tips.

If you’re planning to have your feline friends at your wedding, remember to make the environment and venue comfortable and safe for them so that they, too, can be around you at your wedding ceremony and you can create beautiful memories with them.

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