I need advise on letting a cat out and hoping it comes back...?

Question

I already have two adult (male) cats, aged 6. Two weeks ago I picked up a stray cat which was noticed around the neighbourhood for the past 6 months. I took her to the vet and she is healthy (approx 4 years old). I have not let her out as yet and to be honest she has not looked interested to go out, until this morning. I tried putting a lead on her (which is what I did with my two boys when they were kittens) but she was too scared and ran around the garden nearly strangling me and herself. Is there any advise you could give me to hope that she will come back if I let her out ?

I just wanted to add to a few people that have answered...she has been spayed. Whats wrong with letting cats out if they want to go out. I live in a small village in a cul de sac location with no cars around in the UK. My other two go out, so I would her to be able to go out if she wanted too. Thanku for all the answers so far...

Answer 1

Why let her back out? If you spent the money to take her to the vet and she's healthy, what's keeping you from adding her to your family.

If you let her out again, there's always a chance of being killed one way or another....sounds like that would be a shame. Will she come back? Maybe. Could you live with yourself if she didn't?

What's the problem with letting her out? Maybe your neighbors don't want to have "outdoor cats" using their property as a liter box. Maybe all the other "outdoor cats" that aren't vaccinated against rabies and such could attack your cats and make them sick....

If you let your other two out, then you answered your own question. Why are you asking us what you should do? You're in the UK anyway, there's no chance of your guys pissing and pooing in my yard. Good, I've got plenty of irresponsible pet "owners" of my own to contend with.

Answer 2

I was out yesterday doing some Christmas shopping and came home to find some children kicking and throwing around a cat. Thank goodness the cat was okay when I broke up the kids and retrieved the poor cat, but because it was someone's pet it wasn't afraid of people and went right up to the children. Because your cat isn't wild, it faces dangers besides the obvious cars, other wild animals fighting for food, or getting septic shock from something it ate (which can kill a normal size cat in 24 hours). Another Yahoo! user just told us about her experience and her large vet bill, because kitty ate something bad while outside, went into septic shock and almost died before she even figured out something was wrong. If you want to put your cat out there, that is fine, you are an adult and I wish you the best. But I have just given you a whole host of reasons the cat may not come back.

Happy holidays!

Answer 3

Jedi, it just so happens that I live in the US and there is infact no leash law. A cat is legally allowed to roam freely on anyone's property. It's just a matter of being respectful to your neighbors. Besides the poster of the question clearly stated the she is in the UK, not the US.

Sunshine cat woman, I have a female who also goes outside. When I moved to a new home she disappeared for 32 hours and then just showed up on my front doorstep like nothing was wrong. I immediately got her microchipped (she was spayed a s a kitten) and began feeding her a can of wet food in the mornings. That way even if she stays out all night she'll be at the door in the morning waiting for her breakfast. Food is a HUGE motivator. Now all I have to do is open the front door any time of day and call her. She comes running to me like a dog would.

Just make her home happy enough for her that she has reason to come back to you.

And it's your cat, if you want to let it out just keep it up to date on all vaccinations, get it microchipped and good luck!

Answer 4

Well first of all if they are a stray she will need to be reassured that she is wanted, i had a stray when my two boys were young, he kept coming in for food and then going again. But in your case i would recommend leaving her alone so she can come and go as she pleases, plus she now knows that she has a loving home and some food to come back to when she needs it, it would be best not to suffocate her at this time as she has already been left on her own for 6 months. Be calm dont worry, let her go if she needs to go she will come back, but once a cat becomes a stray they dont tend to like being a homely cat, that is something you will have to have patience for. Good Luck and WELL DONE FOR TAKING IN A STRAY!!

Answer 5

i personally would not let her out without a leash. try putting it on her again in the house and give her treats and lots of praise. do this everyday for just a minute or two at a time, she should eventually get used to it. each time keep it a little longer until she can go outside with you. if she is not "fixed" she may run off and not come back, cats that have not been fixed usually tend to roam further away from home. if she is fixed and you absolutely have to let her out go out with her so you can watch her. strays do tend to wander off though. good luck

Answer 6

There is no guarantee that she will come back. I would make sure that she has been spayed, since she has a sudden desire to go outside, she could be coming into heat - and you don't want the added problem of unwanted kittens. You are always taking a chance when you let your cats outside - I have 3 myself, all indoor/out door cats. I don't worry so much about their returning, I worry more about them being hit by a car.

Does this girl come to you while inside the house when you call? If so, there is a good chance that she will respond to you outside. Otherwise, I'd try to keep her inside and see if maybe she will get over her sudden desire to go out doors

Answer 7

She needs to stay in for a while till she's established your place as home. Also, if she hasn't been spayed, she will try to get out to go get bred when she goes into heat (which will be often). Make sure she has a cat tree and plenty to keep her busy indoors. Have her spayed and then go out with her for a while till she gets used to coming home. If she already got out, put out food and go outside and sit around so she can see you. Good luck!

Answer 8

My advise is not to let her out. Start with short leads dragging it around the house while your home. Once she gets use to the lead then allow her to go outside. It will take a while as cats are very stubborn.

If you do let her out and she doesn't come back. There are reasons for this. Lost? Someone else finds her and assumes she is a stray? And those cruel people who like doing horrible things to cats.

My cat stayed outside 10 years I brought him in because he was getting up in age. He adjusted very well to indoor life and lived another 5 years.

Answer 9

outdoor cats always run the risk of being hit by cars but I know I've had indoor and outdoor cats myself. I would suggest placing food and water close and trying letting him out early in the morning for short space of time at first. Also practice coming on command in the house--shaking a treat bag, always give a very "special" treat reserved only for coming. Then if she/he wont' come outside give it a try.

Answer 10

Your cat will get run over by a car sooner or later !! Not everybody likes to see them dig up the flowers and poop in their garden.Cats have been poisoned for that reason.Dogs chase them and get hold of them sometimes.Last but not least cats have a habit of moving in with another family.
your cat is far better off in her own backyard.Mine are not allowed to leave the yard under any circumstances.