when is she ready to go out?

evasion81 · Jul 29, 2005

Hi all.

My girlfriend and I adopted "Betty", a 4yo cat from the RSPCA (animal charity in the UK) and absolutely adore her. I'm pretty sure she's very much an "outdoor" cat as she's a tabby and always meows to get out!

The charity said to wait a least 4 weeks before letting her out which we will do, but she has managed to sneek out a couple of times over the past 2 weeks and basically has made a run for it. (we don't chase her but walk slowly and make kissing noises to try and get her back).

We are worried that come the 4th week she might leave and never return. She seems to like us a lot and gives us hugs and is behaving very well. She is chipped and neutered.

Is it normal for her to sit at the window and meow to get out? Or does she really not like us?

We like in a 1 bedroom house that has a conservatory, so maybe she just wants more space to explore?

Any help would be great,

Stewart
from the UK

buzbyjlc10 · Jul 29, 2005

Oliver was originally a stray (that's how I found him)... he will meow incessently to get outside only when we move him to a new place and only for the first night, once he realizes the place is his, he actually gets scared of the outside... any time I try to take him out for some fresh air, he wants nothing to do with it... so maybe she is just adjusting to her new place and doesn't realize yet that your home is now her home... even though Oliver was a stray, he's now strictly an indoor cat and now seems that he wouldn't want it any other way.. good luck, I hope she adjusts soon!

dicknleah · Jul 29, 2005

I'm actually quite surprised that a rescue group would allow you to let the cat out but maybe things are different in the UK. Welcome to the boards Stewart. I would suggest that you keep your kitty indoors at all times. They have a tendancy to live longer healthier lives being indoors. If you wish to let her get some fresh air put her on a leash or do what I do and put her in a portable pen.

My cats are always wanting to go out and sometimes they get sneaky and escape but they are strictly indoors and seem quite happy.

cyberkitten · Jul 29, 2005

I just wondered why you would let him ouyt. My cat (and fosters) go out only on a leash - they love it but there are too mnany dangers (cars, wild animals who cold kill them, poisonous plants, nasty people) for me to ever let my eyes off my baby. Of course, I apologize if you mean you have a gardenor something like that. A friend has a fenced in area where her cats play - it's wonderful!

loveysmummy · Jul 29, 2005

I second the notion of not letting the cat out. Their life spans are greatly reduced.
Try an enclosure or allow her to get used to being an indoor only...Cat perches and trees placed by a screened window are great!

elizwithcat · Jul 29, 2005

Originally Posted by dicknleah

I'm actually quite surprised that a rescue group would allow you to let the cat out but maybe things are different in the UK. Welcome to the boards Stewart. I would suggest that you keep your kitty indoors at all times. They have a tendancy to live longer healthier lives being indoors. If you wish to let her get some fresh air put her on a leash or do what I do and put her in a portable pen.

My cats are always wanting to go out and sometimes they get sneaky and escape but they are strictly indoors and seem quite happy.

It seems a lot more people in UK are allowing their cats to get out.
Personally, there is no way I could let my cats out. I live in a city, and even if I didn't, I wouldn't let the cats out, unless I had a cat inclosure of some sort.

elizwithcat · Jul 29, 2005

Originally Posted by evasion81

Hi all.

My girlfriend and I adopted "Betty", a 4yo cat from the RSPCA (animal charity in the UK) and absolutely adore her. I'm pretty sure she's very much an "outdoor" cat as she's a tabby and always meows to get out!

The charity said to wait a least 4 weeks before letting her out which we will do, but she has managed to sneek out a couple of times over the past 2 weeks and basically has made a run for it. (we don't chase her but walk slowly and make kissing noises to try and get her back).

We are worried that come the 4th week she might leave and never return. She seems to like us a lot and gives us hugs and is behaving very well. She is chipped and neutered.

Is it normal for her to sit at the window and meow to get out? Or does she really not like us?

We like in a 1 bedroom house that has a conservatory, so maybe she just wants more space to explore?

Any help would be great,

Stewart
from the UK

It's normal for a cat to sit in the window. One of my cats likes it. He sits in the window looking outside. THis, however, is as close to outdoors as he is ever going to get.

evasion81 · Jul 29, 2005

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. Maybe it is different in the UK, because pretty much all cats go outside? along my street alone there are about 5 different cats out in the sunshine...

I think she definately wants to go outside. I just don't want to lose her.

We have a large garden and the area is pretty quiet so I think she'd have a great time.

Stewart

when is she ready to go out?

evasion81

TCS Member

Thread starter

buzbyjlc10

TCS Member

dicknleah

TCS Member

cyberkitten

TCS Member

loveysmummy

TCS Member

elizwithcat

TCS Member

elizwithcat

TCS Member

evasion81

TCS Member

Thread starter

Latest Posts

Connect with us