in or out what is best??

mrtibbs

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we kind of adopted a stray cat when we moved into our apartment almost 2 years ago now, and it has taken all this time for him to trust us and stay in the house. 

he won't let us pet him, we're just purely food and shelter which we are fine about, he looks so much healthier now and to us thats all that matters. 

He'll come in about 8pm when we get home and eats than sleeps with waking up a couple of times a night for a nibble at his food until the following morning about 10 when we normally have to wake him when we head to work to put him out for the day (its like having a teenager in the house!)

the problem is that we are going away for a couple of days and although He has only been sleeping in now for a few weeks I'm worried about putting him back outside for the 2 days while we're away, do you think he will be OK. I have a friend who comes around in the evening time and leaves food out for him and this has always worked before but since him spending a lot of time in the house I'm worried mainly because he's a shy little thing and there are some cats that come around and bully him. 

I did think we could lock him in for the two days and my friend could come in and top up his food and water but is that even worse than putting him out.  

any advice you can give me would be great, to be honest I never really liked cats (don;t hate me!!) but this one has really won over my heart and i just want to do whats best for him 

Thanks 

Nick 
 

Primula

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Is he fixed? It's very dangerous for a cat to be outside. In the circumstances though I think it would be better for him to be outside. Can't imagine how he would feel being locked up & not knowing where you are. Please get him fixed if he's not.
 

mani

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Have you tried leaving him in at all?  He might actually like it and much prefer it to being left outside.  It's much safer.  If you leave him out he could be hassled by other cats who don't want him in their territory at night.

Perhaps you could just leave him in for one day, before you go, and see how he responds?

It's lovely that you care so much from him, especially since you don't really like cats.
 
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mrtibbs

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He does get hassled by other cats bless him. Last night he didn't settle inside so we had to put him out and he was fine so I think he should be ok for the two days. He's spent the last few years out every night so I think I was probably being over protected but we'll make it up to him when we get back. Maybe he'll be so glad to see us he might let us pet him :)
 

talkingpeanut

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Is he fixed? It's very dangerous for a cat to be outside. In the circumstances though I think it would be better for him to be outside. Can't imagine how he would feel being locked up & not knowing where you are. Please get him fixed if he's not.
Yes, is he fixed?  

What do you mean when you say he wouldn't settle inside?
 
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mrtibbs

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He's been coming in at night and going to bed but that night he was sitting by the open front door like he use to and as you can imagine it's not too warm these nights that's why I put him out. Evetytime I went to close the door he bolted so I had no choice.

As for being fixed I don't know. We're saying he's a he but we have never been that close to look to be honest. We put down food and he waits for us to move away before he goes near it. But we're fine with that because we don't really like cats but we just want him to feel safe and most nights now he sleeps in the spare room away from other much stronger cats and he's safe.

To get him fixed we'd have to trap him take him to vets and all the trust we have built will be gone and he will be scared to come back in again so he'll be back on the streets.

I know it's not a ideal situation but I think at the moment it's the best one.
 

talkingpeanut

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He will forgive you for taking him to a vet. Getting him fixed and vaccinated is the very best thing you can do for him.

Try feeding him in the back of a crate so he feels comfortable going in on his own.
 

msaimee

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He will definitely forgive you for getting him neutered. You are the source of his food and shelter, and friendship. He will be healthier and happier and more settled when you get him neutered--it will reduce the likelihood of him roaming to search for a mate, and fighting other toms for a mate and territory. Toms fighting can result in serious injury, and feline AIDS and the Herpes V virus (which causes recurrent upper respiratory infections) can be transmitted through saliva and bite wounds from such fights.  I have seen firsthand the result of such fighting and spreading of disease, and it's heartbreaking. So I hope you'll consider getting him neutered and then keeping him indoors, which he will likely prefer once his hormones settle down after the neuter. From my experience, I've found that it's about a hundred times less stressful caring for a cat indoors than outdoors, especially when the cat disappears for days and you have no idea if he's returning, and you're checking your porch every half hour and praying for his return.  

Is there a way you could keep him inside and have someone check on him during the two days you're away? Confined in a room, perhaps? Many cats do well when left alone for a few days. Just leave out food and water and litter box, and have someone come once or twice during your absence to tend to him. Or you could purchase an automatic feeder and water dispenser at Walmart or Big Lots, both of which will hold enough food and water to last many days. If this isn't possible, or you think it would be too stressful for him, then having someone feed him outside during your absence is something that would be best to safeguard him from leaving to search elsewhere for food. Good luck, and it's great you're caring for this kitty.    
 
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