Is it okay to let my little one outside for a while???

[Nurse_Jamie]

I know my little kitten gets bored inside. Today I was cleaning the house and I decided to open the windows and doors to let some fresh air in since there was a cool breeze. Well, my kitty immediately ran out onto the back deck. I thought that was ok, cause I could see her from my kitchen window. But then she started going out in the yard...just expolring. I got nervous when I couldn't see her. I don't want anything to happen to her, but I know that fresh air and exploring is so good for her. Should I just let her out to play and not worry so much? I want to, but I would die if I couldn't find her or if something happened.

Help please!! Thanks

[Traci]

Jamie, this board soley advocates INDOOR living for cats. As you've seen from several other posts in this forum, the dangers of the outdoors are just to great. I seem to remember you mentioning a kitty you had who ran away when you moved?

Please use the search function for "outdoor cats", etc and you'll find several posts with informative links on why you should keep your kitten indoors. *IF*, and this is a mighty big if, you can put her on a harness and lead, it's about the only safe measure to allow her outdoor access at all, or a fully enclosed kitty enclosure.

[Nurse_Jamie]

Well, for about the past hour and a half, she has been running in and out of the house...she isn't going far. And I am keeping a close eye on her. I think it is good for her to get some fresh air and expore the grass and leaves for a little while. I know she gets bored in here. But I would never leave her alone outside for a long period of time without supervision. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened.

I just thought since I was cleaning and had the doors open, it wouldn't hurt to let her run around on the deck and in the yard for a little while. I know she loves it, and I think it's good for her. But rest assured, I am keeping my eye on her.

Oh and BTW - I know it's better for cats to live indoors. When did I ever say that it wasn't?????

[Traci]

"seeing her from your kitchen window".....and "while you are cleaning"....and "I wouldn't be able to forgive myself is something happened"

It only takes a SPLIT-SECOND, Jamie, for her to dart out in front of a speeding car...get attacked by a neighborhood dog, chase a mouse or butterfly or bird OUT of the yard, never to be seen again.

Don't think it's possible? I've seen hit-by-cars so many times I want to scream. I've seen perfectly innocent young kittens die because their owners thought that enjoying the great outdoors was good for them (supervising was rather moot at these times). I've seen children cry and beg their parents to shell out the big bucks for emergency vet care to try to save a kitten or cat who has been hit by a car, attacked viciously by a dog, or got into a toxin or any number of outdoor hazards.

This forum is about educating...again, we are strong advocates of indoor-only cats. IF you are going to let her outside at all, do not do it without a harness and lead, preferrably with one end of the lead wrapped around your hand (and I'm not talking about tethering, cats can strangle if left alone on a harness and lead that is tethered). If you are not physically there to keep her safe, restrained and out of harm's reach, you cannot garantee a thing for her safety.

[Nurse_Jamie]

I guess you are right, but I don't think she is brave enough to venture too far right now. She is still young. Today she didn't go 5 feet away from the carport or deck....she stuck close to the house. And I WAS keeping a close eye on her, so I knew where she was at all times. She was just poking around the grass ans sniffing. Just checking things out. No harm done. I won't make a habit of letting her out, but I don't see the harm every now and then as long as I keep a close eye on her.

I would hate to think that I was stuck in a house forever and never got to go outside. I am sure my kitty enjoyed her playtime outside today.

[Traci]

Jamie, I'll soon be locking this thread.....I have stated twice now, our advocacy on indoor living for cats....it is also the policy of this site to not carry on such issues (see our House Rules)

Your kitten does not think like you do, she is innocent, and she will remain innocent for the rest of her life. She depends on YOU to ensure her ultimate safety, she does NOT recognize the dangers like WE do. It's your ultimate responsibility to ensure that there is never any harm that could come to her.

Again, think about that split-second....you could be right there watching her, but it won't matter, because you will never be quick enough to prevent a mistake.

No harm done? Toxins, lawn chemicals, neighborhood dogs, cars, kids, weather concerns, parasites, ticks, fleas, infectious disease by other unvaccinated cats. The list is endless. Indoor living can be made to be happy, comfortable, entertaining....least of all bored, it's your responsibility to ensure her indoor environment is stimulating and entertaining and healthy for her.

Again, make the effort to read other posts in this forum, both for outdoor hazards, as well as those unfortunate "mistakes".

[Nurse_Jamie]

Geez Tracy, don't get so huffy about it. I didn't say I was going to leave her outside for the rest of her life!

I told you before - I think cats should be inside too!! What's the debate here? I don't understand why you are getting so riled up about it. You don't have to keep repeating yourself - I heard you the first time. And I understand what you are saying - and that's fine. But hear me too.

It's nothing to get mad about. She is an indoor cat and will stay an indoor cat.

Geez, forgive me for posting such a "stupid" post!

[Traci]

I'm not getting 'huffy' about anything (yet)....but might I suggest you volunteer at a local vet clinic or emergency vet clinic to get a feel for pets who are fighting for their lives because someone wanted them to feel they needed to be outside.

Pet ownership comes with responsibility to them, that includes their ultimate safety. You never mentioned any measures you took to protect her....you won't catch her if she gets spooked, runs, darts across the street into the path of an oncoming car. Think about that for a moment, then tell yourself you CAN prevent that from happening.

Just because nothing happened this time, doesn't mean the potential next time isn't there. Don't just take my word for it, call the vets in your area and ask how many hit-by-cars and dog attacks they deal with every week, how many cats survive with injuries and those who don't make it at all.

please be responsible and educate yourself about the outdoor dangers to cats.

[Nurse_Jamie]

Traci -

I am not a little child that you need to educate about animal safety. I know every thing that you said above. It's pretty much common sense. But, you also don't know what kind of neighborhood I live in, how close I am to the road, how many other dogs/cats are around, if I have a fenced in yard....etc, etc. Nor did you ask.

I don't think I would have let my kitten outdoors if I thought she was in any real harm. The worst that could happen is a bird spook her or something and she run up a tree. She still has her claws, so that's the worst that could have happened today. I am not near the road, FYI.

But whatever.