Where does everyone fall in the debate of cats? Indoor, out or both?

[pink-o]

Siamese 3 yr old male is curious, active, smart and I think he's bored and frustrated being inside. He's alone much of 4 days a week, and no matter how I try to keep him stimulated I don't think it's enough for him. My last cat was far stupider and happy inside. I don't want this one to be sad, but I also don't want bad stuff to happen outside. How do you all deal?

[Duppers]

1. Definitely indoors.

Save birds' lives.

[In_The_Wind]

16. That's awesome!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Indoors, no question.

Outdoor cats have very short life expectancies. Can you get another cat to keep him company?

[LiberalElite]

3. Another vote for indoors -

I live in an apartment on a high floor and they couldn't go out if they wanted to. Considering most (I have 4) don't ever go near the apartment door - it's not a problem.

Cats do not have to go out. They could get run over, meet up with other (unfixed) cats and get into a fight, aggravate cat-hating neighbors and get hurt by them, catch diseases, bring home FLEAS... They live longer if they're kept indoors.

P.S.: Is your cat neutered? That makes a difference.

[pink-o]

5. Yeah, he's been fixed

He's got a sweet personality but wants to be with me all the time! This is the second cat I've had (who's had me!) that sticks like glue. I thought they were independent, what's THAT about?

Anyway he has never been outdoors, so I'm m leaning towards not changing that. I'm just concerned he's not stimulated enough. And the second cat idea doesn't delight me: more food, litter, vet visits and cleaning, with no guarantee they'd get along.

I really appreciate the input!

[zanana1]

22. I hear you.

I'm in the same situation. All my cats before this one were able to go outside. There's too much traffic now and the neighborhood isn't safe for cats anymore.
My cat has never been outside but I worry that he'll get depressed. I'm home with him most of the time, but he's outgrown all his interactive playthings. (I just can't think of any more games to play with him.)
People tell me I'm being silly about the whole thing. I guess he has a pretty good life with plenty of room to roam around and windows to look out of, but sometimes I still feel bad.
I know how you feel.

[MH1]

23. Some rescues let you do a trial visit with a cat you're interested in

So you could find out if the second cat gets along with the first.

I have one that fits the description of yours. He's very sociable with my other cat. Unfortunately, his attentions are mostly unrequited. When they're requited, it's often with a hiss or a growl. Poor baby. (Other cat is an older female, affectionate one is a younger male. Both fixed.)

But they get along alright, even though she'd probably prefer to be an only cat. Sometimes they'll even chase each other around the house and I think it does them both good. (Ah, the pitter patter of little feet ...)

But anyway, chances are if yours is like my young guy also in this respect, then he will be eager to be buddies with any new cat you bring in. It's just a matter of finding one who will want to be buddies with him.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Neither, none...

[bigwillq]

6. This is the correct answer.

[pink-o]

8. I used to be you

Until my rental in San Francisco had a huge rodent problem and I wasn't about to get sprayed with poison or use glue traps. Adopted a cat from the SPCA and she changed my mind completely. Don't write them off, you'd be surprised how loving they can be!

[Arugula Latte]

28. Actually, that's the correct answer to "how many dogs should I have?"

[fizzgig]

7. i grew up with indoor/outdoor cats

small subdivision on the outskirts of town, little traffic, no predators but those are the only circumstances under which i'd allow my cat to go out.

my little dim one yearns to be outside (mostly to eat grass) and has made two jailbreaks tonight. she hates being cooped up, but we live at a busy intersection and there is no way i'm allowing her to go out.

[dana_b]

9. indoors but my dad had outdoors cats

and they went to live with my brother after my dad went into the nursing home. It's sad because they are not used to staying indoors and I think they're just confused and upset.

[Upthevibe]

10. Another indoor side. There's just too much outside that is can be so dangerous....

A friend of mine who has two, one Siamese, and the other a rescue, have some T.V. Shows they like! I used to leave my T.V. on when my little one was alive. I definitely think it can make them feel less lonely.

[mnhtnbb]

11. I always had both indoor/outdoor kitties.

It's a risk. Our last two kitties lived to be 14 and 17 and died from old age/cancer. One of them liked being
outside more than the other one, but they would both ask to go out. For much of their lives we lived
on a dead end street with little traffic and they had lots of outdoor space in which to roam.

Personally, I think if you're going to have strictly indoor kitties, there should be a pair of them to keep each other company.
Let them have access to looking out a window. Maybe hang bird feeders within sight.

[MrsMatt]

12. Indoor/Outdoor (but)

on a harness and leash or tie out.

My cats are allowed outside on a leash. And I have a neighbor who takes his cat for walks (usually after dark, when most people are not out with their dogs).

It's a lot of work to train them, but it can be done.

[LisaL]

13. My family had outdoor cats when I was a child.

Would never do it again. Our cat went missing and was never found. Only indoor. If you have a house you can build a type of enclosure that would allow a cat to explore but still stay safe.

[NV Whino]

14. Depends on the situation

I live in a rural area, away from traffic. My cats are indoor/outdoor. They have free access to the house at all times (as do the raccoons, unfortunately). They are very savvy about wildlife. Except the raccoons where they have a "Oh please, help yourself to more cat food" attitude.

I have always lived in a situation where it was safe for the cats. In town or an apartment, they would be indoor cats.

Provide some shelves and runways for your guy. Make sure there is an outside view. Siamese like high places.

[we can do it]

15. Indoor only

[Paladin]

17. If you own cats, please keep them indoors.

It isn't just a question of keeping the cats' lives out of danger. House cats when allowed outdoors lay waste to easy targets like new-born wild birds. Do the responsible thing and keep your cats inside.

[restorefreedom]

18. indoors, please!

more toys and enrichment opportunities will keep the little tyke happy and healthy for much longer
than going out.

i work in animal rescue...too many sad stories to even count

indoors for kitties!

[narnian60]

19. Indoors only.

They don't know what they're missing. A window is all they need. Keeps them and the birds safe.

[pink-o]

20. Thanks so much for the responses!

We live in a nice development with a big back yard and plenty more f wooded area, but there is traffic in the front, and this cat is bold and curious! I think keeping him indoors is the best idea, it's just a matter of finding the right stimulation. It's been hit and miss: I've only had the cat since July, and we've only been living here since December. We're still figuring things out!🐱

[Ahpook]

30. It is probably the best indoors

I've seen to many horror stories to let mine out anymore. From human predators to other threats it's just not worth the worry.

[haele]

21. Indoor only - but in pairs.

Two cats are typically happier and aren't much more expensive than one. Make sure the second is within a year or two in age, though...we just ended up with a rescue kitten in our clowder, and even though she's fully integrated now, the others are too old to want to play much with a seven-month-old and she's a bit, well, overactive. There's a reason her name is now "Goblin"...
The other issue is your cat is only three. Cats usually don't begin the transition into the happy meatloaf stage until they're five or six years old, and even then, it usually takes a couple years to fully transition.
(On edit) There's an economy of scale when dealing with cats up to around four. After the initial Vet costs (which shelter or rescue cats often already have completed), the cost to maintain per cat actually goes down. They will eat less (cats eat due to boredom), and the litter issue is fairly negligible.


Haele

[Pakhet]

24. I trap, spay and release cats when I can catch them

Out of more than a dozen, 4 have elected to sort of stay with me. Still mostly feral, and I'm the only one that can touch a couple of them, but they all have the ability to come and go as they like. I don't see much of them except when it's very hot or cold but I know they're ok because I have to fill the food dishes every morning

[benld74]

25. Our cats were/are both.

They come home to eat/drink. Nothing has ever hurt them in the past, animals or vehicles. Except for bitter cold or rain, they love the outdoors. Around 10pm, I open the back door, do my kittykittykittykitty!!! routine, and they come running inside.
Were lucky.

[Hoyt]

26. Indoors here. Would love to let em out, but the coyotes are quite active. Not to mention traffic.

[Arugula Latte]

27. Indoors, but can you give him access to a safe outdoor enclosure?

That way he can get fresh and but he's safe from dogs, coyotes, cars, poison, and evil and/or clueless humans.

You can make a simple "catio" pretty easily if you have a suitable outdoor space.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

29. I think the ideal situation would be a screened-in back yard

or leash training. If I get another cat after Kidley goes to the Catnip Garden in the Sky, I'll try to leash train it like one of my neighbors has done with his cat.