My cats really want to go outside. Should I let them?

Question

I moved to a farm with my new husband 7 months ago. Three of my four cats really want to go outside. I let them out with me, and I made them a place in the shed for shelter and food because everyone keeps telling me I should let them go and kill the mice. I thought I would be okay, but I am so worried they will get hurt or run off or get killed by a coyote. So I am just trying to balance their happiness to my happiness (and lack of stress and worry), which do I choose? Has anyone had any experience with this?

FYI: They are spayed and they do have there claws. I want them to be safe AND do whats natural to them.

Answer 1

I have had that trouble what you should do is let ur cats out in the day and bring them in at night then youreally do not have to worry to much about coyotes

Answer 2

Some friends of mine let their cats out on the screen porch and the cats seem to like it. Definitely, the cats should only go outside if they have claws, otherwise they can't defend themselves or climb someplace quickly to escape a predator.
After 7 months, the cats shouldn't run off. They should be accustomed to that area being their home. It sounds like the biggest problem is coyotes. Maybe you can make them a hole to get the shed that is only big enough for cats to get into but not coyotes.

Answer 3

Eeee, tough one. The main argument for keeping cats inside is if you live near busy roads as the rate of RTA is so high.

It sounds like you live in a good area for having outdoor cats. There's no particular reason the cats would run off if they're neutered and know that the farmhouse is their home, which they probably do after 7 months! As to getting hurt - aw, you sound like a mum who's worried about her kids growing up and having their own lives - you just have to let them go, you can't wrap them in cotton wool forever! :-)
I would say the only real concern is coyotes - I live in England so I don't know how often cats are attacked by coyotes. I can only speak for foxes, and they very rarely attack cats - they are both predators, so the two tend to stay out of each others way.

I'd let them out if they were my cats and that's what they wanted. I live in an area backed by woods, fields and a farm with a fair few foxes around. There are many cats in my area and I've never heard of anyone having a problem. My cat lived largely outside for all of her 18 years, apart from in the winter when she got older. You can always get into a routine of keeping kitties inside at night, when they're most at risk.

As for fleas and worms - indoor cats get them too, and they are easily prevented with the right (veterinary) preparations!
Chalice

Answer 4

I have 11 cats. All indoors. They love to look out the screen windows and watch birds. If you let your cats out, do not let them catch mice. Especially, if you have rat poison out. Remember, on a farm, there are a lot of chemicals. Cats love to smell and taste new things. My sister is on a small farm (14 acres). She put up a fence with a shelter house (small) inside the fence. She only lets her cats out, inside the fenced area. They also come in at night. Another animal, you might not have thought about is the opossum. My sister had several cats injured and 1 killed when one came into the yard. That was when she put up the fence. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

I can only answer for myself and what I would do with my cats. They are both indoor cats and have had their shots and are healthy. My fear about letting them out would be that they could be exposed to an animal with FIV (Feline immunodeficiency viurs - 11% of all cats have it, it is very contagious - they can get it just from grooming or drinking the same water, and is not curable - it is similar to HIV in people) or some other disease. Not to mention the fact that they could be hit by a car or attacked by another wild animal. I just care about my cats too much to put them at risk like that.

Answer 6

It's much safer to keep cats inside. The average lifespan of an indoor only cat is 15+ years, whereas the lifespan of an outdoor cat is 2 years or less. Also, cats can get diseases from mice, shortening their lifespan. The following site has a list of reasons to keep your cats indoors. You can also leash-train cats... you may consider that as an option, though some cats won't be confident enough to do it.

Answer 7

You can let them out on a leash and body harness, and/or under supervision, but if there is anything around that could potentially be harmful to them, you should not let them out when you aren't around. Better safe than sorry.

And don't have them kill the mice. You don't know what those mice might be carrying, and you can be sure that the first thing they'll do is bring the corpse to you, expecting praise for their very first successful hunt.

Answer 8

I understand your concern about them getting harmed from being outdoors. But, can you imagine a child who wantd out so badly, yet confined to indoors? Parents can protect their child from more day-to-day dangers if kept indoors, but what would their life be like? I think it's better to live happy for whatever time we're given than to live an extended unhappy life. **this goes for animals too**.

If the cats still have their claws, then I would tend to let them enjoy the outdoors (they are nuetered/spayed, aren't they?). Cats are very good at defending for themselves. That's not to say something won't happen to them. It can and it might (or might not). However, they should enjoy their life, too. Some cats prefer the indoors. Others enjoy the outdoors. Let them live. :)

Answer 9

Might not worry about coyotes (who also prowl in the day) but
warm weather is coming and that brings ticks and fleas. Then
the cats bring them into the house. Fleas are a nuisance but
some ticks can make you seriously ill with Lyme Disease.

Answer 10

Their chances of survival are less, they could get into pestisides, they could encounter other cats that have not had vaccinations and their likelihood of getting into a fight are more likely and remember no vaccinations are for leukemia or feline aides and they are terminal illnesses. But you can take a chance if you fell it is what you want. Don't ever let other people pressure you about your animals. They are yours and they are in your heart not theirs. I have had my angels for 11 years despite what my advice giving friends have told me to do and I hope to have them many more. They have never been sick a day knock wood and I hope to keep it that way. I have taken a lot of greif about indoor cats but it is my decision to take care of these babies not theirs. Give it a try, if it doesn't feel right, bring them back in.