How do you deal with an indoor cat in spring/summer?!

[ThatAbsoluteFkr]

Have a 5 month old Tom cat, due to be castrated soon.

He is DDs and she is adamant he is to be an indoor cat. I don't really have an issue with that as long as he uses his trays, she keeps them clean and he's entertained.

However, DD has been a helicopter mum with this cat. She goes round shitting windows, doors, policing everyone's actions in order to keep the kitten inside.

I get it but also when he is castrated and fully vaccinated I feel he should go out

But if we wnated him indoors how do you keep them in, in summer? We usually have every window open and have the backdoor open too.

Is it even possible?

Also the vet did his first vaccine for an indoor cat, he said it didn't cover some of the things an outdoor cat may need, but what if he got out accidentally?? Shouldn't he be covered for everything just in case?

He's only had 1 vaccine, is it too late to get the outdoor cat one?

If the cat wants to go outside, he'll go outside.
You can get things to stop him leaving through an open window. I'd sort out the veterinary things and let him roam.

I've not had a cat in a long time but when I did they were always allowed out.

I think the issue is we technically have an older cat that chose neighbours over us about 7 years ago 😂 Neighbours love him and are happy having him. No matter how many times I would take him home he would escape straight to their house and after a few years we just accepted it.

I think DD is worried her cat will just piss off like he did and never come back

You can:

• Fit retainers on windows so they only open so far, or fit cat/fly nets
• Fit a screen door to your back door so that you can keep the back door open but the cat in and flies out
• Build a catio extending over the back door and downstairs window/s, for example
• Build a free-standing catio in the garden, making sure there is some deep shade for the cat to be out in it including on hot, sunny days when you want your doors and windows open

From years of necessary experience, indoor cats are perfectly manageable from a human perspective and indoor cats can live very happy and fulfilled lives. All the family have to sing from the same hymn sheet though and get on board.

Does your DD shit all the windows,@ThatAbsoluteFkr ?

We have wooden shutters over our windows so they can be open but cats can't get out.

Also, protect-a-pet netting around the fencing to stop them getting out the garden has been a god send. Cost us £500 as we fit ourselves and our extremely agile (and determined) 1yo cat still hasn't managed to escape despite his daily attempts to do so!!

It means we can have our patio doors open and not worry at all.

In a word, Flatcats. These are mesh screens you can put over the windows that let in breezes but not insects, and of course keep cats in; I've had them for years, and thoroughly recommend them. They attach by velcro so can be taken off for washing etc then just stuck up again.

They do standard sizes, but can also tailor make them to fit any door or window.