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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Let house cat out?

21 replies

LuciferRising · 02/09/2022 08:39

Our Maine Coon, who is 3, is a house cat but I am debating letting him out. First time I have had a pedigree and won't have one again. All my other cats went out. Live on the edge of fields and woodlands, but there is a main road about 3 min walk away.

Have I missed the window of opportunity? Will he be too naive?

OP posts:

ClownsOnTheLeft · 02/09/2022 13:10

Have you tried taking him out in a harness, see how he gets on

Sunflowers2047 · 02/09/2022 13:12

I wouldn't but my house cat was very unhappy when I tried to let him out so I am happy keeping him inside because I know he is happy and wants it this way. Plus I've lost so many cats to the roads and I would be absolutely heartbroken.

Original poster

LuciferRising · 02/09/2022 13:13

He goes out on a lesh and loves it.

OP posts:

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 02/09/2022 13:15

A 3yo Main Coon. I wouldn't. Im
oretty risk averse though! I'd be too worried about him being catnapped and also the road /woodlands. There's a reason they're kept asking house cats (I'm on the fence about 'house cats' do as beautiful as they are I wouldn't have a MC & IF I had a house cat, I'd only do it if it could have a big outdoor space. (So house & enclosure cat I guess! But I'd be sad about it & only do it if it was a rescue house cat)

sleepymum50 · 02/09/2022 13:30

I guess it depends how busy that road is.

I assume you have a garden. Perhaps you could start by having him on a long leash, and watch him carefully, see how he goes and how much he enjoys it.

Do this regularly for a bit. Maybe have a little routine before you go out, and maybe like a dog you can see if he gets excited. Perhaps always feed him when you come back in.

Then when you feel ready, let him into the garden without the leash, go with him, maybe take his dinner with you (make sure you know he’s hungry). Try and keep close to him and call him back after 5 mins, indoors and feed. Gradually stretch this out, hopefully he always stays close enough to the house when he hears you calling and rattle his tin.

Perhaps you can have it so he goes out little and often and always come back in before he starts getting into the fields etc. I think it’s in their nature to want to be outside, so I think you should give it a go.

LovelaceBiggWither · 02/09/2022 13:36

Why are you considering it?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/09/2022 13:38

Make sure he's chipped if he isn't.

I'd second the taking him out for a bit on a leash and see how it goes.

I also wouldn't have another pedigree.

Hobele · 02/09/2022 13:56

Why don't you just cat proof your garden so he's kept safe? I assume his breeder sold him as indoors only...
He'll potentially pick up fleas and sticky plant bits in his fur all the time, will get into territorial fights, could be attacked by dogs, be stolen.
And he'll also learn to eat little birds.

Original poster

LuciferRising · 02/09/2022 14:00

I was always planning on letting him out. I've had cats my whole life. Always rescues etc. But for some reason I let people get into my head about letting him out. Then next doors cat was killed on their driveway by a neighbours escaped dog and I didn't want him getting into that garden. Now it's 3 years down the line and it just doesn't feel right keeping him.

OP posts:

iloveeverykindofcat · 03/09/2022 07:19

Have you considered a GPS collar? Both my cats have Tracktive and really like it. Lots of features you can program including a virtual fence, no-go-area (it will notify you if they enter this), and so on. It's an investment but I'm glad I did it. The GPS isn't pinpoint accurate but its good. Zara doesn't go far but if I see Bibi getting a bit too close to the main road I go get her.

Of course there's also a) traffic b) the fact that a Maine Coon is a valuable cat and c) dogs. I live in semi-rural Wales and its cat central around here, almost everyone is a cat lover and the cats go everywhere and everyone looks out for them. Most cats aren't stupid about traffic. Even Zara, who is...not a feline genius....knows to avoid moving cars. The only thing I really worry about is dogs.

DontKeepTheFaith · 04/09/2022 21:22

I’ve a ragdoll rescue that we let out. She has a very small territory and adores her freedom.

It’s a worry though, especially initially. I am more confident with Dcat now as she avoids humans and has a very small territory but I would be devastated if she wandered and got stolen or worse.

Once you have done it, you can’t go back so think carefully. Dcat loves going out, we would never be able to keep her in now so we just have to trust her. She comes back at least hourly and will normally come scurrying if called which helps.

Original poster

LuciferRising · 04/09/2022 21:56

Going to build a catio. We have a side yard to our garden, so will get a gate for it and cat proof the fence. Shelves up the walls, we have some potted trees in there.

OP posts:

purfectpuss · 04/09/2022 22:12

What are you worried about? Other than theft, I can't see how letting out a pedigree is any different to letting out a normal moggie...

JustBkind · 04/09/2022 22:12

We have 2 maine coon girls who are indoor cats due to losing a boy maine coon cat when lockdown opened up again…we think he became too adventurous when no traffic was on the road.

we have a huge cat tree for them and we have built them a Catio off one of our back patio doors so they can go outside in good/fair weather - it has shelves and bridges etc to jump around in.

I know they would love to go outside though and one in particular has escaped out of an open window onto the extension roof but has come straight back in again.
I would love to let them out but we can’t cat proof the garden enough and I’m scared they too will get knocked down by the road. They have a fantastic life indoors with lots of space to wonder around in, toys and places they can sleep and are well fed etc, so I know they are in a good place.

JustBkind · 04/09/2022 22:14

In the catio!

thecatneuterer · 05/09/2022 10:15

The most dangerous roads of all for cats are main roads in rural areas. So no, I think you need a catio, or a cat-proofed garden if it's small enough to be feasible.

Original poster

LuciferRising · 05/09/2022 11:42

Looks good Just.

We can secure an area. Debating those rollers or netting at an angle. Then the top can be open.

OP posts:

Original poster

LuciferRising · 05/09/2022 11:44

Do cats go out in catios / proofed garden unattended? Debating shelf steps up to a bathroom window. It's around the side of our house and not part of small main garden.

OP posts:

OnaBegonia · 07/09/2022 22:28

You should def roof it, a catio is fully enclosed.

DinkyDaisy · 08/09/2022 19:32

We used Purrfect fencing uk to block end of patio with gate and fence. He has tried to climb on occasion but special topping prevents him. He does look to the main garden but this is like an extra outdoor room.

broadsurf · 02/07/2023 20:27

I would not do it. Possible theft and possible RTA. Best solution is to leash train and take your cat for a walk at regular times. Or build a garden enclosure or a catio. I realise that it all sounds troublesome but MCs are too attractive. And as he is an indoor cat he may get lost due to his inexperience in being outside. Sorry.

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