hi, my cat is now 4 months old and I've been taking him outside with me for about a month now. He always stays around and seems to be having a blast while outside.
I read a couple of posts here saying cat should be staying inside and it made me think that it might be a better idea keeping him in.
But he has been going out for a month so he might get depressed if from one day i forbid him to go out...
Any opinions or hints would be appreciated. sorry for the bad english
Whether yes or no if my cat should go outside?
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lovemyfurbabies
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Re: Whether yes or no if my cat should go outside?
I don't think there is anything wrong with letting your cats have outdoor play time for a few hours a day. Just be sure to stay out with them and keep an eye on them.
I think it's healthy for kitten to be able to explore and chase bugs and what not outside...and get some fresh air.
I would love to let my cats out for some play time, but I just live too close to the road, so I can't.
But if you live in a safe area, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your cat outside.
Of course, I think it would be best to keep your cat indoors the majority of the time and especially at night and when you are not home. Letting him/her outside for a hour or two while you are at home is fine.
I think it's healthy for kitten to be able to explore and chase bugs and what not outside...and get some fresh air.
I would love to let my cats out for some play time, but I just live too close to the road, so I can't.
But if you live in a safe area, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your cat outside.
Of course, I think it would be best to keep your cat indoors the majority of the time and especially at night and when you are not home. Letting him/her outside for a hour or two while you are at home is fine.
It should be noted, lovemyfurbabies, that letting cats outdoors should only be done if they have a kitty harness and lead and supervised at that...the link provided above is thorough on the subject, and is also our position statement. Never assume letting a cat outdoors without protection such as a harness and constant supervision, a cat won't dart off, never to be caught or found again, or worse, caught up in the harness and lead left unattended.
..........Traci
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LinZ
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Re: Whether yes or no if my cat should go outside?
There's not really any way to ensure Kitty will be safe outside, even if you are with him. Kittens are speedy little devils, and they can dart right out of sight in seconds. Unless you had some sort of enclosure in your yard that had a top on it, then maybe, but otherwise I'd keep Kitty indoors.
Now if you want to walk around outside holding him, then that's obviously okay, because you have control over him and he can't run away.
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I myself have 3 cats, all of which are indoor. I can't let them outside because I live rather close to the road, and I live in the suburbs, and all sorts of things, including bears and foxes, live around in these parts. And finally, I have a 7-acre yard, with a backyard consumed mainly by tall weeds and trees. So looking for a lost cat in my yard would be like looking for a needle in a haystack from 10 miles away.
And don't worry about him being upset with you if you choose to keep him inside all the time - trust me, he will get over it ^-^
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LinZ
Now if you want to walk around outside holding him, then that's obviously okay, because you have control over him and he can't run away.
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I myself have 3 cats, all of which are indoor. I can't let them outside because I live rather close to the road, and I live in the suburbs, and all sorts of things, including bears and foxes, live around in these parts. And finally, I have a 7-acre yard, with a backyard consumed mainly by tall weeds and trees. So looking for a lost cat in my yard would be like looking for a needle in a haystack from 10 miles away.
And don't worry about him being upset with you if you choose to keep him inside all the time - trust me, he will get over it ^-^
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LinZ
"There's three ways to a man's heart - through his stomach, through his crotch, and through his rib cage." - Squeak
Re: Whether yes or no if my cat should go outside?
I have a friend who built a 3 season cat sunroom onto the sunny back of her house...2x4's are set on 16" standard width, with screens running top to bottom, and then the shelves attached to the 2x4s...
when she is home, she will open the door and they can go to a completely screened area with a finished roof, and lounge around on any number of carpeted shelves at various levels, or climb a "tree" in the room...she has a ceiling fan for air circulation on warm days, as it does face west...but the cats seem to like that sunny afternoon heat!!
She still does not leave them completely unattended, because you never know when a larger animal can try to tear through the screen, and she checks the screens often for tears...
This might be an option...
...and if your cat likes to roll in the dirt and grass, maybe a raised bed in a sunny corner of the "sunroom" filled with clean dirt and cat friendly grasses would be an option...
when she is home, she will open the door and they can go to a completely screened area with a finished roof, and lounge around on any number of carpeted shelves at various levels, or climb a "tree" in the room...she has a ceiling fan for air circulation on warm days, as it does face west...but the cats seem to like that sunny afternoon heat!!
She still does not leave them completely unattended, because you never know when a larger animal can try to tear through the screen, and she checks the screens often for tears...
This might be an option...
...and if your cat likes to roll in the dirt and grass, maybe a raised bed in a sunny corner of the "sunroom" filled with clean dirt and cat friendly grasses would be an option...
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Tina B and crew
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Re: Whether yes or no if my cat should go outside?
Mine are ONLY allowed onto a screened porch. I know many people who think it is cruel to not allow a cat out to explore...but we have 5 indoor only cats and they seem pretty well adjusted to their indoor only life. They just need plenty to keep them busy...and they watch birds, squirrels and bugs from the porch as well as the windows. Window seats make great places for kitties to see the outdoors without the dangers. Many petstores sell a seat that you can attach to your window sill easily and it gives that cat a great place to lounge while sunning 
Tina B and "what a crew!"
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
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LinZ
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Re: Whether yes or no if my cat should go outside?
My aunt has 11 indoor cats, and it's difficult to keep them all occupied. But her boyfriend built her a kitty condo and they throw themselves all over it every day and night like it's a new toy whenever they touch it. If your cats like to climb, perhaps a kitty condo would be a good thing.
Also, something else my aunt told me about that she's tried to keep her troop busy...there are videos made especially for cats with bird and mouse noises that show "prey" animals on the screen. She said her cats went wild, pawing the screen, listening intently to the noises, and mewing and running around like maniacs. If you don't mind leaving your television on for a little while, perhaps you could try something like this to occupy Kitty.
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LinZ
Also, something else my aunt told me about that she's tried to keep her troop busy...there are videos made especially for cats with bird and mouse noises that show "prey" animals on the screen. She said her cats went wild, pawing the screen, listening intently to the noises, and mewing and running around like maniacs. If you don't mind leaving your television on for a little while, perhaps you could try something like this to occupy Kitty.
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LinZ
"There's three ways to a man's heart - through his stomach, through his crotch, and through his rib cage." - Squeak
I agree with not letting the furrys out! I put up chicken wire around my patio and that is thier outside they love it I know they are safe so I love it too. cost about 30$ I can take it off when I leave ( I rent) and M & L can enjoy outside and nature in a safe space. by the way welcome to the board I am Donna proudly owned by Mischka & Linx who send hugs!