Indoor/outdoor?

tea_lover

We've had our cat (8 year old male) for just over 6 weeks now. He's settled in great, seems happy, very affectionate and very much at home.

So far he's been kept inside, apart from a couple of wanders round the garden when I've been with him. On the last occasion a dog barked (a long way away) and he shot back inside the house.

We've started leaving the back door open when we go out to the bin etc. but tbh he's not showing much interest in going out. He will go sometimes, but he doesn't seem desperate for it.

I'm TERRIFIED of something happening to him if he starts going out on his own. I'm worried he'll get lost, get attacked, get run over.... my mind goes into overdrive. The thought of him being hurt or not able to find his way home reduces me to tears.

So my question is (after a lot of rambling, sorry!).... is it cruel to keep him inside? He was an outside cat in his former home but even then he only popped out for an hour or so in the evenings.

Do I need to stop having such a panic and accept that this is just a part of having a cat? Or if he seems happy is it ok for him to change from outdoor to indoor?

Obviously I just want what's best for him, and if that means him going out and me having fits until he comes home then that's what we'll do.

lisajane8482

Both my cats are indoor cats, they have never been outside. Salem will sit next to you while the door is open and peer outside but makes no attempt to actually leave the house. Gizmo runs off when the door is opened so I have no idea how he would react if given the chance to leave. I have often thought about letting them out but there a quite a few cats where we live and I really don't think that either of them would survive long. Salem would probably be hurt by some evil person as he is so soft and loves affection and gizmo would most likely be run over because he just so daft.

They both get ample exercise (chasing each other plus play time with us) and they are both very happy cats. I know a lot of people will probably slate me for it but unless my cats show a great urge to go out they will remain indoor only cats.

If it was me personally I would only let him out if he wanted to go out IYKWIM. We've had our cats since they were kittens so they've never known the great outdoors. If we were to adopt an older cat who had been an outdoor Cat but he seemed happy inside I'd keep him inside. If he was constantly pawing and meowing at the door then I'd probably let him out as long as he was chipped.

Misty_Blue

Lisajane - I have an indoor "Salem" too!

I always had outdoor cats prior to this, but then we moved to an area that is just too dangerous in terms of roads, deliveries etc for the cats I have now. With the best will in the world, they are too thick to be outdoor cats!

It sounds like your cat would happily become an indoor cat with no problems.

tea_lover

The only time I've seen him try to get out was just before he was sick. He ran to the front door and pawed at it and it was so out of character we knew something was up. Before OH could get to the keys (door locked at night) he was sick on the door mat (the cat, not the OH!)

Other than that he's never shown any interest. Even when the doors are open now, more often than not he just sits inside. He's only gone out when myself or OH have been out there.

I'm very inclined to keep him in, and he can come out for a wander if he fancies when I'm hanging the washing out etc.

Just want to make sure that I'm not being cruel!

~Beanie~

I would let him out personally, you probably are worrying unnecessarily if he isn't fussed about going far.

My cat has a cat flap so can come and go when he pleases but he doesn't actually go out that often. When he does, he very rarely leaves the back yard (he likes sitting by the back gate, guarding it), occasionally venturing into the alleyway at the back.

When I open the front door, he will sometimes step outside onto the pavement (I live in a terraced house) but the minute a car goes past, he bolts back inside!

So, generally I don't worry as he's never far away but I do let him out, I would feel guilty otherwise when he sits by the back door waiting for his flap to be opened!

tea_lover

Oh I'm definitely worrying far more than I need to. I just love him so much, the thought of him being out there and not being able to find his way home makes me feel sick. I do know that's a massive over-reaction .

We've got a cat-flap but it's been locked up to now. Might try it later. Or I may just keep him inside forever so nothing can hurt my baby :rotfl:.

Gelly123

Hi Tea,

Personally, I'd carry on as you are - he doesn't seem too fussed about being outside so give him supervised access to the garden and see how it goes.

Totally understand where you are coming from - we have 2 cats (10 year old female & 4 year old male) - both are house cats with supervised access to the garden - they absolutely love going out but are only interesting in playing in the garden and surveying "their" land - not interesting in leaving the garden.

Both of ours are microchipped should anything happen but we've been there 6 years so far and all ok although it doesn't stop you from worrying like crazy - they're our "fur babies" afterall.

Gelly

Fluff15

Double posted - sorry!

Fluff15

I feel the same about my two, however if it's nice weather and not dark, I do leave the window open for them. I've heard if you let them out before meal times, they're much less likely to roam!

Roo, my ginger kitty, she goes outside sometimes if I leave the window open. She only goes out for ten minutes though, and stays very local. She never meows or paces to show she wants out, so I think she's happy with the arrangement.

Poppy, my tortie, doesn't go out at all by choice. Only once has she gone out - she was sniffing on the windowsill, when a bird flew off nearby and startled her, then she fell off the windowsill onto the grass below. She did walk about for a while along the side of the building, but then it started to rain. She sat right below the window, got flat to the ground and cried, refusing to use the ladder we have for them to get back in (which she uses indoors to climb on, so she's used to it). I had to go outside and get her, and she hasn't gone further than sticking her head out the window since!

I've given them the option to go out but they don't! They're both micro-chipped and neutered just in case though. I'm glad they're not big fans of the outdoors, it makes me feel much calmer. If I were you, I'd only let him out if he was showing you he wanted to go out, or if you're already out there and you can supervise

tea_lover

Thanks for all replies. I think we'll carry on as we are for now and see how it goes. He's chipped and neutered if he does fancy a trip outside, but if he's not showing any inclination for it he can just stay inside.

paddypaws101

he does sound happy as things are right now but you do also have a couple of options
1. You could harness train him using a proper cat harness and then he could have supervised trips outside with you in tow.
2. you may well be able to 'cat proof' your back garden...it is pretty easy to do with some brackets and deer netting. that way he could have safe garden access whenever he wanted