Confused

Ok, I don't think I'm following this - it's not really safe to leave a cat outside. Has he been neutered? I hope he has been. How has he been difficult? Honestly, I'd bring him in - I just keep thinking of traffic accidents, other predators.....he's really just a baby.

Is he neutered? If not, that is probably why he was wanting out. It's his hormones. He'll be healthier, happier, and safer if you have him neutered.

Now he's missing you inside and all the warm comfortable places he was used to. He doesn't understand why he can't come in. But if you let him in, he will want to go out again. And then he will want to come in again, etc.

I don't let my cats out, because the cats I've known who went out, didn't live long. I make the choice that I'd rather have mine in and safe. However, I know that life is more rich and full for cats who get to be out. But I'm not willing to lose them.

Some people have cats for a long time who go outside. Why don't you want an indoor/outdoor cat? Lots of people do that. Actually, that is probably the norm in much of the world for cats who are pets.

If you are going to make him live outside all the time, I hope you take care of him and provide him with health care (including neutering and vaccinations) and a shelter of some kind for bad weather, and of course food and water that other animals don't get. Otherwise, you are in effect throwing the baby out.

If you really don't want him, maybe you can find him another home?

Robin

It's just not responsible to have him outside if he hasn't been neutered. And has he been vaccinated for rabies or anything else? Apart from neutering & vaccinations, if he's going to be outdoors, he needs to be treated monthly with something like Revolution to protect him against fleas and heartworm, and I'm not sure, but he should probably be treated with drontal (for tapeworms).

I'm not sure why you'd get a cat to have as a pet if he's to live outside (unless you're on a farm?)

We keep our cats indoors only. I know their lives would be richer with the ability to go outside. We live in a really safe area in terms of traffic, but there are so many other nasties around here. People put poison out to kill rats and mice - and - well - it's just much safer for them inside. We have lots of interactive wand toys, and we devote several times a day to playing with them. They're all quite content and very happy. They love watching the birds at the feeders we put up outside. It takes a little while for them to adjust (all of ours were rescued from outside), but they do!

And what about leash training him - and taking him out safely? Or do you have a yard? Can you build him an enclosure?

Is this the same cat who was 8 months old and not neutered 2 weeks ago? There were replies in that thread advising you to get him neutered and that would help his wanting to go outside.

It's much safer to keep cats inside or in an enclosure, but at the very least you need to neuter him before letting him outside - and then keep him in a further 6-8 weeks as they are still fertile for that time.

You really need to neuter this kitty... there is no magic to it... really...

My female cat does similar things, and she has been for the last few months. But she's 12 and has been an indoor kitty her whole life, so imagine my surprise when she sits by the back door (usually on the kitchen table to ensure I see and hear her) and meows like she wants outside. I wonder if she is having a midlife crisis and feels the urge to travel or something.

She's healthy (physically anyway - living with me her whole life probably made her a bit kooky ), but I'll be darned if I know what she's meowing at. And she's spayed too, so it's not the call of nature.

Would you consider walking him like with a cat harness when he gets a bit bigger? I've done this with my cat a few times and she just kind of walks in circles and nuzzles whatever she can reach. I personally would never let my cats frolic free-range since I live in the country and I'd rather my kitties not become a midnight snack for one of the local bears.

But yeah, if he's going to be indoor-outdoor, be sure he's up to date on all vaccines, be prepared to treat him for fleas and worms, and check him regularly for ticks. We've got two dogs too, and even though they only go outside for walks, at least once a month, I pull a tick off one of them.

And personally, I think it's a myth that cats feel more "alive" and happy being outdoors. If being indoors is all they've ever known, they won't yearn for that which they have never experienced...and most cats that have spent a considerable amount of time outside will probably choose the house over the yard. My youngest boy kitty was abandoned near my home and I took him in when he showed up in the backyard looking for food. He was outside for a while in the cold of winter, and now I can hold the door wide open for him and he will not go outside because he knows what's out there and that he's got guaranteed food, water, bedding, warmth, and love in here.

I'm just not a fan of letting cats go outside. Even if kitty's neutered and vaccinated--there are still dangers. Being on a farm or having a safe enclosure would be okay.

I looked it up, and yes, this is the same cat. He is not neutered.

That answers the question. His hormones are in control. He wants to go father kittens. He should NOT be allowed outside until at least a month after he's neutered!

Here is a link to the low-cost clinic at The Humane Society in Tampa. I don't know the requirements to quality for the $10 neuter voucher, but you can call the clinic, info is on the website: http://www.humanesocietytampa.org/Se...terClinic.aspx

Here is a link to the Animal Coalition of Tampa. A neuter there is $40, though the requirements for the $10 voucher are provided on the site: http://www.actampa.org/