What determines whether a cat should be an indoors or an outdoors cat?

Question

My cat is an indoors cat. I bought him when he was a baby and was already an indoor cat, and I don't seeing him being an outdoor cat. What do you think?

Answer 1

If a cat is male, then I think it could be a good outdoor cat. If it is female, it should be an indoor cat, because it could get pregnant by running around the neighborhood like a tramp.

Answer 2

A indoor cat does not face the dangers that a outdoor cat does. A outdoor cat can be hit by a car, attacked by a dog, or killed by other wild life. Can get hurt from a number of things. Some people even hate cats and kill them. So the life span of an indoor cat is longer if you average it out. My Dad's indoor/outdoor cat in now 14 years old. So just because you let your cat outdoors does not mean they will not live a long life. A cat is a natural hunter predator. They love it outside. My vet thinks it is cruel to keep a cat indoors for all of it's life. Sure a cat would be safer if it spends it's whole life indoors. If children were kept indoors till they were 18 they would be safer. I say it's up to the owner of the Cat to decide. I see both side of this issue. I let my cats outside in the morning and made sure they stayed in my yard. Well that did not work out. One of them decided to jump the fence and was gone for 2 hours. One day the two of them wanted to go out just before dark and I went out with them. The small female left the yard. It got dark and I was out back talking on the phone. She ran by me and into the house. Right behind her was a huge fox chasing her. The next week a eagle took a small dog out of a yard. So I no longer let the Cats outside in less I'm with them and close enough so they won't go over the fence. That's my choice I want them to get fresh air and have the fun they have outside. But I don't want them wandering off and getting killed by wild life in the area.

Answer 3

It depends on where you live. Most people live in places where it is fairly risky to be an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat. Cars are a problem, dogs are a problem, neighbors, toxic chemicals, other cats are a risk. In more rural areas, coyotes and even owls can be a problem.

Indoor cats will live longer because they don't run the risk of being run over or killed by a predator. Zoo animals also live much longer than their wild counterparts as they get medical attention and regular meals.

Is it better to live a riskier, more interesting life in the wild or live a longer life in a zoo?

The rule of thumb that outdoor cats live for 2 years while indoor cats live into their teens assumes that outdoor cats are unneutered, unvaccinated, unfed and uncared for. I know outdoor cats in mild climates who are 20 years old.

If your cat is happy being inside then there's no reason to push her out the door. Indoor cats do need an enriched environment which means they really need toys to play with (no laser toys which are terrible) and company. Indoor cats can become dull and uninterested if they aren't stimulated to 'hunt' and play frequently.

I know some indoor cats that resemble furniture. They haven't been engaged and have become almost immobile.

Answer 4

The main factor is how long you want your cat to live. Outdoors, they can get hit by a car, stolen by another person, attacked by dogs, injured, get into fights with other cats, get infections from wounds, or be infested with fleas, ticks, heartworms, and other parasites. If you raise a cat from the time it's a kitten to be indoors all the time, they don't know any better and won't be upset at being in the house. If you let them run loose after having been indoors all the time, they have no survival skills and will be more likely to encounter trouble.

Answer 5

First off if your cat is an indoor cat you probably shouldn't change that. But if your cat keeps going to do the door and looking at it all the time like a dog when they have to go potty then you might wanna let them out for a few minutes but watch it. Second, if your cat ruins things in the house such as your couch or a chair then you might want to get it a scratching post.Third, if it is getting sick of being inside then you should let it out and then let him in and see what happens from there but take good care of him either way.

Answer 6

I think you are doing the right thing. To put your little guy out now would be a big mistake. At the very least you'd be trying to get him out of a tree!

My cats have all been outdoor cats because I have lived in a relatively safe place - in the country. When I lived in the city, I lost at least 3 fine cats to cars over the years. If only they'd stay in the backyard like a dog, but being cats...

Keep your guy in the house.

Answer 7

We have 2 cats and they've been indoor cats since we brought them home at 8 weeks old (they are now 4 yrs. old). They try to run outside and both have gotten out overnight by accident. They came back eventually and were anxious to get back in the house. Every once in awhile, they'll cry at the door and we'll let them out in yard to go onto the grass, but we watch them the whole time. After awhile, we bring them back inside and their happy again. Cats are much safer indoors. They live longer, they're healthier, they have clean food and water and their fur is cleaner. My husband had a cat (from before we dated) that lived at his mom's house. She was mostly an outdoor cat. One day they realized her back leg was broken....not fractured, but completely severed in two. Vet said mostly likely someone kicked her because there were no other injuries to indicate she got hit be a car or bike. She had to have pins and rods in her legs. We nursed her back to health for 4 months and brought her back to his mom's house when she was healthy. Weeks later, she went missing for a few days and they found her deathly ill. She ended up getting put to sleep. We never found out what happened to make her sick. Never again will I allow any cat of ours to live outdoors. We still miss her and we blame the neighborhood.

Answer 8

Indoor cats, for the most part, love to lie around, take naps, and relax. While on the other hand, outdoor cats are very active, they run, jump, pounce, and they love to watch the birds and trees and stuff. If a cat sits by the door meowing, he's probably an outdoor cat. Often you'll see Alley cats being outdoor cats. I had a tabb..Alley cat where he was indoor/and outdoor. ^_^

Answer 9

Well, it is really your choice. Outdoor cats are slightly higher maintenance as you should keep food outside as well as in. You should be prepared for their hunting instinct and i highly recommend Frontline for ticks (ask your vet).

I now have two cats one is all outdoor and one likes both. We have had no problems with either, and the outdoors is good for them.

One of the determining factors for your decision should be your house and property. You want a large enough lawn that your cat will have enough room to run around and explore. You don't want to risk your cat wandering into the street!

If you want to have an outdoor cat, you must teach him/her where home is by giving it much affection and leave food outside your house. I suggest when you start off you give your cat a collar with its information by chance it does run away.

I hope this helps, and i wish you the best of luck!

Answer 10

When it goes to the door and looks out, it wants to be an outdoor cat. When it comes back to the door looking in, it wants to be an indoor cat. This how my Aunt's cat does. At night he an indoor cat.