Should i let my cats out?

Question

I have a 1 year old cat and a 9 week old kitten. my 1 year old Hasnt been out side but she crys all the time to go out. i feel really bad that i wont let her out am just scared that she will get hurt or wont come back. do u think i should let them out or if i keep them in is it cruel.

Answer 1

you need to let them out gradually.

Let them play in your garden or near to your house then take them back inside.

Then let them go further and further.

They must be familiar with your house so that they know where to come back to.

Make sure they have collars and are microchipped and getting a catflap might be a good idea too.

It's not cruel because some people have cats who live in the house all their lives (housecats)

hope this helps

Answer 2

Let them out for a bit BUT ONLY if you go with them and stay with them. NEVER leave them out alone. They will have fun exploring new things (territory).

Answer 3

keep them inside. cats who have been outside and know what it is like are more stressed than indoor cats. plus it is dangerous for cats outside. if they really must go outside try taking them on a leash. (there are cat leashes) get one with a harness because cats can slip out of collars.

Answer 4

if they are neutered and dont live near a main road i dont see why not.

Answer 5

Keep them in too many dangers and bugs and predators out there please if you love them keep them inside

Answer 6

If the cat has had all her shots/vaccinations and is microchipped, I would let her out.  We kept our cats indoors for a few months (so they would definitely know it was their home base), then we let them outside gradually.  Also, we started to feed them in the evenings, so they are eager to come back inside at the end of the day to EAT.

Answer 7

yes u should. some how my cat got out last nite we did not know today we shaw him and he came in

Answer 8

Don't let them out.  

If you have a very high fence or can build an enclosure outside that will hold them, then that's fine.  Just watch them for awhile to make sure they can't get out.  It's not too tough to build a cat fence onto an existing one and they will appreciate it.  

Has the older one been spayed?  If not, it's very important not to let her out, otherwise she will get pregnant when she's in heat and once she's spayed she should be less focused on getting out.  Don't even let her out in a fenced in yard, males will do anything they can to get to her.  

If they roam free in general they are in danger from nasty people, cars, dogs, other animals, other cats (fixed cats will still fight), getting lost... If you start letting the older one out the kitten will most likely insist on going out too and they will both learn that begging will get them what they want.  You've treated them so well that they assume they're safe wherever they are so they don't know how dangerous it is outside.  

My oldest cat was indoor/outdoor when I met him.  He was lazy, never played, and would come home bloody a couple times a month.  I converted him to inside only and he became playful and sweeter.  He's up to at least 9 years old already and he's still more playful than he was 7 years ago as an indoor/outdoor cat.

Aside from him, I have 3 other cats who came from the outside.  I got one as an adult, one at about 6 months old, and one at around 5 weeks old.  None of them want back out.  They're interested in the outside and love to look out the windows or look through the open door but they don't try to sneak out.  

It is not cruel to keep them inside.  They can live full, happy lives inside and those lives are generally longer if kept inside.

Answer 9

well you could let them out but watch them. or you could get some sort of fence and watch them

Answer 10

Its best to keep your cats indoors, they will be safe & your mind will be at ease, its not cruel the cat will soon adapt to being indoors, there are too many dangers outside, buy toys for her to play with & she also has a playmate to keep her company too.

Answer 11

as long as they cant climb over the fence!

i have two cats, my older one Gena first started going out the belcony when she was 1 or 2 years old. Now she is 7 and she still wants to go out in the belcony and she knows not to roam on the ledge or go to the neighbors. Now we have a 1 year old kitten Vince, he copies Gena only thing is that he is more curious so he goes on the ledge and goes to the neighbors belcony!!  it should be fine, but keep an eye on your cats.

Answer 12

dont feed the 1 year old. when you let her out put a small amount of food near back door. the cat should feed instead of bolting.then will explore its surroundings. and come back when hungry. make sure cats have id tags on and vet chipped.

Answer 13

It depends on where you live - do you have a large garden, high fences, not near roads, etc. Our cats have been going out all their lives and have been fine but you can never be 100% sure. Try her on a harness, that way you can take her out (if she is ok on it) and let her have a walk about without having to worry or is there any way you could create a large 'caged' area with chicken wire so she can lay out in the sun without actually being able to leave the garden?

Its also a good idea to get her chipped just in case.

Answer 14

Don't let your cats out to roam. They could pick up diseases and/or get hurt. We let our cat out, but on a leash connected to a harness and only when we are around to look out for her. A cat will get used to a harness and the restriction of movement.