Indoor to outdoor cat tips please.

[Rupertpenrysmistress]

So I have an 18 month spayed female Maine coon who is an indoor cat. I have only ever had outdoor cats but my vet suggested most people keep these cats indoors so I did.

It has been difficult, we have nets at the windows so we can open them, she has cat tree up and down stairs lots of toys I supervise her in the garden 2/3 times per day however, I think she would be happier outside. She cry's all the time she is always waiting by the door when we come in or out, she constantly chews cable's so I think she is bored, she starts meowing at 4:30 every morning I believe because she wants us to get up. She is dependent on us as she has nothing else.

This is not an easy decision but I feel really guilty as I truly believe she will be happier outside, she is constantly watching and trying to stalk birds through the windows, my other cat comes and goes as she pleases. Both cats are vaccinated and chipped etc. I really wish I had just let her out in the first place.

Anybody have any thoughts, advice or tips. I thought I might let her out this weekend as I am not working.

I am not bashing those who keep indoor cats at all, all cats are different and I believe this one would like to be outside.

Our cat (standard moggy) had been an indoor cat when we adopted her - she was three. We kept her in for the first month, then we started taking her out into the garden. It took her about a week to click with going in/coming out the door herself. We don’t have a catflap, because we have a utility room between the kitchen and back door, so she lets us know when she wants out, then comes to the kitchen or bedroom window when she wants in. Her former family were amazed to see photos of her up trees and sitting on the shed roof, because she was always a bit of a scaredy-cat!

We have a big garden, and she only roams into the neighbour either side. We “trained” her to come in with treats, but tbh she generally comes to her name.

I teach, and we adopted her in the summer, so it was all quite easy because I was off. She’s always in overnight, and while we’re at work through the day. She loves being outside, and after a GA for dental work earlier this year she was absolutely furious not to get out for her evening meanderings.

A happy side effect of this is that she now only uses the litter tray in absolute dire straits, although we still have two available. An unhappy side effect is that she is a bit of a murderer if she gets the chance!

Let her out before breakfast, we let our Persians out and my Bengal goes outside.

There was a Maine coon around here and that goes out too.

Thank you guys. That's really helpful I think I am worrying to much. I have always let my cats out I don't know why this is different. If the vet had not mentioned keeping her in I would have let her out.