Is your cat an indoor cat???
By killahclaire
@killahclaire (3665)
February 26, 2007 4:37am CST
I got Leo in the biggining of December when he was only 8 weeks old and he has been such a lovely good natured kitten and we love him to bits.
We were qwuite reluctant to get a cat becasue our area was not good to let a cat out. We live in beside a busy shopping arcade literaelly in the car park of it. We have a main road beside us, two schools across the road and generally it is just not a good place for cats but we were assured if we got an indoor cat everything would be fine. We trailed reound the cat and dog shelters for weeks but there wasn't any indoor cats. The ones that were strays had to be placed somewhere with ourtdoors available just in case.
So, we got Leo as a kitten, we were told that it should be fine to have her as an indoor cat but now she is getting older she wants to go outside. We let her have a wee run down the balcony but we can't leave her out there unattended as there is access to outside and we don't want him to be hurt.
I know alot of people may say it is cruel to keep him cooped up indoors but we do try our absolute best b y him. He isn't left in alone for long and he has clean litter available all the time, food, toys, activities centre, you name it - he has it.
But do you think it is cruel or do you think they easily adapt to their situation. Do you think I should continue taking him on little jouneys to the balcony where he gets a taste of freedom. This is our first cat and the vet seems happy with him progress. He did have a bit of a respitory infection but the vet assured us this was nothing we were doing wrong and it was cos his immune system was a little weak with him being a kitten.
Do you think a cat being kept indoors can really effect it?
10 people like this
41 responses
@feralwoman (2199)
• Australia
26 Feb 07
I think your lovely kitten will be fine indoors. I have 2 cats which are outside cats, but we are lucky enough to live away from a busy road. Although saying that, one of my cats did get hit by a car a few years ago and had a badly broken jaw which had to be wired up to fix it. As long as your kitty has plenty of toys and stimulation during the day, he should be fine and not wreck the place. It's a good idea to get a scratching post so that he doesn't scratch at the furniture! Good luck with your kitten! lol
3 people like this
@silvermoonmyst (943)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Does she have her kitty vaccines? You should consider getting them if not if shes going outside. To be sure hes protected against anything he might catch.
My cat is an inside cat who has recently been trying to get outside. Shes about 7 months old, i think its normal that as the cat gets more to adulthood they want to extend their territory by going outside.
Im sure come summer i wont be able to prevent my cat from getting outside. Our doors are always open, thankfully we own our property, but my area is very dangerous for small animals. I just hope she stays safe.
2 people like this
@killahclaire (3665)
•
26 Feb 07
No she doesnt have her kitty vaccines but can he catch stuff by just going out side on a concreet balcony and sniffing some plants??? He does get them next week.
I hope when your cat does get out she is safe.
1 person likes this
@LooneyToons (383)
• United States
26 Feb 07
My cats are all indoor cats. I really love animals. They brighten my day and give lots of love. My king size bed is full at night when I sleep. I am also a foster mom to animals. Currently I have 3 other cats and a dog. I have 2 cats of my own. Sometimes I get animals for a short period of time and then other times I get them for longer periods of time. It is such an enjoyable thing to do. I love cats.
2 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
26 Feb 07
Absolutely not. You aren't doing anything wrong. I have had indoor cats always. They are always going to naturally wonder what is outside but even after awhile they stop being curious. If I leave my bedroom window open or the screen door the cat will lay by it and watch squirrels and such outside. But no it's not cruel. Many many people have indoor cats. You are doing fine don't be so hard on yourself.
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
26 Feb 07
No I don't think it is cruel, providing the cat has plenty of room to execise, and plenty of things to do to stop him being bored. My best friend has two cats (a male, and a female), and both are indoor cats. She got them both at 8 weeks old, and they are both 13 now, and have never been out at all. Her house is on a main road, and her front foor opens directly onto the street with no front gardem, so she didn't want them to wander. All my cats were strays so were used to being outside quite naturally, and I think it would be cruel to keep them in because they have already developed a "taste" for the outside world, but I think it is a case of what they've never had, they've never missed! So as long as Leo is loved, and cared for, and has plenty of toys to play with, he should be fine!
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
26 Feb 07
I don't want to sound paranoid but I don't like leaving my cat outdoor. I lost 5 cats in the past due to animal cruelty and car crash. You won't believe how bad the world outside for pets these days. I personally will not let my cat go outside on her own. If she needs friend, I will get her one, or we invite neighbors to visit with their pets sometimes so my cat is not lonely. She is well taken care of, which won't always be the case if I let her out.
2 people like this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I have had my cats since they were 9weeks old, they are 5months now and they are indoor cats. Like you they have toys, clean litter box and fresh food and water every day. Honestly you are doingthe right thing by your cat by keeping him indoors. I recently had my cats fixed because I have 1 male and 1 female and honestly I dont want any more than 2 cats. 1 thing you can do to enshure that they are getting all the nutrients he needs is to get him indoor cat food and treats. Yes it is a bit more expensive but it is worth it in the long run. I have recently switched to indoor cat food within the last week and I have noticed a diffrence in my cats already. They are more playfull and there coat is even softer and shinier.
I hope this helps you and your baby.
2 people like this
@nmw2005 (1197)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Growing up out cat was an indoor cat. We planned it that way, but it turned out that he didn't want to go out. He would be by the front door and we could go in and out and he'd just sit there. Once I got married we got a cat who is afraid of the door when it openes, so I lucked out again. Our next cat will also be indoor, i am soo scared of hat will happen to them if left out.
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I think that an indoor cat is happier and healthier overall. I would never, ever allow my Waffles and Columbus to roam the streets. It's much too dangerous! In addition to avoiding risks such as getting hit by a car, my cats avoid fights, kids who want to hurt them, and nasty germs and fleas.
2 people like this
@5000ml (1923)
• Belgium
26 Feb 07
My kitten is 8 months old now and we have to keep him indoors as we live in a third floor apartment and we live in the middle of a city. I'd love him to be outside, but he's perfectly healthy and very happy. I've had several cats since I was 8 who've been indoor cats and they're all still doing fantastic. I don't think it's cruel at all.
For anyone considering letting their cat out: please neuter them before you let them out, this will reduce the amount of unwanted kittens. It's a simple procedure, especially for male cats.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
26 Feb 07
I let my cats out because I live in a relatively safe place for them but I know a few people who have indoor cats and they seem fine.
I kept mine indoors until they were six months old and they could be spayed as they are both female. At first Tabitha was terrified to go out but eventually did and now loves it, I think Gizmo had been outside before I got her so she had no problem going out.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Keeping a cat indoors absolutely effects it, for the better!!! Outside are larger animals (even hawks kill cats), cars and mean/crazy people. I have 26 of my 27 cats inside & if I could get #27 to come in I would. My cats play chase around the house, have toys, have cat trees, open windows to enjoy the fresh air. They absolutely don't need to be outside. People that say keeping a cat inside is cruel are probably NOT thinking of the massive danger there is to a small animal outside. If you really feel you must take her out, you can harness & leash train her. Make sure you cat is neutered so there aren't the mating urges, there are too many unwanted pets in the world to breed - that goes for both male & female animals.
2 people like this
@yvonne1968 (1063)
• United States
3 Mar 07
its not bad to make a cat a indoor cat. My boyfriends cat is a indoor cat. The only time he gets to go out is for rides in the truck to the store. Or we take him to petsmart at least once a week. The first time we took him thou we put a harness and leash on him. In the summer
we take him outside but he goes on the harness and leash and we are with him all the time when he is outside.
@killahclaire (3665)
•
5 Mar 07
Thats so cool that you take your cat to the pet shop. I she actually allowed inside. We wouldnt be allowed cats in our pet shops here in the uk but it is such a neat idea.
@TinWolf (184)
• United States
26 Feb 07
With all due respect to you, and certainly others, a Cat shouldn't be allowed to, OR do they NEED to Roam free. The reasons are a long list. They can acclimate, and be prefectly happy, living fulfilling lives, never touching Grass.
You're apparently doing all the right things, and certainly a patio, as long as it's secure is a fine place to let a cat "explore."
I'll assume YOU and any others who answer here, understand spay/neuter and the reasons for that, unless one MUST breed animals. Also assume that currently most pets come from generations of domesticity, and have no real NEED to HUNT,GATHER, Live in the possibly dangerous freedom of the outside world. I find it odd that anyone so wanting a pet, like a Cat, wants to PUT IT OUT? Most Cats might SEEM to want that experience, but if they've never known it, they can hardly miss it. Of any dangers that exist to a domesticated animal running free, one I concern myself with is nutrition, and difficulty factors in what an animal has to endure to survive. Certainly many do, but as many end up along side roadways, to be picked up by county refuse trucks.
@wiccan (347)
• Australia
27 Feb 07
I think an inside existence is unnatural for a cat, but I know a lot of cats that do live that way happily enough. If you let him out you will have to be prepare to lose him, not only to accidents but also he may stray. Cats will do that to you! Have you considered getting him a friend?
@killahclaire (3665)
•
27 Feb 07
We would love to get him a friend but didn't realise how important it could be before we got him. We are still thinking about getting him a friend but want to make sure Leo would be comfortable with someone else coming in now.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
27 Feb 07
Cats adapt very well to living totally indoors, so I have heard and seen a lot.
Both of my cats are indoor/ outdoor cats. I have a big back & front yard, and they love to explore. I am also on a quiet street. One of cats chooses to mostly live indoors, usually in my daughters bedroom. She uses the inside litter tray.
Apparently some cats love catnip, and other plants. You could put in one or more indoor pot plants, and this would give her the "feeling" of being outdoors.
I wouldn't let your cat outside, as your street appears to be very busy.
Good Luck.
@killahclaire (3665)
•
27 Feb 07
Oh we give him that catnip and he goes crazy lol. I think it is because he is still young.
I keep thinking I should really get him a wee tray of grass or something because when he goes out on the balcony he likes to smell the neighbours flowers!
@bunnylady01 (483)
• United States
27 Feb 07
My cat now lives strictly indoors. He is perfectly happy to gaze out the window, chase the lizards up the window and watch the squirrels. He plays with balls and runs around here alot for exercise.
I prefer indoor cats. I have had outdoor cats, but they tend to get too wild without constant human companionship. I have had ones that I use to let out for awhile during the day but have had too many come home ill, even with their shots or not come home at all due to getting hit by cars or attacked by dogs. I have lost many favorite cats this way and also do not want to put my cat through that kind of thing.
1 person likes this
@killahclaire (3665)
•
27 Feb 07
You ahve some sad stories there about your cats. I couldn't imagine it if Leo came home sick or didn't come home at all.
It sounds like an interesting place you live with Lizards climbing up the windows.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
27 Feb 07
I have 2 cats who used to be indoor/outdoor cats. One still is but only goes out to go potty then wants back in. My daughter's cat I started keeping indoors last fall after I found out from my neighbor that she was going over there to eat the scraps she puts out for the wild animals. I know what scraps she puts out and don't want Lil' Bear eating it cause some contain chicken bones that the foxes in our area eat. She used to be an indoor only cat growing up but when we moved out to the country, I started letting her go outside as she chooses. It was hard to reclimate her to indoor only cat again. We suffered constant meowings to go out and had to keep a sharp eye on her whenever someone opened the outside doors. Now she is reclimated, she is content to stay in again. I had no worries about my cats going out cause it's relatively safe here and they were always at the door meowing to come in by dusk so the coyotes wouldn't get them. BTW...all my animals are spayed/neutered with all shots current.
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
27 Feb 07
It's actually much safer for Cats to be indoors all the time. there's obviously less in the way of danger of being knocked down by a car and whatnot, but they're also much much less likely to pick up diseases.
If you want to let your cat have a taste of the outdoors, why not try and get him used to a harness and a leash specially made for cats. Most pet stores such as Petsmart sell them at a reasonable price. If you do that though, please make sure he's had a full round of shots and is covered for things such as rabies. Your vet will be able to tell you what he needs and when he'll be able to go outdoors.
Not all cats take to a harness and leash, though it is worth a try.
my cat is strictly an indoor cat. We have an activity center for her thats right in front of the Sliding Glass doors and she spends hours sat in there gazing out at the world beyond. Being inside 24/7 doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest.
1 person likes this
@killahclaire (3665)
•
27 Feb 07
Your kitty is just adorable. We have some funny pics of Leo speeping like that but unfortunately they are on a phone and we cant transfer them.
@AndiCat (325)
• United States
26 Feb 07
My cat, Buster (my avatar), has always been indoors. We let him out on the screened porch a good bit, and he breathes in the fresh air, watches the birds (who love to taunt him!!;) ) and just chills. We've never let him outside as I feel there are just too many dangers for him in our neighborhood. He is perfectly content to be inside.
As an aside, I believe that any cat who happens to be declawed must be kept indoors at all times due to not being able to defend themselves.
1 person likes this
@killahclaire (3665)
•
27 Feb 07
Thats a very important point about the claws. We didn't get Leo declawed as I think there is no need. Maybe one day I will think differently but just now he doesn't try to scratch us and only sscratches on the door mat and his post. The two things he's allowed.
