Letting cats go outside -yay or nay?

[DefinitelyOdd]

So I have two cats. A four year old stray girl and a 14 month old rescue boy. Since I have had them, my living circumstances have prevented me from letting them out (lived in a flat then on a horribly busy road). But now we have moved to a small village and I am starting to think about letting them out .

My boyfriend is adamant that they should stay inside as this is all they have known and are happy but i cant seem to make a firm decision.

Any advice? Or can someone just make the decision for me please.

I think i might have misjudged the big girl. I have just been sitting on the patio with the back door open and out she pops, chirping away quite happily.

The boy is now snuffling in the grass and trying to catch flies. They seem happy and with no intention of leaving the garden. As yet.

Sorry for all the updates but i am terrified and trying to keep calm in front of my boyfriend.

God help us when we have children.......

Well done. My girl is staying indoors - believe it or not we have vet verified cat beheadings around here. As well as a busy road. I disagree with pp on Jackson Galaxy. Many proper scary predators in parts of USA. We play with our indoor cat loads and have lots of nooks and crannies high and low set up so she can do her cat thing. She gets to hunt stuff and try to kill stuff all the time. I'd let her out if we lived in a village or a very quiet area. But we don't.

My boy lives indoors. He has snuck out a few times but he doesn't go far. I used to live in a busy area and didn't want him getting run over - and he's always been happy inside.

We live in a quieter village now so he'd probably be ok but he doesn't really show a lot of interest in going out, apart from when I catch him making a bid for freedom out of a window on occasion!

My issue is when I used to let him out when I first got him he ended up with fleas and my house ended up infested. And he was treated. It was hell on earth. He's happy sleeping in different places in the house these days. He's healthy and happy and I'd like to keep him that way.

The first time ours went over the fence I ran upstairs so I could still see him.

I love seeing my cats play and relax outside, and given the choice they do opt to spend a fair bit of time outside, so I figure they enjoy it.

Our garden is part-fenced and part-walled so we have made it cat-proof. Initially we used a DIY approach, but in anticipation of new kittens we got ProtectaPet netting added, so we can be confident that they can't stray, and other cats don't come in. It may be a bit PFB (Precious-Fur-Babies?), but I feel happier knowing they aren't at risk of a road accident, fighting other cats or encountering someone who wishes them harm.

Statistically, most road accidents involving cats happen after dark, so would definitely support shutting cats in at night.

Yes!! let your cats go outside!! Now that you have moved to a quiet location there is no reason to keep them inside. Unless there are real dangers, as you say like a very busy road then I think it is cruel to keep cats indoors.

Seeing my girl pottering around in the garden chasing flies, nibbling grass, sniffing around and generally watching the world go by, she is so contented. It must be incredibly dull for cats that are kept indoors.

Ensure you introduce them to the outside slowly. I took my girl out on a lead for about 10 mins every day for 2 weeks each time leading her back to her catflap. Then off the lead but still stay with her for another week.

Cats have such a great quality of life when they go out. It seems odd to me to keep them in if you don't have to.

Yes PP is right in suggesting a lead attached to a harness (not collar, because the safe ones snap off under pressure) and lead, to see how they react to the outdoors. Don't use the elasticated collars. Ever. And when you let them out without harnesses, accompany them, and ensure they're hungry. If they have a favourite treat, get them used to the shaking of the treat bag, like Pavlov's dogs. That'll usually have them legging home.

If you're really worried, google Loca8tor cat, a device you put on their collars, with a receiver.

I live on a busy-ish road, but they have no access to it. The cat flap is in the back door, leading onto gardens, which MCat explores, yet Little M never leaves the courtyard, (his choice). He likes sitting on the wall and sniffing the breeze though.

And definitely keep them in from dusk til morning.

I have a very different situation. Mine were ferals for around a year when they got taken to the rescue centre, then spent a year there in their little run. The view at the rescue is that having been feral for all their formative time there's a good chance that if they ever go out they are likely to go feral again & never come home . Before the rescue centre they were out in the countryside (holiday caravan park) so are unlikely to be very traffic aware too.

Plus though I'd back Girlcat against any conditions, Boycat is extremely thick a bit slower thinking and rather clumsy, so he'd probably last all of 5 minutes outside.

See, now I feel a bit inadequate as I just left the back door open and then went and called them (with biscuit shaking) at tea time. I didnt even consider harnesses or leads or the like....

However the big girl looks as though she will be the neighbourhood hooligan. She has already expanded her territory quite aggressively .....

The boy.....well he chased a fly. And then came home to sleep and have cuddles.

I have four cats who have always been very happy indoor cats, for the last 4-5 years. They have a few cat trees and lots of play time. They occasionally hop out of the window to sit on the ledge outside or have a little sniff in the bushes outside.

However, one of them managed to catch a bird for the first time a few weeks ago and since then he's started to go out a lot. I wouldn't restrict him now he wants to go out, but I do worry about him.

I don't think I'd let one of my cats go far though because he's particularly thick and I'm sure he'd be run over in about two minutes.

The British Shorthair girl I grew up with was an indoor cat, though sometimes went into the garden under supervision. She was very happy lazing around in the house!

My current Burmese boy is also an indoor cat - he's very trusting and friendly and has no fear or common sense, and I worry that he would get stolen or run over if he went out.

Mine are both indoor cats who were rescued from living outside as kitten very sick kittens..they both have medical conditions so they aren't allowed outside..the new kitten will also be inside..they have loads of toys,get regular playtime and plenty of attention...I had a run built off the kitchen window so they can go out and sit in fresh air..they love it but are kept safe and well

Terrible grammar .. Sorry

My cat is an indoor cat, he occasionally accompanies us into the garden, but is a big wimp & stays beside us.

Tbh he's a bit stupid, he doesn't even land on his feet when he falls off something so I'm quite happy he doesn't go out.