New kitten?

Question

Hi about 11 weeks ago my 8 month old kitten got killed by a car. I have now got a female cat (Animal sancutary says about 9 months old) I think she maybe 1. We have had her a month now and have decided not to let her out due to the obvious dangers that are out there, which we stupidly didn't think of before with our other cat. She seems very depressed and tries to get out of the windows and escape through the door. I feel so awful not letting her out but i have a four year old who was devasted when our other cat got killed and i can't risk it again for him , myself and most importantly the cat. She has lots of toys, lovely warm bed, scratch post, wet and dry food and water and lots of cuddles and playtime with us. What would suggest in this situation ,as im really worried about her. I know she was found stray thats how the animal snacutary got her so i know she has been outside. Please help its making me really upset. Honest answers please

Answer 1

Dont listen to those who tell you to let your cat outside. Trust me she is sooooo much safer indoors. When cats are outside they never live long because they get into fights with other cats, get hit by cars, attacked by dogs, they always have worms and fleas, there are to many dangerous things outdoors for cats. I have had cats all my life and I had several outdoor cats and none of them lasted long, some just disapeared others got hit by cars, so keep her inside. You are doing the right thing for your kitty, your kitty will get used to the indoors, just be patient. Make sure you play with her allot and you could always get another kitty so she has someone to play with. Allot of animals like to have another one of their kind around. Oh yeah get her fixed as well, that will calm her down because she may be in heat and maybe that is why she wants to go outside.

Answer 2

I know the problem. I got a kitten from the Humane Society. She was 6 months old and would cry at the window for hours at a time. I finally couldn't take it anymore and let her out and she is soooo happy now. I never let my cats stay out at night and I keep an eye on her so she doesn't go too far but in spite of my promise that she'd be an indoor cat I couldn't do it. I know they claim every cat should live indoors but I think it isn't practical for all cats unfortunately. Once they've had a taste of outdoors they just can't be indoor critters!

Answer 3

My sister and I received two beautiful kittens almost two years ago and, no kidding, these two brothers are practically wild. My Mom says they're like dogs. We live on a busy road and near coyotes, so they stay indoors all the time, and believe me, they want OUT. They've snuck out around my feet a few times, too.

I read that if you have an outdoor cat, never let them outside because they'll never forget it and always want it. Maybe she needs vigorous excersice, but I think she just misses her freedom, and she'll be okay without it. Just remember that while it's for her own good, it's unnatural for her, and you may have to deal with at least a little of this behavior for the rest of her life.

Because she's still young, you could try teaching her to use a leash, it's worth reasearching. My cats hate it and I didn't have the time to train them on it, but they loved the "being outdoors" part of it. It could help her find a release for her wild roots, or it could make her never want to come back inside. Please, research it thoroughly if you want to try it. Plus, it's a excuse to buy cute stuff at the pet store.

Answer 4

Hi there... Dont listen to the people who are being rude. I am a cat owner and a dog owner. My first cat that I got was a stray. He was around a year old when we found him and he did live outside. He would try to get outside every chance he got for a while, but he was an indoor cat always. Now, he is almost 12 years old! And he loves being inside with his family. Sometimes things just take longer. You're allowed to be selfish and keep them inside if it's for their own good. Trust me they grow to love their lifestyle!


Also, since she is still really young, you could get another kitty around the same age. My 2nd cat is 5 months old and spoiled rotten, but i work and go to school so i felt bad leaving him by himself all the time. So i got another cat the same age and now i don't worry because they get along sooo well! they play and cuddle all day long! I was afraid they wouldnt get along, but i tried to find the same characteristics in them. And it worked! They are best friends!

Answer 5

One of my cats used to be able to go in and out of the house at will. My other cat was a 2month old stray when we found him. Both enjoy going out. But now we live in an area with many dogs, racoons and there is a rather busy street in front of our house. We have a huge fenced backyard. But still, I am not taking any chances with my cats. I want to keep them indoors the majority of the time with short excursions or spells outside. The older cat has been leashed-trained for some time. So I take him out for daily walks. I leashed-trained the younger one too and give him a turn outside as well. When I cannot be with them outside, I put them in an outdoor chainlink enclosure (meant to be a dog kennel). It has a door and a mesh roof and I mad it "cat-proof." The kennel cost me around $200.00. I try to enliven my cats' lives indoors by playing with them and getting them different toys and gadgets. Some people get their cat's cat trees or condos and position these near windows so the cats can look out and watch birds, etc. Make indoors an interesting place for your kitty and she won't mind staying in when she has to. My two boys don't.

Answer 6

I have two cats myself. I have one cat that goes out and the other one stays in the house - we do not let her out at all. We got the other cat to replace the dog we had sometime back. We got the other cat from my brother. But the point i am trying to make is that the vet told us to keep our other cat in th house because she is much safer there. We have had different cats that have come and gone. Some of them ran away or some have gotten killed. But back to the point I'm trying to make is by keeping her in the house - she is a lot safer than if she is out side and then something happens to her and it hurts terribly. But i tell my mom, that loving a pet is worth all the pain us humans go thru with them is well worth it in the end.

Answer 7

I had a cat who was the same way. Well, he eventually went through the screen while the window was open. He cut himself pretty bad on the screen. When I took him to the vet to have the cuts looked at, the vet told me if he wanted out that bad he would find some way to do it.
I have a female cat who is spayed and is the same way. We live in an area with racoons, fox etc and she has managed to stay alive and well for 15 years. I think cats have a mind of their own and we can't stop what they want to do. Good Luck.

Answer 8

I had a kitten before Christmas so far she is only allowed in back garden supervised as she hasnt been done yet but im worried about loosing her out properly in case she gets hurt by the many cats that live in our road and there is a main road not far from me. I would like her to be an outdoor cat but im also worried about her going out though as i would be distraught if anything happened to her.

Answer 9

Ya'know the same thing happened to me. I learned to let my little baby (kitty) out. She came back every night. And if she didn't come when I called her, she obviously wasn't ready to come in. I don't think she will get hurt. Cats have sences that tell them to stay away from things that might be a threat to them (cars). The little kitten probably got hit cause it was very young and probably didn't know much. But all cats should be let out side, it is after all their natural habitat! By the way, I am very sorry for your kitty, may she/he be playing in heaven with other cats :D

Answer 10

Put her on a leash and walk her like a dog ( get a small one for small dogs) . Cat is not gonna like that too much, but she'll be outside. That's a compromise that both of you have to make. If cat didn't grew up in a noisy street, it might gonna get scared of the car, and than she will not be in such a mood to go out. If she'll not get scared than the leash is the only solution. You can't imprison her in the house.