Cats - indoor or outdoor?

[savagj1]

I have an 8 month old cat that I rescued from the RSPCA last year. So far he has been a house cat and seems content with that yet I am starting to find him sitting at the window, meowing at the birds. I have an extenstion on the house and at the weekend I opened the back bedroom window (fire window - opens bottom out) and allowed him to get onto the roof of the extension. He was a little wary whilst out there along with panic setting in with me. He "cackled" a bit at the birds then had a good nose around and ended up coming back into the house after a few minutes.

I am afraid to let him go out and I would be beside myself if he never come back but does anyone think its a bad idea to keep an cat indoors all the time??

ADVICE pleaseeeeeeeee

[gilby]

I got a rescue cat and she was very wary of going outside so she became an indoor cat for a good year. She used to go outside with me when I was putting out the washing etc but as soon as I made my way back in she used to race me back inside. Now she potters around the garden for 10 mins or so in the morning and then again in the evening but that is all. i even leave the patio doors open all day for her when it is nice and she is not interested. I would not say it is mean to keep them inside as long as they have plenty to keep them entertained. why dont you try letting him out just before tea time so that he can have a look about, and he will come running back in when he hears you getting out the food bowl!!

[bensmum]

Cats have an instinct to climb and chase but as long as he has enough space to let off steam and plenty to stimulate him he should be fine. I remember seeing a programme on TV where someone built what was virtually a cat gym in a spare room! I'm not suggesting you go that far but if a cat is not used to going outside he should be absolutely fine indoors and I'm sure you spend time playing with him.

[savagj1]

Thanks for the reply.

To be honest I have no real routine with him besides the morning. I get ready upstairs whillst he meows at me then go down to put his food out. As he eats dried food it can last til I go to bed sometimes. I dont over feed him but dont like to think of him from 9-5pm without something. I suppose giving him the odd "wet food" satchet may get him back in as he will be given half of one in the morning and the rest at night when I come in.

Do you think I need to get some kind of routine in general for him?

I suppose one day he may wander off so I will just have to keep my fingers crossed that he loves me enough to come home :-)

[lankeela]

To me it seems unnatural to keep a cat shut up in a house all the time.

I have had cats since I was two years old and they have always been allowed out, even two pedigrees that we took on after the owner's dog was making their life a misery. they immediately adapted to being allowed out. The only cat I have had get run over was when I lived in a cottage about a quarter of a mile from the nearest road, and it had no need to go near the road, but thats the chance you have to take.

[divegirl]

Hi, always remember....just don't feed him before he goes out....working on the theory that he will come home when he is hungry. I let my cat out and call her back after a few minutes then give her a bit of chicken or something yummy....she always comes back quick smart :o]

Lisa x

[savagj1]

Thanks so much for all your replies. I get a little paranoid with him and feel guilty for leaving him in the house all day whilst Im at work. I would be worried letting him go out in the morning in case he never came back as there is no way for him to get back in, due to no cat flap yet! I suppose I will start of a weekend so Im there is he needs me.

You are all very kind with your advice and Im so impressed with this site that I accidentally fell across.

Cheers

[aka pixi]

I too think its unnatural to keep a cat in the house all the time. Its in a cats nature to jump and scamper around and play quite a bit.

We have 3 cats, the eldest aged 6 and 8 come and go as they please, the youngest my kitten is about 6 months old and at the minute is kept in, (as were the other two to start with) at the end of this month we can get her neutered then we will allow her out. (she is dying to go out and escapes whenever she can)

When shes allowed out we will do what we did with the other 2 and let her in the garden supervised for short periods of time, they dont normally go far to start with. Once she is used to being out I reckon she will just roam further and further from home as she gets her confidence.

I wouldnt be too worried about him not coming back cos they know where they are safe and well fed. Though saying that our oldest cat once didnt come home, for 2 or 3 days we were beside ourselves with worry then she turned up dirty, greasy and thin as a lat. I think she must have been locked in a garage or shed or something :(

[SizzleSquid]

you should let your cat out. Dont be afraid of your cat not coming back, why wouldn't it? Ive had cats since i was 9 years old and ive never had one go bye byes somewhere. Cats know where home is and will always return.

By nature, cats are not house pets. To remain healthy and to live a long life free from diseases through inactivity they should go out and be active, catch birds and generally be cats, not toys!!!.

Its selfish for owners to keep cats in for their own insecurities (not talking about you!) i know someone who has a house cat and all it does it meow to go out constantly. its cruel.

[kaylamay]

I live in California and most rescue organizations insist on all adopted out kitties being indoor only cats. All of my furry friends are strictly indoor and i would also be beside myself if any of them got out. I have kitty "window" seats attached to my window sills and i have a very large carpet and sisal cat tree which they just love. Whenever they catch sight of a bird, fly, butterfly outside the window they immediately start the "cackling" i think it is precious. The life expectancy of an outdoor kitty is much lower than that of an indoor kitty. I NEVER have to worry that my kitties wont come back. They have plenty of toys and are quite good at entertaining themselves usually by knocking things off shelves and chasing each other around. Very amusing to watch. Always have a supply of super glue on hand for those things that hit the deck. My cats have been indoors for years and they are healthy and happy and show no signs of suffering from not being allowed out. DO NOT let anyone make you feel bad for keeping him in. You will always know where he is and that he is safe and not squished under someones car or accidentally locked in someones storage or garage, or god forbid moving van. Cats are very curious by nature and can get themselves in to all sorts of dire situations, I should know i have rescued many.
Keep your baby in where it is safe, i do.
Mikala(aka-catwoman)

[savagj1]

Hi everyone

Thanks again for your replies - I was so happy to get so many peoples opinions. He is used to going out in my back yard but has just to be about to jump onto different items in the yard to give him the escape route out. Thats one other thing that bothers me if he should leave the comfort of my house ... he can just about climb half way up the "canes" on my wall that Im paranoid how he will get back in ... he hasnt built that much intelligence up yet to fathom out where to jump!

Anyway, I will keep him in the yard with me for now and if he leaves, then he leaves. I will just have to panic in silence and hope that he loves me enough to come back. Thankfully i had him microchipped when I rescued him so he is easily traced back to me if lost.

Thanks again everyone xx

[sue11]

Hi I think all the answers given are the right ones, but you have to choose which one is right for you. Some people are dead set against keeping cats indoors, others feel that it is fine as long as they are kept busy with plenty of toys and scratching posts etc. I have two cats and do let them go out, but I worry like mad if they are not back in at their 'usual' time. They always turn up though, like bad pennies!
Just a couple of things to think about , if you do decide to let your kitty out. What about other cats in the area? Some can be quite territorial and it could be likely that he may get into a couple of scraps with other cats who don't want to share their territory. My vet advised me to ensure that my cats were big enough to look after themselves, but at 8 months I expect sure yours will be fine. Also, I may be stating the obvious, but ensure that he is fully vaccinated and protected from any nasties lurking out there.
Finally don't think that he is just waiting for his chance to make a dash for freedom! He is probably simply desperate to get out and explore the surroundings a bit.
You sound like a loving cat owner and I am sure, like most cats, he will want to come back to some good grub and plenty of attention! Best of luck, Sue

[savagj1]

Well my lovely Leo had his first full on face - face with the skanky cat of the area this weekend. He stood his ground as they glared at each other then the skanky cat jumped past and onto next doors extension roof. Unfortunately Leo decided to follow "skank" only to become part of a small fight. He escaped un-scathed but ran straight for my upstairs bedroom window, via the extension, where he has recently got out of the house to do a little discovering.

Thanks again for all your help and comments --- I am still a worrying cat mother though.

Cheers guys xxxx