Making 'indoor cats' into 'outdoor cats'?

[CoffeeMum]

We have two cats - sisters, both aged 13 - who were indoor cats when we got them from a shelter, aged three, and they have been indoor cats ever since. We are moving soon, from a flat to a house, and there will be the opportunity for them to become outdoor cats.

My gut feeling is that they are now too old to become outdoor cats, having never even been outdoors, so i'm thinking we shouldn't even go there. However, i don't want to rule it out if there is a chance they would like to go outside and explore. It would also be nice to say goodbye to the litter tray i have to say! We would have a very enclosed small garden, so they could stay safe from traffic etc, but then, other cats could get to them. Also, our new house will be lots bigger than our flat, so they'll have plenty more space than they're used to, even if they stay indoors.

Also, one of them is a bit, well, soppy, and i don't like her chances in the outside world!

I think i've answered my own question just typing this actually, but if anyone has any thoughts, advice, or has had a similar experience, i'd love to hear from you. I've also contacted the shelter who gave us the cats to see what they advise.

Thanks in advance

It does sound like you've answered your own question, esp given that your girls have enjoyed 10 years of indoor life.

However, there's nothing to stop you from allowing them outside, just to see how they take to it. If you're out in the garden you can always leave a door open and see if they want to join you; then just make sure they're back inside before you close the door again. If they seem happy coming outside, then do it more often/get a catflap.

I would take it a day at a time, and constantly read the cats body language. If they don't want to go out then they won't (I have three girls between 2 and 4 and they used to be outdoor cats, but we've moved to a neighbourhood with many other established cats, and so mine have become indoor cats through their own choice. I do miss the days of not having a litter tray inside!)

I think it would be okay after they have had time to settle into their new home to leave the door/window open and give them the choice. (I think you're ment to keep them in for 6 weeks after a move to get used to where they now live) my cat is only a year old but he prefers to be indoors. He doe's go out for a short while if the window is open but if you shut the door and window he wants to come back in straight away!

I don't think you have much chance to waving goodbye to the litter tray though, mine would prefer to come back in to go to the toilet rather than go outside, but you never know! depends how much they enjoy the outdoors

Thanks both

Stupidly, i didn't really think about the middle ground - ie. letting them settle into the new house for six weeks, and then leaving a door open. In fact, I can see me keeping the back door and french windows open anway, for the children to wander in and out [garden is very enclosed and secure]. So really, i suppose they'll have the opportunity to try it and see! I'm a bit concerned now about other cats coming into our house if we leave doors open...hmmm, will just have to play that by ear i think.

Galaxy - i fear you're right about the litter tray, i have friends who have them even though their cats go outside. Ugh, litter trays really are the worst bit about having cats - so sick of clearing it out!

Our cats were indoor cats for 2 or 3 years until we moved back to the UK. We kept them inside for a month or two then let them into the garden. Like you, we were very nervous about their chances in the 'real world' as they were pampered indoor cats who practically thought they were human. Initially they stayed within the boundaries of the garden - one started exploring the other gardens etc after a year or two, but it has taken the other cat more than 4 years to go outside the garden perimeter. We have a cat flap so they can come and go. I think allowing the cats to explore in their own time has been the right thing and actually don't think we could practically manage to keep them as indoor cats now with the rest of the family using the garden on a daily basis. Good luck!