Is your cat an house cat our outdoor cat?
By glambank
@glambank (217)
United States
April 13, 2010 5:21pm CST
My cat has been an outdoor cat since he was 4 months old. He would always come home to sleep and eat. He spent his time outdoors chasing other animals (even rabbits,)climbing trees and playing in the snow in the winter. His total time outdoors was about 6 hours a day (in and out the house).
I have been told that it was unhealthy for cats to be outdoors, but he seemed so happy I just couldn't help it. Now he is 6 years old and we had to move to an apartment, he can no longer go outside. He often cries to go out but I can't take the chance, its against managements policies. He has finally adjusted being in the house, but he now requires more attention.
Do you let your cat outside?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
15 Apr 10
Moomin is both an indoor and outdoor cat. There are days when he will be out and about for hours, often overnight, but then again if he feels lazy then he will happily stay indoors and get fussed over - lol
@mssunloved (175)
• United States
15 Apr 10
I have two cats, I had to move and they would go outside from time to time. Since I have moved I have not let them outside for a few reasons. I am afraid they would run away and two we moved from the country to the city.
@glambank (217)
• United States
14 Apr 10
Thanks for for sharing. We also had dogs in our area, but my cat would avoid them.
A couple of times he was cornered by a dog and he would spit and growl and they would back off, it was actually very funny. Sometimes he would follow dogs as they were being walked by their owners.
1 person likes this
@Christmas2006 (1661)
• United States
19 Apr 10
We have 2 cats in the house. Angel came from the animal shelter and they said she had never been out doors. We live in the country and she has ventured out on our porch a few times and into the yard but keeps very close to the house. Pretty Boy, was an outside cat but he stuck his front paw somewhere that it didn't belong and got it broke. We had to have it amputated and spent so much $$ on him he isn't allowed to go out but he also has no interest in going outside. I am sure with time your cat will adjust to being an inside cat. I had one cat her name was Bobby and she was in and out she was happy both, then when she got older she came to the door one day and mewed and wanted in and never ever went back outside. We had her for 20 years!
@Tallygirl09 (1380)
• United States
15 Apr 10
I have 2 girl cats and they have been indoor only cats all their life and don't seem to have any real interest in going out. Where I live, there are some large dogs and their owners don't always have them on leashes so I decided it was safer for them to be indoors.
Growing up we always let our cat go outside, like yours did during the daytime. They would have breakfast with us and then we'd let them out. We did sadly lose one to being hit by a car and that was just awful. But our other cat lived to be almost 20 years old and was very healthy overall.
My girl cats have several toys, some purchased, some homemade and I only leave out 2 or 3 at a time. When they get bored with them, I will clean them, put them away and take out 2 or 3 others. Then they are very excited to see and play with their "new" toys. By rotating them, it seems to keep their interest! And they do have each other to play with and run and chase each other.
I have read that overall, indoor only cats tend to live longer but that is in part because there are less risk inside. You might want to set up a window perch so that he can at least see outside and watch the world that way. Take care!
@glambank (217)
• United States
16 Apr 10
Thanks for the suggestion. I live on the ground floor so all Tommy has to do is sit in the window ledge (which he does all the time). He has a great view of the woods and a small path which neighbors use to walk their dogs. He loves to watch the dogs.
@unstopabble (452)
• Philippines
17 Apr 10
i dont have a cat,becuase i hate cats. im allergic to them. everytime there are cats nearby,i can help myself sneezing.and after a few days ill be having asthma. but i think cats are one of the animals who possess a certain level of intelligence
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
14 Apr 10
My cats are indoor cats. Our area has a lot of dogs and I am afraid that my cats will get attacked. I know that cats live longer when they stay indoors. I am sorry that your cat has to be an indoor cat all of the sudden.
