My cat is doing my head in!

caela_2

Lilith1980 wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for your replies

We kept him indoors because we were next to a main road and building site at the other flat I was in with my husband. Now I am in a terraced house down a relatively quiet street. I have no cat flap (flat is rented so can't fit one) so is it unfair to let him out and leave him out all day?? Or should I let him out just in the evenings?

What type of flat are you in? Is it in a block of flats of do you have your own entrance? Is it ground floor, first floor? I only ask cos we have a flat too and leave the window open and kitty jumps in and out through that, leaping up on the bins and running over the ledge. They can jump quite high, so it might be easier for you to leave a suitable window open for them with maybe a wheelie bin underneath or something so they can jump in or out.

If you have your own access, just let them in and out as they please or when it's easiest for you. If you're at work all day, it can be difficult, but you can just let them out when you get in. If the cat has previously been an indoor cat, I would go with them the first few times just to help them get the hang of being out. They may be quite scared at first, but all cats want to go out, they usually end up scratching or waiting at the front door. Letting a cat out at night is ok, but make sure to get them a reflective collar or something. I usually rope my cat in around 2am before I go to bed lol.

Not that I'm some cat guru, but my advice would be to limit going out at first, just to introduce the idea to your cat. Let them out hungry and feed them when they get in as a treat, so they associate home with food and will come back. It also gives you that edge when you're trying to call them in lol!

At first, I would say let them out but call them near the house every hour or so, it can be a bit tedious but will encourage them to stay near and not roam. I would also get them in before dark, just at first. It's just like a training stage. After a few months, you can let your cat out whenever, but it's a good idea at first.

Just remember, they have no idea what a car is or haven't necessarily met other cats (or other dogs at that)! It's best to introduce them little by little so they stay alert as there are lots of distractions. At first my cat would just sit on the lawn directly in front of the house, looking at the flowers like "what are these?" lol. He'd do it for hours, just sniffing grass and stuff! Now he just !!!!!!s off and comes back when he pleases haha. :rotfl:

Dizzy_Ditzy

when i first got my cat i wouldnt let her out on her own until she had been done- as cute as she is (well I think so anyway!) i didnt want to deal with kittens! I took her out on a lead which she loved- it got to the point where i would come home from work and she would bring her lead to me!!

Maybe you can take yours out on a lead to start with so he knows his boundaries and gradually let him off. Mine goes in and out as she pleases during the day, and thankfully she is not a night cat, so she comes in when she feels like it, the window get shut and I dont have to let her back out until I get up in the morning.

Re his food- mine was exactly the same, she completely mangled a loaf of bread once! She had more or less grown out of it now, unless we are having something for dinner which she likes...she licked curry sauce off a plate once, she hasnt done it since haha!