My cat is 4 months old and is getting fixed in a couple weeks. We recently installed doggie doors (for the doggie) but the cat uses them more than the dog. It leads to a backyard with a tall privacy fence. We originally wanted to keep him as an indoor only cat, and still do, but do you think he will try to wonder off if he finds a way out? Should I keep him from going outside all together?
2006-09-26 07:03:09 · 21 answers · asked by coconut 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
It IS safer for him to be an indoor cat, and I applaude you for wanting to do this. Going outside from time to time doesn't do any harm however (with supervision). I let my male outside with me, then bring him in when he's had his fill of playing. My new female won't be let out without a leash and harness on because I have no doubt she'd run off if given half the chance (our male is a very attached scaredy cat and doesn't like to be out of our sight, lol).
It's good that your cat is only in the yard, but I think it's safe to say that he will start to become more and more curious about what's "out there" and will end up roaming if he finds a way out.
Did you know there are magnetic doggy doors solely for this purpose? You put a special device on the collar of the animal who CAN use the door (the dog), and the door will only open for that animal. You could try looking into one of those.
Good luck!
(And Confused really IS confused. Even indoor only cats can get fleas. From the dog, through screen doors, and even when they're brought in on your clothes and shoes. So even indoor cats should be put on a flea preventive like Frontline Plus.)
2006-09-26 07:14:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My advice is you have to decide now, because once you start letting him out, he'll go crazy (literally) if you suddenley keep him inside. My cat was an outdoor cat and the I lived in a house for a year where I didn't let him out because it was more of an apartment. Then he got out a few times and that was horrible because I had to get him off a roof. An once, he jumped out an opened window into the yard of a house where I could only get to by leaving my house, going a few houses down and try to call him to me for 2 hours. But now, fortunately, I moved to a house where he can stay outside and he is much happier.
2006-09-26 08:31:11 · answer #2 · answered by ASK123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what part of the country you're in, then I would keep him as an indoor kitty only. There are lots of fleas, ticks, parasites that they can get easily and some cats are allergic. Not only that, but once you let them taste a little of the outside, then they run for the door everytime its opened and you run the risk of them getting hit by a car. I would keep him inside always and wouldn't let him go out even once.
2006-09-26 07:12:13 · answer #3 · answered by Sandi A 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is safer and healthier for him to be an indoor only kitty. I sometimes let mine in the backyard and they hang out under the deck, but they always come inside when I rattle the food and I don't leave them out unsupervised. They are cats. They can climb and it doesn't matter how high the fence is, they can get over it if they want to and your just might. I would try to restrict the cat to inside only if possible.
2006-09-26 07:05:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lauren M 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 cats and I wanted to keep them indoors so I keep my doors shut and all that I took one out one time and he freaked the other one got out by accident and tried to hide from me. But I have an aunt that lets her cat go outside and he does his thing and then comes back in. But don't think that just because you got privacy fence that the cat won't climb it. Just be careful because if he goes out he might not want to come back in.
2006-09-26 07:07:38 · answer #5 · answered by just me 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
make sure that there is no way for your cat to get out from the fence or no way for any animal to get inside of the fence. if it is secured that way then there isn't a problem with having your cat be out there. he is in a safe environment at least a reletively safe environment.
if there is any way that you can see that the cat could get outside of the fence or any animal could get inside of the fence then do what you have to to keep your cat inside. they have doggie doors that are microchip acivated your dog could be wearing the collar for the microchip and he would be the only one that is alowed through there.
2006-09-26 07:19:27 · answer #6 · answered by cat expert 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't let him out at all. Not only because he isn't fixed but the fence won't keep him in and he can catch so many diseases out there. Dogs are different. Cats should only be indoor. Anything else is dirty and dangerous.
2006-09-26 07:15:15 · answer #7 · answered by o2bamy25 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well If he does go out side . He should have all his shots and get fix. I think if you want him to go outside or inside . You should get a cat's licsecne . With his name and the place number where he lives and the phone number. So if he runs off. Someone will find him and return him to you. But if you want him inside. Just maybe put him somewhere where he wont get out. i HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR YOU.
2006-09-26 10:40:11 · answer #8 · answered by kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indoors only is always the best option for cats. Too many who roam outside end up sick, injured in fights or by other animals, or dead. A fence is no real obstacle for a cat, it is easily climbed.
2006-09-26 07:09:13 · answer #9 · answered by eilishaa 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
By all means, keep your cat inside!!!! Do you know the dangers of letting a cat out? Be a responsible and caring owner and keep him inside so you can enjoy him for years to come!!!
2006-09-26 08:18:57 · answer #10 · answered by November 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋