Should she be allowed outside?

Question

I'm getting a russian blue kitten in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if she should be allowed outside once she is older. People have told me that a pedigree cat shouldn't be allowed outside the house. Is this ture?

Answer 1

If you can, try and make your garden escape proof as much as possible. If your cat can, it will roam.

If you keep your cat in for a while once you've got it; for example two weeks and go out with it the first couple of times and play with it with some cat toys, your cat may be less tempted to wander off too far.

As long as your cat feels safe in its new (your) home, it should return.

Alternatively, you could build a cat run. It would have to be of substantial size to allow it to explore the garden as freely as possible. As long as you don't go over board you may not even need planning permission. Check with your local council to be sure. Another option is to buy a body harness and lead for it. As a kitten it will get used to it and eventually walk with you. My elderly persian did and never went out the house unless it either had the harness on or was with me.

A lot of people have house/flat cats. As long as there home environment is enriching enough, they should be ok. Remember to keep their claw tips clipped (and I DON'T mean declawing them), provide them with scratch posts and play things, they should be fine.

Remember that your kitten, the same as an elderly cat, a Persian or similar breed will have a lesser leap ability/distance so bare this in mind when making your garden cat safe. The best way to do this would be to make your home and garden child/toddler proof.

If you have a high incidence of cat theft in your area, it may be safer to keep it in.

Most of all, have fun with your new kitten!

Answer 2

Any kitten should be left indoors for a few weeks so they can familiarise themselves with their new home. At a young age they can easily run away but once they have established themselves in your home they will come back.

A pedigree cat is of more worth but you shouldn't stop your cat from living the life of a cat if it wishes to. Cat's will choose their own lifestyle, whether they are an indoors or outdoors cat. I have two and one prefers staying indoors more while the other outdoors. However we do send them both out daily to gain the exercise and mental stimulation of the natural environment.

There will always be dangers to cats such as cars, dogs, other cats etc, depending on where you live. But cats are animals which can adapt and learn to protect themselves. It also would depend on the area in which you live for example if you live near a partiularly busy road you may not wish to send it out near that road. If you feel confident that your area is safe enough you can let your cat out now and again.

Personally I feel that you should let your cat out because cats are more independant and this way the animal is in a more natural environment. If your cat was an indoors cat and it accidently slipped out the house it would not be familiar with the surroundings and remain less "street smart."

After saying all this it will generally be the cats own choice as to what it prefers. Cats are a great pet to have, hope you enjoy yours whatever you decide.

Answer 3

We have a rescue and a pedigree cat and both go outside if they wish. Most of the time they spend lying in the shade in the garden waiting for birds to come near, but mostly snoozing. I think its down to personal preference, if you're confident enough to let it outside then let it happen. Although, we don't live near a main road and our garden backs onto woodland, so not much danger from traffic.

Answer 4

I personally do not think a cat of that kind should be let out. Most cats which are let ot are your typical black ones or your moggy. My cat is a rare sort of species because its light ginger and a girl and is the sort of cat which is different and is very sensitive and not adventurous. Maybe you should wait to see what the kittens personality is like, if its playful and adventurous and gets bored indoors let it out but if its a cat which gets scared easily by different things or people don't because they would probably be useless out in the real world.

Answer 5

If I had a pedigree cat I would definately keep it in or build an escape proof kitty run.
All the dangers to outdoor cats plus the possibility of it being stolen.

Answer 6

I don't let my cat outside, and it's not even a pedigree. There's just so much more danger it puts the cat in...dogs, busy roads, etc. No joke, my neighbor's cat was electricuted by a fallen power line last summer.

Answer 7

There's no reason that she shouldn't be allowed outside, but to combat the fear of theft and pregnancy, have her spayed and get a mircochip put in, then if she does go missing you have a way to track her down.

It really should be your own choice, does the cat show any signs of wanting to go out? If she does it may turn out she just goes in and out of her own accord and is perfectly happy...but she may become an indoor cat through choice. Cats are independant and you should allow them that choice.

Answer 8

There are a lot more dangers outside but it doesn't matter wether pure or mixed.
It's up to your belief and just remember a cat can run away and I can't afford to pay for a purebred to see if it will stay with me.
Good Luck

Answer 9

please,please,please,do not let her outside. we live by a busy road and have seen numerous cats,dogs and other animals get hit. not only do you have to worry about her getting hit, but what about the people out there who find it fun to torture innocent animals. then if she survives that,what is stopping someone else from claiming her as theirs and keeping her? on the average a indoor cat lives longer than a outdoor

Answer 10

There are no medical reason why she can't go out like other cats. the problem is she likely to be stolen. it really depends on where you live.