Cat Owners - Indoor or Outdoor ??

[Scott McD]

We have 2 weeks to wait before we get out new kitten. I want to try and keep it indoors again, just like our last cat that sadly died a few weeks ago.

I believe most Americans keep cats indoors?

I think certainly most owners here in the UK let their cats out, but i'd rather not as we had an incident a few years ago with some assholes who killed a cat we had previous. The thing i was wondering is how do you make sure your cat doesn't run for the door when it gets a chance to escape, or is their nothing you can do to help prevent that?

Incase you're wondering why i'm asking now since the last cat we had was indoors only, it's because when we got her she had bad back legs, and quite simply had no interest in ever going outside. I think she knew her limits.

Any help appreciated!



What will be our new kitty:

[Scott McD]

This was the full litter of kittens:

[MaDalton]

do you have a big house? maybe with a balcony? or any other possibilities to restrict her to your own property?

[facialfreak]

OK .... firstly, you have to understand that you do not own the cat. THE CAT OWNS YOU!

My wife and I, and soon will be our new daughter too, co-habitate with 2 cats - a long-haired Tuxedo, and a purebred Himalayan. The Tux was born outdoors, and has a really wild streak in her. She is very affectionate, but if not let out daily to kill stuff and visit her friends, and even taunt a few of the neighborhood dogs, she gets very hyper and destructive .... she needs to get out and spend that energy! She never strays very far from sight, and usually wants back in within a couple hours - many times with a mole or field mouse gift for us. (When cats bring home their kills, it is the highest form of affection they can show you!!)

Our Himalayan on the other hand, is a total diva priss, and she knows it! She has once or twice dared to run out when a door is opened, but once outside she FREEZES and panics, as she is not sure what to do next?!? Himmies by nature are very particular. She is very content to sleep all day on her perch atop of the 6' cat condo we have for them, and they say also that Himmies are not fighters like other breads of cats are. Even though she has her claws, I don't think she knows how to use them.



TO answer your original question, watch your cat's mannerisms and body language. If he/she is a feline that needs to run and kill things, you will see it as they will have all kinds of nervous energy, and will make noises by the door like they want to go out.

Other cats could not care less, and will be very content to spend all day and night inside with you.

But for the love of god ..... make sure to "fix" your cat before you let them out to play!!

[Freaky_Akula]

Outdoor. Animals do not belong inside the house.

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by facialfreak

She is very affectionate, but if not let out daily to kill stuff and visit her friends, and even taunt a few of the neighborhood dogs, she gets very hyper and destructive .... she needs to get out and spend that energy!


Other cats could not care less, and will be very content to spend all day and night inside with you.

But for the love of god ..... make sure to "fix" your cat before you let them out to play!!

You just described my girlfriends cat. It is a male cat, and they originally planned on keeping it indoors. It used to tear the house down though if it never got out. So they had to before it ruined everything. They have lost count of the amount of small wild rabbits it's killed though.

The cat i posted above is female. So like before, i do hope it doesn't show any real interest in going outside, but i guess all cats are different so we'll just have to wait and see...

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

do you have a big house? maybe with a balcony? or any other possibilities to restrict her to your own property?

It is a decent sized house, 3 levels.

Just hope theirs enough stairs to take up all the cats energy!

[Helix]

Neutered and outdoors.

[MaDalton]

ever considered getting 2 cats?

[globofun]

My cat stays inside........she's declawed and VERY small in size!

And I do not need anything of the outside world coming in with her.....flees, dead mouse etc

Also, where I live, there's a high number of rabies infected racoons. So, since there's racoons around here, I would not need the cat to be infected with rabies and be around the kids.

[CaptainHowdy]

You have the hands of a woman, man ...

[rogueteens]

Outdoor, indoor cats slowly go bonkers.

[ottopottomouse]

Originally Posted by CaptainHowdy

You have the hands of a woman, man ...

Your fingernails look a bit tatty too Scott

[facialfreak]

Also remember Scott, that FEMALE cats are dominant and wear the pants in the cat world, and more likely to give you attitude ...

You will not get the same amount of affection from a female cat typically that you will get from a MALE cat. Females tend to call the shots, while males are quite content to sit in your lap and have you fuss over them ...

Of course your mileage will vary. This is only a generalization. I have friends with very boisterous boys, as well other friends with very affectionate girls, and even our Himalayan has become much more affectionate towards my wife since her pregnancy ...

[mineistaken]

I got my cat ran out of house few times, but she did not wonder far away, I am not sure if you should be worried about that (in those cases when she runs for the door and you can not catch her)

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

Your fingernails look a bit tatty too Scott

Not my hands.

I wear a different shade of nail polish...

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by facialfreak

You will not get the same amount of affection from a female cat typically that you will get from a MALE cat. Females tend to call the shots, while males are quite content to sit in your lap and have you fuss over them ...

Yeah, usually that is the case. In saying that though, our last cat (female) was very affectionate. To us at least anyway.

Wasn't so sure about most of our house guests...

[alextokyo]

Originally Posted by Scott McD

Looks delicious.

[HandballJim]

Indoor cat, I recommend adopting a Calico kitten, 99% are female, they are not a breed just an offspring that happens. Get it spaded so it does not get into heat, and do not let the cat go outside ever.

Calico's have a relaxed attitude.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...va=calico+cats

That cat you chose is a nice companion for Calico's, at my job we have the same cat as yours with a calico, but the male will always show dominance over the female Calico. Any spot that the Calico female likes, he will try and take it once she moves. But they generally get along okay.

[pesst]

I've been having cats since I was a kid, now have a bad-ass-female-obesse one: youtube.com/watch?v=GMlfxHJrRDc

You may consider the pros and cons before, also depends on how the cat is.

If outdoor:

Pros: cat is more relaxed because does exercise, stress-out breathing fresh air and possible meeting other cats will satisfy too, no sedentary life to last longer and no cat neurosis.

Cons: your cat can get lost, neighbours can poison food, can have fights with another cats, need to be castrated.

What I would do: in the very first months give a lot of love, game and good food, and progressively allow to go outside, so the cat would come back for the love, game and food remembered when was kitten. 60% indoor / 40% outdoor.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by globofun

My cat stays inside........she's declawed and VERY small in size!

And I do not need anything of the outside world coming in with her.....flees, dead mouse etc

Also, where I live, there's a high number of rabies infected racoons. So, since there's racoons around here, I would not need the cat to be infected with rabies and be around the kids.

You declawed your cat!!!! Hope you know what you did was emputate the poor thing.

A bit of education for you : http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/declawing-cats/

**Declawing cats is cruel, inhumane and equal to severing all human fingers from the first knuckle below the fingernail. If you ever hear of a Vet that is willing to perform this procedure, report them immediately to VOKRA, report anonymously if you wish. Declawing a cat is amputation.*

[Scott McD]

Originally Posted by pesst

What I would do: in the very first months give a lot of love, game and good food, and progressively allow to go outside, so the cat would come back for the love, game and food remembered when was kitten. 60% indoor / 40% outdoor.

We did that with the last cat that got out. She always came back after a short time out.

Then she was killed by assholes one day. So, no matter how much you look after a pet, you can't stop some scumbags acting and doing what they do...

[pesst]

Originally Posted by Scott McD

We did that with the last cat that got out. She always came back after a short time out.

Then she was killed by assholes one day. So, no matter how much you look after a pet, you can't stop some scumbags acting and doing what they do...

Ouch I'm very sorry, with trash people around I would suggest 100% indoor, my last cat is living very happy in my flat

[nikki99]

I remember my rebel outdoors / half day indoors kitten , he left us years ago he might be dead now

[Jim_Gunn]

I grew up with a few indoor/outdoor cats that adopted us over the years, but I keep my current cat Princess inside completely where she is safe from cars, dogs, insects and other dangers and she is very content.

[BlackCrayon]

we keep out cat indoors. when he was little he seemed to always want to get out, now he doesn't seem to care. keeps him from getting fleas or illnesses. he seems pretty content.

[DBS.US]

Cats spy on you and steal your passwords

[TurboAngel]

Mine are indoor/outdoor I know that letting them out can cause probs but they meow and meow till they get out. One of them is named Gabby LOL she's a little hunter and would go batshit crazy if she couldn't get out. She loves to kill chipmunks and moles only to bring them home for me.

[Phillipmcd1]

Mine is indoor. I rescued my cat after he was thrown from a speeding vehicle. It's been about 6 years since then and he'll take a few steps outside and eat grass sometimes but if he hears a noise he'll run back in the house

[Yngwie]

The last cat that I had before the one I have now was an outdoor cat from the day he was 1 year old.. He lived 22 years, perfectly healthy and had a great live. Spent 80% of the day outside and sometimes even the night. He loved it.. Trying to get my current cat to go outside, but he's a big chicken. haha

[Jman]

Originally Posted by Yngwie

The last cat that I had before the one I have now was an outdoor cat from the day he was 1 year old.. He lived 22 years, perfectly healthy and had a great live. Spent 80% of the day outside and sometimes even the night. He loved it.. Trying to get my current cat to go outside, but he's a big chicken. haha

22 years, now THAT is a full life for a cat

[HitMePlse]

We use these things called SSScat http://www.amazon.com/Innotek-SSSCAT.../dp/B000RIA95G. They detect motion and spray a mist. We placed them next to the patio door, front door, garbage. Our cat will now go to the open doors and just lay there. They also work on dogs.

[BAKO]

Cats are cool but please do not keep those stinky animals indoor. Cats are only for outside. They will fuck up your whole house and make it smell like shit. Cat litter is the nastiest thing out there ewwwwww

[Yngwie]

Originally Posted by Jman

22 years, now THAT is a full life for a cat

a very full life.

[kal86]

cats need to go outside

[jdavis]

I love kitties peace love

[LAJ]

We just got a new kitten as well, as one of our others died last week.

When you keep a cat indoors, you automatically extend its life by several years. My cats are declawed and have free reign of my entire house and from what I can tell, they love it. My oldest cat is almost 17 and she is healthy happy and very loving. No interest whatsoever in going outside.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by Scott McD

[videoscribe]

The small kitten is cute and fits in the palm of your hand. Walking on North American roads, I saw many cats walking around in backyards and outside on the streets.

[DK]

[Captain Kawaii]

Some amazingly funny and loving responses.

Yeah, in this day and age, keep him inside. Lavish love, gifts, a warm place to sleep with you and "the Master" will never want to go outside...

We have a 12 yo black cat named Yoda. His exercise is playing ice cube hockey with me once in awhile. When we open the door, he goes to it sometimes, sniffs the air then walks back looking at me like..."You gonna shut that? There's a damn draft."

[Spunky]

Like clockwork every morning at 6:30 she will meow until I let her out.If I don't get up she will jump on the bed and eventually on my chest and meow until I do.
Blasted cat only goes out for 5 minutes and comes back in to sleep until I get up

[marlboroack]

My cats are to expensive to go outside.

[Bryan G]

Originally Posted by BAKO

Cats are cool but please do not keep those stinky animals indoor. Cats are only for outside. They will fuck up your whole house and make it smell like shit. Cat litter is the nastiest thing out there ewwwwww

Ummm WTF are you on about?? Cats are much cleaner and don't stink like a dog does. As for the cat litter it does not smell if you clean it regularly. We've had 2 cats and neither of them smelled like a stank ass dog would.

[stevemib]

I really think it depends on how smart the cat is.

[Mr Pheer]

Since you cant keep them off the furniture, I prefer to not have a cat.

[garce]

You gave to wait two weeks for a cat? Those things breed like rodents.

I have two cats and four dogs. I say let the cat explore the outdoors - if it doesn't get run over by a car, its an outdoor cat.

If the cat DOES get run over, its an indoor cat.

Oddly enough, one of my cats WAS hit by a car and he's fine. Cost $160 to get him out of the River St. shelter, but he likes the company of dogs more than he likes the outdoors now.

Its a CAT. If you gave a shit and actually intended on caring for an animal you would get a dog. For 99% of the people who own them, cats are expendable and disposable.

[Jim_Gunn]

Originally Posted by garce

You gave to wait two weeks for a cat? Those things breed like rodents.

I have two cats and four dogs. I say let the cat explore the outdoors - if it doesn't get run over by a car, its an outdoor cat.

If the cat DOES get run over, its an indoor cat.

Oddly enough, one of my cats WAS hit by a car and he's fine. Cost $160 to get him out of the River St. shelter, but he likes the company of dogs more than he likes the outdoors now.

Its a CAT. If you gave a shit and actually intended on caring for an animal you would get a dog. For 99% of the people who own them, cats are expendable and disposable.

Ridiculous statement. Many cat owners love and interact with their cats as much as dog owners love and interact with their dogs.

[Emil]

Let the cat out unless you have more than 1. Very cute cat btw, is it a norwegian forest cat?

[RandazzoXXX]

Whatever you decide keep in mind that indoor cats tend to live MUCH longer than outdoor cats. Outdoor cats are far more likely to get illnesses and injuries, for obvious reasons.