Should I let my cat outdoors?

Question

I've recently (3 weeks ago) adopted a two year old cat. He's a housecat, and has been too scared to go outdoors until now. The other day, he followed me into the back garden and ever since he's been miaowing at the door wanting to get out. I've let him out a couple of times (supervised!) but as he's getting braver he's heading for the garden gate!

Ideally, I'd rather he didn't go out, but at the same time I feel cruel keeping him a 'prisoner' when he wants to go out!

Thoughts?

Answer 1

well i think that you should let your cat out because they can explore and have fun.

i have 3 kittens and they have been going around the whole block and we let them in at night in case the Foxes get them.

as long as they have a collar and a tag they wont be taken in by someone else and kept.

=]

Answer 2

Keeping cats in the house is really cruel.  It goes against their nature.  Yes, there are dangers out there, especially with traffic but have you heard the expression 'a short life but a happy one'.  It applies to cats as well as humans.  He will probably survive extremely well anyway; most do.

Answer 3

My cat stays out for the nights sometimes its normal they wanna have fun.

Answer 4

Hi

I've kept cats for over thirty years.  So far you've done everything just right.  You kept him indoors whilst he got used to you and his new home then let him out with you supervised once he got braver.  Now you need to take the next step and let him venture forth as he pleases. It is scary.  My cat Polly had a bad road accident and couldn't go out of doors for months then wasn't brave enough to for over a year - just a few weeks ago she started asking to go out of doors again and I was really reluctant, just so worried for her, but I knew it would be cruel to go against her instincts and nature.  I let her out and she comes and goes as she pleases happily now.  I thought she would be a housecat for ever, and yes I have heart in mouth every time she goes out but its a bit like letting go of the kids as they get older; you have to trust them, you have to let nature take its course.  Get a lockable cat flap so he can go in and out as he pleases during the day time but lock him in at night.  I know a lot of people say to let cats out at night and even lock them out at night, but vets and cat societies etc. all say you should keep them in at night and it is actually illegal to lock them out at night now.  You love him and look after him well so he will always come home to you.

Answer 5

Get yourself a catflap, as he is comfortable going outside he can then come and go as he pleases

Answer 6

I think that he should be fine to go out now he should know that he has to come home to get food don't worry .

Answer 7

Oh yeah you should let him out. He will always come back when he get hungry or when he needs a friend. Remember, cats can go for 10 days without food or water, and they're much tougher than us. going through your garden gate isn't going to put him in life threatening danger.  

Answer 8

What sort of area do you live in? Most people on here will scream NEVER let your cat outside, but there's more to it than that.

Cats should be allowed outside if at all possible, otherwise they're missing out on expressing a natural behaviour. Many cats are perfectly happy to be housecats, but the fact is a common cause of stress in cats in being kept inside when they don't want to be.

In England there are no natural predators of cats so the majority are allowed outside. I understand it's different in America because there are wolves, coyotes, bears etc. I don't know which country you're in but if you're away from busy roads and there aren't predators about I would let the cat go outside, but keep in at night.

Cue the thumbs down. Oh by the way, that thing people always bang on about housecats having a longer life expectancy is BS, certainly in England anyway. Housecat's lifespan is usually shortened by obesity.

Chalice

Answer 9

I have one cat who likes to stay in and one cat who likes to stay out.  I'm inclined to let my cats do whatever they want to do.

Answer 10

not yet give it 3 more weeks

Answer 11

Get a cat enclosure or cat proof your fence so he can't get out of your yard. Or keep him on a harness and leash. Please keep him supervised. Four of my cats over the years have died when they've escaped the yard. Now we've cat-proofed our yard and the other cats are fine. Two were killed by a fox in the area, one was killed by a horrible neighbor and one was lost and never found. We only let them out during the day and if they want to. Try keeping him entertained inside so, he won't want to go out much. Good luck.

--in the sources part I listed some helpful websites.

Oh and if you get a cat enclosure, don't keep it in the sun and keep food and water in the enclosure. Don't leave the cat out for a long time. Good luck again.

Answer 12

don't worry he is wanting to explore and if you love him he will always come back. =D

Answer 13

Around a year ago i adopted two older cats - for 3 weeks i kept them inside to get used to the house - i was so worried about letting them out of the house, but one day i took a chance and let them out - they were meowing at the door all the time before i let them out and suprisingly they came back quite quickly. Firstly check out your road, see how busy it is - but im sure your cat will be fine!

Answer 14

yes its a cat let it hav sum fresh air