Hello.....I have had my rescue cat for three weeks now and have kept him indoors.He really wants to go out and I want him to aswell(there's a catflap).However,I am worried that the rescue centre got him as a stray and that he might stray again.I'm also worried about him getting hit by a car....the back of my house is all gardens from the catflap, but if he goes over the 5ft gate and down the alley to the front it's quite a busy road.....
I suppose I'm just very worried that something will happen to him.....your thoughts are much appreciated,thank you.
2006-06-26 13:07:41 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
He has been neutered and he is microchipped......I don't think he'll be really happy if he stays indoors all his life(he needs to smell the flowers!).....it's only a small house and he's the only cat, so I think he must go out really....it's just when....
2006-06-27 06:14:57 · update #1
Its a reasonable worry-
There are a number of things you can do.
If you keep him in the house, he will probably stop trying to escape as much in a couple of weeks, but still want out.
You could try catfencing the backyard. Its pretty easy to do it yourself with chickenwire, or you can buy premade cat fence. I plan on doing that once I get a house.
You can try leash training your cat with a harness. This takes awhile. Start slowly, and indoors first, once he gets used to it, take him out.
You can also just let him out. The usual advice for getting a cat is to keep him inside for two weeks so he knows where home is, and then let him out. There are radio collars you can buy to track him (this is different than microchipping, its a little button thing that attaches to a color).
The reason your cat was a stray is that he is either a cat somebody dumped off, or he was a tom that roamed farther and farther away from home. If he's fixed, he probably won't roam very much, and stick close to home. If you do let him out, make sure he's updated on all shots including the FIV shot, fixed, microchipped (so if he ends up in a shelter, you can find him), and wearing a collar.
Also, you are going to hear a lot of different opions about why the cat should stay inside, but I believe that you also have to take your cats mental health into account along with physical safety, and being outside is definately important to many cats mental health.
edited to add this: The best example I have of indoors vs outdoor cats is this- my friend has a beautiful gray tabby cat, who escapes every chance he gets. The first thing the cat does when he gets outside is roll around. There is such a look of happiness on his face, and then he plays keep away while my friend is chasing him. This cat loves the outdoors, but he lives on a busy street. If the cat was an indoor/ outdoor cat, he probably wouldn't survive long. So its a balance, safe indoor cats, vs mentally happy stable indoor/outdoor cats.
2006-06-26 13:23:34 · answer #1 · answered by thedivineoomba 5 · 9⤊ 0⤋
It would be best if you can keep him in for 4-6 weeks, I know it will be hard but this will greatly reduce the risk of him straying. The first time you let him out, try doing it on an empty stomach - don't feed him in the morning then let him out in the afternoon. when you feel he's had enough or is going a bit too far then shake the food bowl and he should come back. His reward for coming back will be his dinner and hopefully he'll learn that thats home.
If you're worried about him being run over keep him in at night, as this is when most accidents occur.
Good Luck!
2006-06-27 14:29:41 · answer #2 · answered by Debbie Doodles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try keep him in a little longer. When you do supervise the first few times that he goes out. I'm sure he has been neutered now so that should stop him wanting to wander off. I know what it's like to live near a busy road with cats. Try a harness. It will take some time for him to get used to it but when he does it works really well.
2006-06-27 08:09:46 · answer #3 · answered by buzybee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my g/f had her 2 kittens from the RSPCA (they were 2 months old) she was told not to let them out on their own for 3 months. They are now 8 months old and are out, first it was in the garden, then slowly knowing their surrenders in other gardens etc. They know even go out all night now - started a 2 weeks ago (scary at first, me and her was worried like mad) . In the morning I opened the back door and they just strolled up the path as if nothing had happened.
Before her kittens, she had a cat for 17 yrs!!, and he 2 was out all night every night
2006-06-28 14:06:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd get him neutered first, entire male cats will disappear for days and you'll get worried. Plus they wander further and get into fights.
Indoor cats are denied fresh air, sunshine, grass and the like. Its poor compensation for being safe. Just let him out in the day and don't chuck him out at night.
If you want a good compromise you'll just have to build a big wood and chicken wire run outside the back door, and put a climbing frame and toys in it.
2006-06-27 09:19:39 · answer #5 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no good reason for a cat to be an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat. Pet cats should live inside only. Cats who go outside get into fights, get worms, can contract Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia, get pregnant or get other cats pregnant and add to the overpopulation; etc. Indoor cats also live longer.
2006-06-26 20:27:58 · answer #6 · answered by autumnfaerie8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just keep him in. Is he neutered??? That would cause him to stray; if he has only recently een neutered, the instinct to wander in search of mates will still be strong. I would keep him in for three months if you feel you must let him out at all. Why not keep him indoors- the cars will get him.
2006-06-27 08:31:38 · answer #7 · answered by k0005kat@btinternet.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get Some Flyers Out On Your Cat.
2006-06-26 20:18:10 · answer #8 · answered by mks 7-15-02 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I keep my kitties indoors for just this reason. One cat I had that was a real explorer, we leash-trained. Solved the outdoor-safety problem, and solved our own exercise/weight problem, as we needed to walk the cat so he wouldn't try to bolt out the door without us. It takes time to leash-train a cat, but it can be done.
I've been told to keep a new cat in for two months before letting them out, if you're going to let the cat out. They may look pretty well-bonded to you in the first week or two, but it takes a couple months or more for them to fully attach, so that they make a point to return to you every day, and not to just anybody who might feed them.
2006-06-26 20:15:01 · answer #9 · answered by Gen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should keep him in for 6weeks before letting him out. Why not try a cat harness and walk him round the garden.
2006-06-26 20:12:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋