I got a kitty last November. He's still young, and I've had many cats before him. All those cats were indoor/outdoor cats, but they all ran away in the end. I was wondering if I should make my cat an indoor cat or an indoor/outdoor cat.
2007-02-25 08:36:31 · 26 answers · asked by Kayla C 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
It all depends on whether you would mind finding your cat on the road, flat as a chunk of paper because it got hit and repeatedly run over by traffic.
Indoor cats pick up less medical problems such as fleas, parasites, injuries from fights or animal encounters, motor vehicle encounters, etc. Indoor cats are more easily monitored for whatever reasons. Indoor cats do not have the weather to contend with, hot or cold extremes.
Nearly all of the outdoor cats I've known have been shorter lived than the eight or nine indoor cats we've actually had. That could be chance or not.
Personally, ..... I'd go the indoor cat route, but that's just my opinion.
Kev
2007-02-25 17:21:51 · answer #1 · answered by Hobgoblin Kev 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats work well outdoors if you live on a farm. Anyplace else, you're asking for trouble.
Look at all the fliers on the telephone poles for missing/lost pets. Your kitty could run away, be attacked and injured by another animal, or be hit by a car.
And for those who think not letting a cat out is cruel... I had a friend who took his cat for a walk every night with a leash and harness. Cat loved it. Anything is possible. It would take some patience to get a cat used to it, but your kitty is worth the effort.
2007-02-25 16:54:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a good idea not to introduce your cat to the outdoors, especially if you have had cats that ran away in the past. It keeps them safe from predators and disease. So if at all possible, make it an indoor cat.
2007-02-25 16:40:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's still young he'll adjust well to indoor life, as long as your room/apartment isn't too small and you provide him with toys and a place in the windowsill where he can look out. Only older cats who have been outdoors for a good part of their lives may have trouble adjusting to indoor life.
2007-02-25 17:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, I know how you feel! We found this Tabby in November. He came home with us. But he was always crying at the door. We were afraid to let him out! He was gone over night. But you know what? He came back! Does he(your cat) recognize where you live? I would let him grow to 3 or 4 years, just so he knows where to come back. When he reaches that age, Give him a big kiss, open the door, and let him out. It will be normal for you to worry about him. I was worried to death. But he will come back. But if he comes back with scratches or stuff, don't be afraid, get him bandaged up. Don't dewclaw him, he Will need something to fight with.So, let him out if he wants to go. But before you do make sure he eats, drinks, and sleeps. It might not be a good idea if you live by a highway, but he will probably know better not to go across it. He will come back, so any little meow outside make sure you look, P.S. Cats can stand really cold weather, I asked a professional. And, you have to let him out in the summer, he'll want a girlfriend. All I can say is good luck, OH! And, after you let him out, he'll come back; and be ALOT more loveable. Trust me! So, GOOD LUCK :D
2007-02-25 19:46:46 · answer #5 · answered by diablo4eva2004 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep him inside. And NO it is not cruel to keep them inside. Cats do not need to go outside. I have had experience with both ( IN & OUT) I will take inside, without blinking an eye. . You always know where they are, you need not worry if they will get hit with a car, get in a fight, contact a desease from another animal, or come in contact with some cruel person that does not like cats. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. Just read the link that " gpmarie" has given you. Maybe that will help you.
2007-02-25 16:49:51 · answer #6 · answered by Kitty Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Michigan Humane Society is firmly against letting house cats be outdoor cats. They're at risk for diseases, getting hit by a car, getting into fights with other animals, etc.
2007-02-25 16:41:22 · answer #7 · answered by A M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto, to all who answered with, "keep kitty indoors." For safety and health. All of my kitties have been "throw-aways". My latest is about 8 years old and I have him trained to a harness and lead. I must admit that I follow him, so it is not like taking a dog for a walk. But, he seems to enjoy going out with supervision. We have coyotes, fishers, and bobcats on the prowl for tasty morsels, aka, cats and little dogs. One of my former kitties used to go out and developed an incurable disease from eating raw meat (it was a mouse). It caused a serious problem in his eyes and required meds every day plus visits to the vet "eye" doctor every few months plus more frequently when he had a painful flareup with corneal ulcers. So, anyone who says kitty needs to be an outside animal should be prepared for health problems and the possibility of kitty being killed by a predator, not to leave out being hit by a car.
Please check out these animal websites which will provide more detailed information on how to treat the felines in our lives. www.catsnortheast.org and www.bestfriends.org. There are others but these are my favorites.
2007-02-25 17:03:33 · answer #8 · answered by shell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always kept mine indoors. My mom has always had indoor/outdoor cats. I've never had kittens. I've given away over 100 kittens from my mom's cats. (any questions about why mine were fixed before they were old enough to reproduce?) I'd keep him in though.
2007-02-25 16:57:27 · answer #9 · answered by Gabby_Gabby_Purrsalot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No,
If your other cats ran away you shouldn't let it out. Also is your kitty spayed/neutered. That is a reason it could try to get out of the house. Don't let the cat out so it doesn't have a short life.
2007-02-25 16:40:09 · answer #10 · answered by Shy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋