Indoor cat to an outdoor cat

[ragdollout]

Hi all. We’ve been looking after a close relative’s cat for about 1 year now. She is a ragdoll, 5 years old and adorable. Sadly the relative won’t be able to take her back for various reasons. We’re happy to have her permanently and she seems settled with us. She’s been an indoor cat since she was kitten but harness trained and goes into the garden.

my question is she loves being outside, couple of times I left the door open, she wondered outside. If I leave a window open she’ll go outside. Can I make her an outdoor cat? My relative says she won’t/her breed won’t survive being outdoors. And I will feel awful if something happens to her. But at the same time it feels cruel to trap her inside. She has a big space indoors, cat trees and my daughter taker her outside in a harness every day.

had anyone let their indoor cats outside? Is there a way I can train her? I don’t know I just want her to be a cat

Well I would be guided by the cat. It’s their nature to want to be outdoors.
cannot get my head around the concept of an indoor cat.

No. Unless you have a cat proofed garden you shouldn't let a Ragdoll outside. Any reputable Ragdoll breeder will tell you this. Ragdolls are not 'just a cat', they are naive, gentle and trusting, they will go up to dogs and unkind humans without fear. If you think she needs to go outside, pay to cat proof your garden otherwise keep her as she is. I have three Ragdolls and a cat secured garden. My Ragdolls rarely go in it, they seem genuinely happy being indoor cats. Everyone I know who's let their Ragdoll roam has eventually ended up with a dead Ragdoll because of it, sadly.

When my brother bought our 80 year old mother a kitten, she was terrified about what would happen to him when she died. I told her to enjoy him and I would have him when the time came. 5 years later my mum had to move into a home and her cat came to live with us on Sweden.

He took to the cat flap immediately and went out. My big fear was that he would not realise he was in Sweden and he would try to make his way back to West Sussex but he hasn't. We are lucky he hasn't strayed apart from a 2 day mishap when he was stuck in a neighbours barn. He loves going in and out

I think the post about the gentle naive nature of Ragdolls is a good one, are there lots of other cars in the neighbourhood that use your garden? This can cause a lot of stress to cats and result in fights. Are you near a busy road? There are some great companies out there time sure like protectapet that will cat safe your garden.

Depends on the Randall I see plenty who are indoor cats, but I also see plenty who go outside and are off murdering things.

Ragdolls have been bred specifically to be the way they are, and in general aren't really suited to roam. As a pp suggests, a cat proofed garden or a decent sized catio would be the best of both worlds - outdoor time for the cat, but safety from dangers. Remember it isn't just other animals who are a threat to cats - they can get run over, poisoned by things like anti freeze, teased or worse by kids/teens, and Ragdolls are often stolen as pets as they are so pretty.

No, not a rag doll, as PP have said, they’re bred as indoor cats, too trusting, not ‘cat smart’ at all

Easiest solution, cat proof your garden. Best of both worlds.