Is it OK to leave cat out all day?

geri1965_2

Just want some reassurance really.

We got Jimmy, our rescue cat, in November. He has settled in well, gets on with my existing cat etc, although he is still a little nervous.

The only problem is that he is scared to use the cat flap - it's in a wall, so there is a flap at either end. We have managed to get him through it by taking the outer one off, and opening the inner one for him so he can see outside, and he will go through then - however, if we are not there holding it open he will not go through.

My OH doesn't live with me at the moment but has been staying since we had Jimmy to keep an eye on him, the problem is that because he is always there to let him in and out, I think Jimmy sees no need to use the cat flap. He went out for the day on Thursday and left him in the house, when he got back he was in the garden so he must have gone out through it.

I have told OH that he will have to go back to his parents next week as I can't see Jimmy using the cat flap otherwise. The problem is that I don't 100% know that he will use it, so if I am ready to go to work and he isn't in, he will have to stay out all day until I am back in the evening. Likewise, if he isn't in by the time I go to bed, he will be out all night.

I'm probably worrying about nothing, but I am used to my cats being able to come and go as they please, so the idea of him being stuck outside all day or all night is a worry.

Can anyone reassure me that I am being daft, please?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Leave him a little sheltered area, with a blanket/cushion and the like and if he doesn't get the hang of it, he'll be comfortable enough. Ours would spend the night on the porch or on the rabbit hutch when I was a kid. But they usually made it in before bedtime.

Most learn very quickly when the alternative is a night out and appear from the darkness of the garden at light speed before you close the back door. The fact that he has walked through the cat flap is a start, as some won't even entertain the idea.

If he doesn't use the blanket, you could find another cat (or a fox) does!

geri1965_2

Thanks - I already have a little kennel out there, which he goes in when it rains (I bought it for a neighbour's cat originally, before they moved away). OH is worried that he will be without food all day, but I think that is more likely to make him try the cat flap, as he will be able to see his bowl through the patio doors!

Sagz_2

Can you fix the flaps up for a while until Jimmy gets used to comming and going through that route?

I used sticky tape to hold the cat flap open in the door until my cats got the hang of it. When they were used to comming in and out that way I showed them how to push the flap and go through (tuna helped!).

One of the kittens picked it up quicker than the other, but after a month they were both using it happily.

I also trained them to come home to the sound a cat treats being rattled in thier bowl, it proves very useful if you ever need to get them to come in so you can lock the flap.

geri1965_2

I thought about that but I was worried about it getting damp inside.

925dancer

I have to say, I'm feeling terribly sorry for the poor cat being left outside all day when he's already of a nervous disposition. (That's not to say I don't understand why this might occur).

I have a cat flap but it took my boy a while to get used to it and until he did I wasn't happy to let him have free reign for fear of him getting "stuck" outside and running off in fear and getting lost (not uncommon).

So until he mastered the cat flap he stayed indoors while I was out. I just made sure to give him extra play time and he was happy with this arrangement.

He will now happily use the cat flap (but I still keep mine in overnight).

MaximumImpact

My cats are out all day and only come in at night..if they bother to turn up!! I don't have a cat flap due to the fear of ending up in the Mastiffs Jaws if they aren't quick enough to get in and out....

Mine don't seem bothered but hang around the door all day when it's raining...they have a sofa in the barn if it's too cold and wet but mostly seem to be up hunting in the grain stores....

Be careful about sticking the cat flap up ...make sure you don't leave any keys in the back door or you might find more than just the cat has been in while you have been out!!!

exup

I think that he will probably be OK, especially as he has used it already when your boyfriend noticed he had gone through it once. (it may have been more times without you knowing it).
Cats can seem to be pretty awkward at times.
Although have you tried playing hide and seek through the catflap with him?
May sound a bit daft but thats how I've managed to get my girlfriends unsociable cat (shes unsociable with everyone - not just me) to be a little more playful and friendly - Just make sure you get eye contact with them and when you have it - move quickly out of sight (close the flap or hide hehind a door) then slowly creep back into view again, as soon as you see him again - disappear again - I know its a bit like playing hidey boo with a child, but it got my GF's cat chasing me all over the house much to my GFs suprise.
by the way, before you get the wrong idea, I'm not a cat type of person, honest.

geri1965_2

925dancer wrote: »

I have to say, I'm feeling terribly sorry for the poor cat being left outside all day when he's already of a nervous disposition. (That's not to say I don't understand why this might occur).

Just to be clear, he has not been left outside all day at all yet, but he absolutely loves being out! He only comes in for food and a kip. I should explain that I live in a mid terraced house and he is only allowed out of the back, so he doesn't come into contact with people or have to cross roads.

exup, we have tried various things but he seems scared of the cat flap. The weird thing was, when we first got him and he wasn't allowed out, he would try pushing the cat flap open with his head (it was locked) so we thought he would get the hang of it very quickly. Maybe he will, when there is no obliging human on hand to pander to his every whim!

peachyprice

geri1965 wrote: »

I thought about that but I was worried about it getting damp inside.

I don't quite understand what you mean by this? What and where would get damp?

With new cats we've always taped up the cat flap for a few weeks, once they get the hang of it and realise it's their way to freedom we untape it and they carry on using it no probs.

Far kinder to risk a little 'damp inside' than have a nervous cat who is unable to get back in.

Mankysteve

Got no advice on the cat flap front as our all picked it up straight away. As long as he's got shelter he'll do fine outside and it wont kill him to hungry for a bit.