Should they stay or should they go? You decide!

[Lua]

A long story... apologies in advance

I have two cats, one 12 and one 10 years old.
They have always been indoors only cat. I always felt a bit bad about not letting them out, but felt smug that I was oding the nest for them, by keeping them safe. Though, in the bottom of my herat thought that keeping them safe, was a bit selfish when it meant no fun for them. So always hoped once I would live somewhere safe so they could go out.
Well, I now live in a house where the only appropriate place for their litter box is under the stairs, i.e. in the middle of the house...
Also, have babies and a small house. So the density of mammals/sq ft getting high.... More importantly, cat poo is becoming a daily battle with DH. So, I tought, its time to let them out. After all, they always wanted too, and is about time they enjoy some fresh air! But of course, it is me being selfish again, isn't?
So, I need someone to tell me what is best in their interest, without hidden agendas (like me!!)
Should they get the opportunity to spend at least some time out in the life, even if they risk danger? Or shoudl they remain indoors and safe their whole life?!

if it were me i would keep them in. They haven;t experienced the outside at all so could be dangerous fpr them.

I'd keep them in

why don't you make a little "pen" for them outside so they can see if the like it?

If they've spent all of their lives inside, they won't have a clue how to look after themselves outdoors, and to be honest they would probably come back inside to use their litter trays anyway because that's what they're used to.

I did the same with my cat but dh insisted i let her out when my 1st dd was born. She was fine she rarely goes any further than my back garden. And at the start did used to come back in to litter tray but now ask's to go out. But still loves her home comforts never goes far...in the end got to be your decision!

Id make a pen for them. Put up a baby gate.

I don't mind cleaning their tray - when I'm not pregnant. It's just part of having a cat.

Thanks guys for the fast response....
For those of you that keepthem in...do you have somemagic litter tray, or litter?
Not sure if it is the small space or their age, but they have been making some powerfully stinky poos.

curvybabe - how old was your cat? and do you have a cat door so it can come in and out on its own. I am afraid that letting them in and out might end up making a bigger mess.. i.e. mud pawprints everywhere...

Lol! I was just rereading my post and there were so many type mistakes that you might be thinking I am COD!

My cat was about 6-7yrs when i started letting her out had a cat flap in old house but not in this one...My next worry is that we are about to move 150 miles away and i'm worried that she may try to run away will be keeping her indoors for a while tho to adjust.

I'd opt for the pen.

I am not sure I understand the pen idea....
Do you guys mean something like a kennel? My cats will easily jums over a baby gate....
Do you put them in there for a few ours?
Sorry, I just never thought about this option...