I don't know what to do about my cats. Help!

[ShrikeAttack]

I've had cats all my life, I'm a very experienced cat-slave. (Just for background).

My current pair are a brother and sister rescue pair, they were the only survivors of an abandoned litter. When we adopted them we lived in a market town and near a road that people often used as a short-cut, often wagons and tractors and the woman from the rescue when she gave us a home-visit said she'd prefer for us to keep them in (I agreed, I've lost all my cats, bar one who died of a heat attack, on the road). So we did, they were house-cats for their first two years.

However, we moved a year ago to a very rural spot, and even though I've lost previous cats on rural roads I judged this to be a pretty good place for them to go out. We have an A-road at the front, but it's at the end of a long drive. At the back we have a large garden and miles of countryside.

And it was fine. Until is wasn't. About a month ago DH shouted say that Joey cat (who is the best of all the cats I've ever had), was in the hedgerow across the road, was looking out, and all the cars were zooming past at 50. I wanged out, it's not a road that even I'd be happy to cross (I think he'd been drawn by the very exciting sparrows that inhabited it).

Anyhow, DH went to the end of our drive and Joey-cat saw him and thought 'CROSS NOW'. I was upstairs and heard the THUMP and DH saying 'Fuuuck'. I thought immediately, 'that's a dead cat' (and started keening a bit because I really bloody love Joey). But no, DH tells me he's run in the house. We found him eventually behind a sofa and rushed him to the vet.

Miraculously he was fine, grazes, cuts, a bit roughed up, the vet said to keep him on for a week which we did, but I'm now terrified to let them out again.

I really don't know what to do. I know they loved going out, and there's a world of fun for them outside, they grew up as indoor cats and we have a very big house with two staircases so they can go mad chasing each other round. They seem happy and relaxed, occasionally they'll yowl at the catflap but not for long.

I want to open my windows and doors too.

But I'm so scared for Joey.

Should I keep them in? Or should I accept that cats get squashed? I'm very conflicted.

Here they are.

Can you build a catio?
I've seen them work well.

@lakesidelife, no, our house is on a hill, so as soon as any door to outside is opened, there are steps. We have 14 changes of level on the ground floor.

To be honest I'd keep them in or cat proof the garden - most cats I know meet unfortunate accidents when they've grown up as house cats and then get out/move somewhere where they are able to go out as they just seem to not be as street wise as cats that have gone out at a young age

Bumping for more advice!

Cat proofing the garden or a freestanding catio would be my preference. I keep 5 cats indoors only, they have a large catio and lots of places to climb, cat grass, catmint etc. I drove past a dead cat by the side of the road yesterday and was pleased that mine weren't at that risk. Your first responsibility is to keep your pet safe, country roads are renowned for being more dangerous to cats.

What a dilemma. I'm in the country too with land and last cat would sit by the front gate to the lane inches from passing tractors. That's cats! How about this for days when you want to leave doors off open?

Doors open not off! I have their chicken run and it's very good quality.

I Keened when I carried mine in dead off the road. You should never ever accept cats get squished.

There’s a few cat proofing companies now who can build big enclosures and make trees safe. You can put flat cat screens over your windows too for the summer.

Please don’t risk him, I risked mine & I knew the road was getting busier and faster but he was so streetwise I put the nagging doubt voice to the back of my mind & now my little boys gone far too soon.

Although I really sympathise with wanting to let them out (all mine have been outdoor cats) I have to agree with the above post that having raised them as indoor cats I don't think it's a good idea to let them out at this stage, especially as you've already had a near miss. The speed on nearby roads is probably more important than 'busyness' imo. Where I am the speed limit on surrounding roads is 20mph and my cats have been crossing them from kittenhood. Very different from a cat not used to going out trying to negotiate occasional traffic travelling at up to 60mph.

We adopted two indoor cats. They were a year old. We let them go outside after a few weeks. They loved it. One night our male came in with a snapped tooth and bloody mouth. He was shaken and tried to hide. The vet said he thought he’d been hit by a car, but probably ran into the car and bounced off. He was very lucky. But ever since he’s been terrified of traffic. We are in a small lane and if he sees anything coming he runs away from the road as quiz’s he can. He’d even jump out of my arms to run if I was carrying him. Even ten years later he stays well away from traffic. I kind of think of it as a blessing in disguise when he was hit.

But yours is a much busier road, so probably more of a dilemma. Could he go out at night when the road is perhaps quieter?

The problem with country roads is ironically that that are too few cars for cats to get used to. And the ones that appear tend to drive fast. A fairly busy road there's a reasonable chance a cat will be scared of traffic and avoid it. Keep them in.

Also you can have 1500ha of national park filled with mice genetically prone to running very, very slowly and they’ll still try to cross the nearest road.

Our roads a no through road with speed bumps and we still lost him.

I would look into creating a garden that they won’t want to leave. Make sure they have something to climb, maybe a water feature, things that will keep their interest. Most importantly though is for you and your DH to start spending time with them in the garden. If they show interest in the road then redirect the interest with a toy or a treat. You will have to work with them but they will eventually understand.

You’ve been extremely lucky for him to have survived with minor injuries and I’d expect the next time to have a dead cat on your hands. Honestly I don’t mean to sound blunt but what more warning do you need? Keep them inside or build a catio.

I am so sorry to everyone who has lost a cat so traumatically.
OP I have a cat like your Joey and the thought of losing him in that way makes me feel physically sick. Two of mine go out and Tom wouldn't accept being indoors only.
Sounds like you have an option - I'd keep them in.
So glad he's ok

To be honest since you have already lost previous cats on the road I am really surprised you were allowed to adopt at all, regardless of assurances of keeping them inside.
You really only have 2 options really.

I know I'm a bit of a lone voice but I really disagree with indoor cats and work on the principle I'd prefer them to have a short but outdoor life.

Lots of ways to cat proof a garden, like this...

protectapet.com/products/protectapet-cat-fence-barrier-kit?variant=37756016820401&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkZiFBhD9ARIsAGxFX8AALzVCUsGb8qFJ4d7mekgMFM_lysWtq1t77366zOLdA_Bv6n740nMaAiDoEALw_wcB

You’ll find something that works for you!

@helpfulperson

I know I'm a bit of a lone voice but I really disagree with indoor cats and work on the principle I'd prefer them to have a short but outdoor life.

Except they aren't always killed instantaneously and can be injured and bolt to die a slow death hidden away in fear, or are injured and found and have to spend months in a painful recovery.

Depending on the cat & its willingness you could try a cat harness & take him for walks, even if its just to explore the garden?They have them in b&m for a couple of quid & my 1 year old girl took surprisingly well to one when we stayed at my parents.

If there are steps from the house you can have a wire tunnel up to a catio on a higher level. The tunnel makes it more fun too. this one is for rabbits but you can get bigger ones but it gives the general idea. Zippi tunnel.

@helpfulperson

I know I'm a bit of a lone voice but I really disagree with indoor cats and work on the principle I'd prefer them to have a short but outdoor life.

But many outdoor cats die long, slow and painful deaths.

I live backing on to a poorly lit, windy 60mph country road. At least once a week there is a post on social media because a cat has been hit by a car and taken to the vets. Most of those cats are still alive when they're found but die of their injuries on the way to the vet, or sadly have to be put to sleep on arrival.

Personally I can't imagine getting a a defenceless animal like a cat and then choosing to let them out to take their chances on the roads.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll keep them in.

When I spoke about previous cats, my last pair were siblings who lived to 15 years each, one died from a heart attack and one was killed on the driveway when our next door neighbour reversed over her. I don't routinely send cats out to die on the road!

Our house is large 4,000 Square ft. They have access to cellars and attics and we have three cat trees and lots of fun for them!

I'll look into caticos, I'm not sure how well they'd work though as our house is on a hill, so every exit is at least eight steps down. We have an acre of garden, but it's terraced.

Thank you. They seem ok. I think I'll roll with that!

Join a catio Facebook page for ideas. Just because you have various different ground levels will not stop you from having a catio - you just have to get creative.
Mine are indoor cats which are only allowed out on a harness and lead. When we move off the boat - they will be getting a catio.