Should I let my cats out advice needed.?

Question

I got 2 cats from a rescue centre. They told me they were house cats. My ginger tom has been outside for a short period and appeared to like it ! My problem is that I am terrified in case something happens to them, as I live near a busy road. I feel awful watching them sit by the window looking out at other mogs, knowing that want out. Looking for ideas how I can gradually introduce them into the big bad world safely. Many thanks in advance, xx

You are all wonderful x. I think that when I got them I never got their full history. My ginger tom is desparate to get out while my short haired asian is not. I am going to have to take a chance with them. Saying that they are not going out with out me !

Answer 1

Yes let them out. Cats were not designed to be kept indoors is my personal opinion. However because these cats were indoor cats you have to do this slowly, Do you have an enclosed back garden area, this would be ideal as they would have their own area they could get used to first and they will then decide themselves when they feel ready to venture any further. Do not worry too much about traffic, we live right on a road and my ginger and white tom is great at crossing the road!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Hi!

Don't let your cats outside - keep them indoors. It is not cruel to keep them indoors, providing they have enough to entertain themselves. Dogs were once feral, and romed in the wild, as cats did. Nowadays, we wouldn't dream of letting our dogs out alone in the neighbourhood - it should be no different for cats. I've had 4 very healthy, happy indoor cats. You will also have a stronger bond with them.

Just because your cats are looking out of the window, does not necessarily mean they long to escape the 'prison' of your home! For them, it's a little like watching TV. You could see pictures of America and really wish to go there. It doesn't mean that you will have an awful life if you don't. it's the same for cats and the great outdoors.

You would also not be selfish for wanting to keep them indoors. 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. There are so many organisations nowadays telling people to stop letting their cats outside.

If you have a garden, patio or balcony, a modern compromise is to buy a wire 'run' or cage for your cat (see website below). You can even build your own from a few sheets of wire mesh. These are brilliant and mean that your kitties can get some fresh air, but be safe from harm. An alternative is to get a harness and a very, very long leash, so that they can roam about your garden but not escape over the fence. Some cats are happy to do this, but others will get freaked out by the harness and try to chew it off, so see what you think.

Congratulations on finding your new kitties, I'm sure you'll give them a great home! :-)

xx Emmie

Answer 3

I kept my cat indoors for two and a half years because I lived on the third floor and she was too scared to make her way downstairs and out.

Then I moved to a place with a garden and took her outside. She loved it! I went out with her again a couple of times and she disappeared for 26 hours :-) You have to expect that and not worry too much, if possible.

Since then I've moved again and now I live on the first floor without a cat flap. When I go to work in the morning my cat can't wait to be let out. She knows the sound of my car and comes running when I get home.

Of course it's more dangerous outside, but if I had kids, I'd let them out into the dangerous world, too.

Answer 4

I have two British Blues and they have the freedom to live as they wish. They are the street's cats and are tickled and loved almost everywhere.
A hundred eyes look out for them and a spoon hitting a saucer like a bell brings them home.
Delivering the Streets cards at Christmas is a joint effort as Tim and Tess join in to walk me up each garden path.
We are a happy family.
Keep them in until feeding time then let them out.
Wait a while and do the saucer trick for food.
After a few weeks of that you will be fine.
Best wishes.

Answer 5

I am just not a fan of letting cats outside. To many things can happen to them for instance being hit by cars, contracting Aids and/or Feline Leukemia, Bite Wounds from fighting, parasites, toxins and the list goes on and on. I worked in an animal hospital for 8 years and have seen these things happen. My two cats sit in the window and watch the world go by safely as I could not rest if either of them were outside.

Answer 6

If the rescue centre told you they were house cats, then they are probably used to not going out. Personally I think cats should be let out and would feel the same as you about that.
I lived near a busy road and my cats always ventured in the opposite direction, they were pretty streetwise, but if your cats have always been house cats, they wouldnt be so clever.
If you let them play in the garden for a bit (if you have one) before its feeding time, they should always come back when theyre hungry.
Put it this way, if they get a better life by going out where they belong, surely its worth it.

Answer 7

you can build/buy a "cat cage" in your garden. this will protect your cats from more than cars. if this isn't possible, keeping them in won't harm them (unless they are already outdoor cats, then they may stress over their confinement quite badly). only time will tell how they take to this. i know outdoor cats who took well to an indoor life.
if you do let them out, they walk the wild road & take their chances (nature truly is "red in tooth & claw") & you will have to endure the worry of their safety. they may have good road sense. dogs & (especially) people/kids are a far greater peril.
IMPORTANT!!! if you do let the cats out, DO NOT!!! collar them! they can hang themselves from trees, (even elastic or breakable collars are not!!! safe) or if chased by a dog, the collar catches on whatever the cat runs under, the cat is trapped & the dog gets it by the back-end. the cat could be crouching under a car, the car drives away & the cat gets dragged by the collar. no cat should EVER wear a collar!!!

Answer 8

I have a similar problem, i have rescued a very old cat and as we live in a communal garden area, on the 2nd floor i have to go outside with him and feel nervous that i wont find him again, hes not that bothered about going out, but if he was really itching to get out, then id let him as i wouldnt want to restrict him, if he runs away what can you do? I guess you could ease them in gently by going outside with them for 20 mins so they get used to it.x

Answer 9

First off get them microchipped and put a collar on them.

Then get a lockable cat flap and that way it's up to them.Cats are fairly streetwise-the vast majority avoid cars safely.And as for dogs-a healthy adult cat is more than a match for a dog.

It's a lie to say they don't live long as indoor/outdoor cats.Mine is 9 and several on my streets are well into their teens.

As you live on a busy road make sure you keep them in when it's dark as thats when there are the most drunk drivers and your cats are also least visible.Thats why a lockable catflap is important-lock it at night.

This seems to be an Atlantic divide thing though.In the USA most cats seem to be kept in wheras here in the UK most are indoors/outdoors cats and it's seen as cruel to keep them in.In the UK it will soon be illegal to keep them in too.

Answer 10

There is no way to keep a cat safe once it goes outside - you cannot train them to stay in the garden and you can't teach them road safety.

I had cats right from when I was a baby and all our cats were free to roam. About 10 years ago one of them was killed on the road. The remaining cats lived their lives out naturally but I decided never to get another cat as I felt (and still feel) so upset about the one that was killed.

My Vet said the price cats pay for their freedom is a short life as so many of them die from accidents.

The only option is to keep them indoors permanently and that doesn't suit me as it doesn't seem right although I know it works for other people. I know someone who has her garden fenced and 'roofed' with wire mesh so that her cats can spend as much time as they want outdoors but they can't get away.