should cat be an outside cat

sunshine1980

I have recently bought a kitten for my daughter. It is 9 weeks old and a cross breed (mum a Russian Blue and dad a Snowshoes). She really is beautiful and was not cheap (£360).

We have an open plan house and she has got different areas for litter, food, sleep and play. She has just had her first injection and she is receiving all the treatments she should regularly flea'd etc. The vet said even though she is small she is healthy and very lively.

When I initially bought her I said she would be an indoor cat. She really is beautiful and I would not want anyone taking her. I am also aware that indoor cats live longer and apparently less prone to illness etc won't get into fights with other cats and less likely to have as much visits to vets.

However now I feel a bit bad she will be indoors all the time and am thinking when she is old enough I should start letting her out. What are people's opinions/thoughts on this? We live in a new build estate main road not too close. I have seen another cat walking over our fence most days. My garden is not huge so not looking to cat proof etc as want my daughter to play in it.

Many thanks.

missbiggles1

Such a shame, when the refuges are full to bursting with kittens.

firefox1956

Can be an outside cat if you like........as long as it does not sh*t in MY garden.
HTH

fairy_lights

sunshine1980 wrote: »

I have recently bought a kitten for my daughter. It is 9 weeks old and a cross breed (mum a Russian Blue and dad a Snowshoes). She really is beautiful and was not cheap (£360).

The thing is, kitty doesn't know how much she cost and the fact that she's a well bred lady won't mean a thing to her if her outdoors instincts kick in.
Has she shown any signs of wanting to go outside yet?
The issue of whether cats should be kept indoors or outdoors is a debate as old as time and you're not going to get any definitive answers, it's up to you to decide what's best.

sunshine1980

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Such a shame, when the refuges are full to bursting with kittens.

Thanks for the helpful response.

sunshine1980

fairy_lights wrote: »

The thing is, kitty doesn't know how much she cost and the fact that she's a well bred lady won't mean a thing to her if her outdoors instincts kick in.
Has she shown any signs of wanting to go outside yet?
The issue of whether cats should be kept indoors or outdoors is a debate as old as time and you're not going to get any definitive answers, it's up to you to decide what's best.

Thanks. Only reason I mentioned about how much it cost etc was just in case someone took it that's all, not boasting. Thanks for response.

FreddieFrugal

NO! Too many bloomin cats wandering outdoors already. Poopin in gardens, torturing wildlife for sport, nasty things.

Why get a pet that you have no control or responsibility over? To terrorise neighbours and local wildlife?

Keep it indoors or get rid of it.

I like cats, but I hate the fact that there is such an over abundance of them, especially as they're just left to do what comes naturally to them. The number of times that I've had to shovel cat crap out of my garden or run to the rescue of a frog being 'played' with.

Imagine if people let their dogs wander into neighbours gardens. There would be fair grounds for complaint. But because of the nature of cats there's not much you can really do about it. So why on earth are people allowed to keep them!

Person_one

Can you secure your garden so that it escape proof?

GwylimT

She shouldn't leave her mum until 13 weeks, not a good sign where her 'breeder' is concerned, are both her parents fully screened? No, its not cheap for a moggie.

Why would cat proofing your garden stop your daughter using it?

ViolaLass

sunshine1980 wrote: »

Thanks. Only reason I mentioned about how much it cost etc was just in case someone took it that's all, not boasting. Thanks for response.

Which is where a kitten from a rescue could have saved you a lot of money and worry.

meritaten

hi sunshine!

My cat is purebred Persian - the fluffy flat face variety. my main concern with him was (and still is), that they are expensive cats - can easily cost £1000 for show quality. Therefore a prime target for thieves! and that's not showing off - I didn't pay for him and he was sold cheaply to my son by a breeder. Then passed on to me as he had 'issues'.
I don't know if you have read my thread 'Grandcat having extended sleepover', but I have talked about this on there.
Barney was always an indoor cat before I had him. I too think cats should have some outdoor time if possible - so trained him to stay in the back garden. I do keep an eye on him - he is so human friendly anyone could pick him up and walk off with him!
I think compromise is the answer - let him have outdoor time in a secure area if possible or train him not to wander outside the garden. it CAN be done!