Peter wants to be an outdoor/indoor cat...what to do?

[radiantquest]

I think it is all a matter of the cat and your comfort level. Just because some people are comfortable letting their cats out does not mean you have to be. Pete likes outside and is happier that way. He knows what to stay away from and what to go near. We have groundhogs and other country animals in our yard and they are all harmonious. He knows to get out of the way of my car when I pull into the driveway so even if he goes near a road he knows that cars are something he should stay away from. Kitty is strictly indoors. Sometimes she forgets that she is scared of outside and she will run out. She usually wants right back in before the door is shut and Pete is a good big brother and will not come in if she is outside so he can protect her. I would be heartbroken if something ever happened to Pete and I would probably go broke at the vet if he were hit by a car, but I would rather him be happy and take risk than for him to live strictly inside and not have the joy he has romping through the grass.

 

[innerkitten]

Date: 4/26/2010 9:48:05 PM
Author: charbie
Being a dog person myself, I have to say this thread has been quite informational for me. I now know cats can have asthma, go on leashes, and have self esteem issues! Thanks!

lol

 

[innerkitten]

Thank you for the replies. We''re going to keep him in. I''d like to get one of those cool outdoor cages connected to our house so he can enjoy the fresh air. What are those called anyway?

 

[radiantquest]

I get this circular and they advertise those things in there. From what I can tell you could probably build one custom to your needs for less money. Here is a picture of one of them from their website to give you ideas.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I''m not a fan of indoor/outdoor cats. None of mine are. But I did have one cat who was so unhappy inside... and he let it be known. He was constantly escaping - pushing screens out, being sneaky, whatever he could do. I fought it every step of the way and it was causing major issues. My husband hated him. I do think after a point quality is better than quantity, but I''m not sure I''d be cool with letting the cat back in if I decided to let him out... I might look for a better suited home for that cat''s lifestyle. NOT ideal for me, but if it came to that, I think it would be better to give him what he needed. If it was just an occasional whine or interest I''d fight it though.

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 4/26/2010 9:48:05 PM
Author: charbie
Being a dog person myself, I have to say this thread has been quite informational for me. I now know cats can have asthma, go on leashes, and have self esteem issues! Thanks!

For the record, Charbie, I think thats just my cat with the self-esteem issues.

I feel like a bad mommy.

 

[Laila619]

Date: 4/27/2010 11:10:56 AM
Author: innerkitten
Thank you for the replies. We''re going to keep him in. I''d like to get one of those cool outdoor cages connected to our house so he can enjoy the fresh air. What are those called anyway?

Yay! Very good decision.

 

[movie zombie]

deleted: i see you've decided to keep him in!

mz

eta: he's gorgeous....and looks a lot like my Spikey cat!

 

[lightningbug]

Date: 4/27/2010 8:01:46 AM
Author: SapphireLover
Our cats can all go outside. We have a cat flap that scans their microchips, so only they can get inside our house, other alley cats are kept out. The cat flap has a sensor on it so it only allows them outside when it is light. As soon as light levels drop, they can only get back in, not go out.

This is so cool!

 

[CJ2008]

Date: 4/27/2010 11:10:56 AM
Author: innerkitten
Thank you for the replies. We''re going to keep him in. I''d like to get one of those cool outdoor cages connected to our house so he can enjoy the fresh air. What are those called anyway?

Yay!

Will you show us a picture of him enjoying the outdoor air in his cage?

 

[lulu]

http://cgi.ebay.com/PETSAFE-CAT-VERANDA-WINDOW-CAT-SEAT-PPA00-10774-/220460685268?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33547b17d4


We don''t let the cats out when we''re not home., but we have this window kitty veranda the little guy loves.

 

[HollyS]

Terrible idea for an indoor cat to become indoor/outdoor.

I say that as a cat owner (slave) from way back.

Eventually, someone will run over said cat. Or it will eat something it shouldn''t. Or it will come home covered in fleas. Or it will be ''adopted'' by another family that thinks kitty is abandoned.

One, and only one cat, in my life''s parade of kitties, was ever smart enough and wily enough to be an outdoor cat that lived a long and happy life. But she still got fleas all the dang time.