My kitten/cat .. letting her out?

Question

My kitten is now about 7months old, I am not planning on letting her out anytime soon. But i was wondering when i should and if i should. My area is full of horrible teenagers, and my rabbit was murdered a few months back and I am soooo scared, if i let her out she will be hurt by them =( but i watch her as she sits on the sides and looks out the window and how much she wants to go out, iv walked round the garden with her, and she seems really cautious like she heard a car and shot back in the house, i just really dont want to lose her, but I am not sure whats best thing to do for her in the long run. what do you think? thank you x

Answer 1

Ok, first of all, your rabbit was murdered a few months ago because you let her out and now your wondering about letting your kitten out? Why would you even consider letting your cat out? I can't believe you are even considering it. Please DON'T do that!! Your cat shouldn't be allowed outdoors anyways, fixed or not. She can get hurt by cars, other animals, and apparently, the neighborhood kids. Of course she is going to be curious and interested in outside, all animals are. Do you ever open your windows and let her look outside with the screen in place? My cats love to sit in the window and smell the fresh air. They are still safe in the house, but can see and smell everything outside. PLEASE be a responsible pet owner, and keep your kitten indoors. It's the best thing for her.  

Answer 2

Cats can be perfectly happy living inside, especially if they have never been let outside to play and wander. With the circumstances of your poor rabbit being murdered, I would not let the kitty outside.

Answer 3

A cat that goes outdoors has half the lifespan as an indoor cat. They are more likely to be injured, killed, or catch diseases. Keep your cat indoors unless you are with her. A harness and leash are great.

And no matter how much she looks outside and dreams, remember an outdoor cats life is all nightmare.

Answer 4

I have a friend who had the same EXACT problem. What they did was they bought the cat a cat leash from a local pet store Now they take it out once a day and they let it have a chance to be outside. Her cats really enjoy it. Because they still want to be inside with them but they can go outside too. If this doesn't work you'll just have to make a tough decision. You'll have to think about the good's and bads about the cat going out then decide. GOOD LUCK! Hope this helps!

Answer 5

I think you should carry on following her and if she looks like she loves it let her go on her own and see if she turns out alright, you need to take the risk i know what you mean bye your worried i would be.

x

Answer 6

Are you KIDDING me?  How could you even THINK of letting a cat outdoors KNOWING there's kids out there that could harm her?  Please read this link to educate yourself about the dangers of the outdoors.  But in your case don't you think the fact that those kids are out there is reason enough?????

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...

edit: garry F "people forget that cat's were once wild animals. They adapt!"  

Cats have been domestic for nearly FOUR THOUSAND YEARS.  A lot of parrots they sell came right from the wild - should we let them fly free?  What about our hamsters and pet rats?  And our dogs?  Cats shouldn't be roaming free no more than any of our pets should be and people that do so are irresponsible and foolish.

Answer 7

Like the majority of people from the UK, I'm in favour of allowing cats to spend time outside if the neighbourhood is a safe one.  However as your rabbit was killed and you think some of the locals are not very nice people, I wouldn't risk it. This web site has ideas for keeping an indoor cat happy, which you may find helpful.

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

All cats have different personalites and some enjoy an indoor only life, whilst others don't.  I lived in an apartment when I adopted my two kittens and they spent the first 3 years of their life living indoor only.  The male cat always tried to go out every time the front door was opened, whereas the female cat was less curious about wanting to go out.  I've since moved to a house and allow them both outside when I'm at home in the evenings.  Neither of them wander much further than our patio or the communal garden area.  You know your cat better than anyone and if you truly think she would be miserable not being allowed out, then you could perhaps train her to walk on a harness so that you could allow her into the garden under your supervision.  This link will teach you how to do this.

http://www.wikihow.com/Leash-Train-a-Cat

Another alternative would be to install cat proof fencing so that she couldn't escape from your garden.

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

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 8

i wouldn't if my rabbit was murdered. if you really do want to let your cat out you shuld keep it on a leash and soupervised at all times

Answer 9

keep her inside it is safer.  or you can get a harness and a leash and leash train her inside of course till she is comfortable with it and then you can walk her around in your back yard.  it is NEVER a good idea to EVER let a cat (or any animal) out to roam on their own.

Answer 10

here are the pros and cons of her being an outdoor cat

she is more likely to get disease, fleas, rabies and die from outside cause cars, kids, dogs.

she can die from drinkin antifreeze too it leaks from cars and she can die from other animals getting into a fight with her, possums, raccons, dogs, rats

But she will like being outside being able to roam free

when she is inside she is safe and will have a longer life span cats indoors live 14 years opposed to outdoor cats who live 7 years. but she may end up having behavioral problems.

so what I suggest doing is setting up a kitty garden for her yes I said it there are alot of plants made for kitties  especially at grass they love that, and of course cat nip,  and aloe vera good luck

Answer 11

I have three strictly indoor cats and they are happy and healthy.  I feel that it is safest for them to be indoors, it also reduces their chances of catching some diseases.  For example, FIV (kitty AIDS basically) is a risk for outdoor cats and the vaccines for it are not very effective.

My cats love to look out the window and see the squirrels and birds outside.  I think they're entertained by it and I know they love to watch the bird feeder I put up just outside the window.  I feel that with the entertainment of watching our the window, plenty of toys, plenty of play time (both with each other and with me) and plenty of love they are happy.

Many people believe that they have to let their cats outdoors for them to be happy.  I just don't feel that's true, unless of course my cats are showing how miserable they are right now.  One is napping in the sunlight, one is running around like an idiot chasing a bug, and the other appears to be tired after a difficult time chasing around a catnip toy.

I would definitely not let a cat our in your area it sounds like it would be incredibly dangerous for a cat.  You not only have to worry about the cruel people in your neighbourhood, but also cars, wildlife, dogs, and poisons.

Answer 12

Tbh I let my cat out at about the same age, Yeh she got into scuffles with other cats, But they have to find their place in the neighborhood and mark their territory. You're worried about someone harming her, I wouldn't worry about it, She'll be too fast for them to catch, I can guarantee you that!

Walk with her outside at first, be patient, be there in full sight of her, If she runs off don't worry, She will eventually come back. They never stray far from their food or litter tray lol.

Leave a window open that she can use to get back in if needed.

That's about all you can do.

P.s, Get her neutered, It'll stop the tomcats sniffing around as much.

I got my cat at 4 months old, She is now 5 years old and is very healthy after her poor start as a kitten, We found her in a box by the canal with her dead siblings at her side.

So naturally I was cautious about letting her out.

I think people forget that cat's were once wild animals. They adapt!

But It was the best thing I ever done, to let my cat go outside.

It's funny watching her climb the highest tree and watching her bound through the grass trying to catch moths lol.

Just sharing my experience but it's up to you what you want to do.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 13

Keep her in.  Cats outside live for an average of 3 years.  Inside, average 12-15.  Especially if you have had a pet hurt before, keep her in.  She will be fine inside.  You could even entertain her by putting out some bird feeders near where she sits to be able to watch the birds.  

I have 8 cats, and all are indoors.  I have one that tries to get out all the time, and 2 occasionally.  if they get out, I chase them and catch them.  I do not let them out.   It is safer for them inside.  They are very happy to stay in, even though they want to get out.  Being safe is the most important thing. Of course she will watch outside, it does not  mean she should live there.  Also, keep your windows locked.  I saw something on animal planet where a cat got killed when kids opened the window and took her out.  It was caught on a surveillance camera for the apartment.  Please keep her in.  You are not bad for doing so.  People telling you so are ignorant.  

Answer 14

Look on the internet at Petsnap.com.  They have a great range of cat confinement items which you can set up in your garden and put your cat in there knowing she will be safe - a bit like a playpen for cats.  You don't say if you live in the UK or America.  If you are in the UK you will need to use a special system for ordering goods from Petsnap but it is all explained on the internet.  You can also look at other ideas on the internet such as rubber spikes/rollers which you can attach to your fencing which stops cats climbing over it.  There is also a catproof fence called Purrfect fence which cats can't get over.

You can also get "invisible fences" - Petsafe do one - which stop your cat straying outside the boundary of your home.  

Answer 15

OK this might sound wierd, but i keep m cat on a leash sometimes tied to some thing. It kepp her around your house but enables it to go outside. Also once my cat got used to the leash, even if the leash wasnt tied to someting she still thiught she couldnt go tht far. hope i helped!!

Answer 16

i am in the same situation i also have a 7 month old kitten and i am wondering weather i should let her out alone (i also live in uk)

i do let her out on her lead in the garden and she loves it but i dont let her go any further because i live in between two main roads which i think is very dangerous...

this is as far as she is going and it seems she is fine with that

so is it possible for you to do the same??