I have an Indoor Neutered Male Cat - Is it CRUEL to not let a Cat go outside?

Question

I have Grown Up with and always have Had INDOOR only cats -
I thought this cat would be the same , But I am wondering if it is Cruel to make him stay inside and Look out the door and cry to Get out .
He's Breaking My Heart -
Still i Want to Stay strong - Cause my vet has always told us that there is too Much Disease and danger outside - its ok to Make them stay in.

I would love to hear Your thoughts on this one!
Thanks

Answer 1

You are doing the right thing by keeping him INSIDE where he is safe. Outdoor cats are prone to SO many dangers, disease, etc. They live much longer, healther lives INDOORS. I have had indoor cats my whole life and they have all been happy and healthy pets. Some of mine do love to look outside through the window to watch birds and such. Do you have a window perch for him to look out of a window? Also, maybe invest in some "cat furniture" ..my cats love to climb it..keeps them busy and gives them exercise. Also make sure he has plenty of toys for exercise as well. Also, not sure if you are aware of this...but outdoor cats are not only unsafe..their being out there is unsafe for wild birds. Cats kill millions of migratory birds in the US alone each year. Many of these birds are declining and endangered. It is upsetting the whole ecosystem. Being that they are natural born hunters there is NO way to stop them from doing this. Many organizations have started "cats indoors" campaigns. Pleas keep you cat indoors for everyones benefit. More info below:
http://www.petplace.com/cats/outdoor-dangers/page1.aspx
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/index.htm

Answer 2

I don't think it is cruel at all. When a cat is raised as an indoor cat - I feel its more cruel to let them out into a world with predators and moving cars and etc that can hurt them and that they do not know how to protect themselves against.

I've had cats my entire life and none of them were allowed outside and all were happy healthy, spoiled kitties. I've found that the ones that want to go out from time to time normally settle down after a while.

Good luck with whichever decision you make!

Answer 3

We adopted our first Male cat last October. He is neutered, and such a pleasure. I taught him to walk on a leash (with a harness, not a lead on his collar), and he does just fine. I let him out on a small rope (basically a thick marine twine) attached to the back porch. He wanders the yard, jumps and plays. And when we travel, I can walk him at the truck stops (you meet some interesting people that way!) Enjoy him. Neutered or not, he will want to roam a bit, but will come back if you want to let him out on his own. However, there are dangers out there, but cats can hide and do very well outside, just keep up his shots. If it really bothers you, let him roam, better to live a shorter happy life than one just sitting in the window. (the neighbors won't like him making a mess in their flower bed. I notice my male cat makes bigger poos than my females!) Did this really help at all???

Answer 4

Its even more cruel to expose him to all the fatal diseases that a cat can get in the outdoors, like feline aids. Best is to keep him indoors all the time. You could walk him with a leash, but then he will be more prone to escaping since he has seen the outside world. How about a companion? that will definitely relieve stress since he will have someone to play with and show him how fun it is indoors.

Answer 5

I have 2 cats, both indoor-outdoor. They too cry if they want out (it's very hear breaking and guilt inducing). I would have preffered they be indoor only, but... well, things happen as they do. But after shelling out $3,500 to repair a destroyed knee this week, even the b/f is probably going to want to keep them in more!

One way to keep you kitty safe and still let them experience the outdoors is a "Catio" My aunt has two indoor cats & she and my dad came up with the idea (although the concept is gaining popularity, you can find pre-built ones for sale in magazines like Cat Fancy). Basically, it's a wooden frame covered in heavy gauge fence material. They can be as basic or elaborate as you want to afford. Hers was up against a window so her cats could go from house to outdoors whenever they wanted. But they make stand alone ones you take your pet out to.

here's an example:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9192&N=2002+113873

Answer 6

think of your cat as a 5 year old child.. unable to understand safety.. and hated by some neighbours...
keeping it in is for its own well being - you would not let a 5 yr old kid roam around on its own would you??

if you really want to let your cat out you can do like what I did when I lived in the city.... build a cat section from 2x4's and chicken wire.. I had mine next to my house (in that awkward area beteween 2 houses) with a house window so the cats could enter and leave.. and a gate on one end so if I needed to enter from the outside I could - it was covered so they couldnt climb out and had logs etc in for them to play on ... my sister had a similar one built under her raised deck...using a basement window for the cats to go in and out...

most cities now have by-laws requiring cats to either be kept indoors only or on your property...

it is not cruel...

Answer 7

Keep your kitty indoors. It is far safer for him.

I used to have a cat who had been an inside kitty all of her life, but a couple of times she got out. And each time it scared her half to death, and she was more than happy to let me pick her up and carry her back to her nice soft carpet and bed and food.

Now- if you want to let him experience the Great Outdoors with some degree of safety, I do have a suggestion. One that I think you might enjoy for yourself too: Try building a screened-in porch, and a little shelf or platform that he can lay on if he wants to.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Its not cruel at all, he should get used to it. Be carefull not to let YOUR BROTHER LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN WHEN YOU GO TO A MOVIE because it will run away. Try getting some PurrBalls. They are little fuzzy bals that come in a lot of colors with catnip in them. He/She might think it's a mouse. Or maybe he/she will decide that it is her/his child and talk to it and weird stuff.



Also, try taking it for a walk on a leash or leaving your windows open with screens on them so they can stare at birds,mouse, etc. Be carefull if its a fat cat though, you don't want it falling out a window.

Answer 9

Do you live in a really urban area? Do the cars drive too fast around where you live? If kitty really wants out, try it. Let him out and sort of follow him around. We always had in/outdoor cats growing up, but there was some land where we lived. Where I live now has too many crazy drivers and sadistic kids to let my kitten-raised cats out. The only cats we let out are the strays we adopt from the 'hood. They're street smart. My other cats, when they've escaped a few times, are absolutely dumb. They run straight into the street with their tails ramrod straight and STOP. See what your does. If it seems like he might not be very wise with the freedom, try opening a window for him to sit in. The catio is a great idea... even if it looks hysterical. I'm thinking of making a screened in porch for my cats (and if they'd let me, I suppose I'd use it too :-). )

Answer 10

INDOORS ONLY! You do not want to be scraping up the body of your cat from the road outside, or having him killed by a dog, kid, vindictive adults, raccoons, or a nasty tomcat. You also don't want to have to treat Feline Leukemia or FIV if he's infected from one who is carrying it and bites him, transferring the disease.

He can be trained to stay on a harness and leash with you there with him (don't tether him outside, he can strangle on a fence in those or get out of the harness if frightened). You can also build a cat kennel run for him, if you want to do that.

But overall, don't let him outside. Outdoor cats who are born feral can barely get past 3 years of age in that environment.