Are cats allowed outside?

Hi!

My 2 kittens are 2 months old. I never saw anyone walking in the street with a cat on a leash, so I was just wondering if cats ever can be taken outside? I feel bad that they are always in the house. Even when I leave the house, they try to go out, as if they want to explore the outdoors, but I am afraid they will run away, so I haven't taken them out yet.

So how can it be done? With a leash? Why don't we see cats on leashes like we see dogs? Can cats be in a house their whole life without going out? Is that fair to them?

Thank you

I believe cats can be taught to walk on a leash reasonably easily, I'm sure someone here can help you with the way to do it!

As for having inside cats, it is my belief that they can have a perfectly happy life indoors, so long as you provide a stimulating environment. They need cat trees, toys, and a multi level lifestyle. They need to be able to climb and run around. The benefits of keeping them inside are huge, from them not getting hit by a car, to not catching a fatal disease or being eaten by the local wildlife. I don't have a choice as I live by a busy road, if my cats got out they wouldn't last 5 minutes.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons of letting your cats out. Do the increased risks they will face outweigh the fact that they seem curious? Do you live in an area where they would be safe outside? Are there any wild animals? Any busy roads? Any local children who enjoy torturing animals?

Thank you for the reply.

The cats have a happy life in the house. The whole house is open to them and they can climb on anything they want. I am home all day day with them and get to play with them alot. I just can't imagine myself living a lifetime in a house and never getting out. That is why I wanted to take them outside. But if you say they would be happy to spend many years in the house without ever leaving, that is what I will do. The streets ARE dangerious, and I wasn't thinking to let them loose. I was thinking of walking with them on a leash, but as I said, I never saw cats on leashes outside, so I thought maybe that is not what cats would enjoy.

Cats don't miss what they never had, I've known plenty of indoor cats that are perfectly happy. Just make sure they have some windows to look out of, maybe put a bird feeder outside so they can watch the birds too.

Cats don't think the same way we do, they don't feel imprisoned when inside. Theres a good article here about the risks, and how you can make it a happy home for your cat.

I've never walked a cat on a leash, but I know there are people here who have, and they say their cats love it! You may look a little strange at first, but who cares!!

My Cupid is happy indoors, but he will sit in the windows and stare out at all the interesting stuff out there. One time I opened the door to get a package--the first time since I got him that I opened an outside door in his presence--and he looked crazed like he wanted out! I'm worried that if I DO take him out, he'll get used to it and not be scared to dart out the door.

I do want him to be able to enjoy it though. I open the window for him when I'm in the same room to supervise, so he can get fresh air and see out better. That's all I personally feel comfortable with so far.

Zvi - based on your description, I don't see any reason for your cats to ever be outside.

Hiya,

I guess it's up to you to decide. I'd definately take main roads into consideration though.

My kitten, Kiki is 4 months old now, we allow her to wander around outside while we are out there too, and she doesn't wander very far. But personally, because there is a main road fairly close, I dont' think she is old or wise enough to be let out alone yet. I also worry that she will get into a fight with a bigger cat as there's a huge male cat that uses our yard as his territory ! If I lived in the countryside though I'd probably have no problems letting her out.

Cats can be perfectly happy spending their whole life indoors if they are in a good environment with good humans with adequately care for their needs.

As an alternative to walking on a leash, I load Nano into her carrier and we go to a scenic park-like area for weekly field trips. (As a matter of fact, once she hurries up and uses the litterbox we will be leaving in a few minutes.) That gives her some adventure and fresh air, but she stays in the carrier the entire time and there is little risk/danger to her.

I have two perfectly happy indoor cats. They have never been outside except in their carrier. I don't want to take them out on leashes because my fear is that once they get a taste of the outdoors, they won't be afraid to dart out the door when I'm coming in or going out. I already take steps to guard against that, but they don't need any encouragement that might lead to an escape. There are too many dangers around here that might befall them if I let them outside. Our apartment complex is on a busy road, there are tons of other cats in the complex so fights and diseases are a concern, as well as other animals and dangerous people too. Sometimes keeping a cat strictly indoors is for its own good, and statistically they live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats. As a couple of other posters said, the cat will not miss the outside if it's never been there before. Weigh the pros and cons and do what you think is best for your animal.

I am building an outdoor cat run that is accesible by a window. It will be completely enclosed to keep my cats safe, and I can open and shut the window at my choice (bad weather, 4th of July, nights (we have alot of foxes and skunks)). Though cats that have access to outside should be vaccinated for Feline leukemia too (at least in my area). Till this point my cats have all been indoor only cats.

Originally Posted by Zvi

Hi!

My 2 kittens are 2 months old. I never saw anyone walking in the street with a cat on a leash, so I was just wondering if cats ever can be taken outside? I feel bad that they are always in the house. Even when I leave the house, they try to go out, as if they want to explore the outdoors, but I am afraid they will run away, so I haven't taken them out yet.

So how can it be done? With a leash? Why don't we see cats on leashes like we see dogs? Can cats be in a house their whole life without going out? Is that fair to them?

Thank you

Click to expand...

Cats can be tought to walk on a leash. It's not hard. They sell cat leashes and harnesses at petco and petsmart or any pet store I think. You want to get a harness because a cat can slip out of a collar pretty easily. The harness has to fit kind of tightly to keep them from sliping out too. The sell cat tie outs. They work pretty well but a cat always wants to explore where he isn't able to go.. haha. In most "cat care" books they will have a chapter on leash training and there are plenty of tipson the web. I "walk" Limerick twice a week... it's usually walking behind him while he sniffs and explores. It's great exercise not only for thier body but for thier mind too. Not to mention it's safer for the cat then to be kept outside 24/7. You won't have to worry about weather, other animals and cars when they are on the leash. Just make sure you have cat bath wipes handy, they are attracted to dust dirt and mulch, a flea collar, just in case, a name tag on a collar or microchip information, just in case he/she gets loose, and make sure he/she is updated on all his shots. It never hurts to be perpared!!!

Also remember that a cat is not much reassured by the presense of it's owner, unlike a dog. If a cat gets spooked, it'll run!

Originally Posted by Purity

Also remember that a cat is not much reassured by the presense of it's owner, unlike a dog.

Click to expand...

Sorry, but I disagree. I don't know much about dogs, but I think cats are VERY aware of the emotional state of their human companions, and in a new and uncertain situation, will key their response to the response of their humans. This has been my experience during my cats' first exposure to thunderstorms and fireworks. Their initial reaction was to panic, but when they observed my calmness and lack of concern, they were much reassured and calmed by it. I can tell you they were watching me very closely, as they always do!!

I have 3 cats very happy indoors. I have a 6 ft tall cat condo cage on my back deck, in cool evenings when I sit on the deck I will bring them out in the condo. Gives them some fresh air. That is the only time they have been out other than to the vet.
When I open the back sliding door as kittens they would try to follow, but as adult cats they just sit there and wait for me to close the door

Mine walk on leashes pretty well. I have a small dog harness for elliot because he is so large, and aerowyn gets a regular cat one. if you really want to take your babies outside, make sure to get one that goes aroudn their neck, behind their elbows, and connects the neck and behind the elbow part on the top AND on the chest! Aerowyn's is just a top connector and it slips and slides all over the place! Teaching them to walk really doesnt take any skill. Just have them wear the harness in the house until they get used to it. Then just take themoutside with the leash clipped to the harness, and set them outside your door while you sit on the steps. Let them go where they want. Once they are accustomed to the outdoors more (about two weeks or so) you can move them to a specific area for exploring. Many cats if you move them right away will freak out and try to get back to the door.

Most people just will have to be content with hooking their cat on a leash and following it around, but if you can get into your cats moods more and know them more, you might be able to teach them to walk on a leash.

Elliot and Aerowyn walk on leashes relatively well. With a slight tug I can get elliot to go where I want him to go, unless he is being very stubborn and doesnt want to go. With aerowyn I just give a tug and she runs to keep up with me.Mostly they stay by me and eat grass and just lay around. Elliot usually likes to find a big spot of dirt first and roll in it.

You should get them feline lukemia, distemper, and heartworm stuff though.

I thought my cats were fine but elliot contracted Giardia from the back yard ( a kidn of intestinal parasite from wild animals) so now we only go in the front yard (cuz there are deer and rabbits and stuff in the back yard, and they poop al over)

I've gotten so I trust my cats a lot outside. If I have to go in I usually just wind their leashes together and go in. Elliot doesnt like people and stays away from the road, though aerowyn likes people. With them tied together aerowyn cant run anywhere (elliot has 10 lbs on her) and elliot usually just lies there and waits for me. Every time I take themoutside elliot gets loose from his harness and streaks like a madcat into the back yard, and rolls around in teh dirt back there. I just chase him (all in fun) and he goes up to the porch to be let in. I know elliot wouldnt leave the yard, and most liekly I could even let him outside with no leash and harness, but I dnot want anyth ing to happen to him so I dont. It takes alot of trust and you have to know your cats very well to let your guard down when they are outside.

Originally Posted by Zvi

Hi!

My 2 kittens are 2 months old. I never saw anyone walking in the street with a cat on a leash, so I was just wondering if cats ever can be taken outside? I feel bad that they are always in the house. Even when I leave the house, they try to go out, as if they want to explore the outdoors, but I am afraid they will run away, so I haven't taken them out yet.

So how can it be done? With a leash? Why don't we see cats on leashes like we see dogs? Can cats be in a house their whole life without going out? Is that fair to them?

Thank you

Click to expand...

I would not let them outside unsupervised at this age. I would also recommend looking into building an outdoor cat enclosure. Cats can sometimes travel a great distance and in most areas...it truly isn't as safe to be indoors/outdoors. Also, remember to set up their spay/neuter appts for the appropriate age so neither one accidentally becomes pregnant or causes a pregnancy.

Katie

Originally Posted by coaster

Sorry, but I disagree. I don't know much about dogs, but I think cats are VERY aware of the emotional state of their human companions, and in a new and uncertain situation, will key their response to the response of their humans. This has been my experience during my cats' first exposure to thunderstorms and fireworks. Their initial reaction was to panic, but when they observed my calmness and lack of concern, they were much reassured and calmed by it. I can tell you they were watching me very closely, as they always do!!

Click to expand...

Do they act the same in unfamiliar places too, like the vets? I find that mine too look at me and guage my reaction to things at home, but if I was out walking them on a leash and a dog came too close, I don't imagine that they'd care what I thought, they'd just try to bolt up the nearest tree!

I live in a concrete jungle here in Japan but am lucky enough to have a wee patch of garden. Unfortunately its right beside a busy road on which I have seen a cat hit by a car (they never stopped). For this reason my little girl is only ever outside on a leash.
I don't trust the local drivers or local stray cats to leave her alone, besides she's not fixed yet so no unwanted problems either.
It's about 4mtrs long so she has the run of the garden while I'm out there. She's been on the harness since she was about 2 months old and has never had a problem with it.
If the weather is nice I will put her in my bicycle basket on a cushion, clip her to the basket and pedal up to the riverside so she can play in the long grass, she stick her head out the side like a dog out a car window. She doesn't love it but she doesn't mind either. Because she's so little I bought a chihuahua harness for her.
Most cats here never see the outdoors unless they're feral so I think she's lucky to get to go out with me.

My kitty always runs towards the door whenever I leave or come home. I'm afraid that one day she's going to get through my legs and run out. I always have a little ball that I throw so that she can chase it and then I squeeze through. (which makes me feel really bad cause I feel like I'm deceiving her) Is there another way for me to deter her from the door?

Personnly i think its cruel to keep cats inside all of the time, by doing so you are denying what comes naturally to a cat, and that is their primal instinct is to explore and hunt. I had my cat Mawser from a kitten and introduced him to the outside world when he was 4mths old, I had him for 16yrs and he loved to go outside, he would then come back in a more contented mood, as opposed to if i kept him in for say 2/3 days he would become agitated, and restless until i opened the door and let him out. You have to give them a certain amount of freedom, or they will never have any independence.