Indoor or Outdoor kitty

[Deana]

I have a cat that is about 2 years old. He was a feral kitten when I got him (he was 10 weeks old), so he was an outdoor cat the first weeks of his life. I've kept him inside since I've had him (except for an occaisonal 'field trip' where I sit with him on the back porch).
Well, the poor cat meows, sometimes bellows, at the back door, front door, gargage door... it's like he really wants to go outside. I've had cats pretty much my whole life and I've never let them out. I have a lot of fears about letting him out -- other animals, CARS, storms... the fact that he's been an indoor cat pretty much his whole life...
I just don't know what to do. He seems sort of unhappy being inside all the time (even though he has the easiest life and has the best food, a million toys, and gets a lot of attention!).

Any advice? I just want the little guy to be happy (he is neutered and has all of his claws. He's also a bit on the agressive side). If you have an outdoor cat, did you 'transition' him/her into going out? Anyone adamant about keeping animals indoors?

[Cheatara]

I'm pretty adament about it right now, but really because we live in an apt. There are 400 and some units in this apt., which means almost 800 cars, plus we are on a major interstate, and at least one of those people in those 400 units hates cats, I know it. Also, I had quite a few cats die from being hit by cars when I was little and living at home, but again, I lived right by a highway. My mom's best friend has two cats who just turned 14, and they have been in and out their whole lives, and nothing has happened to them, but she lives on 200 acres way out in the woods.

Anyway, enough personal experience/opinions. It depends on your area, like if you live by a busy road, or lots of teenagers, you probably don't want to let him out. Also make sure he has all his shots up to date, and realize that the life expectency for outdoor cats is about 7 years shorter than that of indoor cats.

[Csara]

Hi D! Yes, I am adamant about keeping my baby indoors. She was an outdoor cat for the first few years of her life (probably 3) and she used to run outside every chance she got for the first year or so that I had her. I would get so frightened and would search the neighborhood, but thankfully she ALWAYS came back a few hours later scratching at the front door. :) Now, it's been 5 years since I've had her and I can leave the door open and she won't go out. She has learned to be a total domestic cat. She is so affectionate and getting more so every day. When I was a kid, we also took in an outdoor cat who was already grown. She was the best cat I have ever met and she never wanted to go out. I just don't think that pet cats should be let out for the various reasons you mentioned, among other things such as diseases and fleas and for the simple fact of them getting confused as to where they are supposed to be. It's just not safe, in my opinion.

Do you have screens on your windows?? Open them up so he can sit and get some fresh air. He'll love that. Let him in the garage......let him wander around and see what's there. Many times cats just don't like closed doors, they want to see what kind of action they are missing. I am sure that your little guy will be fine. He just seems to be curious. Lie some shopping bags out and/or a box and let him explore.

[Rrricola]

Howdy, D! I am an owner of strictly indoor kitties! I am just frightened they they would fight, or get hurt or killed. I have lost a couple cats when I was younger, and I don't want that to happen again! AND since working in the vet clinic, I have seen things that I do not want to happen to my babies. BUT like Cheatara said, it would depend on your area, do you know your neighbors?, etc....

[Trina]

I'm very adamant on keeping my kitties indoors. There are just way too many factors that can affect their health (or their lives) if they go outdoors. My kitty seems pretty happy to just hang out with us in the house all the time, but he definitely enjoys sitting on the window sill with the window open every now and then (when the weather is nice).

I really don't know what advice to give you about your kitty, except maybe to buy a harness and leash and take him for a walk around your yard every now and then--maybe that will suffice? I'm such a FREAK when it comes to my babies, though... If Baby seemed unhappy in the house, I'd probably talk Don into screening in the back porch so we could specifically make that a "kitty room." :rolleyes:

Hope you figure out what will make him happy! Is this Mr. Peepers you're referring to?

[brandis77]

I am also adamant about keeping cats indoors. Cats are domestic animals, and they were never meant to be kept outside. There are too many dangers for them there, and I don't think it's fair to expose them to all of that.

As for you kitty.. I agree with Csara that lots of cats just want to see what they're missing behind closed doors. Ivy used to scratch at EVERY closed door (bathrooms, closets, etc) until it was opened, and then she wasn't interested any more. Maybe that's what Mr.Peepers is doing? When we moved into our new house, I made sure to leave at least one window as a "kitty window". Ivy loves to jump up on the window sill and look outside. I leave the blinds pulled up a bit so she has room to see. She especially loves it when I leave the window open - she spends hours there! I'm not sure if this stopped her from scratching at doors or if she stopped on her own, but something has changed!

Good luck with your kitty! :D

[Deana]

Thanks - you guys are all right. I'm too fearful of what could happen to him if he was outside. I just sometimes feel like I'm not being fair to him. I tried the leash/harness thing - it just didn't work (but I laughed hysterically trying!!).
Mr. Peepers LOVES being in the windows. Yesterday he was sitting in his window and he saw another cat. Well, the cat (that was outside) wanted to make friends, so after about 10 minutes of staring at Peepers (even though Peepers was growling and all puffed up), the outside cat jumped on the outside ledge of the window. Peepers went CRAZY, spatting, and clinging to the screen! So I don't think he'd be the friendliest guy on the block if I let him out...
I'm going to keep him in - thanks for the idea about the garage Csara - he will probably love that!

[andrea]

well right now we have an outside cat and two inside cats but our back porch is screen in for now and then there is a doggy door on that so they can come and go as they please!!!

i let my two inside cats out...i used to not let them out being so scared and stuff but one of my cats dont like it that much so he dont really do outside but my kitten loves it ..sometimes we cant the kitten even to come into the house... we never had one of the cats jump the fence yet!!!

[meliz]

I think an indoor cat is the healthiest cat. Happiest, I'm not so sure. But I guess as long as they get enough exercise and have some 'games,' and a nice big window, they should be pretty contented.

[ksix]

The cat we had for years when I was growing up was an indoor/outdoor--meaning she did go out, but she was rather content to be a fat cat bum inside adn let us pamper her.

Chris always grew up with strictly outdoor kitties. And he's adament that's how they should be. The idea of an indoor animal grosses him out. He says they're stinky and dirty. That didn't stop me from getting an indoor kitty though.

Murphy has been my baby for over a year now. I absolutely adore that rotten thing! We live in an upstairs apartment, so I don't let him out. During the summer, sometimes I let him on the balcony, but he's so clumsy, I'm afraid he'll fall. He LOVES sitting on the windowsill, and by the open slider door, just looking outside and mewing something pitiful.

When we have a house, Chris says out he goes. I say, he'll always be at my feet during the night. We'll see. We do both agree he's such a big baby, he'd come cryig to the back door every time he got scared or threatened by anything--small bugs included. :rolleyes:

My best friend has a huge 17 pound cat. She is an obstinate, lazy old beast, and one day, my friend decided she needed to exercise the kitty, in an effort to keep her weight down. So, Mari takes the dog's harness/leash, and puts it around this silly cat. A struggle ensues, and the cat takes off. Mari searches high and low for this pitiful critter. After hours, she happens to be downstairs, and hears a slight rustle...the cat was hiding under a bag for hours, in hopes that it would never again be subjected to such cruel and unusual punishment as a walk. I laugh every time I think about Mari trying to get that harness on that cat...you reminded me of the story, so I thought I'd share!

[giddy]

I don't know about in America, but in Aus you can buy cat runs that you can set up outside. I'm not a cat person at all, and it kinda annoys me when my neighbours let their cats roam the streets. They kill the wildlife (as this is their natural instinct and not the cats fault) and they spray in my garden! Yuck! My future SIL lost her cat three weeks ago, when the cat was struck by a car. Her kids were really distraught but if the cat was kept indoors, she would still be around today. Sorry for babbling, just wanted to give you a non-cat owners perspective.

Nicole.

[Petrageous]

My kitties are strictly indoor. I agree that they are domestic animals and should not be let out. It is much safer inside!!! :cat: