Should I Worry About My Cat?

Question

I have a cat, he's about 10 months old. He's been an indoor kitty living in our garage and basement for the past 9 months. He's going to go outside and be an outdoor cat this Friday/Saturday after he gets his final leukemia shot that he needs. I was wondering if I should be worried about him being outside or running away. He doesn't really come when I call him, but he does come to my mom. We live on a pretty quiet street where there are about 5 other outdoor cats living. All of those cats are okay. Should I be worried about ours though? What are some last minute things I should take care of? To let you know: he is neutered. So, please, PLEASE help me get through this. He's my first cat, and I love him soooo much. If anything happened to him, I'd never get over it. He is my true companion. I need some quick advice.
Thanks,
Paige

Ok, stop saying 'Keep him inside!'

He CAN'T stay inside. My dad is an old fashioned kinda guy from growing up in Europe. He says, all animals should be outside (except for ones in cages)

I have no choice. He has to go out.

Yes, chipping has come up a few times.

I don't need a talk about how they live outside. There are 5 other cats on this street. Not one is sick, not one has died, not one has gotten run over.

I DONT NEED TO KNOW THEY SHOULD STAY INSIDE. I'm not stupid. I can figure that on my own. I don't need some talks about keeping him inside. You're REALLY trying to make me feel better, eh? Well, you're not.

I am worried sick about him, and you go telling me that they could die from this and that. Thats REALLY comforting.

Answer 1

wwjs

Answer 2

From the way you describe your situation (which I can sympathize with) it doesn't seem there are many things anyone can say that will make you feel better about it. It's just something you're going to have to deal with as it goes along, because something -could- happen. Or it might not.

That being said, I agree a lot with what southerngirl has to say. Those are good suggestions, both the set feeding time and the using treats to get him to come when called. You might also consider (I don't know how this would work due to the time you have or the situation you live in) taking him outside for extended periods Before Saturday, to get him semi-used to the thought of being out there at all. Giving him a place to 'nest' so to speak, might also help. I'm not sure what you could use, as where I liev there are always barns or open buildings nearby. Perhaps some sort of box or something? It would be a place for him to retreat to at first and as he gained confidence would probably no longer need it.
The cage thing that alias brought up would work too, but I would try and avoid giving him a place to run to when he freaks out and then take it away too quickly.

Regardless, it seems like he should be okay. Cats are naturally outdoor animals in the first place, and since you haven't had in inside for years he should adjust fairly quickly. Take it day by day and try to spend as much time outside with him as you can at first. Though, don't lose it if he disappears for a while. Cats claim large territories in urban areas.

Answer 3

i'm not trying to make you feel uncomfortable or guilty, and if you do then you might want to explore that as maybe you know most of us are right. it is a dangerous world out there, and especially so for little kitties. i just rescued a stray cat which is kind of like an outdoor cat cause i fed her twice a day at my work. anyway i came in last monday and i called her and she came running, but looked a dirty and the worse for wear. her nose was bloody and she had a huge lump on the neck. i rushed her to a vet and they discovered she had been shot in the neck with a metal bee bee type gun. she is okay now and safe living with me in my house. how old are you? if you are overe18 then get your own place. domesticated animals belong in doors. just because your dad says it doesn't mean he is right. most animal rescues wont let you adopt a cat unless you sign a contract to keep the cat indoors. many people consider outdoor cats a nusence because they get in to things. i personally would never let even one of my true companion cats roam outside in to god knows what danger. if i cant find one of my hiding cats i cant go to work until i know where they are and that they are inside. just because the other 5 cats have lasted this long doesn't mean yours will. the life of a full outdoor cat and even a cat that goes out occassionally is substantially less. cats can live to 18 years sometimes older if well cared for, out door kitties last 1-5 years if they are lucky. i know you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, so why did you get this little guy? are you going to give him a 10 minute rub every night out on the door step as he isn't allowed in? what is the point. my cats love to sit all over me in the evening and lay on my pillow and rest their heads atop my head when we sleep.(not all at the same time though). very sad. sorry cant give you any peace of mind in this situation. the only thing you can do is hope for the best and expect the worst. have you ever heard, "curiosity killed the cat". they are much safer inside. i would not let you adopt one of my rescues. you asked if you should be worried, i would be, infact i am worried about your little guy. i hope he stays safe.
someone has said it is a cats nature to survive! that crazy, it's everythings nature to survive. it doesn't mean they can do it successfully or safely.

Answer 4

It is true that cats should be able to go outside whenever they want, but on the other hand, with cars, and other cats, along with disease and other dangers, the chance of your kitty getting sick, or hurt is high, even in a good neighborhood.Also, the other outdoor cats may not have up to date vaccines, so they can still spread disease. I have 2 cats that are indoor/outdoor, and they are doing fine though . Let your kitty run, just keep an eye on him, and if something unfortunate happens, don't let it get you down, cats will be cats.

Answer 5

My Vet told me that the "average" life of an outdoor cat is about 2 yrs. Between cat fights, being hit by a car, diseases, or other accidents..........well, they don't really have 9 lives. I have had a few cats over the years. If they are not use to the outdoors, they will have no desire to go out. I now have what will probably be my last pet (kitten). I've only had him about 10 days, he has never been outside and runs from the door when it is opened. They enjoy looking out the windows but are frightened of being out there. You love him way to much to risk losing him. My cats lived well into old age and like you, I would have never gotten over it or forgiven myself if I lost them to the outdoors. Follow your gut feeling and you will make the right decision.

Answer 6

I understand that keeping the cat outside is your decision and that you have no choice in it but I did want to inform you of a few things to watch out for. Besides the obvious, dog fights, cat fights and getting ran over there is something spreading like wild fires with cats that really concerns me. It is called FIV it is Feline Aids. A cat can get it by having sex, being bite by an infected cat, cat scratches. Like human aids, once an animal is infected there is no cure. There are medications that can keep them comfortable though. One way to detour an outside cat from contracting it is to make sure that your male cat is neutered. Male cats that are neutered don't tend to be territorial, they also don't have the urge to mate. Sounds to me like you already did this. All of his shots should be up to date. There are a lot of cats that don't want to live inside. Still spend time with your cat so he knows that even though he is outside your house he is still inside your heart. If that doesn't make it any easier then talk to your parents and tell them how hard this is for you and see if the basement could still be used, even if it is just for severe weather. Good Luck! Everything always has a way of working itself out.

Answer 7

As you are finding out the issue of indoor cat/ otdoor cat can become pretty emotional. It sounds like you are doing your best to provide a good home for your cat- you were right to deal with the feline leukemia shots before letting him roam. The fact that he is neutered will also help a lot because he will be less likely to fight.

That said- continue to show your cat love. Try special treats- food, catnip, toys etc. Most cats don't come when you call them but if he is truely bonded with you- and I suspect he already is- he will keep coming back. Provide him with a comfy warm clean place to sleep,fresh water, and good meals. You'll have a friend for life.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Why does he have to go outside? Is is because of your parents? If so Maybe they will agree to construct an out door enclosure for him with some shelter from rain and wind. I have several cats and my problem was solved by building an enclosure that is approx. 8x8x8 feet with lots of ramps, perches, steps and even a penthouse that is on the upper level. It has a couple of holes in the sides so they can see out if they want. We also constructed an approx. 50 foot long enclosed cat walk that leads from the house to the enclosure by way of a cat door. It is about ten feet off the ground and encased in rabbit wire so nothing can get them. Sometimes they will just lay in this walk and Sun themselves. It did take a while for them to learn to use the cat door but once they did -wow- we hear that door open and close all night long. They are so much happier now. And if they are happy and safe then I am happy too. Do a web search for cat enclosures to get some ideas. Good luck to you and your cat!

Answer 9

If your kitty is smart he will stick around the house. We had an outdoor cat that lived for 17 years. He brought us dead mice and lined them up on the back step to share with us. If your kitty is smart enough to check before crossing the street and to not get lost he'll be fine. He will love being outside and ridding the neighborhood of birds and mice. If he eats them, make sure to get him checked for worms occasionally as well as fleas and ticks. When he has a checkup, make sure your vet knows he is an ourside cat so that he can check for anything that may bother an ourdoor cat. When you have your own home you can have an indoor cat so you won't worry as much.

Answer 10

Put him in a cage (outside) for about a week or two. One big enough for him to move, sleep, eat, and have a litter box. He will get use to being outside and the different sounds that are outside. After that you can let him out. Remember he is a cat and will go explore. He will be able to find his way home as long as he leaves from the house. Good luck and sorry you have to do this.

Answer 11

Okay you're worried about you cat yet you continue to let him out of the house. Dogs, raccoons, cars, and cruel people are just some of the dangers that a poor cat could face. People who let there animals rome free outdoors are not the brightest of people. IN fact their plain stupid. So do you animal a huge favor and bring him inside. Don't let him out. One fight with a cat with feline aids and well you can guess. If you REALLY care then keep him inside or find a good family who will.