I have to let her out don't I?

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My kitten is 7 months old and I had been planning to keep her an indoor cat. We live quite near a motorway which is seperated by woods, I don't think she'd go that far but still scares me. Lots of quite roads into cul-de-sacs and a main road but not majorly busy. We also don't live in the most pleasant area so I worrying that someone would hurt her if she done the toilet etc in their garden. A cat from my street died from poisoning which really puts me off.

At first she seemed happy being indoors, was always wary whenever the front door opened but now she bolts straight out if she gets the chance and has jumped out of open windows.

I really don't want her going out. If anything happens to her my 7 year old will be devestated, she's already going through a tough time and this would just tip her over the edge. The main reason I got the kitten was to help her through what's been happening and she adores her.

But I know that's not fair on the cat. My door is all glass and she sits looking out and looking out of windows (due to glass door I wouldn't be able to get a flap which bothers me). I just really worry for her safety and don't know what to do for the best.

You could get a replacement double glazed until with a cat flat hole cut in it. Definitely not cheap but doable.

As far as letting her out goes I'm a great believer that a cat should lead a good fun natural as possible life (even a short one) and not a long boring one.

I think most cats have a natural instinct to want to go outside.
Can you cat proof your garden? Some other posters on here have done and will be more helpful with links and info than me!
Of you can it means she can go out and chase things and lie in the sun but can't leave the garden.

Keeppaddingpets

I'm in private rental and absolutely no way I could afford to do that. The windows in this house are absolutely ancient I wish I could replace them. I do have a wooden door at the back of the house so could get a flap there but that door is rarely used and you have to walk right around the block to get to it so unsure if she'd find it.

Vinorosso74

I could look into this actually I wouldn't even know where to begin hopefully someone will be able to advise. And it would keep out Tom cat who keeps coming in and pissing all over my stuff!

If you Google cat proofing garden that will give you some ideas.
Just a thought, I'm assuming she's spayed (and chipped)? If spayed she'll be less determined to get away to find some boys.

Vinorosso I did have quick look will research properly tonight once the children are in bed! Yes forgot to mention she's recently been spayed and chipped.bused to have all the cats from the street sitting on the doorstep watching her through the glass door but they don't seem interested now.

*I used

Does she have a sturdy, high climbing tree? Really helped when my two had to be indoors for three years while we lived in a flat.
Cat proofing the garden or having a "catio" (enclosed patio) is also a good call if you have a poisoner in the area.

Personally I think some cats are suited to staying indoors but one that keeps trying to escape just starts acting up as they want to be outside.

If you do let her out though, get her insured first.

AwkwardPaws she does have a climbing trees she doesn't really bother with it too much but maybe I should get her a bigger one. My garden isn't very big as well which makes it difficult as an enclosed area still wouldn't be much room for her .

gamerchick yes insurance definitely it's something I keep meaning to do anyway. We got a month free and then it ran out so I'd been planning to renew that either way.

If one on your street was poisoned then I wouldn't let her out. Do you intend to stay where you are long term? If it's likely to be only a year or so then I would keep her in until you live somewhere better.

You could get a cat harness and lead and take her out on walks to let her explode safely

Oops, explore, not explode!

You can buy cat garden proofing kits- very effective but quite expensive. In my rented property I got a handy man to make me a ‘catio’ leading of the kitchen window- he was able to attach it via side fence so no damage at all to House and was easy to remove when I did. I used plastic shelving, a homemade scratching pole (round fence post in a bucket full of cement with cat grass growing on top) and a little cat kennel. All my cats loved it. So did my landlord 😁.
I’m in my own house now and got handy man to cat proof the garden- it is fully fenced in with an overhanging net held in place with wooden brackets. It was about a quarter of the price of a premade kit.

thecatneuterer

Yes I'll be here long term. I don't know whether there's any truth in the poison thing as it what was the owner's 9 year old who told me that but honestly wouldn't surprise me round here. It seems to be fashionable to hate cats . I see the same cats in the street every day but they don't visit me any more since mine had her op except from pissy Tom

dementedpixie great idea, I think my daughter would really enjoy that. I have never in my life seen anyone doing this I may start a trend

Potentialmadcatlady

That sounds amazing. I'm sure my step dad would maybe be able to come up with something he's quite handy that way.

Explode

Definately look into cat proofing ideas and if budget/landlord allows a Catio. I would be thinking about keeping her in tbh from what you've described - it's always a worry letting them out!

@demented
I'm dying at your explode safely comment and now have visions of cats waiting till noones near them to combust

Start playing with her and give her enrichment activities. People think cats are no maintenance but they love to play!

Minkies11

No worries about landlord they don't care about the house at all! I am poor but when in a better financial situation I would love to do this.

mimibunz

We are always playing with her she's very playful and loves attention. I have two young children so she always has one of us fussing over her. My toddler and kitten make quite a funny double act. She climbs my clothes horse more than her cat treeI think I need a bigger one.

I have two indoor cats but they also like the fresh air. I had a catio built in the spring which was basically a wooden gazebo structure with cat netting all over it. The cats absolutely love it and they are perfectly content with the space (approx 3m x 3m). Picture is from the inside. I didn't want it to feel like a cage and you can hardly notice the netting.

Cat proof your garden then you have the best of both worlds. My girls love playing in the garden and I love that they are safe from harm.

DENMAN I love that!! I do have a small are in my garden about the same measurements so this is possible.

Tasting I think this is my best option once money allows. I've just saw a FB post for a missing cat who looks very like mine I couldn't bare it if she went missing .

For now I think it's going to be walks on a harness and some new toys for indoors until I can afford to cat proof the garden. I'd love to get her a play mate but then that's another lot of vaccines, neutering, insurance etc. Although my vet does do excellent deals. £60 for vaccines, worming and flea treatments, microchipping and neutering! This is not the answer I must convince myself.

If you or a friend are handy it’s quite cheep to cat proof yourself. Most of the cost comes from the fitting rather than the materials. You just need angled brackets and strong chicken type mesh. Loads of tutorials if you google it.

I am definitely not handy but my step dad is I was thinking of doing this. Looking at the pre made ones they all seem so expensive but I think I'd be able to manage buying the materials seperately like you say .

Could you get another kitten? Chances are she wants to get out because she is bored.