How do you make the transition from inside kitty to inside-outside kitty?

Question

my kitty LOVES to go out on our screened in patio, and whenever a fly gets in the house she has so much fun killing it. she loves hunting and she loves to run around. but she freaks out when we try to take her outside and show her its okay. i grew up with cats, my mom always had cats. she always said that she thinks its wrong to keep cats in the house because cats love it outside. i know sophie would love it outside. we live in an area with alot of little lizards and frogs and i know she would have a ball playing with them i never put her out before we got her fixed because i didnt want to chance her having kittens. shes only 7 months old but she is SO terrified of being outside the porch. she will sit on the porch and look out of the patio and meow like shes trying to get out, but she afraid of it. lol ive even tried to sit her right outside the patio with the part of the yard shes familiar with. but nothing seems to work. am i battling a lost cause?

Answer 1

I never let my cat outside unless I'm right there with him. I know they like it out, I even had a cat I used to let out. When it got hit by a car and killed I learned my lesson, but my cat had to pay the price for my stupidity and I will never forget that lesson and the heartbreak. The ONLY way I let my cat out now is when I accompany him and can keep an eye on him. And of course no cat should be allowed out unless they are up to date on shots and spayed or neutered.

Answer 2

"she thinks its wrong to keep cats in the house because cats love it outside"

Don't you think -

Getting killed by a dog
Hit by a car and then bleeding to death by the side of a road
Poisoned from licking up antifreeze
Tortured by kids
Killed by eating a poisonous toad or salamander
Eaten by a wild animal
Dying from Feline Leukemia
Eating poisoned food left out by a cat-hating neighbour

Are just a TAD more "wrong" than keeping your cat inside? Your indoor only cat could live 15-20 years - where an outdoor cat only lives about 2-5 years!

And would the lizards and frogs she hunts and kills for sport "have a ball"? I don't think so. She'll also hunt and kill songbirds and their babies for sport. Would it be "fun" to find dead little baby birds in your back yard?

And why are you laughing that she cries and is obviously scared about being outside? That's pretty cruel :( Poor kitty!

Answer 3

The screened patio is perfectly fine for your kitten.

"she always said that she thinks its wrong to keep cats in the house because cats love it outside. "

That is not necessarily true. If a cat grew up inside it may be scared to death of the outside world. Cats have been bred over the years to be use to inside areas.
The outside world can be a dangerous place to a kitty. They can be attacked by wild animals, hit by cars, and tortured or killed by bad people.
A screened porch gives the outside fresh air, sounds, and view without actually going outside.

I see nothing wrong with outside visits provided they are supervised. Put your kitty on a harness and walk him around the back yard. Do not take him any further than what you want him to go. For outside visits, never take him off the harness unless you feel he will not get past the perimiters.

Kitties who are healthier and live longer are primarily indoor kitties.

Answer 4

Try sitting her outside a few minutes a day. Maybe even carry her a little ways out into the yard, but no so far as she feels she's lost. I have a 2 1/2 month old kitten, and when we first got him he liked the porch, but he was terrified of the yard. I sat him outside a few times, carried him a few feet into the yard and made him make his own way back to the porch, and now it's nearly impossible to get him to come back in. lol He absolutely loves the yard now.

Another cat of mine was several months old when we got her, and she stayed close to the house for the longest time, even though she was entirely an outdoor cat back then. Eventually she got comfortable enough to go roaming about.

So I don't think it's a lost cause, but every cat is different and it may take her some time to get used to it, but I think she will eventually. Just keep sitting her outside for a little bit every day. Stay close to her though so she doesn't feel like you abandoned her or something and start freaking out.

Answer 5

Be prepared for the following when - if - you let your cat begin going outside. She may bring back her catches and lay them at your feet expecting to get praise - and/or let them loose - alive in your house - this included but is not limited to snakes, mice and bugs. Also she could get into fights and get beat up by other cats and possibly killed by a dog or hit by a car or hurt by a mean person or run away and never come back. If she likes to be inside this much, she may try to get inside of someone elses house where they may just decide to keep her inside where she really does belong. She will be healthier and just as happy and will live a longer life because you regulate what she eats and you won't have to worry about why she just threw up - if it was something that she caught and ate outside that might be poison. Obviously Sophie does NOT love to be outside. Please don't force her. You could loose her and/or risk her getting hurt or killed.

Answer 6

Although you asked for advice to transisiton your kitten to be an inside-outside kitty, I just want to offer this: when I was growing up I was given a beautiful breeded Siamese kitten. After a while we eventually started to allow him to go outside. Big mistake! He soon cried every time he wanted to go out or come in (all times of the day and night), fought with all the strays and other outdoor cats in the neigborhood, and although he is spayed, he evenutally contracted feline HIV. At this point in his life, (he is 12) it is too late not to allow him outside; he would just sneak his way out or cry until he was let out anyway. Now his ears are all torn up and although we're lucky he's still alive, he may have lived a happier life if he remained an indoor cat.

Answer 7

Please don't send your cat outdoors. It is so wrong and your cat is trying to tell you that. Outdoors they are in danger from predators, disease, fleas, and cars. Our boys love the screened porch but wouldn't dream of stepping a foot out of the safety of their home. They too will chase down a fly or bug inside. It's their nature, but it doesn't mean they need to be outdoors. I have no idea where people got the idea that cats had to roam free to be happy. If you love your cat, you will keep him indoors.

Answer 8

your kitty is telling you she doesn't WANT to be an indoor-outdoor kitty. the porch is far enough and close enough to being outside for her-thank you. there is absolutely nothing wrong with being an indoor only kitty she is lucky she has the porch to go out on. i wish mine did they lay in the windowsills all the time when the windows are open. you have a very smart and lucky kitty

Answer 9

Its not 'wrong' to keep a cat indoors, there are parasites,disease,predators,and bad humans outdoros that may cause harm to your cat. My 4 have never been outdoors, and dont know any different lifestyle. They like to sit on the window sill but they're safer inside. Im glad you got it fixed though. thats very responsible of you.

Answer 10

I have a cat, (against my wishes of course)!
When she was a kitten she would claw me when I took her outside. Now she begs to go out. She is now 2 years old. I think it has a lot to do with age and maturity.
She will let you know when she is ready, don't force it.