Outdoors...?
I know people that have cats and they live outside. They leave a basket in their shed for it to sleep in and it roams wherever it wants and always comes back. they have been doing this since it was a kitten. I would never do that because i would be scared it would run away. i just take my kitten out for walks on his harness and he doesn't even like being outside. Is it possible for a cat to live a full and healthy life outside?
Answers:
i have a 9 week old kitten he comes back i just whistle him .
start by taking him out without a lead before you feed him , let him roam a little and then whistle every tI'me you feed it , it will learn this really quickly , mine did .
it wont go far as your its security at this age if you go in the house so will the cat .. try it it works .. good luck .
p.s. now leave door open for my kitten to roam all day when im at home , i do shut him in the kitchen if i have to work or shop etc .
if your with him / her , they wont go far ..
Yes! Mine did until Hurricane Rita last year during our evacuation he jumped out of my car and I never found him. But he lived a healthy 15 year life!
My Cat is fine and healthy and never goes out. Keep your cat entertained and active, and go easy on it's food or it'll get tubby!
yes they can live outside . But their lifespan is not as long as for house cats
I don't think so. Cats, like most mammals need someone (or thinkg) to connect to. If cats live in collanies they create "pair bonds" where the two cats become best friends. If living within a human enviorment, their pair bond becomes a human.
They need that connection and socialization. If left to run around the streets, it is near impossiable to find that connection with another cat.
Yes they can.but I think it is better to have indoor cats. Cats take a heavy toll on wildlife and I agree it is safer to have them indoors. There are lots of domestic cats that have gone back to being wild, they are called feral cats.
i think that outside is the only way for cats to live a healthy life. We have always let ours roam at will, it will come to the door or window to be let in when it pleases, it knows where it's home is. The only problem, the main problem is the busy road, we lost another one yesterday. It was a young one, we've had cats much longer, just depends on which way they feel like going that day.
furry animals are all able to live outside unless a bigger and faster furry animal lives close by
i should say yes i knew a lady who had a cat who was never inside, they had a little house for him outside it had a flap on the door like a piece of carpet .and the house was up on blocks .but i would never leave mine outside he goes in and out when he wants too!
My grandparents had barn cats that did well outside. Of course, they tended to be partly wild because of the lack of human contact. I keep my kitties inside and safe.
My parent-in-laws have 2 cats who live outside but come in for food and attention. They are fine and have lived long lives. I hear that it helps if you have the animal 'fixed', they will roam less. As far as the cat possibly running away, it might [or it might get hurt]. But these are the risks you and the cat will have to accept if you want your cat to have a more active and full lifestyle.
Yes, especially if you live where there isn't much traffic or the country which I do. I have had outside cats for many years and they have been fine. They have plenty of food and a nice warm garage to sleep in at night. I also have inside cats that never go outside the house.
yes it is most farm cats live out side farmers keep them outside so they chase mice and rats and any other thing that might go near there feed and other things that might attract mice and rats to it. The reason why I know this i know someone who owns a farm and they have many cat some our 20 plus years old
Cats are more than capable of fending for themselves in the outside world - but they can also be perfectly happy as house pets. If you want to look after it and have it be very attentive then keeping it as a house pet will encourage this - it's much less likely to get fleas that way too.
It would be fine as an outdoors animal as well though - but obviously would get into fights with other cats and possibly suffer at the hands of dogs/cruel people/cars.. it's just the risk you take if you want an outdoors cat.
Here are the Pros and Cons, but it really depends on where you live and what type of cat you have- best see your vet:
"Many of us believe that domestic cats lead a far happier life if allowed outdoors to enjoy their freedom. Those of us that think this way consider that to keep their cat confined inside the home would be somewhat cruel to their pet.
"It is believed that outdoor cats are less inclined to behave badly. Cats that are allowed outside are far less likely to urinate in the home, claw at furniture, stalk humans or your other household pets. Cats that can enjoy life outside are less likely, than indoor cats, to become frustrated or bored with their surroundings.
Outdoor cats are less likely to have a weight problem. Cats get their exercise hunting, stalking, climbing etc. Indoor cats not only have less opportunity for exercise, but can also overeat through boredom.
Outdoor cats suffer fewer stress related problems. Solitary indoor cats rely heavily on their owners for stimulation, and can become very dependent. Should the owner have to spend long periods away from the home this can cause the cat stress. Out of the house, cats can find social stimulation by interacting with other cats; thus they are more independent. Indoors a cat has a very small territory (the home,) and sometimes finds it stressful if new people, new pets, or even new items of furniture are introduced into the home."
"Telling a cat owner that his or her cat should stay indoors will often elicit indignant responses such as, "It's only natural for a cat to go out," or "How could I deprive him of so much pleasure?" or "Cats can take care of themselves."
The fact is, none of the above is a good reason, only an excuse. Cats allowed to roam at will sometimes pay with their lives, and taxpayers pay millions of dollars each year for animal control services to rescue, treat, feed, and house many of the cats that roam "at large" in the country.
There Is nothing "natural" about a cat being outside. When humans domesticated cats (about 6,000 years ago), they removed them from the wild and changed their ecological role. Cats are no longer wild predators that fit into an ecosystem, but are dependent on humans, receiving the things they need to live from people.
Although cats retain their hunting instincts, there is no natural need to them to hunt. True predators in the wild only kill what they will eat, whereas a cat kills for play, not always eating what catches. The number of wild predators in relation to the number of species is kept in check by numerous natural controls such as weather, availability of food, mates, and other predators. Domestic cats upset balance. A well~fed house cat doesn't need to hunt to survive, yet cats kill untold numbers of wild animals while being almost wholly unaffected by the natural controls on numbers. One study in a small village in England found that house cats responsible for between one-third to one-haIf of all house sparrow deaths in that village. This fact becomes even more alarming when you realize that birds were one of the less frequently caught specimens (small mammals led the list)."
Of course it is - a domestic cat has cousins that live outside all the time (Wild cats, lions, tigers, etc.). What about farm cats that live in the barn ? and feral cats that live in abandoned buildings and alley cats? I personally have always allowed my cat to sleep indoors (usually on my bed) in the winter, but generally cats are attached to places and know the warmest or coolest place to sleep in, so provided you feed your kitten regularly it will soon get to know your garden and come in for its meals and comfy bed. Let it have some freedom and be a cat. free to come and go as it wants.
i have 3 cats outside that ARNT allowed inside
2 of them were born outside
the other i got from a friends house
we brought him home and i was scared he would run away
the next morning he was still there
none of my cats have ran away
i live right by a highway and in the middle of the woods and i never worry about them getting run over or running away
only one of our cats has died and she died of old age
all my other cats are purr-fectly healthy and happy
i hope i helped! =D
we've got housecats and they're perfectly happy. cats sleep for about 16 hours a day anyway, wake up, kill something and then sleep again. The old wifes tale about putting butter on their feet before they go out the first time (so that they can smell their way home), does help and a dot of butter here and there around the house and garden. Oh..our cats don't piss in the house if you keep the cat tray clean.
Our cat used to roam about, and he would always come back before we turned out the lights for the night. I don't think we even trained him. He is about 10 now and is still alive and healthy, (but an indoor cat now as we moved house and live near a road, as he expects cars to stop for him) if you do decide to let him out, be prepared for little gifts he may leave you, (mice, birds). As long as he knows where his home, I think he will return.
Sorry if this does not help!
you get a kitten litter train him until he is old enough to go out and then let him out. when you go to work in the morning and you have not got a cat flap then he will be back at some point for food probably when you get home from work. make a tapping sound on his food bowl and he will be back. do this when ever you want him in.
it wont run away unless you are nasty.
once you let it out you will not need the litter tray anymore. cats know what to do.
I`m of the little nit of both, if they want to come inside thats cool , but if they want to go out let them go, it helps them, keeps them interested etc. And on the impact to wild life, a responsible owner would put a bell on, ours you can hear for miles, the birds have figured out that they can use our garden safely, because as soon as she moves they can hear her. Also things that don`t get away mainly mice so far, get eaten, because we feed her on biscuits, so if the she wants to eat prper meat she has to catch it , and we have found a number of mouse heads and feet etc. on the back patio.
my cats have free reign - if they want to go out, they do, if they want to stay in they do. they come in most nights and sleep on the bed with us, but if they dont come home one night, I dont worry, they always turn up for food the next morning.
Cats like to roam and hunt, its what they do, some people keep them in permanently, but I think they need to go out and have some fun.
I also think that maybe people in the US keep cats indoors more because it seems a lot of people live in apartments, whereas in the UK (where im from) its more common to live in houses, which have gardens so most people are happy to let them out.
i dont know anyone who has a permanently indoor cat, everyone I know lets theirs out.
If you are happy with the way you look after your cat, if its happy and healthy, you do whatever you want. Just make sure he gets enough stimulation and excercise.
Hi, they can live outside, they usually make there own minds up wheather they come back to your home or live outside in the shed, if you have got one. I have an outdoor cat we left it till he was a bit older as the kitten we let out went missing. But the cat we have now, we just let out and he comes back when he wants in or feeding and water. He will find a way home if you let him out. Coz you are worried about leaving your windows open, there are these new cat flaps that have magnetic collers to go with them so only your cat can get through the cat flap. I have another 4 cats and i dont let them out they are more content in the house, but make sure you check your cat over each time he comes in from being out as our first cat we left out, came back with a pellet hole in his side and didnt come back the next day, as when cats get injured they find a place to go and die, and we never saw him again. Also they can get into scraps with other cats, etc, but it is up to you
Hi . Your cat will come back by itself, you don't neeed to train it, but please don't let it out at night. If it can get out and in during the day there's absolutely no reason why it needs to be out at night. You can have a cat flap fitted to a door to give it freeedom of movement during the day, but you can lock it at night to keeep it in. More cats are run over at night, than during the day.
One decision every cat owner must make is whether or not their feline friend will be allowed outdoors. Many people feel that keeping their kitties indoors deprives them of a full life. However, one must consider that the average life span of a totally outdoor cat is about a year and a half, while a totally indoor cat is expected to live upwards of 15 years.
Aside from the obvious dangers of car fan belts and tires, toxic plants, dogs and cruel people, there are many hidden dangers to cats allowed outdoors. Life-threatening dangers include:
* Diseases for which we currently do not have vaccines for (Feline Aids),
or vaccines that are not reliably effective
(Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis).
* Heartworm. Yes, it is true that a cat can get heartworm, through mosquito bites. Shorthairs are at higher risk than longhairs.
* Antifreeze. Its sweet taste is irresistible to cats, and a cat who has walked through a small pool of antifreeze and cleans its paws has ingested a fatal dose.
* Skin cancer. Light colored kitties (especially white) are at risk for skin cancer of the ears due to exposure to direct sunlight.
* Hanging/choking. Those neat little cat collars which do not provide breakaway or stretch releases have killed many a cat.
* Fighting among outdoor kitties not only spreads disease, it can result in painful abscesses which require medical attention (an untreated abscess can kill a cat). Unaltered tom cats are prime candidates for such fighting, not to mention they will impregnate any and all receptive females they come upon.
* Toxoplasmosis. A single celled organism that cats can ingest while eating prey that has been exposed. Not only can it kill a cat, it is contagious to people and can result in severe birth defects to human babies whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Wearing rubber gloves while handling litter pan duties and gardening is highly recommended for pregnant women. Finding another home for your cherished pet is NOT necessary.
As if that is not enough food for thought, consider our wildlife. Cats kill many songbirds each year, plus rabbits, squirrels, mice, chipmunks, reptiles, etc. Most areas are not overrun with these creatures, and cats are not performing a necessary service by killing them.
Being neat creatures, cats bury their feces. It's not a lot of fun to be digging in your garden and get a handful of that! Not to mention that kitty excrement is not an effective fertilizer, or that your neighbor will probably not see the humor of their gardens being dug up and destroyed.
Non-life threatening things outdoor cats are exposed to can serve to make our human lives miserable also. Fleas, ticks and mites would just as soon bite you as they would the family pet, and getting them out of your home is expensive and time-consuming. These parasites can also carry life-threatening diseases. Kitties who come inside with motor oil or used chewing gum on their bodies and sit on your antique sofas cause quite a stir, also. Ringworm is sometimes contracted by a cat while outdoors digging in the dirt; this fungus is very contagious to humans.
Cats do not observe property lines by any means. To them, a fence is something to climb on, not a barrier. Your neighbor may not have a problem shooting, trapping or poisoning your family pet.
There are so many obvious benefits to keeping your cat indoors. Indoor cats are no lazier or less happy than their outdoor counterparts. Provide a window perch for them, put out a bird feeder for entertainment. There are so many toys available for cats now, both the interactive kind (a stick with a string with something fun on the end), and the toys that do not require human intervention. Avoid toys which have small parts that can come off and cause choking or gastrointestinal problems. A paper grocery bag will provide hours of entertainment for your kitty. A scratching post of some kind is a necessity.
An indoor/outdoor cat can easily be made a totally indoor cat with perseverance on your part. They may resent their confinement for a short time, but they will adjust. Another option is a safe outdoor enclosure. It must be carefully constructed, as you need to keep other animals OUT, as well as your cat in. Screen porches work well, too, just be sure to give the kitty some way to get back into your house if they need to.
Many cats live their entire lives without ever setting foot on grass. The difference in their life expectancy as well as quality of life speaks for itself.
My old cat was healthy and fit had him for 17 years he used to go out all night every night and return in the morn for breakfast and sleep
i have four cats, and they come and go as they please, they leave there own scent, so they know the way home.
i would take your cat out, but stay with him/her and just watch and see what happens, the cat has to get use to its own surroundings and find its way about
and its scary and worrying when your cat goes out, so best of luck and look out for the grey hairs you are going to get, through the worry
i find indoor cats unatural.
mines 12 and has lived most his life outside, he usually sleeps all day then goes out all night
Sweetie, it is natural for cats to go out and roam and they know where their home is so they will always come back, unless they haven't been neutered or mistreated. A very small opening that burglars can't get through is good enough as exit/entrance for a cat. It can be a cat flap on the lower level, or some tiny window high up.
But these days there all sorts of problems with that lifestyle.
Things have changed.
The cat could get hit by a car.
The cat could get feline aids, there is no cure for that and it is horrible.
The cat could get poisoned, attacked by other animals or kidnapped.
You and your kitten have a loving relationship and taking him for walks on his harness is the best thing to do. It will take him time to get used to it. If he really finds he doesn't like it, keep him as an indoor cat.
It is possible for a cat to live a full and healthy life outdoors! Of course! That was how it was meant to be. But these days there are less and less places for them to be natural and to live naturally.
If you love your kitten, you'll respect what he wants. If he wants to stay in, then make his life fun. Toys, things to climb, affection etc.
If he wants to go out, take him on the harness.
You haven't said how old he is. A kitten is scared of being outside, so don't force him to go until he shows interest.
If your area is dangerous, it is best to keep him inside.
If he shows signs of wanting to be outdoors, keep him on the harness..
All my cats have always been outdoor cats, but now things have changed so much here where I live. It is too dangerous! I can't stop them now, but if I get a new kitten I would try to keep it the same way you are doing!
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Answers:
i have a 9 week old kitten he comes back i just whistle him .
start by taking him out without a lead before you feed him , let him roam a little and then whistle every tI'me you feed it , it will learn this really quickly , mine did .
it wont go far as your its security at this age if you go in the house so will the cat .. try it it works .. good luck .
p.s. now leave door open for my kitten to roam all day when im at home , i do shut him in the kitchen if i have to work or shop etc .
if your with him / her , they wont go far ..
Yes! Mine did until Hurricane Rita last year during our evacuation he jumped out of my car and I never found him. But he lived a healthy 15 year life!
My Cat is fine and healthy and never goes out. Keep your cat entertained and active, and go easy on it's food or it'll get tubby!
yes they can live outside . But their lifespan is not as long as for house cats
I don't think so. Cats, like most mammals need someone (or thinkg) to connect to. If cats live in collanies they create "pair bonds" where the two cats become best friends. If living within a human enviorment, their pair bond becomes a human.
They need that connection and socialization. If left to run around the streets, it is near impossiable to find that connection with another cat.
Yes they can.but I think it is better to have indoor cats. Cats take a heavy toll on wildlife and I agree it is safer to have them indoors. There are lots of domestic cats that have gone back to being wild, they are called feral cats.
i think that outside is the only way for cats to live a healthy life. We have always let ours roam at will, it will come to the door or window to be let in when it pleases, it knows where it's home is. The only problem, the main problem is the busy road, we lost another one yesterday. It was a young one, we've had cats much longer, just depends on which way they feel like going that day.
furry animals are all able to live outside unless a bigger and faster furry animal lives close by
i should say yes i knew a lady who had a cat who was never inside, they had a little house for him outside it had a flap on the door like a piece of carpet .and the house was up on blocks .but i would never leave mine outside he goes in and out when he wants too!
My grandparents had barn cats that did well outside. Of course, they tended to be partly wild because of the lack of human contact. I keep my kitties inside and safe.
My parent-in-laws have 2 cats who live outside but come in for food and attention. They are fine and have lived long lives. I hear that it helps if you have the animal 'fixed', they will roam less. As far as the cat possibly running away, it might [or it might get hurt]. But these are the risks you and the cat will have to accept if you want your cat to have a more active and full lifestyle.
Yes, especially if you live where there isn't much traffic or the country which I do. I have had outside cats for many years and they have been fine. They have plenty of food and a nice warm garage to sleep in at night. I also have inside cats that never go outside the house.
yes it is most farm cats live out side farmers keep them outside so they chase mice and rats and any other thing that might go near there feed and other things that might attract mice and rats to it. The reason why I know this i know someone who owns a farm and they have many cat some our 20 plus years old
Cats are more than capable of fending for themselves in the outside world - but they can also be perfectly happy as house pets. If you want to look after it and have it be very attentive then keeping it as a house pet will encourage this - it's much less likely to get fleas that way too.
It would be fine as an outdoors animal as well though - but obviously would get into fights with other cats and possibly suffer at the hands of dogs/cruel people/cars.. it's just the risk you take if you want an outdoors cat.
Here are the Pros and Cons, but it really depends on where you live and what type of cat you have- best see your vet:
"Many of us believe that domestic cats lead a far happier life if allowed outdoors to enjoy their freedom. Those of us that think this way consider that to keep their cat confined inside the home would be somewhat cruel to their pet.
"It is believed that outdoor cats are less inclined to behave badly. Cats that are allowed outside are far less likely to urinate in the home, claw at furniture, stalk humans or your other household pets. Cats that can enjoy life outside are less likely, than indoor cats, to become frustrated or bored with their surroundings.
Outdoor cats are less likely to have a weight problem. Cats get their exercise hunting, stalking, climbing etc. Indoor cats not only have less opportunity for exercise, but can also overeat through boredom.
Outdoor cats suffer fewer stress related problems. Solitary indoor cats rely heavily on their owners for stimulation, and can become very dependent. Should the owner have to spend long periods away from the home this can cause the cat stress. Out of the house, cats can find social stimulation by interacting with other cats; thus they are more independent. Indoors a cat has a very small territory (the home,) and sometimes finds it stressful if new people, new pets, or even new items of furniture are introduced into the home."
"Telling a cat owner that his or her cat should stay indoors will often elicit indignant responses such as, "It's only natural for a cat to go out," or "How could I deprive him of so much pleasure?" or "Cats can take care of themselves."
The fact is, none of the above is a good reason, only an excuse. Cats allowed to roam at will sometimes pay with their lives, and taxpayers pay millions of dollars each year for animal control services to rescue, treat, feed, and house many of the cats that roam "at large" in the country.
There Is nothing "natural" about a cat being outside. When humans domesticated cats (about 6,000 years ago), they removed them from the wild and changed their ecological role. Cats are no longer wild predators that fit into an ecosystem, but are dependent on humans, receiving the things they need to live from people.
Although cats retain their hunting instincts, there is no natural need to them to hunt. True predators in the wild only kill what they will eat, whereas a cat kills for play, not always eating what catches. The number of wild predators in relation to the number of species is kept in check by numerous natural controls such as weather, availability of food, mates, and other predators. Domestic cats upset balance. A well~fed house cat doesn't need to hunt to survive, yet cats kill untold numbers of wild animals while being almost wholly unaffected by the natural controls on numbers. One study in a small village in England found that house cats responsible for between one-third to one-haIf of all house sparrow deaths in that village. This fact becomes even more alarming when you realize that birds were one of the less frequently caught specimens (small mammals led the list)."
Of course it is - a domestic cat has cousins that live outside all the time (Wild cats, lions, tigers, etc.). What about farm cats that live in the barn ? and feral cats that live in abandoned buildings and alley cats? I personally have always allowed my cat to sleep indoors (usually on my bed) in the winter, but generally cats are attached to places and know the warmest or coolest place to sleep in, so provided you feed your kitten regularly it will soon get to know your garden and come in for its meals and comfy bed. Let it have some freedom and be a cat. free to come and go as it wants.
i have 3 cats outside that ARNT allowed inside
2 of them were born outside
the other i got from a friends house
we brought him home and i was scared he would run away
the next morning he was still there
none of my cats have ran away
i live right by a highway and in the middle of the woods and i never worry about them getting run over or running away
only one of our cats has died and she died of old age
all my other cats are purr-fectly healthy and happy
i hope i helped! =D
we've got housecats and they're perfectly happy. cats sleep for about 16 hours a day anyway, wake up, kill something and then sleep again. The old wifes tale about putting butter on their feet before they go out the first time (so that they can smell their way home), does help and a dot of butter here and there around the house and garden. Oh..our cats don't piss in the house if you keep the cat tray clean.
Our cat used to roam about, and he would always come back before we turned out the lights for the night. I don't think we even trained him. He is about 10 now and is still alive and healthy, (but an indoor cat now as we moved house and live near a road, as he expects cars to stop for him) if you do decide to let him out, be prepared for little gifts he may leave you, (mice, birds). As long as he knows where his home, I think he will return.
Sorry if this does not help!
you get a kitten litter train him until he is old enough to go out and then let him out. when you go to work in the morning and you have not got a cat flap then he will be back at some point for food probably when you get home from work. make a tapping sound on his food bowl and he will be back. do this when ever you want him in.
it wont run away unless you are nasty.
once you let it out you will not need the litter tray anymore. cats know what to do.
I`m of the little nit of both, if they want to come inside thats cool , but if they want to go out let them go, it helps them, keeps them interested etc. And on the impact to wild life, a responsible owner would put a bell on, ours you can hear for miles, the birds have figured out that they can use our garden safely, because as soon as she moves they can hear her. Also things that don`t get away mainly mice so far, get eaten, because we feed her on biscuits, so if the she wants to eat prper meat she has to catch it , and we have found a number of mouse heads and feet etc. on the back patio.
my cats have free reign - if they want to go out, they do, if they want to stay in they do. they come in most nights and sleep on the bed with us, but if they dont come home one night, I dont worry, they always turn up for food the next morning.
Cats like to roam and hunt, its what they do, some people keep them in permanently, but I think they need to go out and have some fun.
I also think that maybe people in the US keep cats indoors more because it seems a lot of people live in apartments, whereas in the UK (where im from) its more common to live in houses, which have gardens so most people are happy to let them out.
i dont know anyone who has a permanently indoor cat, everyone I know lets theirs out.
If you are happy with the way you look after your cat, if its happy and healthy, you do whatever you want. Just make sure he gets enough stimulation and excercise.
Hi, they can live outside, they usually make there own minds up wheather they come back to your home or live outside in the shed, if you have got one. I have an outdoor cat we left it till he was a bit older as the kitten we let out went missing. But the cat we have now, we just let out and he comes back when he wants in or feeding and water. He will find a way home if you let him out. Coz you are worried about leaving your windows open, there are these new cat flaps that have magnetic collers to go with them so only your cat can get through the cat flap. I have another 4 cats and i dont let them out they are more content in the house, but make sure you check your cat over each time he comes in from being out as our first cat we left out, came back with a pellet hole in his side and didnt come back the next day, as when cats get injured they find a place to go and die, and we never saw him again. Also they can get into scraps with other cats, etc, but it is up to you
Hi . Your cat will come back by itself, you don't neeed to train it, but please don't let it out at night. If it can get out and in during the day there's absolutely no reason why it needs to be out at night. You can have a cat flap fitted to a door to give it freeedom of movement during the day, but you can lock it at night to keeep it in. More cats are run over at night, than during the day.
One decision every cat owner must make is whether or not their feline friend will be allowed outdoors. Many people feel that keeping their kitties indoors deprives them of a full life. However, one must consider that the average life span of a totally outdoor cat is about a year and a half, while a totally indoor cat is expected to live upwards of 15 years.
Aside from the obvious dangers of car fan belts and tires, toxic plants, dogs and cruel people, there are many hidden dangers to cats allowed outdoors. Life-threatening dangers include:
* Diseases for which we currently do not have vaccines for (Feline Aids),
or vaccines that are not reliably effective
(Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis).
* Heartworm. Yes, it is true that a cat can get heartworm, through mosquito bites. Shorthairs are at higher risk than longhairs.
* Antifreeze. Its sweet taste is irresistible to cats, and a cat who has walked through a small pool of antifreeze and cleans its paws has ingested a fatal dose.
* Skin cancer. Light colored kitties (especially white) are at risk for skin cancer of the ears due to exposure to direct sunlight.
* Hanging/choking. Those neat little cat collars which do not provide breakaway or stretch releases have killed many a cat.
* Fighting among outdoor kitties not only spreads disease, it can result in painful abscesses which require medical attention (an untreated abscess can kill a cat). Unaltered tom cats are prime candidates for such fighting, not to mention they will impregnate any and all receptive females they come upon.
* Toxoplasmosis. A single celled organism that cats can ingest while eating prey that has been exposed. Not only can it kill a cat, it is contagious to people and can result in severe birth defects to human babies whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Wearing rubber gloves while handling litter pan duties and gardening is highly recommended for pregnant women. Finding another home for your cherished pet is NOT necessary.
As if that is not enough food for thought, consider our wildlife. Cats kill many songbirds each year, plus rabbits, squirrels, mice, chipmunks, reptiles, etc. Most areas are not overrun with these creatures, and cats are not performing a necessary service by killing them.
Being neat creatures, cats bury their feces. It's not a lot of fun to be digging in your garden and get a handful of that! Not to mention that kitty excrement is not an effective fertilizer, or that your neighbor will probably not see the humor of their gardens being dug up and destroyed.
Non-life threatening things outdoor cats are exposed to can serve to make our human lives miserable also. Fleas, ticks and mites would just as soon bite you as they would the family pet, and getting them out of your home is expensive and time-consuming. These parasites can also carry life-threatening diseases. Kitties who come inside with motor oil or used chewing gum on their bodies and sit on your antique sofas cause quite a stir, also. Ringworm is sometimes contracted by a cat while outdoors digging in the dirt; this fungus is very contagious to humans.
Cats do not observe property lines by any means. To them, a fence is something to climb on, not a barrier. Your neighbor may not have a problem shooting, trapping or poisoning your family pet.
There are so many obvious benefits to keeping your cat indoors. Indoor cats are no lazier or less happy than their outdoor counterparts. Provide a window perch for them, put out a bird feeder for entertainment. There are so many toys available for cats now, both the interactive kind (a stick with a string with something fun on the end), and the toys that do not require human intervention. Avoid toys which have small parts that can come off and cause choking or gastrointestinal problems. A paper grocery bag will provide hours of entertainment for your kitty. A scratching post of some kind is a necessity.
An indoor/outdoor cat can easily be made a totally indoor cat with perseverance on your part. They may resent their confinement for a short time, but they will adjust. Another option is a safe outdoor enclosure. It must be carefully constructed, as you need to keep other animals OUT, as well as your cat in. Screen porches work well, too, just be sure to give the kitty some way to get back into your house if they need to.
Many cats live their entire lives without ever setting foot on grass. The difference in their life expectancy as well as quality of life speaks for itself.
My old cat was healthy and fit had him for 17 years he used to go out all night every night and return in the morn for breakfast and sleep
i have four cats, and they come and go as they please, they leave there own scent, so they know the way home.
i would take your cat out, but stay with him/her and just watch and see what happens, the cat has to get use to its own surroundings and find its way about
and its scary and worrying when your cat goes out, so best of luck and look out for the grey hairs you are going to get, through the worry
i find indoor cats unatural.
mines 12 and has lived most his life outside, he usually sleeps all day then goes out all night
Sweetie, it is natural for cats to go out and roam and they know where their home is so they will always come back, unless they haven't been neutered or mistreated. A very small opening that burglars can't get through is good enough as exit/entrance for a cat. It can be a cat flap on the lower level, or some tiny window high up.
But these days there all sorts of problems with that lifestyle.
Things have changed.
The cat could get hit by a car.
The cat could get feline aids, there is no cure for that and it is horrible.
The cat could get poisoned, attacked by other animals or kidnapped.
You and your kitten have a loving relationship and taking him for walks on his harness is the best thing to do. It will take him time to get used to it. If he really finds he doesn't like it, keep him as an indoor cat.
It is possible for a cat to live a full and healthy life outdoors! Of course! That was how it was meant to be. But these days there are less and less places for them to be natural and to live naturally.
If you love your kitten, you'll respect what he wants. If he wants to stay in, then make his life fun. Toys, things to climb, affection etc.
If he wants to go out, take him on the harness.
You haven't said how old he is. A kitten is scared of being outside, so don't force him to go until he shows interest.
If your area is dangerous, it is best to keep him inside.
If he shows signs of wanting to be outdoors, keep him on the harness..
All my cats have always been outdoor cats, but now things have changed so much here where I live. It is too dangerous! I can't stop them now, but if I get a new kitten I would try to keep it the same way you are doing!
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