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DU'ers are animal lovers so can I ask for your advice.
In April my cat Chloe I had to put down due to kidney disease, we had her for about 18 to 19 years. She was a stray who never left us, who went indoors and outdoors. We mourned her loss.
In September we decided to adopt Daisy 5 yrs from the SPCA. Beautiful cat has some what of an attitude, I guess I would be too if my owners had to give her up cause they were moving out of the country and had to make the decision to have her go to the SPCA for about 5 months.
We adopted her, had her stay in the house for the required 6 weeks. Then we decided to let her out with supervision, she started to wander into other neighbors yards we quickly retrieved her. We decided to let her stay indoors until she got more familiar with us and her surroundings and for her to come when she hears her name.
Cats are beautiful creatures they know how to survive and when they know they can count on you as a food source they come back. She hates a collar and a leash, and has been microchipped. Should I just get over my fear and let her out unsupervised? Thanks any suggestions would be helpful.
Skittles
(153,142 posts)bdamomma
(63,836 posts)outside
Skittles
(153,142 posts)Last edited Sun Nov 26, 2017, 08:50 PM - Edit history (1)
I have a part-outdoor cat, but he was an injured stray I rescued who absolutely will not tolerate what he sees as non-stop confinement. But it is indeed risky - a couple times he has been gone more than 24 hours I was worried sick and he was bitten in the face in a fight. If your cat can adapt to indoor living, do that.....you can also try a leash although I have never had a cat who would even stand up on a leash, let alone walk.
spooky3
(34,430 posts)If they are in the first camp, it is not hard to train them--even if they are older cats.
trueblue2007
(17,203 posts)They can get hit by cars, torn apart by dogs and abused and tormented by rotten horrible people.
our 5 cats only go outside supervised.
underpants
(182,739 posts)We had two cats for 16 years. The girl passed in August. We'd let the. Go outside as we sat on the porch but other than that they were strictly indoor lap cats.
As noted above it is important to know what it's previous situation was.
MFM008
(19,804 posts)One of my neighbors cats was outdoor and it was taken by a coyote and I live in a town. Not rural. An outdoor cat is also forced to be a predator. We had one that decimated the birds , baby rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks.
An indoor cat is longer lived and healthier and safe from cars and coyotes.
Enjoy your kitty.
irisblue
(32,961 posts)Why do you think cats need to go outside? Angels Mojo,Majik went out to the vet, in a carrier only. Dixie & Shaw will only do the same. Outdoor cats are @ risk from so many things.
irisblue
(32,961 posts)Screened patios for cats.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)Not this exact one, but you get the idea. This was my previous cat's favorite place to nap.
irisblue
(32,961 posts)And used some brackets to mount it under the window with molly bolts.
Shaw does alot of scratching there.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)I got the kind with the faux sheepskin that's like a little hammock. It just bolts to the windowsill. The cats aren't fussy as long as they're comfortable and mine enjoy watching the birds - and anything else that wanders by. We have very cute bunnies in the side yard.
irisblue
(32,961 posts)The humans had a series of shelves for their cats to use to walk around up low & high. Totally 'borrowed' the cheaper idea.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)There were overhead ramps, that kind of thing, but I'm not nearly that clever! My cat has access to a "cat tree," likes sitting on top of it or napping in the hammock.
This is the closest I could find:
irisblue
(32,961 posts)The picture on the right, with the stairsteps, I'd think about if I had wall space.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)Sophia4
(3,515 posts)that our house is full of cat climbing toys -- we call them "bookshelves" and "furniture."
One reason we are keeping our cat indoors is that she is such a climber that she would be up in our very tall tree and in our other trees in no time. We'd be calling the fire department constantly.
How much should a seven pound cat eat?
Any suggestions.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)Not to mention predators. Where I lived for awhile, the neighbors had little horses and one of the women said that once when she was out with them she came face-to-face with a coyote. And that wasn't very far from main roads and the highway.
And I'd ask your vet about the best diet, that's what I always do. My cat gets a small can of Wellness wet food each day (though he rarely finishes it) and he always has dry food available - Fromms. Though my cat is male and weighs 15 pounds. He was 2.6 lbs. when I found him as a kitten.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)I've been feeding on demand. I think she is overeating. I will talk to my vet. She weighed 7 lbs when we took her from the Humane Society. She eats more than a can of cat food plus dry food per day. I think she is eating too much.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)If she's not overweight, I wouldn't worry unless she keeps on gaining. I took my cat to the vet for inoculations recently and he said that my cat needs to lose one pound by his next visit.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)I found him as a tiny kitten in a grocery store parking lot three years ago last August. I had no idea what he looked like, he was just eyes in the dark, took three of us to catch him. I just couldn't leave the little one there, plus, they were doing construction. But I think he has grown into a beautiful cat!
As a little kid, the first cat I knew was a gray tabby - my grandmother's cat. I loved him so much! But he wasn't thrilled with me.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)Great photo too.
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)I found him three years ago as a tiny kitten in a grocery store parking lot. He was not the friendliest, took three of us to finally catch him, but he's come pretty far. He asks for affection now and he really loves my dog.
Felix and his favorite toy:
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)Check out this site for ideas. The cat carpenter only builds these in a radius around his home town but hes great at answering questions that others may have when trying to build something like what he has done.
www.thecatcarpenter.com
Rhiannon12866
(205,160 posts)Last edited Sun Nov 26, 2017, 05:49 PM - Edit history (1)
And my previous cat, also adopted from outside (found out she was 12) after she was left behind by a neighbor who moved. Both cats managed to survive, but there are too many dangers out there for me ever to send them outside again: cars, predators, the list goes on. Neither has shown any interest in being stuck out there again, they both have enjoyed just looking out the window.
CurtEastPoint
(18,638 posts)They will be much happier, healthier and live longer lives inside.
magicarpet
(14,144 posts)Launch the rocket to place the satellite in a stationary orbit about 2,000 feet above your neighborhood. Place a tracking device on your cat (similar to an I'd chip). Let the cat out and track the cat as it travels about your neighborhood - watch the cat's location on Google Earth until it gets back home.
If it fails to show up home take the laptop to better find and pin point it's last location. Also you should bring a can of 9Lives cat food and a hand held crank can opener. At the last tracking point open the cat food can, put the cat food into the dish, and make kiss-kiss noises with your lips, all while saying the cat's name.
Good luck to you and your cat.
You should be able to procure most of the hardware at a local Radio Shack.
bdamomma
(63,836 posts)wow technology is something else huh?
Doreen
(11,686 posts)Along with, dogs, coyotes, cars, bad people, other cats and animals there is also the fact that there is disease that they can get. Fleas and worms are another matter also. Kitties can get locked or trapped in places that you do not know exist and that is another issue. These cats we have are DOMESTICATED not wild and that means we have taken some of their wild instincts out. Just make sure kitty has high places to observe kingdom and low places to hide in when nervous. Toys, a lot of toys. Your kitty will be much safer inside. If you need information on making kitty a happy indoor kitty find information from Jackson Galaxy on line or on TV.
procon
(15,805 posts)Cats live in the moment, they do not "miss" being outside, but they are insatiably curious and want to be stimulated and entertained. A few minutes chasing after a fun cat teaser toy will keep her just has happy as going outdoors.
A catio is wonderful, but mine enjoy windows where they can watch the outside safely like its Cat TV with birds, bunnies, bugs, fluttering leaves and grass. Plus if the windows are open they get the smells and stereo sound while staying safely behind the screens their window seats, which they love I trained them so they won't even go past the door jam when the door is open, so they have to interest in stepping foot outside.
Cats are allowed to wander in and out because their people rationalize that they are happier being outside like like mother nature intended. That was is a delusion, of course, a domestic cat is so small and vulnerable that they lack the fearsome arsenal of tooth and claw that a wild cat like a lynx, ocelot or serval is equipped with to protect themselves from predators. A little 8 pound kitty with half inch long fangs and claws won't even penetrate the fur on a hungry 55 lb coyote or pack of marauding dogs.
There's the possibility of the cat getting killed or maimed by cars, and there's sickos out there who like to torture and kill cats. Also, cats get injured fighting other cats, and the vet bills for treating wounds, abscesses, torn ears and eye injuries, not to mention the pain the poor cat suffers, should be a incentive enough to keep her safe indoors.
If you want to take your cat out on a leash, consider getting her a vest for walking or a body harness, instead of a collar. Cats seem to think of a restraining collar as a punishment, but the vests are like a big hug, and they can't slip out of it. As an aspiring 'crazy cat lady', I actually bought a pet stroller to transport my to cats to the vet because muscling around two crates was a hardship. Now, the mister will occasionally load them both up and push them out to the mailbox and back, and they all seem quite delighted by their little excursions.
I hope you will read all the testimonials from us cat lovers, and keep your furbaby safe in doors to enjoy a long and happy life together.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)Our cat has explored every window except the kitchen ones above the sink. If you want a happy cat, get a house with lots of windows.
bdamomma
(63,836 posts)thanks so much you guys. I really don't have to worry about coyotes, just maybe other cats and cars. Thanks so much for the advice.
My daughter just commented that she should have supervised sessions outside.
tblue37
(65,290 posts)in residential areas.
Kashkakat v.2.0
(1,752 posts)including diy moveable structures made from plumbing pvc + plastic deer fence. My only regret when I built mine was - why the heck didnt I do this sooner?????? It truly is the best of both worlds - cat is happy and not underfoot and whiny all day. He catches mice out there and can roll in the dirt, eat grass, and sleep in the sun. And, HE's SAFE and I know where he is - my guy was a wanderer - I once found him 2 blocks away stuck up in a tree. Totally unreliable, wouldnt come when I called either.
pansypoo53219
(20,969 posts)all my cats survived & had plenty to do. only one escaped to the front bushes. he gladly went back in. of course, TWO cats keep each other out of trouble. heck, my last boy, declawed. turned out to be a mouser. at least 1 dead mouse.
RKP5637
(67,102 posts)them. I rescued my last kitty as lost and homeless, he never wanted anything to do with the outdoors. Sometimes cats get lost exploring depending how far they have gone from home.
airplaneman
(1,239 posts)They either remain in the house or go into one of our two 24 foot x 12 foot x 6 foot high outdoor runs. Its very dangerous out there so build an outdoor run which is safe! PS three of our cats never leave the backyard and are free to roam the backyard.
-Airplane
3catwoman3
(23,970 posts)...trade their "freedom" for their longevity, and that it's a damn good deal. The "freedom" to get lost, sick, injured, killed by a car, abused by a cat hater, be cold/hungry/thirsty, and the many other things already stated here.
Indoors, indoors, indoors!
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Some cats are really hard to keep in doors. But if your cat used to be an indoor cat, and she stays indoors without any problems, why let her outside at all, considering all the things that could happen to a cat out there?
MissB
(15,805 posts)So I will be the dissenting voice.
Growing up, we had indoor/outdoor cats. We lived in a relatively rural area- the type of place that you can walk in the woods for hours.
I live in an area thats pretty much in the edge of suburbia. No sidewalks but mostly quiet neighborhood. We have a half acre parcel, and about half of it is wooded. We have a two lane road along the property. Coyotes occasionally run up the road at night or in the wee hours. There are raptor nests nearby.
The cats go outside as they want during the day (they have a door to let themselves into a porch if they want.) At night they generally sleep inside, but one of them likes to sleep out a couple nights a month.
The road is quiet enough that my chickens also roam free on occasion and yes, they cross the road. Because of the tree cover I dont worry about raptors either- not a lot of clear space on my property.
The decision to allow your cat outside should be based on what is right for you and your cat. Ive read the thread, and I can see that most folks keep their cats indoors. I respect that choice. My oldest cat lived to 19, and she was indoor/outdoor. I have no issues with letting my cats go outside. The woods are full of critters that Id prefer to not make their way inside. Its my cats job to make that happen, and they do a great job in exchange for room and board (and cuddles in the middle of the night.)
GoneOffShore
(17,339 posts)But we live in the city and see far too many 'Missing Cat' posters, posts on Facebook, and dead kitties in the street for me to ever let one of ours outside.
We have friends who live on a farm and their cats go outside, but both cats are older, so they don't wander. If I lived in the country, I would worry about foxes and hunters.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)in winter if it was really cold she would come in the garage but never inside. Then we moved to town she still stays in the garage at night but is outdoors during the day. She roams the neighborhood but always comes home
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,841 posts)No matter where you live, free roaming is Not A Good Thing for a cat.
I'll spare you the detailed stories about all of my cats, other than this: Some years back, when we already had two cats and were quite content with that number, a cat showed up in our front yard. She was clearly starving, flea-infested, and had apparently decided we were her last hope. Oh, and we were having a serious heat wave in that part of Kansas. Over 100 degrees for a week or so. It took us several days to give her water, another day to give her food. After a few more days we decided we'd do the responsible thing, take her to a vet for shots and flea treatment, then bring her inside. We'd eventually find another home for her.
She was so incredibly thin when we got her. When I ran my fingers down her spine it felt like sharp needles. We thought she was probably very young, just grown. After she moved in with us and started eating regularly she quickly gained weight. After a while all three cats decided they could get along. Eventually we decided she was older even than our older cat, who at that point was at least 12 years old.
All three cats have since gone on, and I've always wondered how that cat -- we named her Gracie -- came to be out on the streets and desperate for a new family. Was she deliberately abandoned? Did she somehow get lost in a move? Did she wander away from her home? I'll never know.
And while she was a wonderful cat and I'm so glad she was in my life for the three years that she spent with me, I see that as a reminder as to why we keep them inside.
Right now I have no feline roommates, but someday, someday.