Going outside?

We are thinking about letting our kitten Tubee go out side on a leash every once and a while, but have never tried this before so we have a few questions. First of all, if he only goes out for a small time does he still need to get flea meds? If yes, how much does it cost and do all the cats need it even if they don't go outside? And lastly will we have a harder time keeping him inside if we do start to bring him out sometimes, like will he start bolting out the door? Thanks for the help.

Manda

I don't give mine flea meds and they've never had fleas.

Mine know that harness=outside, no harness=inside. They do not meow at the door and don't try to escape at other times, I can stand with the door wide open and they don't try to get out.

I think it's likely that if you're just taking it out for walks you shouldn't have a problem with fleas. I would NOT buy the flea meds, but check it out after you take the cat for a walk (watch for itchyness) fleas also love to hide under the chin and on the head as it's nice and warm there.

All cats are different about wanting to be outside. Some cats have no desire to go out, and some cats want nothing more than to frolick outside. I think if you take your already indoor cat out for walks it might just be scared most of the time and try and hide.

I had an indoor cat I took for walks and she was REALLY freaked out by it. However my outdoor cat was quite happy frolicking around outside with or without a leash (and always wanted out.)

I'd suggest if you have a backyard or something setting up an enclosed area for your kitten to go out in. That way he can freely roam and decide what/where is most comfortable for him. Kitties love sunlight and should have fairly regular access to grass (it helps them vomit which gets rid up leftover fur in their stomachs.) We used to let my indoor cats out on our deck all the time and all they'd ever do was roll around happily.

Good luck!

I would say, if you walk your cat in the grass at all, unless it's grass that no other dog, cat, rabbit, or anything else could possibly have ever walked on, then you need flea protection.

The worst ear mite infection I've ever fought was contracted by our cat when he was out for only 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I would say, if you walk your cat in the grass at all, unless it's grass that no other dog, cat, rabbit, or anything else could possibly have ever walked on, then you need flea protection.

The worst ear mite infection I've ever fought was contracted by our cat when he was out for only 10 minutes.

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But that has nothing to do with going outside and fleas have nothing to do with walking once on the grass. Some cats are just prone to ear mites. You can bring fleas in on your clothing. I would not use flea meds unless you SEE the fleas, unless you have had problems in the past or your area is prone to them. Comb the cats regularly, look for them and if you see any then treat them. Occasionally I will treat them all once at the beginning of spring and then wait until I see flea to treat again. But I buy XL dog Frontline and dose it down to treat all my cats, my moms cats and my sisters cats. So that is 10 cats treated 2x per summer I believe.

I was curious about this as well--because we take Jack out occasionally.

I asked my dad--he works for Orkin Pest Control and has been treating for fleas for 25 years--he said that it wasn't necessary to treat Jack.

This is the man who has gone into a million homes and treated for fleas and never brought them home. Just like he's treated a million homes for bed bugs and has yet to bring them home. Only once did he worry he had brought him home, so he didnt come into the house until he changed his clothes and checked himself well.

As for running out the door--Jack has no interest. The cars on the street scare him.

Leslie

I do it occasionally as well. I do it once a year around Spring time.