Hi everybody!
I'm new to this forum and new to cats (I had a cocker spaniel when I was a kid).
I've had my little Skeemer for about two months and a half now. He was a five month old stray given by a friend of mine.
I've been trying to research as much as possible on the web to learn about the great indoor/outdoor debate. What I have been doing up to now is taking him out on a leash about twice a week. In my view it's better than keeping him inside ALL the time, and it's safer then allowing him out on his own in the neighborhood. It's basically a good compromise to the either/or challenge, or so it seems.
But now I have a new problem: a whining cat. Last night after going to bed (I live in a studio) he just started miawing and whining non-stop to get out again. At one moment he jumped on my bed. I grabbed him and said: HEY! I'm not happy with you right now, buddy! I put him back on the floor and then added: Now shut the F*** up!
After that I think I only heard a miaw or two, and then he quieted down.
In the morning I could feel he was seething with resentment, if not with revenge. He spilled half his food bowl and didn't eat any.
This is my problem with taking him out on controlled leash walks: it causes whining and anger (on both sides) later on.
Perhaps last night I made the mistake of taking him out after dark: he is much less controllable and wants to run around everywhere.
What could I possibly do? No more walks? I really believe deep in my heart that a cat deserves a right to go outside and not be enclosed in all day where he will become lethargic and fat.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm new to this forum and new to cats (I had a cocker spaniel when I was a kid).
I've had my little Skeemer for about two months and a half now. He was a five month old stray given by a friend of mine.
I've been trying to research as much as possible on the web to learn about the great indoor/outdoor debate. What I have been doing up to now is taking him out on a leash about twice a week. In my view it's better than keeping him inside ALL the time, and it's safer then allowing him out on his own in the neighborhood. It's basically a good compromise to the either/or challenge, or so it seems.
But now I have a new problem: a whining cat. Last night after going to bed (I live in a studio) he just started miawing and whining non-stop to get out again. At one moment he jumped on my bed. I grabbed him and said: HEY! I'm not happy with you right now, buddy! I put him back on the floor and then added: Now shut the F*** up!
After that I think I only heard a miaw or two, and then he quieted down.
In the morning I could feel he was seething with resentment, if not with revenge. He spilled half his food bowl and didn't eat any.
This is my problem with taking him out on controlled leash walks: it causes whining and anger (on both sides) later on.
Perhaps last night I made the mistake of taking him out after dark: he is much less controllable and wants to run around everywhere.
What could I possibly do? No more walks? I really believe deep in my heart that a cat deserves a right to go outside and not be enclosed in all day where he will become lethargic and fat.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.