Can an indoor cat go out in the summer sometimes???

Question

Or do they strictly have be inside only???

Answer 1

I would be really careful about it. You are just inviting trouble by letting your cat out.

If your cat is on a monthly preventative for heart worms, fleas, and ticks like Revolution and is up to date on shots and spayed/neutered, and you still want to....

They make special cat enclosures that you can buy. Always carry your cat to it, don't let them walk outside of it. The cat gets to enjoy the fresh air and grass and bugs, but it somewhat protected. Never let your cat pick the time to go out. You must be in charge of that or your cat will learn that he can annoy you into going out.

Some people are fans of indoor/outdoor cats. I am not one of them. A raccoon could tear a cat apart without warning. There are many dangers outside to a cat, especially in the United States. But if you really want to, and you will supervise every second, then go for it.

My cats are very happy indoors, and on a sunny day, they will sit by the windows. If I am home to supervise, I will crack the window (with screen) so they can feel the air. Sometimes if it is a nice day, I will open the patio door (again with screen). They love it, but I know that outside is just not going to happen. My female loves to enjoy the outside from inside. At an old apartment I lived in, I used to leave the door wide open while I was on the patio (had to go out to talk on phone! no reception) and once she came out, blinked a few time, deemed it too hot and went back into her air conditioned palace and just watched the outside from the open door, and that is how she enjoyed outside from that moment forward.

Answer 2

Just try to keep a close eye on her for the first few days. Cats have very strong instincts as well. She knows she has a good home and won't stray far. Just don't leave her out when you go anywhere. I once adopted a cat that I got from a lady who really didn't care about her cat. While the lady was at work all day male cats used to gang up on her cat. Poor cat was all scared up with wounds and loss of fur. After I took the cat home I never let her out again. She adapted pretty well and became a happy and healthy in door cat.

Answer 3

This is a controversial topic with a lot of different opinions. There is no doubt that cats are safer inside, but many people have inside/outside cats successfully. Traffic, roaming dogs and wild animals can all be risks. Fights with other cats are a possibility too.

To me, it depends on circumstances. I live in a small town, on the end of a dead end street with very little traffic. I allow my cat to be outside during the day but he is always inside before dark. He is neutered and has all shots, stays close to home and gets along with the neighbor cats. He has a microchip and a collar. He has access to the house at all times. My two previous cats had similar lifestyles and lived to 19 and 20. But if I lived on a busy street or in a place where there was a big problem with coyotes or wild animals (as is common just outside of town), my cat would be inside. And inside at night is a must.

Edit to Duffie - the statistic you cite applies to feral cats (2-3 year lifespan) not owned inside/outside cats. It is misused constantly. I work with a humane society and am familiar with the study that made that finding.

Answer 4

They can, but you should either keep them in a fenced yard, or supervise them for at least the first few times. You want them to know where to come back to get inside obviously.

We had 2 cats that we got as kittens, and let them outside whenever they wanted to go out. One lived to 15 years, the other to 16. Our current cats are about 5 and 8 years old, and go out when the weather is nice enough. We do keep them in during the winter, though. They're usually not interested in going outside then any way.

Answer 5

Yes they can, my cat is 85% indoors but likes to sit out in the backyard on a sunny day; they get their vitamin D by lying on their back and taking in the sunshine. My other 2 cats who died were both 17-1/2 years old and they liked being outside more than this one they were out about 50/50. I don't like being outdoors that much but really you need to get outside it helps your perspective and the cat's too!

Answer 6

I never let my cat go out anymore. Our last sweetie kitty was killed when he got out. We live in the country and there are too many predators around. In the city, there are too many cars. I have seen a product that is like a mes tunnel that you can put outside and keep your cat in...but I have no idea why the cat would not just rip the mesh. The average life span of a cat who goes out is 3-4 and for those who are indoor cats, it was 12+. That was really surprising to me. I read that on a pet website...it was some cat food maker's site, but I don't remember which one.

Answer 7

I would not let any indoor cat outdoors unaided. I have two permanent indoor cats who will occasionally venture outside with me on my veranda but once I go indoors, they go back in too. You need to remember an indoor cat is not use to the dangers outside and it would be unfair to leave an indoor cat ouside alone to fend for itself especially if they have been indoors for several years.

Answer 8

It depends on your and the cat's situation. I have an indoor cat who is constantly trying to escape. During the summer I let him out for a little. But I stay outside with him, at least on the deck, we have a six foot privacy fence to keep him in, and I always make sure the dogs are out with him, just in case another cat comes into the yard. I know some of my neighbors do not get their cats vaccinated, and I don't want my cat coming into contact with theirs. The dogs keep them out of the yard.

I also have an aunt who bought her cats special crates that allow them to be outside, but keep them confined and safe.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 9

I dont let my cats outside, everything they need is in the house. Things that happen to cats are.. get hit by cars, get diseases, pick up fleas and ticks, fight with other animals, get stolen.. and the list goes on. My cousins cat actually got her ear bit off while outside!... It's just not necessary to let them outside. If you feel she has too much energy.. just throw around little toys for her, and she will be just fine.

Answer 10

For the health of the cat, you should keep him indoors as much as possible. They CAN catch diseases just by going outside, like ear mites. And if they happen to eat anything that is outdoors, they'll have internal parasites within days. You can let your cay go outdoors, but you will have to give them more shots and vaccines, and you will have to keep them on medication, like for heartworm and fleas. Talk with your vet about it.