should i let my cat outside?
By shannonjyl
@shannonjyl (421)
Canada
April 20, 2008 2:10pm CST
my cat in only 10 months old. he is spayed but not declawed. my problem is that he keeps trying to go outside. i understand that he is an animal but is it cruel to make him an indorr cat if he does not want to be one? he was born in a barn and lived the first 2 months of his life in and outside of the barn. i want to do whats best for him, but i cant help being afraid we will never see him again:(
2 people like this
6 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
20 Apr 08
We have indoor cats, the only time they go out is when we put them on our balcony or if we put them on a leash and bring them to the park. I wouldn't let me cats wander free because I would be afraid that they would get lost,killed accidentally or killed on purpose (people for some reason love to poison cats).
@shannonjyl (421)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
isnt it horrible that there are people living among us that we have to watch out for. i really appreciate your feed back. i tried putting a leash on him but his hole body goes limp :)
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
20 Apr 08
Our male has zero issues with the harness & leash, but our female does. We Put her harness on at least 20 minutes before we go outside with her. Normally, once she gets outside and sees something she wants she will start moving. I do end up carrying her a lot though.
@rhane7315 (5649)
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
if your cat really wants to go outside, then i guess that you should keep an eye on him
@shannonjyl (421)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
hi rhane7315,
thanks for the comment. i guess i will need to keep him (or atleast try) in. there is just no ay to keep an eye on him. too many squirrles and birds to chase4. i do appreciate the comment:)
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
21 Apr 08
My cats used to be indoor/outdoor cats but not anymore. When we moved out here, I thought it would be safe for them to go outside being the road is very quiet and pretty safe. Well, I lost my Lil' man last summer to what I think was a bobcat or maybe a coyote. After that, they stay in unless they have a harness and leash on and I'm out there with them.
@shannonjyl (421)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
hey blackbriar, i thank you for your comment. i have descided to keep the kitty in the house this year. and pray the kids will be extra careful keeping the door latched. :)
@graceandowen (1637)
•
20 Apr 08
hiya hun i dont think it is being cruel at all like you say you want to do the best for your cat and the statistics show that cats kept exclusivly indoors live a lot longer and have fewer health problems than those who live outside or go outside frequently. there are many dangers out there and i think you are right keeping your cat indoors.
@shannonjyl (421)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
thank you graceanddowen for your reply. im new to this cat ownership thing and i really appreciate your comment.
@DCMerkle (1281)
• United States
20 Apr 08
At one point, we had cats that were both indoor and outdoor cats. Our outdoor cats did seem to always come home a little worse for the wear. My grandparents raised Pug Dogs and they had built an outdoor kennel that we could let them outside for some fresh air and play time.
I took that idea and built a wired, fenced in area, with a roof, outside of our basement window. The window was ground level, so I could just open the window and let the cats out. There were trees on that side of the house, so they would have shade. They would all come in pretty willingly especially when it was food time.
DCMerkle
@shannonjyl (421)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
dcmerkle, i thank you for your response. i really appreciate knowing how others handle their pets.
@myragdollcat (20)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I am what my neighbors call the cat woman, at one point I had 10 cats. All of them stayed in doors. I feel that if you can keep them indoors they will stay healthier and live longer. I am now down to 2 and they are indoor cats. Around 2 years ago I lost the love of my life Bull he was almost 15 years old and a Ragdoll cat. My vet also says that if you keep them indoors they do not get all of the out door sicknesses and will live longer. I hope that I helped. Cheryl
