Hes a housecat but i find it cruel to keep him indoors 27/7. Can you let housecates out of the house or is it best not to. We live in the centre of town which is real close to a main busy road and theres also lots of dirty backstreet alleys aswell.
ive heard you can rub butter on its paws and it will find its way home by smelling the butter trail its left.
Is this true?
2007-02-01 06:24:48 · 12 answers · asked by Richard T 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
yes
but most happy cats wont wander too far
specially if they are neutered
2007-02-01 06:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well sure, they can leave the house; the question is whether they should be allowed to.
I wouldn't put much stock in the butter theory. But cats don't need something on their feet to leave a trail. The can find their way home by following their own scent marks.
They can, that is, IF they're not too scared and disoriented, as a life-long house cat would probably be if let out by itself. I have heard many sad stories of indoor cats that got out once and were never seen again.
Anyway, the problem isn't whether the cat could find its way home; the problem is what could happen to it while it's out. Busy streets and cats are a recipe for heartbreak.
Because of where you live I would not recommend letting him out by himself. But that doesn't mean you have to keep him inside all the time. I suggest that you buy him a harness and leash and bring him outside. That way he can get his fresh air and enjoy the outside in safety.
2007-02-01 07:43:02 · answer #2 · answered by Mick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats that go outside are subjected to fights, poisons, disease, car accidents that can be fatal, being stolen or tortured by cruel people.
If you CARE about your cats, you will make them happy inside. If you want to get them outside once in a while, get a proper H-harness for cats and keep them on a leash. I have always done this with my cats. They get used to it and enjoy it.
Butter on the paws is not going to protect them from the dangers they are exposed to outdoors. Outdoor cats have a shorter life expectancy than indoor cats.
2007-02-04 16:27:46 · answer #3 · answered by nature_lover_mtl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to the fact you live in the center of town near a busy street, I don't think it would be a good idea. Besides, if your cat has always lived indoors, he doesn't really know what he is missing, right? As long as he gets plenty of attention and has enough playthings to make him content. Don't know about the butter!
2007-02-01 06:53:17 · answer #4 · answered by deb77jo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put butter on your cat.
Cats have like a built in GPS system, they won't leave your house if they are happy there- at least they usually don't wander too far. If you are worried about your cat going in the street... okay, this sounds weird, but... we put our cat on a leash when he's outside because he is sick and can't be around other cats. He doesn't mind it, you could try that if you just want him to get some fresh air.
2007-02-01 06:37:38 · answer #5 · answered by Awesome-O 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
27/7 ? Boy your days are long...
Keep your kitty in the house, only because of where you live. Cat spook easily and you wouldn't want it to get hit by a car.
All butter on a cats paws is going to do, is make your cat crazy, they hate to have dirty feet.. it'll just lick it off.
2007-02-01 06:31:03 · answer #6 · answered by Aunt Henny Penny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF U WANNA TAKE UR CAT OUT TO GET TO KNOW THE NEIGHBOR HOOD PUT IT ON A LEASH AND WALK IT AROUND THE YARD. THEN AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF DOING THAT TAKE IT AROUND THE BLOCK FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS. THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEMS IN FINDING THE HOUSE. ITS BEEN INSIDE. IT KNOWS WHAT THE HOUSE SMELLS LIKE. I THINK THE BUTTER WILL CONFUSE IT MORE.
2007-02-04 20:49:48 · answer #7 · answered by shoppingreen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My two indoor cats are fixed and they go out in the backyard and then come back in. They don't wander far at all. If your cats are declawed then I would leave them in because they can't defend themselves and don't put collars on your cats while outside or they may hang themselves when jumping over a fence or something:>)
2007-02-01 06:32:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
then it wouldn't be a house cat any more it would be an indoor/outdoor cat, yes they can find their way home but the world outside isn't safe they could get hurt by cars, people,and other animals, why take a chance on your cat getting hurt!
2007-02-01 06:33:05 · answer #9 · answered by kat_luvr2003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think "housecat" is just a term. Most (if not all) cats need to go outside once in awhile.
2007-02-01 06:32:17 · answer #10 · answered by EBL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a leash and harness for my kitty and take her for walks....yes I get strange looks. But the pet store says lots of people buy cat leashes because they do not want their cats hit by cars.
2007-02-01 06:31:36 · answer #11 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋