I'm sorry to bother you with this long post, because I know most of you have strong opinions about my problem, but I have to admit I am so torn about having my 11 month old Javie be an indoor cat or an indoor/outdoor. I'm really agonizing about it and driving myself nuts.
Here is the situation. Javi is a very playful, athletic, aggressive cat. He runs around the house literally growling like a dog and can almost fly when he wants to reach something. He was being really aggressive to us, biting and scratching, and it was unbearable so everyone said get another cat. So we fostered another cat thinking we would keep her. After slow, proper introductions and three months together, he wouldn't leave her alone and she couldn't eat, sleep, or live without him constantly chasing and attacking her. I was losing my hair (literally) from the stress of protecting her and keeping them separate as much as possible. So I found her a wonderful new home as an only cat with a middle aged woman in a condo who will love her forever. So another cat is not the answer for Javi.
I fixed up the backyard like a fortress with netting on the fence and metal flashing on the trees so he can't climb them. He loved being out there, chasing bugs, etc. and all has been well out there since April. But last month, new people bought the house next door with 4 indoor/outdoor cats. That was the end of the safe, backyard play. In spite of all my efforts, they jumped the fence to come over to visit. They are all very friendly and sweet, but Javi cries when they leave. He is still too small to jump the fence, so has dug two tunnels under the fence and gotten out. So I decided this is it. I'll just let him out. So for three days, I let him out while I was out there, and he went next door to play with the cats, explored around and seemed really happy. Then I noticed a hole in his thigh, which the vet said was an absess. It was an old wound though, probably from before I let him out in front. But it might have happened from something in the back, so now I'm worried about letting him outside at all. He's on antibiotics, etc.
If I never let him outside, he will probably be so bored and lonely. He gets lots of play and attention now, but in a year, all my kids will have moved out for college. And I work half days. Does anyone else out there have an only cat that seems happy indoors? I have had two other cats in my life who were indoor/outdoor. They both lived very long lives and I assumed Javi would be one too when we got him. But that was before the internet and all the rescue orgs that say don't let your cat outside. Please . . . I need some encouragement to keep him inside and reassurance that he won't be miserable.
Here is the situation. Javi is a very playful, athletic, aggressive cat. He runs around the house literally growling like a dog and can almost fly when he wants to reach something. He was being really aggressive to us, biting and scratching, and it was unbearable so everyone said get another cat. So we fostered another cat thinking we would keep her. After slow, proper introductions and three months together, he wouldn't leave her alone and she couldn't eat, sleep, or live without him constantly chasing and attacking her. I was losing my hair (literally) from the stress of protecting her and keeping them separate as much as possible. So I found her a wonderful new home as an only cat with a middle aged woman in a condo who will love her forever. So another cat is not the answer for Javi.
I fixed up the backyard like a fortress with netting on the fence and metal flashing on the trees so he can't climb them. He loved being out there, chasing bugs, etc. and all has been well out there since April. But last month, new people bought the house next door with 4 indoor/outdoor cats. That was the end of the safe, backyard play. In spite of all my efforts, they jumped the fence to come over to visit. They are all very friendly and sweet, but Javi cries when they leave. He is still too small to jump the fence, so has dug two tunnels under the fence and gotten out. So I decided this is it. I'll just let him out. So for three days, I let him out while I was out there, and he went next door to play with the cats, explored around and seemed really happy. Then I noticed a hole in his thigh, which the vet said was an absess. It was an old wound though, probably from before I let him out in front. But it might have happened from something in the back, so now I'm worried about letting him outside at all. He's on antibiotics, etc.
If I never let him outside, he will probably be so bored and lonely. He gets lots of play and attention now, but in a year, all my kids will have moved out for college. And I work half days. Does anyone else out there have an only cat that seems happy indoors? I have had two other cats in my life who were indoor/outdoor. They both lived very long lives and I assumed Javi would be one too when we got him. But that was before the internet and all the rescue orgs that say don't let your cat outside. Please . . . I need some encouragement to keep him inside and reassurance that he won't be miserable.