should i let my cat out? she is ragdoll cross?

Question

I rescued a 2yr old female cat 1 week ago, she is a ragdoll cross. I got told not to let her out for at least 3 weeks so she gets used to her home, but the lady at the rescue centre said that she would keep her as an indoor cat. She is a very pretty cat and likely to be stolen. But if she does want to go out should i let her?

Answer 1

If you are going to let her out I would suggest getting something for her to stay in while she is outside and watch her as well. This site has some really neat things for cats so they can go outside but be safe. I tried putting my cat in a harness and leash and he disliked it so much he wiggled right out of it.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+62745

Answer 2

Ragdoll Cross Cats

Answer 3

I think that cats generally should be allowed outside and that these people ranting about how all outdoor cats die early are mad, but with a ragdoll it really isn't a good idea to let them out. They don't have the instincts required to survive. If they were attacked by a dog or cat then it's entirely possible they wouldn't defend themselves because of the docility of the breed. Needless to say, a chance encounter with a territorial tomcat or a fox could be disastrous. With this cat please don't let her outside as she probably isn't tough enough to actually survive. It's unlikely she'd get poisoned, I think, but attacks a normal cat could easily fend off could be deadly for your kitty, and she would be a likely target for thieves. If you do a google search for ragdoll cats then you should find some good info on why they can't be let outside and how to stop them getting out.

Answer 4

I think you should let your cat out is long as you have a cat flap and dont live in a flat and that is rubbish that cats only live 2-3 years. I have had my 3 cats for over 6 years and two have been going out for that length of time the cat will decide if he or she will go out its self and will come back after a long time it is just getting used to the surrounding don't panic if your cat does not come back after a few hours as this is normal for cat. This is just through previews experience

Answer 5

I am a firm believer in keeping cats indoors. I think it's far worse for a cat to be let out to roam, encountering stray/other animals, sitting out in the cold/rain, potential risk of being stolen or harrassed by people or even injured or run over. As long as you get a cat climbing tree for your new kitty and make sure you play with her a lot (and let her run around crazily to burn off that energy) she will be more than fine.

It is difficult if she has been allowed outside before. But do try to keep her in. A modern compromise is to build a wire 'run' cage for your cat in your garden (see website below).

Congratulations on finding your new cat :-)

Answer 6

I would not recommend letting your Ragdoll outside. They are known for having a very kind and trusting personality and therefore are likely targets for predators, not to mention the possibilities of being hit by a car, or becoming lost again and winding up back in a shelter or animal control center. If you keep your cat indoors and provide them with plenty of toys for exercise she should do just fine. Another idea, if you think your cat is used to being outside is to play games with them. Hide her food around the house so that she has to "hunt".

Answer 7

Yes you should let her out but not for about 2 months so she thinks of your home as her territory.

It is cruel to keep cats indoors as they are not dogs or kids and like freedom and independence.In the UK it will soon be illegal to keep cats indoors only.

And as for the idiots saying indoor/outdoor cats don't live long-mine is nine and 2 others on my street alone are well into their teens.

Answer 8

You should keep your cat inside for at least 6months before letting her out. I have six cats and i have just recently moved, I know for a fact if the cat is not used to the home it will not came back. But be careful if you keep the cat inside for to long, the cat may start spraying your house.

Answer 9

NO! DONT LET HER OUT!!
If you put posters up and asked around the neighborhood if they lost a cat, she is yours now.
If she knows she can go out she'll keep trying. You need to make her afraid of the outside. there are several ways of doing it. I got some advise from Purina.com. they may seem cruel, but you only have to do them once.
1. Have some one stand outside your door with a hose. Open the door and have the cat go near the door. Squirt the hose torward the cat.
2. Have someone stand out side the door with a pot and lid. Open the door and have the cat go out or near the door. Bang the pot and lid.
Both will make your cat run under your bed with thier tails all big.
I have a 2 cats that I have "rescued". And now, they won't go near the door at all. And if the door bell rings, they go running under the bed.
If your cat really misses the outside, you can open a window. (make sure the screens are secure) They can hear the sounds and smell the smells of the outside in the safety of your own home.

Answer 10

Do NOT let her outside. Ragdolls were bred to be extremely docile cats. Ignoring, the risk of diseases and the average lifespan of an outdoor cat (3 years), there are all sorts of tangible dangers outside and ragdolls simply don't have the instincts to allow them to survive outside. They're very friendly, very loving cats, but if someone walks up to them, or if another animal attacks them, they will not defend themselves. In this case, it's kinder to be a little cruel now, rather than to risk her life.

Answer 11

No, do not let her out. The lady at the rescue centre is correct. Your cat may cry and appear to want to go out but keep her inside, she will get used to it. She may be a pretty cat but the least of your worries is that she will get stolen. Is she fixed? She could get run over. She could be poisoned. Provide her with a litter box and play with her, she will eventually forget she ever was outside.