Outdoors.........?

Question

I know people that have cats and they live outside. They leave a basket in their shed for it to sleep in and it roams wherever it wants and always comes back. they have been doing this since it was a kitten. I would never do that because i would be scared it would run away. i just take my kitten out for walks on his harness and he doesn't even like being outside. Is it possible for a cat to live a full and healthy life outside?

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN OUTDOOR CAT BUT HOW DO I TRAIN IT TO KEEP COMING BACK TO ITS HOME AND I CAN'T LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AT NITE BECAUSE OF THEIFS.

Answer 1

i have a 9 week old kitten he comes back i just whistle him .
start by taking him out without a lead before you feed him , let him roam a little and then whistle every tI'me you feed it , it will learn this really quickly , mine did .
it wont go far as your its security at this age if you go in the house so will the cat .. try it it works .. good luck .
p.s. now leave door open for my kitten to roam all day when im at home , i do shut him in the kitchen if i have to work or shop etc .
if your with him / her , they wont go far ..

Answer 2

Sweetie, it is natural for cats to go out and roam and they know where their home is so they will always come back, unless they haven't been neutered or mistreated. A very small opening that burglars can't get through is good enough as exit/entrance for a cat. It can be a cat flap on the lower level, or some tiny window high up.
But these days there all sorts of problems with that lifestyle.
Things have changed.
The cat could get hit by a car.
The cat could get feline aids, there is no cure for that and it is horrible.
The cat could get poisoned, attacked by other animals or kidnapped.
You and your kitten have a loving relationship and taking him for walks on his harness is the best thing to do. It will take him time to get used to it. If he really finds he doesn't like it, keep him as an indoor cat.
It is possible for a cat to live a full and healthy life outdoors! Of course! That was how it was meant to be. But these days there are less and less places for them to be natural and to live naturally.
If you love your kitten, you'll respect what he wants. If he wants to stay in, then make his life fun. Toys, things to climb, affection etc.
If he wants to go out, take him on the harness.
You haven't said how old he is. A kitten is scared of being outside, so don't force him to go until he shows interest.
If your area is dangerous, it is best to keep him inside.
If he shows signs of wanting to be outdoors, keep him on the harness..
All my cats have always been outdoor cats, but now things have changed so much here where I live. It is too dangerous! I can't stop them now, but if I get a new kitten I would try to keep it the same way you are doing!

Answer 3

Cats are more than capable of fending for themselves in the outside world - but they can also be perfectly happy as house pets. If you want to look after it and have it be very attentive then keeping it as a house pet will encourage this - it's much less likely to get fleas that way too.

It would be fine as an outdoors animal as well though - but obviously would get into fights with other cats and possibly suffer at the hands of dogs/cruel people/cars.... it's just the risk you take if you want an outdoors cat.

Answer 4

i think that outside is the only way for cats to live a healthy life. We have always let ours roam at will, it will come to the door or window to be let in when it pleases, it knows where it's home is. The only problem, the main problem is the busy road, we lost another one yesterday. It was a young one, we've had cats much longer, just depends on which way they feel like going that day.

Answer 5

Hi, they can live outside, they usually make there own minds up wheather they come back to your home or live outside in the shed, if you have got one. I have an outdoor cat we left it till he was a bit older as the kitten we let out went missing. But the cat we have now, we just let out and he comes back when he wants in or feeding and water. He will find a way home if you let him out. Coz you are worried about leaving your windows open, there are these new cat flaps that have magnetic collers to go with them so only your cat can get through the cat flap. I have another 4 cats and i dont let them out they are more content in the house, but make sure you check your cat over each time he comes in from being out as our first cat we left out, came back with a pellet hole in his side and didnt come back the next day, as when cats get injured they find a place to go and die, and we never saw him again. Also they can get into scraps with other cats, etc, but it is up to you

Answer 6

Our cat used to roam about, and he would always come back before we turned out the lights for the night. I don't think we even trained him. He is about 10 now and is still alive and healthy, (but an indoor cat now as we moved house and live near a road, as he expects cars to stop for him) if you do decide to let him out, be prepared for little gifts he may leave you, (mice, birds). As long as he knows where his home, I think he will return.

Sorry if this does not help!

Answer 7

My parent-in-laws have 2 cats who live outside but come in for food and attention. They are fine and have lived long lives. I hear that it helps if you have the animal 'fixed', they will roam less. As far as the cat possibly running away, it might [or it might get hurt]. But these are the risks you and the cat will have to accept if you want your cat to have a more active and full lifestyle.

Answer 8

Yes, especially if you live where there isn't much traffic or the country which I do. I have had outside cats for many years and they have been fine. They have plenty of food and a nice warm garage to sleep in at night. I also have inside cats that never go outside the house.

Answer 9

we've got housecats and they're perfectly happy. cats sleep for about 16 hours a day anyway, wake up, kill something and then sleep again. The old wifes tale about putting butter on their feet before they go out the first time (so that they can smell their way home), does help and a dot of butter here and there around the house and garden. Oh....our cats don't piss in the house if you keep the cat tray clean.

Answer 10

Of course it is - a domestic cat has cousins that live outside all the time (Wild cats, lions, tigers, etc.). What about farm cats that live in the barn ? and feral cats that live in abandoned buildings and alley cats? I personally have always allowed my cat to sleep indoors (usually on my bed) in the winter, but generally cats are attached to places and know the warmest or coolest place to sleep in, so provided you feed your kitten regularly it will soon get to know your garden and come in for its meals and comfy bed. Let it have some freedom and be a cat. free to come and go as it wants.