My 8 month old kitten wont go outside any more!

maverick_kitten

maverick_kitten

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My 8 month old kitten wont go outside any more!

I was thinking maybe its too cold for her as she doesn’t really like the cold or damp but she’s happy to sit outside the door.

A few weeks ago I think she might have bumped into a neighbours cat. She didn’t seem very bothered at the time but hasn’t gone out since.

Should I be worried?

I don’t think she even knows she is a cat as she's an only kitten (parents wont allow any more) and I’m worried she wont get enough feline socialisation if she doesn’t go out.


Nicky x
 
tuxedokitties

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It's possible that something happened outside to frighten her - many things can happen to cats that go outdoors, from fights with other cats, to cars, to cruel people. Or she may have just decided that it's more comfortable inside, and she'd rather be inside with her family.

If you have a safe place for her to go outdoors and she wants to go out, that's fine, but if she prefers to stay inside there's nothing wrong with it - in fact, indoor-only cats usually live much longer than cats who go outside. This website (click here) has lots of ideas for ways to make a cat's indoor-only environment fun and happy. My cats (except for our outdoor wild kitty) stay inside all the time, and they're quite happy that way.


By the way, has your cat been altered (spayed) yet? At 8 months her behavior might be changing because she's reaching maturity. If she hasn't been spayed yet, I'd recommend getting her to a veterinarian to take care of that as soon as possible.
 
rita

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Be happy she doesn't want to go out
it's much saver inside
 
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amy-dhh

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Nicky,

My guy has been an indoor-outdoor kitty for many years (he's 17) and very happy with it. But I"ll tell you this -- he DOESN'T like to go outside when it's cold, or wet, or too windy. Could be your little kitty just doesn't fancy being cold.

As others said, I wouldn't be worried. Indoor cats are healthy and there's nothing wrong with them being inside all the time.
 
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maverick_kitten

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Originally Posted by tuxedokitties

It's possible that something happened outside to frighten her - many things can happen to cats that go outdoors, from fights with other cats, to cars, to cruel people. Or she may have just decided that it's more comfortable inside, and she'd rather be inside with her family.

If you have a safe place for her to go outdoors and she wants to go out, that's fine, but if she prefers to stay inside there's nothing wrong with it - in fact, indoor-only cats usually live much longer than cats who go outside. This website (click here) has lots of ideas for ways to make a cat's indoor-only environment fun and happy. My cats (except for our outdoor wild kitty) stay inside all the time, and they're quite happy that way.


By the way, has your cat been altered (spayed) yet? At 8 months her behavior might be changing because she's reaching maturity. If she hasn't been spayed yet, I'd recommend getting her to a veterinarian to take care of that as soon as possible.
Click to expand...
Its funny you should say that, she has just this past hour come into heat


Didn’t realise it would be so traumatic for her, poor thing. Feel so bad, we kept meaning to get her spayed but it’s my bf’s and my last year of uni and we’ve been swamped with course work. Wanted to wait until the holidays so I could ensure she was getting best possible care after.

She still (luckily) doesn’t want to go out though.

(Don’t think me irresponsible, she was never allowed to roam out on her own for long, we were always in calling distance and we made sure there was no other cats around to avoid any mishaps.)

She's never really gone further than the next garden even when she did go out so I guess she just prefers her home comforts.


Tuxedokitties – thanks for that website. I’m trying to build her a big cat perch to keep her entertained. And that gave me a few more ideas.

Nicky
 
jen

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you probably already know this, but until she is spayed, dont give her the option of going outside now that she is mature and in heat cuz SHE WILL GET PREGNANT.
 
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maverick_kitten

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Originally Posted by Jen

you probably already know this, but until she is spayed, dont give her the option of going outside now that she is mature and in heat cuz SHE WILL GET PREGNANT.
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I break up from university on the 17th so Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll get her done that weekend. She hates going outside and other cats so theres no chance sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll get pregnant. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll keep a close eye on her just in case.
 
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allissa

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Originally Posted by maverick_kitten

Its funny you should say that, she has just this past hour come into heat


Didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t realise it would be so traumatic for her, poor thing. Feel so bad, we kept meaning to get her spayed but itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s my bfâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s and my last year of uni and weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been swamped with course work. Wanted to wait until the holidays so I could ensure she was getting best possible care after.

She still (luckily) doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want to go out though.

(Donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t think me irresponsible, she was never allowed to roam out on her own for long, we were always in calling distance and we made sure there was no other cats around to avoid any mishaps.)

She's never really gone further than the next garden even when she did go out so I guess she just prefers her home comforts.


Tuxedokitties – thanks for that website. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m trying to build her a big cat perch to keep her entertained. And that gave me a few more ideas.

Nicky
Click to expand...
It's best to keep your cat inside in any case. Especially considering she is in heat.
 
tuxedokitties

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I'm glad you're planning to get her spayed soon.


Just a warning - even though she doesn't seem to want to go outside right now, cats in heat can be unpredictable, and some will do just about anything to get outside when the 'mood' suddenly strikes. I had a kitten once who came into heat early (at 5 months) tear a hole through my screen door to get outside. You'll need to be very careful so she doesn't have any opportunities to get out.

And you might want some earplugs for when you try to sleep this week
 
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