Should I let my cat go outside?

Question

I recently bought a 6 month old kitten which is meant to be a cross persian. When we got her we were told she was an indoor cat. Now I am hearing that we should let her out! She is now very settled with us, been here 3 weeks and is in good health. I dont want to keep her cooped up if it would be best to let her go outside, but equally dont want to let her come to harm, by letting her outside. Any advice would be welcome

The other issue I have is that she is around 9 months and is making strange noises at the moment. She certainly is keen to go outside as she is ready at the door, whenever I come in.

Answer 1

I would strongly recommend not letting her outside. You run the risk of her being hit by a car, dog attacks, cat attacks which can cause serious injury and infection, snake bites, injestion of poison and who knows what else. They will also kill wildlife. An alternative is training her to walk using a harness. This can take a bit of time and patience, and she won't ever walk like a dog, but it will give her a chance to get out, stretch her legs and enjoy the outdoors supervised. You could also build her a small cat run. We built a massive outdoor enclosure that our 3 cats can access through a catdoor in a window. It is totally screened off so no snakes or other dangerous creatures can get in. The cats love it, and we love it because we can keep the smelly litter boxes outside, instead of in the laundry!

Answer 2

9 months old and making strange noises ? I would suggest getting her speyed as it is likely that she is calling for a mate and that is why she is so keen to go out. The mating drive in cats is extremely strong.
Once she is neutered whether you keep her in or let her out is up to you, there are strong feelings on both sides of the argument.
Cats that go out should definately be vaccinated.
I live in a semi rural area with big gardens and lots of fields however in the last 15 years I have had 3 cats shot (not fatally), 1 hit by a car, 1 that was found dead in a field, 1 stolen ( by a little old lady) and several that just disappeared never to be seen again.
I think once she has recovered from neutering she will not be so interested in going out.

Answer 3

From the sound of things, and I mean the strange noises your cat emits along with her anxiety to go outside, kitty is in heat. Persians and Siamese are especially vocal at this time, and if she hasn't ben spayed, get that done as soon as possible. If you live in urban rather than country area, your cat will be a lot safer indoors and a lot happier for a much longer time. Felis domesticus doesn't need near as much room to run around in as her big cat cousins. If you have a fenced yard, you might want to look up a product called Cat-Fence-In frequently advertised in Cat Fancy magazine. It is attached to your fence at a slant and she won't be able to leap over it. Also on the market are electronic fences, Invisa-Fence is one of them. Do not feel you would be depriving her at all if you keep her indoors, and if she is spayed, she won't be all that interested in going out anyway.

Answer 4

I have kept cats for most of my life and they have all lived to good ages, 16, 18, 22 years old was the last one she died of old age, none of them has been run over or attacked by other animals and they have all been allowed outside, cats are hunters and like to be in the fresh air so long as they can get indoors when they want, mine have always had a cat flap, cats shouldn't be put on a lead, they are not dogs! Leave your kitten inside for a little bit longer, then introduce her gradually to the wonderful great outdoors.
We would have a world full of agoraphobics if you think about it, people take their lives into their own hands each time we go out, we could just as easily get run over crossing the street or bitten by a stray dog, or heck in todays culture even stabbed or shot but we still venture outside, I wouldn't want or like anybody to force me to stay indoors 24/7!

Answer 5

Don't let her outside. There are many things that could harm her outside and one of my biggest worries about letting either of my three female kittens outside is that they won't come back! It's best to leave them inside. Just make sure that she is well cared for and you give her lots of attention and affection. Many vets recommend that cats stay inside. There are no positive sides or benefits to letting a cat outside.

If she is making strange noises and she hasn't been spayed, she is on heat. My 5 month old female Tonkinese kitty is currently in heat too (for the 3rd time) and I understand how annoying it can get! Take her to the vet to get spayed. If you are low on money, the SPCA will do it for you for much cheaper.

Answer 6

turning out to be up my cats were always indoor/outdoor cats. they could are available to snuggle and devour, yet performed out area maximum of the day. My dad and mom had a huge backyard with timber and the cats may basically wander around the community. All of my dad and mom acquaintances knew our cats and performed with them besides. considering that my dad and mom homestead replaced into in a suburb there wasn't truly the chance of untamed animals that you discover in the county, or the rushing autos of a city. It replaced into kitty cat paradise. Now I stay in a house off a school campus. i'd not in any respect dream of letting my cat outdoors because of each of the site visitors. i imagine it relies upon on the position you stay and what vaccinations your cat has had. Cats opt to be outdoors yet some situations, like living in a city, basically are not suited. that's continually safer to save your cat interior, yet cats are happier at the same time as allowed a touch more beneficial freedom.

Answer 7

I've had cats all my life and none of them were ever let outside. It opens doors for other animal attacks, getting hit by a car, getting injured in some other way or stolen. Their are people out there that will poison a cat because not everyone like having a cat walk across their yard...If you really want her to be exposed to the outside, do it with a leash and harness. Don't use a regular collar, she'll slip right out of it.

Answer 8

3 weeks is the norm for keeping a cat indoors when you first take it home. Open the door and see if the cat wants to go outside, I'm guessing she'll probably not want to (some cats don't!). But ... if she ventures outside for a look around don't worry, she now knows where home is, and will come back when she's hungry or in need of a cuddle.
.

Answer 9

If you live in a busy area then the chances are if you let her out she will be hurt by traffic. She will be coming into heat if she has not already been spayed, so if you don't want her to have kittens then get her done.
My cat is 10 months old and a house cat. She is perfectly happy, has lots of toys to play with (and my two kids!).
You say your cat is settled and happy so take that as a guide.

Answer 10

The average life expectancy of a cat that goes outside is about a year & 1/2. Indoor cats average around 13 years of pampered living.

You figure it out.

Whoever told you that you should let them out, smack 'em in the mouth for being stupid. Tell them to let their little kids go play out in the street.

ps. And your neighbors will appreciate it if your cats don't go in their yard.