Should my new kitten be an outside or inside cat?

Question

I think I might make my cat an outdoor cat but i dont know. I dont want him peeing all over my couches. What should I do?!?!

Answer 1

For the protection of your kitten from disease, predators (which can include people who like to abuse animals), cars, etc. your kitten is much better off being an indoor cat.

If you properly train your cat to use a litter box and clean it a minimum of daily you shouldn't have issues with it using your furniture or floors for elimination.

I would also suggest buying a good quality scratching post and teaching him to use it rather than your furniture, drapes, etc. Do not get one of the posts thats covered in carpet type materials since their claws can get caught in the loops/fibers and injure them. You should also regularly clip their claws - carefully so as not to cut too deep.

Investing in a book such as Kittens for Dummies will help you better understand your kitten's behavior, potential health issues, how to train him, etc.

Answer 2

If you keep you cat inside litter train it and you'll always know where it is. Also if you live in a city you'll never wonder if it was hit by a car, taken by someone, stuck somewhere. And if it goes outside and there are other cats in the neighborhood you need to be careful your cat isn't fighting. Cat wounds commonly become abscessed. If you think it is safe for you cat to go outside definitely wait until it's big enough to fend for it's self a bit, is fully vaccinated (rabies and if there are other cats around you may want to consider a Leukemia vaccine) then accompany the cat outside the first few trips. Maybe even try and make sure the cats inside at night?
If you do keep the cat inside and you want it to experience the outdoors safely leash train it. It's not as easy as a dog but I've had success with my cat.

Answer 3

A kitten should NEVER be outside. They are too young. They should at least be 6 months old before you start to slowly introduce them to the outside.

Why would he be peeing on your couches? You need to put the kitty litter in an out of the way place so he can go privately. Then, for about three days, pick him up every few hours and put him in the kitty litter and leave him there. He will come out when he wants and will learn where it is all by himself.

Why would you want a cat if you're just going to put it outside. Our are able to go out during the day (they can get in any time they want) and are locked in at night, for their safety and that of the wildlife.

Answer 4

depends. while it's a kitten keep it inside, but take it outside for a little while each day and keep a close eye on it. don't just leave it there. also, depends on where you live and what kind of fence you have and the breed of cat. it could also be a indoor. don't worry about the peeing thing, you can litter box train it in 2 days. I live in the country and I found a stray kitten outside one day. I kept her and she was my pride and joy. I litterbox trained her and let her go outside as often as she pleased, but in the end she got pregnant and died from complications so I would watch out.

Answer 5

During the day outside, and at night inside. Or the other way around.
But I suggest you to also have him being outside, because then he will leave a lot of hair, and will pee in the wrong place. If you decide ti put him an inside cat, put a box with sand on it, for your kitten to pee. Good luck ; )

Answer 6

If you are worried about him peeing outside of the litterbox, get him neutered. In fact, do that anyway. It will make him a MUCH better pet. He will be happier, less likely to roam, and he won't spray. Un-neutered males get into fights, get into trouble and spray. (Not to mention help create unwanted kittens who may not ever get homes.)
As for inside/outside if your property is safe enough you might let him out during the day in good weather. Wait until he's old enough. After that he can come and go as he pleases. Of course there is always a risk with that so you will have to consider that. But if you are OK with it, he might be perfectly happy that way. Best of both worlds and all.
Also, see the response about mine. (Kymberly Smith I think.) She was dead on with her stuff.

Answer 7

I have an indoor/outdoor cat. I hate changing litter boxes and do not like the smell that litter boxes bring. My cat uses the bathroom outside and comes in throught hte catdoor when she is done. I have kept her claws for defense and use a flea protection like advantage or front line. She also uses the outside trees for scratching so none of my furniture gets ruined. I think allowing it both choices is the best way.

Answer 8

well what you could do (and this is what i did) is for the first year of having the kitten make it an indoor cat, this way they understand where they live, and they can get situated w/o getting lost. this also helps them from not running off/wandering. My cat is now an outdoor cat, but she stays on the property which is very nice, this way i can keep an eye on her, and make sure she doesnt run into the road. good luck!

Answer 9

Cats are different then dogs they do not pee all over everything they are very smart... If you dont want it to pee on your furniture make sure it is fixed as soon as it is old enough and then no problem! Inside for sure there are too many diseases floating around

Answer 10

Inside. Outside there is always the danger of being run over and getting in fights. We have three male cats, and they are all fixed and DO NOT spray on the furniture.