Not sure what I should do about my cats?

SkintMonkey

We got our cats a year ago shortly after we moved house, both enjoy going out in the garden – Fox more than Sox. When we first let them out, my husband who is very soppy over the cats strategically placed some logs that were in the garden over a couple of the large ish holes in the garden fence and where there is a gap underneath the gate. He knew that they could scale the fence if they wanted to, but wanted to encourage them to stay in the garden and not go off (I know this is a bit bonkers and rather over protected, but hey ho) – there are a few rough cats in the neighbourhood, plus a road nearby, plus neighbours are always in and out of their garages and we don’t want them getting shut in.

I should add that the cats are also kept in at night – yes I know we are muppets.

The cats have never got on the fences (which are ‘normal’ garden fence height), until this week. On Tuesday evening Sox made a leap onto the fence and walked along it – looking a bit nervous but very curious. When we left the house yesterday he was on the fence and again when we got home and even made a leap onto the next doors shed roof – he is still very nervous and not entirely sure what he’s doing.

We know he’s going to do what he likes and obviously can’t (and wont) stop him – but I’m a bit concerned about where this leaves his playmate Fox. Fox isn’t as daring as Sox and also has funny back legs and I don’t think he can jump the fences like Sox. Whenever Sox is on the fence Fox looks at us a bit sad and comes in to talk to us – before I left for work this morning, Fox was really desperate for attention and seemed a bit worried. The two cats always play together and I’m worried that Fox will start to feel unsettled and a bit lonely.

What do you reckon? Before you say it I know we are bonkers and they are just cats….but they are our cats and we do adore them.

pollyanna24

I think you should just let them get on with what they want to do.

For years, my mum had two male cats and one female cat (only the female is still alive).

The two boys used to venture off all over the place, but the female never leaves the back garden. She used to just let them get on with it. She is very much an indoorsy, nervous cat. When the males were alive, they were allowed out the front door (live on a busy road, but house is semi-detached, so what was the point in not letting them out the front?), but the female would be stopped as she was such a nervous thing.

Basically, the point of my story is not to worry too much about them. Given some time, your more nervous one might want to venture next door.

I have my own cat now, but would never dream of stopping her going out or doing what she wants. I have panics sometimes when I hear cats fighting when we are in bed, only to rush down and find her in the dog's bed asleep! It's what they are made to do, so I let her come and go as she pleases. I'm only good for a bit of grub anyways, according to her!

tanith

Not a lot you can do about it, cats do their own thing and they choose you not the reverse... if they find a better place to lay their head they will do so without a thought for the previous owner... thats just cats for you... your other cat will either join her pal or just sit home waiting... our 'old girl' never leaves the garden nowadays but she's still happy...
Let him have his freedom and as long as he is happy with what you are feeding him he'll come home to tell his pal all about his adventures....

spookylukey

SkintMonkey wrote: »

What do you reckon? Before you say it I know we are bonkers and they are just cats….but they are our cats and we do adore them.

Depends just how bonkers you are... I've 'catproofed' my garden as I live very close to a busy road, it means my cats can enjoy the outdoors safely. It involves attaching netting to the top of the fence coming in at an angle, a day/two days work to put it up and then piece of mind forever. My two sound similar in personality to yours - one adventurer and one rubbish jumper who is a bit needy! - this way they stay together and play together