My cat is 1 year old and we are going to be moving somewhere where we will have a yard. Can you let a cat who lives inside now outside when you move. I am afraid about him running away and not coming back. Please let me know what you think.
2006-10-12 06:15:39 · 39 answers · asked by Bridgit P 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
If you've declawed him, he won't be able to defend himself outside (you never know what type of animals might creep into the yard at night), so he would be safer kept indoors. He also might have a very hard time adjusting to the move if he's gotten used to being indoors for his whole first year.
2006-10-12 06:18:17 · answer #1 · answered by PM 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why do you think he needs to be outdoors now ? After you've had him inside for a year?
He's been indoors ...leave him indoors. A lot safer for him and he's been fine up til now. There are so many dangers outside for him even if you have a 'yard' now. Diseases, cars, crazy people, other cats fighting with him, wild animals, fleas, tics, and he may disappear and you will never have him again.
He may try to get back to your old house........
If you let him out and something happens to him can you live in peace with that?
I would never let my cats outside. I like to know they are safe and sound inside. I rescued 6 cats over the years that came from the outdoors. I see too many cats dead on the road. Just heard of one a while back becoming the meal for a coyote. It's a horrible sound when you hear them out there fighting.
No way..........inside is the best place.
2006-10-12 06:32:06 · answer #2 · answered by bratty1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cat is fixed then outside is a possibility. When you move to a new neighborhood you need to keep the cat indoors for a much as a month so that he sees your new place as his new territory. During that time you will get to know the neighborhood - what is the traffic like, do any neighbors have aggressive dogs, what is their attitude about cats doing their business in their yards (and he will), are there other free-roaming cats there, etc.
One thing is certain, a one-year old cat is not going to STAY in your yard. He will go all around the neighborhood. If you decide it is safe be sure that you establish a feeding pattern with him so that he knows that dinner is served at dusk and then he must remain in the house for the night. Nightime is the most dangerous time for a cat to be out and about.
2006-10-12 06:29:07 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a very good idea.#1 If your cat has been an inside cat, it won't know what to do with itself if you put it outside. #2 Outside cats have an average life-span of about 3 years. They get hit by cars most often, they get picked up by other people, and at certain times of the year, cats run the risk of being hurt or murdered by wierdos. My friends cat had it's throat cut 2 years ago, he was ok after 38 stiches, but it was really scary. He's now an inside cat.
2006-10-12 07:59:22 · answer #4 · answered by Lolo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why? Aside from the fact that I personally don't think it's okay to EVER let your cat be outside, on their own- too much risk of them getting hurt/killed by cars, other cats, dogs, coyotes/wildlife, horrible people that purposely pick up cats to torture (it does happen), why would you toss your cat outside after he has gotten used to a great SAFE life inside? If your boy cat is not neutered yet- get him neutered. That will eliminate any lasting desire to be outside.
I think if you do let him outside at the new place, he will run away, he will get lost, he may try to find his way back to your old house, and there is a really good chance you will never see him again.
If you simply can't resist having him outside, get a leash and harness for your cat, and walk him. It'll take a bit to get used to, (for both of you) but at least the cat will be safe. Then when you have BBQ's in the summer, or gatherings (whatever) the cat can be involved with everyone outside, on a leash.
Good luck.
2006-10-12 06:34:49 · answer #5 · answered by kiprusoff_fan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!!!!! Please don't let your cat out. This sounds like the exact situation I was in. My roommate and I had a wonderful cat that we picked up from the humane society. We lived in an apartment that didn't have a large yard, so she became a house cat. Then we moved to a different city where we moved into a house. The house had a great backyard and it was just beautiful. One day, the landlord came over and left the door open. Jayda (our cat) escaped. We have not seen her since and it is just devastating. She had the microchip implanted under her skin, so in case she did ever run away and someone found her, they would know that she was ours. Unfortunatly, it has not helped. My roommate and I hope and pray that she was found by a wonderful family. Please don't make the same mistake that we did. Keep her inside!
2006-10-12 06:24:48 · answer #6 · answered by cheermb22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This really works!!! Before you put the cat outside put butter or margarine on its paws, front and back. Then set them down in front of the door. The first thing they will do is lick their paws clean, but that's a good thing. They get the smell of the butter and when they walk away they leave a "smelly" trail to follow back home.
Cats can get lost if you're not careful. Indoor cats especially can get spooked easily if placed outdoors. It would be best if you sat with your cat for a while the first few times you let them out. Try to make them a bed in a safe place. That way they won't wander very far.
2006-10-12 06:20:56 · answer #7 · answered by Sunny_1_ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be careflu moving confuses the cat. at first take the cat out back and let the cat get the feel for the area...then take it out front on a leash and do the same. By doing this the cat will know the smell of the house. do this a few times before just letting the cat out
2006-10-12 06:19:57 · answer #8 · answered by not_an_angel_just_a_girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allow the cat to bcome adjusted to the new space b4 you let it out. Then do it gradually, for short periods of time. make sure you call the cat back frequently, feed it and give it treats and toys, so it knows where home is. It may have a problem first learning how to defend itself from other cats and animals, but cats are very tough and learn quickly, instinct plays a huge part. Make sure your cat is fixed first and that will help keep it home. Letting your cat out is the best and healthiest thing for the cat, it will be happier. Cats hate being confined.
2006-10-12 06:20:30 · answer #9 · answered by orphanannie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our cat Missy is 19yrs old and she is mainly an "inside" cat, however when we bought our house last year she became an inside/outside cat. We make sure keep an eye on her and she comes and goes as she please's. When you move make sure you put the cat in a cage or room so he/she wont run away, and mabey the first few day's WALK your cat (in your hand's) around your yard,make sure you are ourt back with them so he can smell there turff. Have fun & good luck moving!!
2006-10-12 06:21:49 · answer #10 · answered by babyN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had indoor cats as a child, and EVERYTIME we let our cats outside, they would try to come back in, and after they got use to it, they usually left home and never came back. I would suggest if you are gonna let your cat out, be sure to find out if there are other cats around. Other cats will cause your cat to venture off, and possibly never come home. Especially when a female cat comes in 'heat'. Just keep an eye on it, and see how it acts. If it starts going off for days, you might wanna bring it back inside.
2006-10-12 06:19:18 · answer #11 · answered by vbeaver31 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋