Indoor Kitties

I wondered how many of you on the board have indoor cats?

I have 2 kitties, Jasmine (an indoor cat) and Jasper (a stray which we took in recently that does go out - there's no stopping him!)

Jasmine is 3 years old and has always been an indoor cat since being a kitten. She does, however go for a walk every evening with me on a special cat harness and lead - much to the amusement of the neighbours!!

I often feel cruel keeping her in for the majority of the day....but given where we used to live and the busy roads...it was my only sane option...having seen many road casualties there. We now live in a more cat friendly area...but I feel it would be too much of a shock now to let her out as she isn't 'street-wise'.

Do any of you also keep indoor cats and, if so, how do they get on?:blubturq:

Hi and thanks for posting!

Most every day at around 5 PM, my 4 year-old domestic shorthair, Buttons, leaves the house to do his "business", which he will NOT do in the litter box. He normally only goes to the edge of my field (I live on a Farm), digs around for a few minutes, squats, and then he runs right back up to the door. Most often, I do stand and wait for him. When he returns, I give him his Chicken/Cheese treats and we have a few minutes of loving and purrs on the porch steps, where he just about turns himself inside out to be brushed and petted.

However, this past Friday afternoon, my husband let Buttons go out while I was napping. Since I was asleep, I didn't know he was out until much later that night and by that time, Buttons had been outside for nearly 5 hours!

The sad ending to this story is that it is now Sunday afternoon, and I haven't seen Buttons since Friday. I've been out calling, shaking the treat bag (that cat could be in a coma and hear that bag shaking) and driving the length of the road I live on to try and find him. I've talked to all of the neighbors, no one has seen him. I've put up flyers and contacted the Shelter, just in case he went to a house that I didn't go to and they took him there. He is gone. There is absolutely NO clue as to what happened to him. And I haven't stopped crying since Friday when I realized he wasn't in the house. This not knowing what happened to him is sheer torture!

So, do what you think is best but be prepared to take the risks associated with your choices. Only when you can accept the risks should you make the decision to let your cats outside. And if you find those risks to be acceptable, then please - do not choose to have pets.

Yours,

Gaye

awww....so sorry to read that

i hope your little kitty turns up...i can imagine how you feel....i would be so upset.

the problem that i have with my second cat (the stray) is that this is all he has ever known and is used to going out. i have seen him run across the main road and my heart has been in my mouth....but i have to accept that this is the life he has been used to and if he wants to...he goes out. Similarly...i also have to accept that he was a stray who happenned upon us by chance and he could very easily leave us and move onto the next family

please don't stop looking for Buttons..he may turn up (they have a habot of doing these things)

let me know

Claire xxx

Clairey,

Anytime I've had cats, they've been indoor cats. I dread the thoughts and worries of outdoor cats coming home beat up or (worse) not coming home at all. We currently have a 1 year old neutered male (Striker) and a 6 month old spayed girl (Sassy).

Indoor is the only way I'll ever have cats.

Bill

Gaye,

Any Buttons sightings or returns?!

Worried for you and Buttons,
Bill

The only time I think you have to let a cat live in/out is when they are rescued and have spent half thier lives outdoors.
I have 11 and I will never take the risk of injury, disease and death with my cats. When I buy a house rather than rent, I will build an outdoor enclosure for them to experience nature. This way I know they are all safe.

Hi
Over the years, all of the different cats we have had have been kept indoors only. I don't feel this is being cruel at all, I feel this is keeping them safe from hazards, and giving them longer, happier, healthier lives. I know others who feel the same way, one of my neighbors had an indoor only cat who lived to be about 25 years old.

My cats are all indoors cats. I feel that it is best for them this way--no diseases, cars, dogs, or evil people to hurt them. And its possible to convert an outdoors-only cat to an indoors-only cat if you are very patient and are consistent and firm.

GreyCat was a barn cat all his life up until I got him in May--16 years. He whined quite a bit about going out at first, but he has adapted to the indoors very well. We had problems with him marking things at first. Now that the pecking orders have been worked out with the other cats, he marks only once a week or so, usually when Prince has bothered him when he was sleeping. Grey only had a few poo accidents before he learned to use the litterbox. He still asks to go out, and tries to sneak out now and then, but he seems to be accepting the change, if grudgingly.

Since placing this topic, my boyfriend has witnessed Jasper (the stray we took in)twice now crossing the busy road near our house. Today, he made a car skid and screech to a halt whilst missing him - but only just.

The problems I have with converting him though are:

Jasmine - our cat of 4 years enjoys her peace and quiet during the day while Jasper is outside

Jasper has always had a life out on the streets and really enjoys his time outside. My heartfelt reaction to this is that it is cruel and I shouldn't keep him cooped up

The smell of his wee-wee is awful - how do I control it?

How do I go about converting an outdoor kitty into an indoor kitty?

Your help would be appreciated!!!

Is Jasper neutered? My kitty Loco had strong smelling 'wee wee' before we got him neutered, now the smell is gone.The best odor-controling litter I've seen is Max cat, multiple cat. I have four inside cats and they all seem very happy Jasmine will put him in his place if he bugs her too much, I bet

Jasper is neutured but to be honest his wee smells nearly as bad now as it did before. There is a slight difference...but it hasn't made that much difference.

I could live with the smell....what I can't live with is keeping him in captivity when he's so used to having the world outside to roam about....

Matt (my other half) and I have talked about it though and we are seriuosly considering keeping him in from now on.

my boyfriend has witnessed Jasper (the stray we took in) twice now crossing the busy road near our house. Today, he made a car skid and screech to a halt whilst missing him - but only just.

Click to expand...

I was wondering...have you ever considered outdoor cat enclosures as a possible option?

as we live in a cute little 3 storey town house in England - with no garden...only a garage, drive and courtyard

we have made the decision to try and convert Jasper to being a housecat. Its his first day today and so far, so good, apart from a few smelly poos!!!!

My suggestion is to keep trying to keep him indoors. A happy cat is an alive cat. He will adjust, but mostly, he will be safe. All of my babies have always been indoors. I have had two kitties who have been run over and do not wish to find out the hard way about it ever again. You could try walking him on a leash from time to time?

Good luck

-Jacquie

we just tried Jasmine's leash and harness on......i giggled....he hasn't got a clue bless him

i will definately try keeping him in tho now

Do not let your cat outdoors. In fact, those with outdoor cats just make me angry! Let me explain why. First, having cats outdoors put them at a higher risk for FIV and feline Leukemia- both of which there is no cure. In addition, the cats are at risk for a number of other illnesses. On top of that, many who have outdoor cats don't have the cats spayed/neutered and what does that mean? More kitties! Cats are made to be indoor pets, and don't mind. I have happy indoor cats. Finally, your cat runs the risk of being killed by other animals. My aunt just watched an outdoor cat be picked up by hawk and killed...imagine the heartache my cousins felt. Keep your kittie indoors.

Good news

Juicelyn, I just wanted to say that I totally understand where you are coming from, but I do disagree in a couple of areas, firstly I have 6 cats, they ALL go outside, but they are ALL spayed/neutered and so are everyone elses cats I know that go outside...I know there are some irresponsible people who do let them out not being neutered, but this can happen with indoor kitties too....they can escape so it always best to have them nuetered no matter what. Also ALL my cats are vaccinated against FeLV and such like.....they have regular vet check ups and are all well. I understand what you say about there being more risks outside - like roads etc, but my house is only surrounded by a golfcouse - no cars around so I don't feel too worried about letting them out. I don't agree that cats are made to live indoors - if so why do they have hunting instincts? Im not by any means saying it is wrong to keep them indoors - I know lots of cats can be very happy and easily adapt to life indoors, but it is everyones own decision to make depending on their circumstances. If you want to keep your kitties in then thats just fine...good for you! thats your choice, but I don't feel Im being cruel to mine by letting them out, if they were not neutered/spayed and not vaccinated or checked by the vet then maybe it would be different. If I lived near a main road then I would definately keep them in, but as we have the space near by I let them out. I hope I haven't offended anyone with this, but I just wanted to give my own personal view.

i think you have illustrated the general pattern that i have noticed when i placed this post. It is 'the norm' in England to have cats that go outdoors every day and this is probably why i have a guilt complex about not letting them out

everyone i know - neighbours, friends and relatives think it is unspeakable to keep a cat indoors and really do think it is cruel

but i have made a decision now and it has been Jaspers second day in captivity today he seems ok though

Yeah --- Clairey-pooh!! I applaud your decision