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indoor/outdoor cat update

post #1 of 11
6/2/10 at 12:08pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all,

After your very supportive advice the other week thought I'd give you an update. We finally sealed off part of the terrace on Saturday and locked the cat flap for the final time that evening. The first couple of day were ok, a bit of meowing in the early hours but other than that think Oscar was happy to be back in the house and lolled around on the sofa for two days like a teenager.

Then I think boredom struck and he had had enough of this indoor life. Lots of meowing and following me around in a restless way. He had me running up and down stairs most of last night as he kept going in the baby's room. Not normally a problem but the mosquito nets are up again and he likes to claw at them. Then today he finally plucked up enough courage to jump from the first storey kitchen window. Bollocks! He spent the day out and has just returned now.

So, still going to keep trying but am I doing the right thing? Is an indoor-only life preferable to an outdoor-only life? I can't help but feel guilty about it. There just seems as if there's something natural about a cat, creeping along in the tall grass.
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post #2 of 11
6/2/10 at 12:16pm
I have had this dilemma with my former stray Dusty. We acquired her as an outdoor cat that adopted us. Keeping her inside 24/7 was nearly impossible as she cried continuously to go out. So we compromised. She is allowed out during the day, but she stays inside at night.

I know that indoors is much healthier for cats, but I felt like I was holding her prisoner. I came to the conclusion that the quality of my baby's life is far more important than the quantity. Unfortunately her outdoor lifestyle has probably contributed to her kidney disease as she loves to drink muddy water, which probably has fertilizer and weed killer in it.

The vet prescribed special kidney diet food which she won't eat, and medicine that she won't take without a wrestling match. So I've resigned myself to the fact that she probably won't live beyond 10 yrs., but whatever time she has, she will be loved and pampered to the best of my ability.
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post #3 of 11
6/2/10 at 1:51pm
My first cat, Kit-Kit, was found in our cellar wells with her kittens. So she was obviously always an outside cat before we adopted her. She came back and forth for quite a time before she realized she preferred being inside. And, I was not as educated about such things and figured it was normal behavior for a cat. But once she got stuck in the school next door (the windows were down, but they were the kind that open out and when she stepped on the window, it moved and scared her). We were in a panic and I went looking for her and heard her crying inside the school (it was summertime). I was able to get her out myself, but I think the whole episode kind of "spooked" her and I remember that she did not stray far from home at all after that and really preferred to be inside. And she was older, so maybe she was realizing her limitations!

My current boy, Buddy, was also an outside cat, but he seems really content to be inside. I am a strong proponent of cats staying inside, but I live in a suburban area with a lot of traffic. My street is a cul-de-sac and calm, but right around the corner are busy highways. It is just too dangerous, IMHO. I know I am lucky that Buddy made the transition so easily. But, I also suspect that he was dumped by a former family and that may be part of the reason.

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post #4 of 11
6/2/10 at 5:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pois View Post
There just seems as if there's something natural about a cat, creeping along in the tall grass.
When I read your first thread I did not say anything since all my cats go outdoors and I respect your decision to keep your cat inside. But yeah, my cats do enjoy climbing the trees, roll in dirt and grass, chasing and pouncing on the occasional prey. To substitute these outdoor activities, extra effort and perseverance in your part will keep your cat contented indoors.
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post #5 of 11
6/2/10 at 6:36pm
No doubt, cats that are indoor/outdoor tend to be happiest. They have fewer behaviour problems and just seem more content. But it's not as safe out there, and an indoor/outdoor cat's lifespan is several years shorter than the average indoor only cat's. It's a dilemma that there is no one right answer for.

My own cats have an enclosure they can go into outdoors to be outside at least somewhat, though it isn't the same as actually roaming free.
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post #6 of 11
6/2/10 at 7:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by merrytreecats View Post
No doubt, cats that are indoor/outdoor tend to be happiest. They have fewer behaviour problems and just seem more content.
Is there any proof to this? I've had indoor-only cats for most of my life and they haven't had behavioral problems or seemed discontent?
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post #7 of 11
6/3/10 at 4:21am
I have rescued outdoor cats and they are perfectly happy. Even before we built our enclosure, they never tried to get back out or voiced their distaste at being inside.

I will never wake up to find my cat dead on the road as I know many people do.

The best answer is an enclosure outside. I wanted to give them the outdoors but at a safe distance. They have free rein to enter all day long and at night, the door is closed and they are inside with us.

On the other forum, cat health, a poster was nearly out of her mind with worry when her cat showed up at the door w a broken leg from getting hit by a car. Very expensive and was not sure her DH would pay the bills.

That is something I don't need. Easier to keep them safe inside with access to the outdoors through an enclosure.
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post #8 of 11
6/3/10 at 4:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by merrytreecats View Post
No doubt, cats that are indoor/outdoor tend to be happiest. They have fewer behaviour problems and just seem more content. But it's not as safe out there, and an indoor/outdoor cat's lifespan is several years shorter than the average indoor only cat's. It's a dilemma that there is no one right answer for.

My own cats have an enclosure they can go into outdoors to be outside at least somewhat, though it isn't the same as actually roaming free.
Don't agree with this. I've always had indoor cats and know many indoor cats and they are all just as happy as they can be.

Even rescued strays have always been quite happy to stay inside.
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post #9 of 11
6/3/10 at 5:01am
Our shelter stray was an outdoor cat (we think) for the first year or so of his life. He is now an indoor cat, and is allowed outdoors only with his walking jacket and leash. He seems okay with this, but he really doesn't have a choice. We are in an area of condos and there are leash laws for both dogs AND cats. He is slowly becoming accustomed to the fact that if he meows to go outdoors, we have to put on his walking jacket. But, from what I've read - on the internet and in books - indoor cats live longer and are healthier.

I think the trick is to keep them happy indoors with plenty of play times and interesting things. He LOVES going outdoors with his walking jacket on.

lin
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post #10 of 11
6/3/10 at 7:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
Don't agree with this. I've always had indoor cats and know many indoor cats and they are all just as happy as they can be.

Even rescued strays have always been quite happy to stay inside.
My cat Tom, thrives being outdoors! He has a cage built outside for him to run and play in and he's happy out there. He loves it and never wants to come inside except for at night after the birds stop flying around (and the bats come out, eek! I make him come in at that point for fear of rabies or something). However, when I return home to Canada, I'm going to be living in an apartment He's going to be miserable inside so I feel awful. I wouldn't want to be stuck inside all day either, no matter how many cool toys I had. When it gets too hot and I keep him inside, he sits by the window and watches the birds, chirps/calls to them, and if I get up or walk past a door, he runs to the door thinking I am letting him out. If I don't, he attempts his escape! haha

My other cat, Bug, will sit outside for a few hours and sunbathe, but he's perfectly content sitting infront of the window and doing that as well haha. He has a chair claimed right infront of the window and he's content to sit there all day.

I think some cats are perfectly happy indoors while others need a different kind of stimulation. But it is a lot easier for us humans to keep them indoors AND there is less chance of them getting a disease inside and getting hit by a car so I understand why people want them inside only. It's probably in the best case of the animal health wise to be inside rather than outside.
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post #11 of 11
6/3/10 at 7:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuma-xo View Post
My cat Tom, thrives being outdoors! He has a cage built outside for him to run and play in and he's happy out there. He loves it and never wants to come inside except for at night after the birds stop flying around (and the bats come out, eek! I make him come in at that point for fear of rabies or something). However, when I return home to Canada, I'm going to be living in an apartment He's going to be miserable inside so I feel awful. I wouldn't want to be stuck inside all day either, no matter how many cool toys I had. When it gets too hot and I keep him inside, he sits by the window and watches the birds, chirps/calls to them, and if I get up or walk past a door, he runs to the door thinking I am letting him out. If I don't, he attempts his escape! haha

My other cat, Bug, will sit outside for a few hours and sunbathe, but he's perfectly content sitting infront of the window and doing that as well haha. He has a chair claimed right infront of the window and he's content to sit there all day.

I think some cats are perfectly happy indoors while others need a different kind of stimulation. But it is a lot easier for us humans to keep them indoors AND there is less chance of them getting a disease inside and getting hit by a car so I understand why people want them inside only. It's probably in the best case of the animal health wise to be inside rather than outside.
Terrific post, you pretty much covered it.
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