Indoor only cats

D gn

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I’d like some other opinions of behaviors of “only indoor cats”. Our 2 kitties seem very normal and happy. One of them has never been outside. The 2nd kitty was found outside when he was 7 months old. So he’s had some outdoor life. But since they don’t ever go outdoors, I wonder, do they set and stare out the windows. ? What do they think?
they have a lot of climbing areas, lots of sleeping spots. And a screen porch. But just kind of wondering if the one cat remembers being outside?
 

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felinelover2

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Not sure of an answer but just wanted to say your kitties are gorgeous and look pretty happy with their lives!
 

CatladyJan

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I wonder, do they set and stare out the windows. ?
It's scenic, there are birds, animals, other interesting things. If window is open the fresh air.
What do they think?
I think only 'they' know that lol. ;) Cats are peculiar creatures.

I don't think they are feeling neglected or missing out. I have a female that I rescued at 11 months, she loves to go outside and we allow her with supervision. For some reason she likes to sneak out of the fence from time to time. When she gets too far she is waiting for mom and dad to go get her.

I've got 2 ferals that were born outside, the show no interest in going out.
 

susanm9006

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You cat may remember being outdoors but all cats, whether they have ever been outdoors or not, love to look outside. There are birds, insects and other critters to watch and think about catching. If you are able put up some bird or squirrel feeders and it will entertain them for hours. I always open my blinds at bedtime so that Willow can watch all of the nighttime creatures as well.
 

trishc59

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My cats have always been indoor only no matter if i adopted them from a shelter or when a mama cat gave birth in our back yard and we brought her and her two babies in once the door was closed they became indoor cats. My husband made window ledges for them to lay and sit on to see the outdoors, we have a back door with a full screen and window they love to sit by and look out and take their naps in the sunshine. As to what they might be thinking i have no clue but i know they are safe, well fed, and very much loved so i believe in my heart that out weighs being an outdoor cat, at least in my heart.
 
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D gn

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My cats have always been indoor only no matter if i adopted them from a shelter or when a mama cat gave birth in our back yard and we brought her and her two babies in once the door was closed they became indoor cats. My husband made window ledges for them to lay and sit on to see the outdoors, we have a back door with a full screen and window they love to sit by and look out and take their naps in the sunshine. As to what they might be thinking i have no clue but i know they are safe, well fed, and very much loved so i believe in my heart that out weighs being an outdoor cat, at least in my heart.
Thank you for your insight as a feline parent, you’re right, I’m sure that our kitties know they are loved and well cared for. We give them a comfy house and everything they need. And lots of windows to perch and gaze.
 
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D gn

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It's scenic, there are birds, animals, other interesting things. If window is open the fresh air.
I think only 'they' know that lol. ;) Cats are peculiar creatures.

I don't think they are feeling neglected or missing out. I have a female that I rescued at 11 months, she loves to go outside and we allow her with supervision. For some reason she likes to sneak out of the fence from time to time. When she gets too far she is waiting for mom and dad to go get her.

I've got 2 ferals that were born outside, the show no interest in going out.
Thank you for the response. I guess my question was funny to ask “what are they thinking?”
They show no interest in going outside, and having the screen porch gives them ample opportunities to watch the birds and squirrels. In fact, I think sometimes the squirrels come real close and watch the cats.
 

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rubysmama

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D gn D gn : I'd say "welcome to TCS" but it looks like you've been a member for a while, so I'll say "welcome to posting" at TCS. :wave2:

Your 2 orange tabbies are gorgeous, btw, and if you want to post more pics of them, you could start with the Post pics of calicos, tortieshells and orange cats here! thread. :lovecat2:

I wonder, do they set and stare out the windows. ?
Cuz windows are cat tv. :catman:

Seriously, they get to watch all sorts of stuff out the window, which is probably most times more interesting than what's going on inside the home.

What do they think?
Only they know for sure, but maybe things like "look at all the birds", "glad I'm inside here where it's warm", "oh, there's that tomcat again". Or maybe none of those thoughts. :lol:

I do know that Ruby knows the difference between cats and other animals, as she'll run from window to window watching a cat, but doesn't move a muscle when she sees a dog, or even birds.

But just kind of wondering if the one cat remembers being outside?
My Ruby girl was found outside before she was taken to the shelter, so I know she was outside for a bit. I can't say for sure what she remembers about that time, but she is totally content to be an inside only cat, so I suspect she knows about the dangers outside and doesn't want to ever have to deal with them again.
 

CatladyJan

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Thank you for the response. I guess my question was funny to ask “what are they thinking?”
They show no interest in going outside, and having the screen porch gives them ample opportunities to watch the birds and squirrels. In fact, I think sometimes the squirrels come real close and watch the cats.
My husband always says they are communicating with their planet LOL
 

vince

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Mine have always been indoor cats. They have ventured out on the porch a couple times, but come back in and don't seem interested in going any farther. They seem content just to look placidly out the windows or storm door at what's outside. They hardly ever chatter at squirrels or birds any more.

The only reaction I get from them at the door is when I'm outside. They stand there and cry for me to come back in.
 

DreamerRose

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Mingo was a stray who ended up in a shelter where I adopted him, so he's been outside. He's also a door-dasher and has gotten outside a number of times. The funny thing is that he is terrified of the outside world. He immediately drops to the ground, and when I pick him up, he fights tooth and nail. He calms down immediately when I bring him in the house. It must be that not having a roof over his head frightens him.

But both my cats love to look out windows and screen doors. Like it was said, it's kitty TV.
 
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D gn

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We leave our blinds open at night as well. Our cats love to look out the windows.
How nice to have so many replies. Our cats spend a lot of time at the windows. This time of year we can open the windows for fresh air. They lift their heads smelling the air. There’s one spot on our patio where some of the squirrels actually jump and go across the screens. This really excites the cats. A couple of pictures of our 2 orange cats we have a sunroom with a cat walk. It runs all around the room’s ceiling area.
 

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fionasmom

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Those are two gorgeous ginger babies! No one ever leaves my house once they enter, regardless of what their past was. We recently brought in two feral females who were born outside and took a while to socialize and both are fine. Given that all of my cats have been rescued, probably originally feral whether or not I was sure of it, the majority have reacted to the house as a haven from which they can view the outside but never have to look for food, run from a coyote, or find a safe place to sleep.
 

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I live in NYC and have been in the same building for 11+ years. There has been a colony of cats living down below my window the entire time. (My block has a row of restaurants and I assume the cats are "working," as they are all big and fat and sleek.) Every day around the same time they gather and have...discussions...or maybe arguments :) that can get quite loud and my cat runs to jump on the window sill each time to watch. I imagine she is like any of us humans who would run to our windows if someone was arguing on the street. I often wish she had thought bubbles so I could know her thoughts, but when she's mad at me, I'm kind of glad she doesn't. 😁
 

hurricanemix100

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When my indoor cat got outside I found her huddled in the corner of the apartment below mine's patio. She looked absolutely terrified. Wide eyed and formed to the corner. I knew then she realized she'd messed up and wanted to be back in her indoor domain. Since then I never thought she'd be happier outside.
 

lisalu

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I know this kind of an old thread but I found it when searching for thoughts about keeping cats indoors. I remember the first time I saw my kitty - she was prancing around my backyard, scrounging around the bird-feeder (maybe because she had seen squirrels there?) and running around to her heart's content. Now, granted, she was very thin and hungry, she ravenously ate all the food I put out for her, but otherwise she seemed to be happy enough. But because we live on a busy road, and have packs of coyotes in the neighborhood, I felt compelled to trap her and make her an indoor pet.

She seems happy inside, but like most cats she likes to run, jump, and pounce. I sometimes I wonder why she couldn't go out and run around the backyard now and then just to chase the bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels and birds. When we used to have terriers, they'd have the run of our fenced in yard where they could dig holes and chase little animals all day and then come in at night after a day of fun outdoors.

Do "indoor/outdoor" cats tend to stay close to home when they're outside? I'd like to be able to sit on the deck in the afternoons and let Kitty run around the yard if I thought she'd come right back inside when I called her. Is that a thing?
 

fionasmom

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There is absolutely no guarantee what they will do. Possibly you could leash train her to go out with you; that is an entire other subject. My experience with allowing cat outside ranges from the one who would run right to the wall and jump over, off to who knew where for the rest of the day to the one (Fiona herself) who never made one move to try to leave the back yard. My own cat are indoor only, no one even leash trained now. Coyotes are very common here....three were running down my street this morning....and finding parts of cats is not uncommon. My ferals who are TNRed and have no hope of becoming domesticated are outside with shelter and protection if they choose to use it, but still it is a roll of the dice each morning if they return or not.

The cat who jumped the wall, who eventually became indoors only, used to range for at least 6 blocks according to neighbors and would go into people's houses where they would find him on their sofa or eating their cat's food. He was probably lucky to have made it to indoor status.
 
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