I live deep in the woods, and I fully agree with all that you've said. I love my kitties too much to put them in danger out there. They're absolutely never allowed out in the woods except on their harnesses & leads. There's too much trouble for inquisitive cats to get into, and if they get spooked it's very likely that they will NOT come when called, no matter how well they do in your garden. And there are coyotes, hawks, owls, raccoons, snakes, ticks, other people's dogs allowed to run free ...
I do use the Come WIth Me Kitty harnesses (the best ever!) with short leads for our daytime walks in the woods, but never very far from the house, and I comb them carefully as soon as we come in to check for ticks & fleas. It took a while to acclimate them to the CWMK harnesses, just a few minutes at a time indoors. We didn't venture outside until I was sure they weren't bothered wearing the harnesses and that they couldn't get free. In the car they ride in carriers for their safety in case of a sudden stop or when the car doors are opened.
As for claws, one or both of my cats sleep in my hammock with me every night with no damage. I hang the hammock low enough that they can jump in and out easily. Even in summer it's easy enough to put a small bit of fleece in there for them to walk & sleep on. Better to let them knead the fleece than your hammock or down quilt! I don't bother with claw covers, but I do trim just the pointy tips of their front & back claws frequently. Do this carefully so as not to cut the quick or the very thin blood supply in each claw. Use good cat claw trimmers, not the people kind. Never declaw a cat, even if it's strictly indoors-only. I've rescued several declawed cats over the years. They often have lifelong pain with associated behavioral problems. You would too, if somebody cut off the first joint of each of your fingers & toes. Look it up if you don't believe it's inhumane. Most vets won't do it any more, for good reason.
My advice is to keep the cats safely at home for their own good, and avoid the worry and potential heartbreak.
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