Should I let my cats go out?

sixtiesgal_2

Hi again, as you know my two cats are indoor cats. I got them from the Cats Protection League in November last year and they haven't been out since coming to me, they are both three year old sisters.

My previous cat whom I'd had for seventeen years did go out but because she was old she never went beyond the front step. I live in a flat but its a ground floor one with a patio door that leads straight outside. Prior to this I lived in an upstairs flat so Suzie couldn't go out as there was no immediate access to the outdoors, she took to staying in fine and was healthy enough, never had fleas or anything wrong with her. Then when I moved into this flat I started to let her out, safe in the knowledge that she wouldn't cross the busy road and she never did. But she caught fleas and eventually had fly strike which resulted in her being put to sleep last summer, she couldn't fight it because of her age. I was devastated and said I wouldn't have another cat but four months later I decided I didn't like being without one so I got Dusty and then ended up going back for her sister Lulu and now have two of them.

So far they haven't shown any interest in going out of the front door, they have got out of the back door which just leads to the main corridor, I think they are just nosey and wanting to know what is out there but they don't see any traffic or anything so want to pry.

Sometimes I wonder, should I let them out on the front? They are younger cats than Suzie was though and I am terrified of them crossing the road, its a busy road and a bus route, I wouldn't be able to settle.

I have heard people say that cats should go outside but my Suzie was a more healthy cat when she was indoors in the other flat. I had no fear of her being run over or getting anything wrong with her, going missing or anything like that.

dandelionclock30

If its a busy road then I personally wouldnt let them out by themelves. I would get a harness and take one out at a time for a breath of fresh air and a walk about.
My friend lived near a very busy road and her cats were always being killed by cars. Also if they go out get some proper flea drops on them such as Advantage or Stronghold so they dont get fleas.
Before my cat went out by himself, I used to take him out on a string and he used to walk next to me etc. He wasnt pulling the etc he was fine.
Either keep them in, or out on a harness. I'm sorry to hear about your other cat.

krlyr

Personally I wish all cats were indoor cats. Actually, I'm not quite sure indoor cat is the right word - I'm all for controlled/supervised exercise, e.g. cat-proofed gardens, cat runs, lead/harness exercise and so on.

I just really can't get why someone would choose to get a domesticated pet and then let it roam loose unsupervised. I wouldn't do it with a dog, a hamster, or even a slightly more "wild" animal like a bird or reptile. There are too many dangers to animals roaming free (cars, predators, sick individuals who would cause harm to animals, unintended poisoning with antifreeze and the like), and there's then the risk of them being a nuisance to others (fouling in the garden, going in other people's houses and marking/stealing food, damage to property and so on)

I just couldn't justify taking responsibility for a pet and then letting it loose. How would I know if my pet was safe if I didn't have a clue where it was?

inkie

Our cat is an indoor cat - we adopted him coming up for 2 years ago, and previously had been a stray. He has adjusted well to,life indoors. I know that he is safe. He gets plenty,of exercise/stimulation/playtime etc - and we have recently built him a cat run fixed on to,our conservatory.

meritaten

No. you got them as indoor cats - and it doesn't sound to me as if 'outdoors' is safe for cats who aren't 'streetwise'. keep them in.

sixtiesgal_2

Thanks for your replies. I do feel they are safer being kept in, though I have had some people say to me that its cruel to keep cats indoors. I hope they don't start trying to get out of the main door in summer when I have the door open, I'll just have to put them in the bedroom. So far they have shown no interest in going out but the door isn't open much yet. I don't know if they were indoor cats before they got rescued by cats protection but when they lived in their adopted home when they were rescued they were living in a bedroom and weren't allowed out at all.

mrsscattercushion

it is a tough call, but the suggestions of a harness might work, that way they can explore outside, but in a controlled way? Our rescue cat is used to going outside, which we were aware of when we got him and he's been out and back fine so far....it is worry with roads, dogs, other people etc and if I had a cat that had never been out and not interested in going, I'd happily keep them in, as long as had plenty to do/stimulate them/play etc for the exercise etc. However, as our boy was used to it and wanted to go, it seemed crueller in trying to keep him in...he is very adventurous and inquisitive still, despite being 14