Help - we need to make a big decision re our cats

[Potatobakes]

I feel ridiculous for even posting this. But I’m not sure where to turn for advice. Please be kind, I feel guilty enough already.

We need to make a decision about our cats. They’re approx 4 (two girls). They were abandoned at a vets as young kittens and were in a bad way. One of them had to have an eye removed to save her life. No one wanted to take them on and a friend of a friend tugged on my heart strings and we took them in when they were a few months old. So I know this situation is my fault. We have kept them indoors, mainly because we used to live on a busy corner and also because of the one-eyed cat.

One is very confident, sociable, very annoying if I’m honest (she is constantly under your feet, has bounds of energy and won’t leave you alone (it doesn’t matter if it’s us or a stranger visiting). The other is very nervous around most people, scared of her own shadow and does not seem to like kids (I guess they’re unpredictable, noisy etc!).

We have a 22 month old and pregnant again due in a few months. We moved house last summer. In the last few months we’ve had several instances of one or both of them weeing where they shouldn’t. Their litter trays cause more arguments than they should. And if I’m being totally honest with myself, since I became pregnant the first time, I have become so much less affectionate towards them. I feel awful for writing this down. But it’s me being honest. I never imagined this could happen having always been a cat person. But I just don’t enjoy being in their company. I see them for all their faults - causing us stress. I know this isn’t fair.

I’m conscious nervous cat is going to struggle even more with the arrival of baby number 2. And our tolerance and stress levels aren’t going to improve then either.

I find myself with two options. Because realistically, I don’t believe that keeping things how they are is feasible. And this is where I’d be so grateful for other people’s thoughts:

1. look to rehome them to somewhere where they will be happier, and ultimately more valued as they deserve. Or, rehome nervous cat who is not suited to being around children. Not sure if it’s best to keep them together or separate (they’ve been fighting each other more recently, but before this were fine together, though not particularly close)

2. try letting them outside first, in hopes that this helps their behaviour and reduces their stress/ is more stimulating for the very needy cat. My worry about this is whether they’d be able to cope with this after being indoors until now, and it may not solve things anyway.

what would you do? 😔 Thank you

I wouldn’t worry about foxes, they tend to not take healthy younger cats. Traffic is the bigger risk and it’s good you are in a quieter area now. I keep mine inside overnight as there is more risk then, and they would go nuts if they weren’t allowed outside at all so it’s a compromise. Good luck! Also for litter boxes they say one per cat, and one spare, so you’ll need three in total.

My friend has a blind cat who goes out and he is fine. He doesn't wander far so I think yours won't either if they're used to home. Just that feeling of being out with fresh air would do them wonders. I have had cats all my life and I don't judge you because you've come on here asking for help. So many people abandon and are cruel to cats without a second thought so please don't feel guilty for feeling this way. If it does come to it then rehoming would be best but try the first option if you don't want to give up just yet.

I wouldn't let them out.
Anti freeze
Dogs!
Cars
Horrible people who'll harm them
Poison(in its own form or poisoned prey animals

Dangerous for any cat, far more dangerous for a cat who hasn't been outside. Far, far more dangerous for a disabled cat.

Find them a lovely home together if you can at all.ŵ

Vis a vis foxes. We used to get foxes in our backgarden. Our very elderly female puss soon saw them off. Cats can be so aggressive when defending their territory. Same cat chased a LABRADOR down the road when he got too close to our front door, with dog owner chasing after them, and my dad, she turned round and saw both humans off too (she did have small kittens to defend at the time). Otherwise, she was the most chilled affectionate cat you could ask for, believe it or not!

I’m a Veterinary Nurse who took on a one eyed stray cat who was brought in to the practice. No one wanted her so I brought her home. She had a cat flap and lived a long and happy life, mainly outdoors.

If you live in a relatively safe area, which it sounds like, they should be okay outside although the nervous one (not sure if this is the one eyed one?) may decide not to venture outdoors much, if at all.

Our cat goes outside in the daytime but is shut in overnight. This is because of the various undone toms hassling her and our trying to protect the bird population. For the most part she is content with this situation

There's a guy on TikTok (I think) who has a herd of blind cats. He puts up videos of them having wonderful times outside. I wouldn't worry.

As long as you make sure they're inside at night and whenever the Hunt is due to meet, they'll be a lot happier, especially if you provide a cosy place for them to sit and survey the world in safety.