Do you think I am mean??

Question

I will not let my cats outside, I lost one over a year ago and now I will not let my other ones out. I just don't want to go through that loss again!! One is dying to get out lately, he even knows how to open the screen window by himself. I don't know what to do about that, and yes, they are all fixed!!

They are all young, the oldest is two. My babie I lost was 7. I get really upset when we have company and the don't close the door. I have had to go out so many times and hunt my little ones down, but It scares me when they get out, and I think everyone that knows me should understand!! They are happy, healthy and fine. I just don't want to lose any of them!!

aquamono, there are 9000 cats in this city every year that are strays and they have to put down. At least I am trying to be responsible and my 4 are fixed!! It is sooooo sad!!!

Answer 1

Keeping them indoors is the BEST thing you can do! Indoor cats are healthier, plus they won't get into fights with stray cats, get bitten by animals, etc. They are perfectly fine inside. In fact, many animal shelters insist that you keep your adopted cats inside - I myself am contractually obliged to keep mine in the house (he'd be inside anyway).

If you really want to let your cat see the outdoors, you can buy leashes and harnesses for cats, so you can take them for walks. Check your local pet shop.

Answer 2

Of course not! You are a good kitty parent. My cats don't go out- if you had a 16 year old kid who wanted to drink and stay out all night, would you be 'mean' for not allowing it? NO! You would say 'forget it, you can't get yourself killed.' You're doing the best thing. And never mind how you feel, how will kitty feel if hit by a car or attacked by a dog? I have 3 cat trees. I have a lot of toys- they can play with the toys instead of catching some disgusting bird that has a disease that will kill them. A pet is a pet, not a wild animal. You're not mean, and I hope you feel good about taking the best care of your fur babies that you know how.

Answer 3

Don't feel bad...I've lost two cats in two years and don't let my other two out ever anymore...the meow a lot when the weather gets nice, but they adjust. If you're feeling that bad about it, get them a leash (from my experience, cats really hate these though), or put them in an enclosure to be outside. That way they'll get some outside time, and you can stop beating yourself up. I think it's great that you love your pets!
Good job on all of them being fixed!!!

Answer 4

No I don't think you are mean. I think you are very concerned with a genuine worry given that you have already lost a cat. You will eventually need to let the cats outdoors though.

Unfortunately for now you are in a situation where you are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. Your cats will want out for sure - they are outside animals but you will never forgive yourself if something happens.

I suggest you give them some supervised outside play time. I have even known of people that live on busy streets to have outside runs - like large aviary's made for their cats to play in.

If however you live on a quiet street and your concern is more with the cats running away then I think its a case of letting them out for short periods of time while both the cats and yourself gain the confidence to let them out longer.

I let my cats out during the day but I keep them indoors at night.

Good on you for loving your cats this much. Its hard to loose a cat but, (don't leave it too long), you will need to give these cats some outdoors living.

Answer 5

If you wanted to let them out then why don't you try putting them in their carry basket and taking them into the garden with you so they get to know what it is like, or like someone else said, make an outside pen so they can be outside but not escape.

It probably helps if they can also learn to recognize their names too if you may eventually let them out.

We did this with my cat and he's fine with being out now and comes when he's called, well most of the time anyway!

Answer 6

i have 3 cats, 2 were always outside 1 was always inside. i built them a "cathouse", it is a screened area just off my laundry room. they jump out the window and are outside but safe. there are boards at different heights for them to sit on and half the top has roofing the other half is screened in so they can lay in the sunshine or go on the ground and eat grass. it is quite large and was cheap to build,i won't let them run loose anymore, the traffic is bad, there are stray dogs around , raccoons all kinds of things to harm my boys. they are quite content with their lives. terribly spoilt. one of them tries to escape when i open the door,he always will and he's the one who likes to go on the road. i know in my heart he would have been road pizza along time ago if i hadn't made the decision to keep him in.

Answer 7

Indoor cats can be happy cats! Mine are all indoors and are happy and healthy. I don't have to worry about them getting hit by cars, getting into fights, stolen or getting sick. You can take them outside with a leash and a harness if you want them to enjoy the outdoors.
Cats that live outside can expect to live (on average) 1-2 years. Indoor cats can expect to live anywhere from 10-15 years!

Answer 8

No, you are not mean. You are a good cat mommy.

It doesn't matter what they want. If your human kid wanted to play on the freeway you wouldn't let it. Same with your kitties going outside.

You can buy tall cat trees to make their indoor life funner.

Use duct tape on the screen they open. I had to do this on all my screens until my cats stopped trying to open them.

There are cat fences you can put up in your yard to keep the cats from getting out. They are expensive, but it will keep the cats safe.

Purrs,
The Cat Lady

Answer 9

How can it be mean to love them and want to protect them. I had cats all my life, my parents let all of our cats free to roam and sooner or later they were killed. Except for one cat, all the others died young. The city is just too dangerous, for these reason my cats were kept in the house. As a child we must of had over ten cats, once on my own, only 4 and they all died old, the one I have now is 2 years old and as healthy as can be. If giving them the chance to grow old is mean, then may God forgive me.

Answer 10

I do understand - and no you're not mean. I don't allow mine outside, either. Only one of them tries, but I don't allow it. Don't let people tell you they're "missing out on something," because they're not. Domesticated cats are just that.

If you feel that bad about it, they do make several things that will allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely. Try drsfostersmith.com or cat.com (I think) for these options. Warning: They are not cheap.

Window boxes are a nice alternative.... it's a screened in box that juts out the window, kind of like an air conditioner, and they're not so expensive.