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My cat wants to go outside

post #1 of 9
4/30/10 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
I have a male cat that is just over 3yrs old and he is neutered. The way I got him is this. I work at a golf course in a rural area and he showed up there one day. He was very friendly and would let you pet him. Finally after the 4th day I decided I would bring him home. The vet guessed his age at the time to about 8 months. He took right to his litter box and after a day or two of hearing the word "no" he became well behaved. Last July he got out of the house and was gone for 4 months. (That story is in the Cat SOS section under "after 4 long months he's back"). Since his return he's been great, but for the last month or so he's been hanging out by the front door smelling the door crack and also doing the same to the window next to the front door. He can be anywhere in the house and if he hears the front door open he makes a mad dash for it. My older son told me that twice he's opened the door and the cat went out but all he did was roll around about 2 feet from the door. My son was able to pick him up and bring him back in.

Here's my question. Did he enjoy his 4 month "vacation" so much that he wants to do it again?. Its really difficult the way things are worrying that anytime that door opens he might run out. Ive let him out in the garage and he does the rolling around thing for awhile. Later when I want to have him come back in I find him laying on the roof or hood of my car. To give him a taste of the outdoors should I buy him a collar and leash and take him out every now and then...not sure what to do
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post #2 of 9
5/1/10 at 6:20am
Because I do not believe in keeping indoor cats, I would not want to restrict his outdoor activities. Out of my 9, 6 are male. They are all neutered and have not wandered. However, the boys did a disappearance act right after the "operation" but once they were back they lost their desire to roam. I guess it's the "letting the hormones adjust[" thing.
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post #3 of 9
5/1/10 at 7:59am
And to the flip side, I wouldn't let him out at all. Any outdoor time will make it harder to keep him inside, where he is safe from cruel humans, vicious dogs, hungry predators, and nasty diseases and parasites of every description.

He may WANT to go out. Little boys WANT to play with fire, too. Sometimes it takes an adult to protect little ones from themselves.
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post #4 of 9
5/1/10 at 8:36am
Lol I guess I'm in the middle of the above two comments. My gang are indoor cats but we take supervised trips to the yard. There's a lot of traffic and loose dogs in my area that worry me but they like to get some fresh air and eat some grass so we all go out together. The nice thing about this is that my strays who used to be outdoor kitties and long to go out again don't bolt out of the door very often and when they do they know where they are, they know how to get back home and they usually stop the minute they get about 2 feet out of the door. I calmly give them a minute or two then we go back in. This might happen once or twice a year. It gives me peace of mind to know that if they do get out they have some skills to rely on if I can't find them.
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post #5 of 9
5/1/10 at 8:36am
My goodness, I vote for no outside. He was gone 4 months....luckily he wasn't killed by a car or dog or cruel people.

Train your cat on a harness and leash. My daughter has a cat just like this and has taken very well to the system. They walk him a couple times a day. It is good for the cat and for you.

Or, look into building an outdoor enclosure or purchase one through the many pet sites online.

Like the other poster said, your cat is a child. You don't give children sharp knives to play with in order to protect them. You are the boss. You must protect your kitty that has been put in your charge.

these are two very do able suggestions for the safety of your cat.
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post #6 of 9
5/1/10 at 8:58am
My cats are indoor and supervised outdoor, I would say whatever you feel is right but after my friend just lost her cat in such tragic circumstances I am more inclined to keep my kitties where I can see them. x
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post #7 of 9
5/4/10 at 1:34pm
My cat is an indoor cat, but he came from the shelter and was probably a stray before that, and so he really does want to go outside. I can usually predict it. In the early afternoon, he roams from window to window meowing loudly! I usually take him out on the harness and leash once a day. And when we come in, he gets a treat.

Today, he meowed to go out, shortly after we had come in and I successfully distracted him with a feather wand toy. We played for around 15 minutes, me hiding it behind the hassock, and him springing to get it. I think some of the time he's just plain bored.

Lin[IMG][/IMG]
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post #8 of 9
5/4/10 at 3:14pm
Thread Starter 
Linni

Beautiful cat you got there...mine doesnt meow to go out, at least not yet...Im afraid if I do the harness and leash thing then he will be more adamant about going out once he got another taste of it..
Im thinking about getting him a playmate hoping that maybe if in his case it is boredom, he would think less about going out..
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post #9 of 9
5/4/10 at 3:24pm
Glad to hear you will be keeping him in.

I will say that when my daughter started taking Stanley out on a harness, his yearning to go outside diminished somewhat.
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