should cat be an outside cat

sunshine1980

GwylimT wrote: »

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?

The vet who we saw today did not raise any concerns with her leaving her mum at 8 weeks. No as I already said she was not cheap for a mixed breed which is one of my concerns about her going outside.

sunshine1980

ViolaLass wrote: »

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

No would still have the same concerns (except cost) of her being an outdoor or indoor cat wherever I got the kitten from.

davemorton

It is natural for cats to want to be outside, no human would want to just see the 4 walls of a house all their lives, so if the cat wants to feel the sun on its back, or get wet in the rain, let it out. Let the cat choose.
Edit: And ignore all the twisters, they would soon moan if they were overrun with mice because 'kitty' wasnt out killing them.

sheramber

I would not let her out until she is neutered.

I don't understand your comment that you don't want to catproof the garden as you want your daughter to play in it.

notakid

I have two persians. Lovely cats. Rescue. Last owner had a stoke so was unable to care for them. They were brought up as indoor cats but in the summer my two like to go out in the garden. They don't go out for long and prefer it if you go out with them!

Its horses for courses. My cats don't really care about outside. Esp in the winter they won't step out in the rain and the cold.

Your cat will let you know what they want. Now I have experience of indoor cats I don't see they miss out on anything and its certainly not cruel.

boliston

My partner has 3 Persians and letting them out would simply be not possible as we live several floors up in an apartment with a very busy road outside - however they seem happy and have a nice "floor to ceiling" cat tree to climb.

sunshine1980

sheramber wrote: »

I would not let her out until she is neutered.

I don't understand your comment that you don't want to catproof the garden as you want your daughter to play in it.

Thanks I would not let her out before neutered and not until older although that is a question if I did choose to have her outdoors - how old do people think best.

Sorry that was my mistake/wrong wording about cat proofing garden - I meant having some kind of run for a cat - my garden is not huge so not enough room. My garden has fence all round with some room to squeeze through at bottom. What would you put on fences to stop climbing?

Kim_kim

I have an exotic (short haired persian) girl. I do open the back door if I'm in & it's fine, she might sit on the patio or in the garden.
But she doesn't stau

GwylimT

sunshine1980 wrote: »

Thanks I would not let her out before neutered and not until older although that is a question if I did choose to have her outdoors - how old do people think best.

Sorry that was my mistake/wrong wording about cat proofing garden - I meant having some kind of run for a cat - my garden is not huge so not enough room. My garden has fence all round with some room to squeeze through at bottom. What would you put on fences to stop climbing?

If a cat is going to have free access to the outdoors they shouldn't be going out until a year old, it decreases their risks of getting into fights and being run over. Lots of companies will cat proof gardens if you give it a quick google.

no1catman

I think 8 weeks is fine, my previous cat I collect as a kitten at eight weeks, though I could have had her at six, out of the litter of six, she only had one left a brother.
The vet advised me not to let her out until after the 'operation' at six months. Later, fitted a cat-flap - so she could come and go as she pleased. Lived in a terraced street then No's 2 -14, tried not to let her get out the front, especially of an evening - a challenge getting her back in - gave up sometimes, usually down to 14 and along the back wall and in.


Cats will study the outside, by gazing out the window, gives them a sense of where they are and what happens. So a back window as a vantage may be best.


My current cat - Calico - confines herself to the garden boundaries, including walking the walls, though next-door's garage roof gets an inspection sometimes. Has gone further in the past, but the 'Toms' put her off.


So, when she's old enough, give her the option by going out back - and leave the door open for her to follow.


Good luck.