Is it OK, if I never let my cats go outside at all?

Question

I live in a condo and it's just not enough free space for them to roam around.

Answer 1

of courseee. unless you wanna buy a cat leash to take themm for walks. thats what i doo :]

Answer 2

Yes, cats who live indoors only will live longer than those outdoors.

Answer 3

Absolutley! Besides research shows, cats who stay inside  rather than going outside have a longer life span! So your cat will live long!!  

Answer 4

yea if you have a porch with a screen thats good enough for them  

Answer 5

It is so funny ...I consider myself a cat person but I realize they are animals and have an animal instinct to survive outside. My mom doesn't let her cat outside but he tries to leave every time the door opens. Sometimes he gets out ...he'll always come back. I told her I'd let him out....I imagine the outdoors were cats natural habitat before we forced our will on them. Keeping them inside is fine. Less things to worry about. In my mom situation I'd say just let him out...of course that means washing and doing more to keep them healthy and without fleas.

Answer 6

Cats should not go outside.  It is dangerous for them, especially if you have a breed like mine.  We got a puppy and it would bite her and she would lay on the floor while the dog was doing it crying. She never scratched the dog.  We kept thinking she would.  Her breed is known for that.  I cant imagine what would happen to her if I let her outside.  Anyways its just not very safe.  They can also eat stuff like vermin that can cause them to carry Bactria that can be spread to you.  Cats that live indoors also live much longer.  They are healthier and much happier.

Answer 7

It's okay, since you don't have the option of letting them go outside. But a cat leash is a wonderful idea, so that your feline can get a taste of the wild once in a while.

Answer 8

personally i think its cruel. i would move house so they could be inside and out.. they need to explore and run around at night anyway..

Answer 9

It is better if your cat does not go outside at all.  I just got a kitten and I let her outside and she got fleas!  I highly recommend not taking her cat outside, unless it has rabies shots, and is on a leash, or in your arms.  If you take it outside and it is in your arms, be careful, it may try and jump out.  My kitten doesn't though, she's just scared, she puts her arms around my neck, it's so cute!

Answer 10

no its not. how would you like to be stuk inside a house ur whole life and never aloud to leave? ud go crazy. well i would. while its true that some breeds can live quite comfortably inside th majority would MUCH rather prefer to be outside sunbathing and generally being cats. it may be true that they live longer being loked inside, they may evn be healthier but they definately wouldn't be happier. think about it. would you rather spend ur life loked inside ur house but POSSIBLY live longer, or would you rather be free to wonder around where ever you please even if theres a chance you might not live as long? i have 3 cats, all of them are inside and outside cats and two of them are turning 14 years this year and they've been perfectly healthy and happy ther whole lives! having cats loked inside is cruel.

Answer 11

It isn't best for the cats, so try and find a place like the park in which you can go with them. Even though it is your pet, he or she needs to be in a natural habitat sometimes.

Here are some suggestions:

-Go to the park

-Take a walk around your town

-Take it to a friends house with a backyard and play with it there

-Research places that you can go

Answer 12

Of course it is!  You shouldn't let a  cat outside unless on a leash!  Too many dangers!  Cars,  dogs,  other cats, they could steal him,  he could drink antifreeze and die

Answer 13

at least let them go outside on a balcony or a screened porch like the other answerer said..aww. i love a man who loves cats.. well i don't let my cat go outside unless it is on my balcony.. but sometimes when i open my door to leave Persia shoots right past me and off she goes but she usually comes right back because outside to her is an unfamiliar territory.

Answer 14

Yes it's ok if they never go out, but you should have lots of things to occupy them when your away. They'll live longer if you keep them inside also.

My cat only goes outside when he's on a leash so he doesnt wander away although I don't think he would after all this time.

Answer 15

yeah i had cats like that they never went outside untill we had to get rid of them so we took the to my grandparents and they lived outside there and they did fine but they tried to sneak inside when the door was open so either way they are fine

Answer 16

Perfectly fine.  Inside cats are safer and healthier.  

Answer 17

Yes it is OK - in fact if they are de-clawed then it is much better to keep them inside.  Inside cats will tend to become a bit larger because they are not getting as much exercise, but then us humans do that too.  There is also much less chance of them getting a disease from another cat.

They will always be curious about what is going on outside, and a bird-feeder by a window is great entertainment for them.

You should also know they will sometimes see other cats outside and may become agitated.  This is normal territorial behavior.  They may hiss at the other cat or even mark (urine) because of the other cat.

Answer 18

It's perfectly fine to do that, but you might want to buy another indoor cat to be his friend and companion when you're not around.  

Answer 19

It's fine. Cats aren't like dogs...they don't need to be exercised the same way. As long as you have plenty of toys around for them to play, they'll be fine. Not to mention healthier. Plus, they can't fight with other cats, which puts them at risk for diseases.  

Answer 20

It's great that you don't let them go outside.  Cats that are outside can:

Get hit by cars

Get pregnant (if not spayed)

Get diseases that can be given to humans from felines

Get diseases that can be given to other felines

Get stolen

Eat poison and die or get seriously sick from it

Eat a poisonous plant

Get lost and never come back

Be confused with a stray and be taken to a shelter where they might be euthanized.

This is just the beginning!  You are doing a spledid job keeping them inside.

Indoor cats might miss the outdoors, and may be getting a lack of exercise, though.  To cure this, keep a variety or toys inside.  Interactive toys, like a feather wand, keep your bond with your cat strong and your cat jumping and running.  A dozen toy mice scattered around will keep your cat playing all day.  You might want to invest in a cat wheel or treadmill if you feel your cat needs more exercise.  

To cure the need for the outdoors, pet stores sell little cage things that hang out of your window.  Your cat can lie in it and smell and feel the fresh air.  It's completely enclosed, so you don't risk your cat running away.

If your cat does become overweight, they raise their risk for diabetes and other weight related illnesses.  Take the cat to the vet, have them do some tests and ask about a weight control food.  Then, keep them running, jumping and playing!

Some cat food brands make special food for indoor cats only.  They say that it cures that cat's need for grass and other food that they can only get outside.  And it's very healthy, too!  You know that this grass that they are eating has not been treated with any chemical treatment.

Keep a little container of growing grass within the cat's reach.  Water it and only buy it from a reliable pet store.  Your cats will love to munch on this between meals.

Good luck!!!

Answer 21

NOOOOO! This is not ok your cat(s) will develop a bad decease because  of this.

Answer 22

Cats live longer heathier lives if they never go outside.  I have a 6 year old cat that never goes out, except when I carry her out on the pourch.  I do suggest that you get a catnip or cat grass plant.  Before I had catnip my cat would sometimes try to get out.

Answer 23

It's fine but make sure to provide lots of toys and things for them to do... or else your condo won't look much like a condo anymore.  

Answer 24

Absolutly,

you need to provide some grass to eat though.   They have some that you can either grow or buy at pet stores.

give them stuff where they can climb up high... they like doing that.

a 2x4 with sisel rope wrapped around it works great... they scratch it and then climb up ... say to a shelf or top of the hutch etc.

enjoy.  

Answer 25

yes definately, it's much better for them to stay indoors and be protected from all sorts of dangers, they will live much longer and can still be perfectly happy.  buy lots of toys and make sure that you spend time playing with them!!  :)