Indoor Cats. . . To put them out or not?

[fitzleigh1985]

I'm in a pretty tough spot folks. . . I have recently been encouraged by somebody I am very close with to transition my 100% indoor Cats to an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. . . Number 1 I am not even sure how cool I am with this proposal. But if I were, is it doable? My oldest is 9, middle is 6 and kitten is 5 months old. They have all been indoors their whole lives. Is there a point at which it's just better that they stay in because they've always been in? Or do you think they can still get healthy satisfaction by hanging out in a secure enclosure? I'm lost!

 

[bonepicker]

Keep them in it is too late to let them out! Oh and tell somebody to but out! You invite disease, fleas, and potential injury or even death!

 

[GemsGem]

I agree. I wouldn't fancy letting the older two cats out, when they have never been use to it.

As a compromise I would suggest building them a "catio" An outside enclosed pen, preferably attached to your home, so they can go in and out as they please.

 

[fitzleigh1985]

I love the "catio" idea!!

 

[slykat12]

Catio!

 

[bonepicker]

If built properly they are escape proof and predator proof

 

[lisahe]

I've always had indoor cats and hope you to keep yours indoors, too, @Fitzleigh1985! I totally agree with @bonepicker about the risks out having outdoor cats. To be blunt, I've seen too many of our neighbors' cats injured or dead. Where I live, a suburb, there are also predators like coyotes.

Our two cats -- who are about a year and a half old -- are very happy indoors. They have a tall condo/scratching post and we even built them a climbing loft in the basement. We have double screens (they love to paw/scratch) so they can sit in windows and sliding glass doors. And we're also thinking about making some sort of catio, though the cats did fine during the summer without it. Just being able to sit in the windows and doors was enough for them because there were so many birds, chipmunks, and squirrels to watch. They have lots more interest in them than the neighbors' cats!

 

[catbehaviors]

Of course they could still be benefited by outdoor time! Just because they've been indoors for most of their lives doesn't mean that they wouldn't like to experience something new. Plus, there isn't that much of a risk, as in your original post you mentioned a secure enclosure. I know some other posters mentioned predators (they could possibly get into an enclosure), if you're worried about that you can just let the cats out under supervision.

If your cats don't seem to like the idea of going out, you shouldn't force it upon them. However, I think giving them the option to go outside is a great idea! Good luck, and please let us know what you ultimately decide.

 

[momofmaxwell]

Pretty straight forward answer.if you want them to live you will keep them in.If you have many toys post ,window perchs they actually have no desire to go out.To be hauled away by a coyote would be absolute horror.I lost one to the road many years ago and scraping him up with a shovel I said"No More".I just lost my eldest she was one month shy of 20 yrs old.It's not like it was say 60 or 70 years ago.People are mental when they drive.People use leg  hold traps in farms.People put out poison around there house or moth balls to prevent cats from pooing in their precious yard.My god.Like a cat is going to say"Gee I think I go poo on the payment and not in that nice soil there.People blame the cats when it's the owners of the cats.All my 8 have been rescued from the outdoors and have lived a very happy spoiled life inside for many years.Only my Late Maxwell walked on a harness for over 14 yrs.That's a figure 8 harness only.He thought he was a dog & slept with my dog.Honestly I do believe if it was like a very long time ago when cats could hunt,eat grass etc,they would live longer lives.It's the cars,the predators,and people in general that you have to worry about.Just my opinion.

 

[asherdash]

indoor only PLEASE!!! unfortunately there's nothing good outdoors for cats, too many risk.

 

[Norachan]

If they have only ever been indoor only cats they are not going to have a clue what to do if you put them outside. They won't know what is dangerous, what to avoid, how to escape if they get attacked. These outdoor survival techniques have to be learnt from a young age, most feral kittens die before they reach their first birthday because there are so many risks out there.

You could build them an enclosed catio if you really want them to get some fresh air, but if they are happy enough indoors there's really no need to go to al that trouble. They are much safer where they are.

 

[bonepicker]

Don't be fooled by that supervised visits stuff. They are gone in the blink of an eye up a tree or over a fence then you have to live with the guilt.

 

[bonepicker]

My cats were feral. I continued letting the female out because she really craved it and drove me nuts. Now at 6 1/2 I no longer let her out when I found out someone was poisoning cats on the street. The first month was hard but now she never thinks about it. I let her into garage where she occasionally catches a mouse or mole. The chipmunks and birds are glad too, she was a real predator. She also puked all the time, probably from worms which they get from killing prey. No more puking now!

 

[asherdash]

I know it some pet owners have had good experiences with pets outdoors, so no offense meant. My former neighbor had her beloved cat let out by some children during a holiday visit and the coyotes killed the kitty. It was devastating. We lived across the courtyard from each other and she would never let him out. Her cat and my cats would stare at each other thru screen doors all day. Unfortunately my city is AWFUL when it comes to it treatment of animals. We are aiming for NO KILL in the future but the local news is filled with horrible animal cruelty stories weekly

 

[kittywhiskers]

I have 2 cats who have never roamed, one is 4 and one is 2. We have an enclosure for them that covers our garden. I would never dream of letting them out after all this time as they don't have the skills to be able to cope like a street cat and would easily get hurt. I think if you and your babies are happy the way you are then stick with it, don't be talked into somthing you're not 100% happy to do.
You can have a look at what we have done to our garden here: http://www.thecatsite.com/g/a/185130/cat-enclosure-pictures/

Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

[lisahe]

That's a beautiful enclosure, @KittyWhiskers! I wish we had a nice garden like that to cover. Your cats must love it.

We've been thinking about somehow enclosing our (raised) deck... our previous cat was easily contained there with tall lattice but she was a low-key senior cat. Our two cats now are young, active, and sneaky so we have to come up with something more creative for them if they're going to go on the deck at all! Lucky for us they truly do seem happy inside.

 

[gardenandcats]

  I'm a little confused as to why someone is pressuring you to let your indoor cats suddenly be indoor outdoor cats? A inside cat is a safe cat period. They belong to you and it sounds like you decided years ago to keep them inside.> So don't let anyone talk you out of what you decided is best for your kitties!~

 

[momto3cats]

I'm also a bit confused. Why are you "in a tough spot"? Does this person actually have any say in how you care for your cats?

Personally I would not let anyone dictate how I should care for my cats. They are my responsibility and all the decisions are also mine. Compromise is one thing, if it's someone who lives in the same house, but putting them outside because someone else says so is quite another.

 

[bonepicker]

Does the person calling the shots own the house you live in?

 

[asherdash]

oh i forgot to mention tat the kitty in my profile pic was an indoor only cat until she was about 7yrs old then her owners put her outside. When she was given to us her fur seemed to have thinned a lot. She used to be huge and plush and it eventually grew back like that after a few years. Also she was super skittish and hid for weeks before coming out. Her owner said she was being tormented and possibly abused and neighbors were threatening to kill her. We had her for about 5 yrs before she suddenly passed away.