should cat be an outside cat

sophietb

I bought a very expensive Red point Siamese kitten 7 years ago. From day 1 HE insisted that outdoors was the only way (fortunately we are country dwellers). He has ended up several miles away because he hopped into a van but he is micro chipped and we were alerted. He is a rascal but we love him. Keeping him indoors would be unkind to him and so we allow him his freedom (being white means everybody knows who he is and where he lives!)

pinkteapot

There is a huge culture of "cats should be allowed out" in the UK, which is different to some other countries.

I always said that when we got a cat they'd go out. We got our cat at two years old last Autumn. After a month with us he started going out. In the space of five months he had two separate fight injuries that needed vet treatment, and two separate illnesses which the vet thought were bugs from other cats. Four illness/injury instances and £600 in insurance claims. :eek:

Our poor kitty hates going to the vet - finds it incredibly traumatic. Our area is just so over-populated with cats and the main problem is there's another tom next door, and they just don't get on.

We now keep ours in, unless we're in the garden when he gets supervised time out with us (we call him if he's about to disappear into next door's garden). It's not just the cost of the constant illness/injury - it's the upset for him and us.

I know some people will think we're cruel to restrict his natural behaviours. It's not perfect, but I couldn't stand him getting hurt constantly. Indoor cats are a lot more work, so you have to be prepared for that. We have good 10 minute play sessions with flying feather toys three times a day to ward off boredom, and give him a lot of ad-hoc attention/interaction at other times too. Boredom/anxiety can be an issue for indoor cats if they don't get enough enrichment.

I'm giving serious consideration to building a good-sized cat run in the garden, if I can work out a location where I can attach it to the house with a cat flap. Cat-proofing isn't an option for us as we have conifers and other large plants along some of our garden walls. In the meantime though, as I said, he's getting supervised garden time a few times a week.

TBagpuss

Whatever you decide, make sure you get your cat neutered and microchipped ( even if you don''t plan to allow her out, she might get out, and chipping her increases the chances you will be able to get her back if she goes missing)

If you decide to keep he indoors she will need lots of play and stimulation.

Not all cats are cut out to be indoors only, and not all will be able to cope, even with lots of stimulation, games, attention and leash walks.

Do what you an to cat proof your garden - if you know there are gaps at the bottom of fences, cover or fill these. Tops of fences - inward facing slopes or loose neting make it harder for a cat to jump up from the inside - you can also aim to make your garden more interesting for the cat to reduce the chances she will want to get out - try to make sure that there are places she can jump up on to and bushes to hide under.

When you first let her out, send some time outside yourself, and do it shortly before she is due to be fed so she has an incentive to come back when you call her.

Make sure that she has a reflective collar in a bright colour which shows up well against her fur, and which has a safety clip so it will release if she gets it caught on anything.

I would suggest that if you do let her out, that you try to keep her in after dark, at least to start with.

Shrike

I think Tbagpuss has it all pretty much covered!
Also do an image search for "catification" - lots of ideas for providing climbing shelves and ariel walk ways to stimulate an indoor cat, though I would definitely try to cat-proof the garden for her too.

purple12

I don't think there's a right or wrong. I think cats can be happy either way. Initially when we got our cat (as a kitten) we thought he'd be an indoor cat. I was sure I'd worry too much.

After he was neutered/had his jabs and waited a while for him to get a bit older, we left patio door open and he didn't want to go out. Then he ventured out and for the next few months he stayed in the (small) garden, just sitting in the grass and chasing bugs. He began to grow quite fond of 'outside' and at one point, jumped out of the first floor window.. which was quite worrying! (he was fine)

One day, he jumped the fence and now I wouldn't be able to keep him in. He doesn't go very far, I don't think and still comes back to use litter tray in the house and we keep him in at night (don't have a cat flap so he's reliant on doors/windows).

I think in my ideal world, he'd be an indoor cat but when he goes out he runs and jumps and climbs and I think that's good for him too. Maybe when he gets a bit older, he'll spend more time in.. but what I lose in worrying about him, I gain by seeing him pottering around and doing cat things!

Good luck - whatever you decide. Ultimately, it wasn't us that decided but it was kitty!

missbiggles1

pinkteapot wrote: »

There is a huge culture of "cats should be allowed out" in the UK, which is different to some other countries.

I always said that when we got a cat they'd go out. We got our cat at two years old last Autumn. After a month with us he started going out. In the space of five months he had two separate fight injuries that needed vet treatment, and two separate illnesses which the vet thought were bugs from other cats. Four illness/injury instances and £600 in insurance claims. :eek:

Our poor kitty hates going to the vet - finds it incredibly traumatic. Our area is just so over-populated with cats and the main problem is there's another tom next door, and they just don't get on.

We now keep ours in, unless we're in the garden when he gets supervised time out with us (we call him if he's about to disappear into next door's garden). It's not just the cost of the constant illness/injury - it's the upset for him and us.

I know some people will think we're cruel to restrict his natural behaviours. It's not perfect, but I couldn't stand him getting hurt constantly. Indoor cats are a lot more work, so you have to be prepared for that. We have good 10 minute play sessions with flying feather toys three times a day to ward off boredom, and give him a lot of ad-hoc attention/interaction at other times too. Boredom/anxiety can be an issue for indoor cats if they don't get enough enrichment.

I'm giving serious consideration to building a good-sized cat run in the garden, if I can work out a location where I can attach it to the house with a cat flap. Cat-proofing isn't an option for us as we have conifers and other large plants along some of our garden walls. In the meantime though, as I said, he's getting supervised garden time a few times a week.

TBF, I think you must have been very unlucky.

We've had nearly 20 cats in the last 20 years (most not kittens and not one after another!) and we've only ever had one injured in a fight and none of them have ever caught any illnesses, despite most not being vaccinated. We lost one to the road, several to cancer and a couple got bored with us and wandered off. We're now down to 5 and 1 of them isn't long for this world.

I would never keep a cat as an indoor cat, unless I adopted one with a disease which means they had to be house cats, I just don't think it's a suitable life for virtually any cat.

happysaz133

Indoor cats can be very happy with adequate space and stimulation. Ours were indoors for about 4 years before we moved to a rural area with no neighbours. They are allowed out but mostly, they choose to be indoors. Our third cat was from a hoarding situation before being taken to a rescue when we adopted her. She absolutely refuses to step foot outside.

I think though that if they are indoors, they really do best with company. I know you spent a lot on that kitten but have you thought about adopting another around the same age, they will likely grow up together being great friends and company. You will also find they are very entertaining as a pair!