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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let my Ragdoll outside?

97 replies

ConcernedCatmother · 19/04/2023 14:01

I have 4 cats, one of which is a Ragdoll breed. Anyone with a Ragdoll breed will probably know it is recommended not to let them outside due to their “lack of survival instinct.”

So here is my predicament;

All of my 4 cats are indoor cats. I live in a 5 bed house currently, but i’m having to massively downsize to a 1 bed bungalow. I am planning to let the cats go outside as it is too small to not give them that extra space.

AIBU to let my Ragdoll outside? Does anyone let their Ragdoll outside? The other option is to sadly rehome her, as it would upset her to see the others going out but not her.

P.s I do not want to have a catio installed

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
PinkFootstool · 19/04/2023 14:10

Why no to a catio? None of your indoor cats will be safe in the new garden - not just the ragdoll - as they've not learned about the outdoors. They are all going to try to leg it at some point and they'll all be at risk of being run over / stolen etc. Ragdolls are more attractive to cat thieves than many other breeds because they are valuable.

I had an indoor cat for 15yrs - she had access to a large roof terrace for the first half of her life and a smallish garden the second half. She couldn't jump or climb out of either one.

If you don't want a catio, you'll have to work out how best to secure all 5 cats tbh.

forrestgreen · 19/04/2023 14:17

My ragdoll cross is scared of the wind if that helps...

I have no confidence that he'd run home if scared

randomusername2019 · 19/04/2023 14:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

WhatHoMarjorie · 19/04/2023 14:18

aren't they very dopey?

it's unlikely she'd fare well in the outdoors. maybe rehoming her is wisest. they're attractive cats to lots of people so will easily find a new home.

Mushroo · 19/04/2023 14:19

FWIW I’ve been out with my rag doll on a lead and I wouldn’t let her out on her own. She loves the garden but if a vehicle drives down the round (in a very quiet cul de sac) she panics and legs it. I wouldn’t trust her out on the road at all

Lastnamedidntstick · 19/04/2023 14:22

Why not a catio?

if you don’t want a cage type option there are fencing solutions so they can go out as normal, but can’t jump over the fence to get out the garden. Would that work?

I do think as pp said, and especially with a rag doll, you need to keep them on the property and away from roads etc.

LT2 · 19/04/2023 14:22

I have 2 Ragdolls. I've had the same thoughts. They are strictly indoor at current. I'm not sure I would ever see them alive again if I were to let them out. You know your Ragdoll better than anyone here. Do you think it would just stay in your garden and not roam far?

qwerty222 · 19/04/2023 14:22

We allow our ragdoll out. He is a rescue and was already an outdoor car when we got him at 5yo. We live in a very safe quiet area but obviously it is a risk more so than with a more street wise breed. We find he doesn’t go anywhere, just sits in our garden mostly.

AiryFairy12 · 19/04/2023 14:23

Ragdolls are not good for outside.

VenusClapTrap · 19/04/2023 14:26

A friend of mine has a ragdoll. He’s allowed outside. He doesn’t go beyond their garden.

I always feel sad for cats that are kept indoors.

helpfulperson · 19/04/2023 14:27

There are various outdoor temporary enclosures that you could consider depending on why you don't want a catio. Some are metal cages, others tent like structures. Just Google cat enclosure

BumBurnerBum · 19/04/2023 14:28

On top of what others have said, I'd be concerned about theft.

pigsDOfly · 19/04/2023 14:34

Had to google catio has had no idea what it is.

If you don't fancy that, how high is your garden fence/wall, if it's 6ft you could have a roll top fitted to the top of it that your cats can't climb over.

I knew someone that had two Siamese cats and the cats were unable to leave the garden because of the fitting on top of the fence.

You could also put wire round the top so it leans inwards so the cats can't get over it.

I also knew someone with Ragdolls and tbh they were so passive I actually don't think they would have bothered to jump anywhere, but obviously, that's not something you'd want to risk.

RecklessBlackberries · 19/04/2023 14:47

I have a ragdoll and I'd never let her outside. She's lovely but stupid. She'd happily walk off with a cat thief or lie down in front of a car.

Some people on our estate have rag dolls and other breeds that are typically house cats. I bet they would tell you theirs is different and fine to be out. I'd tell you that's plain untrue and they're just lucky we have nice neighbours.

randomusername2019 · 19/04/2023 14:52

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

Pip1402 · 19/04/2023 15:05

We have a cat proofed garden and let our Ragdoll outside in that as we know he can't escape. However, other cats do manage to get in sometimes and he has no self-defence instinct so I keep a close eye on him whenever he's outside.

maddy68 · 19/04/2023 15:05

Mine does out with the other cats we have a cat flap. She's fine

imjusthereforAIBU · 19/04/2023 15:06

I want to echo what some others have said. It's not just the Ragdoll, it's any cat which isn't used to being outside/near main roads etc. Are they young or fairly old/set in their ways now?

ghostyslovesheets · 19/04/2023 15:08

My friend has 10 ragdolls - she shows them - her garden is completely cat proofed so they can't get out

WhatHoMarjorie · 19/04/2023 15:11

ghostyslovesheets · 19/04/2023 15:08

My friend has 10 ragdolls - she shows them - her garden is completely cat proofed so they can't get out

that is a LOT of cats!

Original poster
ConcernedCatmother · 19/04/2023 15:12

Thank you for all of the replies and suggestions. In terms of a catio, I have one currently and they just sit in there and meow to go out into the garden.

My 3 other cats are only 2 years old, and seem like they would be pretty savvy. If a loud car drives by the house for example they will run and get behind the sofa.

Thank you for the cat fencing idea - it’s an option. I guess I’m a bit concerned it will feel a bit like a prison courtyard - it’s already a bit of a shock going from a 5 bed house with huge gardens to a 1 bed bungalow 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
ConcernedCatmother · 19/04/2023 15:16

I will probably have to rehome the ragdoll sadly :-( she has no fear.
For example when I hoover, the other cats run for cover but she will stay laying on the rug…..I once even tested hoovering her (very gently) and she didn’t even move! 😅

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 19/04/2023 15:16

WhatHoMarjorie · 19/04/2023 15:11

that is a LOT of cats!

Show quote history

I know! They are all beautifully cared for though

RaininginDarling · 19/04/2023 15:20

VenusClapTrap · 19/04/2023 14:26

A friend of mine has a ragdoll. He’s allowed outside. He doesn’t go beyond their garden.

I always feel sad for cats that are kept indoors.

Ours is the same. He was quite the mouser when he was young. We're rural, though.

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