Indoor and outdoor cats

Question

hi my sister has two cats she used to keep them in, as her first cat got run over and killed on the road. about three months ago she started letting them out in the garden and she stayed with them, they started going over the back garden fences they did not venture to far, until recentley a neibour spoted one of them on the road and by all accounts a bus nearly ran her over so she is keeping them in. she is so woried about them she says i hope they dont go all depressed on her she wants to no if she is doing the right thing. i have a cat and mine is a indoor cat i will not take the risk of lousing him on the roads please help to put her mind at rest thanks x.

Answer 1

I used to let my cats roam until some ba****d poisoned one of them. Now I have fenced the entire garden with catproof fencing and they can go outside without me worrying every time one of them coughs. I think the days when you can let your cat roam are coming to an end, just like dogs. When I was a kid everyone used to turf out the dog on the street when they went to work, now you never see that. I think yes, they should stay in or she should fork out for catproof fencing, it's not cheap but it works

Answer 2

She should not feel guilty about keeping them in. She is giving them a much safer and happier life. Outdoor cats have shorter life spans. Too many things can happen to them out there. I have 4 cats, and all of them were once strays that I rescued. 3 of them enjoy going out, but I have a little mesh tunnel thing that I bought that I keep two of them in, and I sit outside with them. My other cat will stay on the patio, but I would never leave them outside while I'm inside or not home. I would be stressed out all day! Tell her to just go outside with them, but do not leave them out alone. She's only doing what's best for them.

Answer 3

well i feel the same, i continually carry the guilt of not letting mine out, but then i hear lots of stories about how a cat got hurt with an air gun, teased by kids or run over and i think, im glad they are house cats

Answer 4

I understand your guys' fear, but I have to say that all my cats have been able to go outside whenever they want.  And I've never had one killed by a car.  If she wants to keep her cat in then that's up to her, but maybe she can set up a spot for him at a window so he can look out whenever he wants.  I also think though that when he has been outside and she is trailing after him, that makes him want to go further and push the envelope a bit.  It depends on where you live, too.  If it is a really busy, high traffic area then it may not be a good idea to let him out.  But again, she's not being cruel to him, just cautious and it's her decision.

Answer 5

Well personally i think its okay to let cats outside as long as they have a collar. My cats stay clear of the road and walk all around town. If she lives by a busy road i would suggest trying to train them to not over the fence.  

Answer 6

I don't know if your sister would consider installing cat-proof fencing in her garden, but that might be a happy compromise.  The cats could still go outside, but they wouldn't be able to wander off.  See the link below for more details.

http://www.purrfectfence.co.uk/

Cats like going outside because it's an ever changing environment - there's always something new to smell or see.  To keep them happy indoors, you need to provide them with a mentally stimulating environment along with outlets for natural behaviours such as climbing and hunting.  They'll also appreciate a window seat with a view of somewhere busy.

The web site below has a good article with ways to keep an indoor cat happy, which your sister may find helpful.

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20probl...

Hope it works out for the best, whatever your sister decides to do.

Answer 7

my friends name is marina... cool

but anyway...

indoor cats have more safety from the outside elements and other animals. they Wont bring home dead creatures for you as a present

you need to identify your cat in some way (microchip, tattoo, name tag)susceptible to fights with other animals, traffic accidents, and getting lost. To keep outdoor cats safest, always bring them inside at night and don't let them out if you live on a busy street.

Answer 8

Not only do you have to worry about it getting hit, they can get into fights with other strays and get all kinds of illnesses.  Some that will take their life.  I use to let my cats in and out many years ago, but my one cat was hit and killed in the road, right in front of my house.  Since then, I only keep my cats in doors.  The world can be a very dangerous place for a cat.

Answer 9

If she really desires to let her cats have some SAFE outdoor time, she can consider building a small enclosure, or she can train them with a leash/harness.

Personally, both my cat & my foster cat are strictly indoors. It was part of the adoption policy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I cannot imagine the stress of not knowing where my pets are, because I let them roam off the property.

As a pet owner, it's my responsibility to provide a safe & happy environment for my animals.

Answer 10

Look. If she wants them indoor its fine the cats will get used to it.

Answer 11

Cats that live indoors live longer, healthier lives. Statistically, the life span of an indoor cat averages 12 to 14 years, whereas it is only about four years for the outdoor cat. More than 1 million outdoor cats are killed each year by dogs, traffic, and exposure to disease. In the long run, keeping your cat indoors will also save you money in vet bills.

There are many risks that come with letting your cats roam free outside:

- They have a much higher chance of catching diseases and other illnesses such as: Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Feline Herpes Virus (Rhinotracheitis), Feline Distemper, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), rabies, tapeworm, ringworm, heart worm, hypothermia and urinary tract infection

- Ingesting chemicals or poisons such as pesticides, home garden products and car/motor products

- Getting fleas or ticks

- Injury/death due to dangerous traffic

- Eating poisonous spiders, insects or plants

- Injury/death due to cruel humans, hunters or neighbors

- Attacks from dogs, other cats or wild animals

- Other accidental injuries

- Getting lost or stolen