We've actually adopted a feral and a stray. Pumpkin, the pregnant feral, has her own thread, but this one is about Midnight. He's the father of her kittens. He is super smart and we were told be a neighbor family that he was their cat despite him spending 75% of his day at our house - and IN our house. They said "he's a roamer." He's also not neutered (obviously). We don't know how old he is but probably at least five. Anyway, he has gotten hurt several times outside. Yesterday he showed up with a sore paw - he wasn't using it at all, so we texted his folks to come get him, because he shouldn't be walking. Facing another vet bill, they said that they only called him their cat because he hung around their house for the past year and if we want him we can have him.
So, vet visit scheduled. But the thing is - he naturally wants to go outside. He hasn't ever used a litter box as far as I know, but I got one for him and placed it next to Pumpkin's. She is a pro at litter boxing despite being a feral. I placed him in the litter box and dug around to show him, but he jumped right out.
Question: Is it cruel to not let Midnight outside? I am not going to deny them outdoor time that's supervised, but we certainly don't want him roaming and getting in fights and potentially hit by a car.
This is the first time I've denied him exit, and he isn't happy with me. But if he is our responsibility now, I want to protect him. We also don't want him eliminating on furniture or carpet or anything, really. But I feel that he's smart enough to figure out what the litter box is for, especially if he knows that Pumpkin is using the adjacent one.
Looking forward to your wisdom and guidance.
So, vet visit scheduled. But the thing is - he naturally wants to go outside. He hasn't ever used a litter box as far as I know, but I got one for him and placed it next to Pumpkin's. She is a pro at litter boxing despite being a feral. I placed him in the litter box and dug around to show him, but he jumped right out.
Question: Is it cruel to not let Midnight outside? I am not going to deny them outdoor time that's supervised, but we certainly don't want him roaming and getting in fights and potentially hit by a car.
This is the first time I've denied him exit, and he isn't happy with me. But if he is our responsibility now, I want to protect him. We also don't want him eliminating on furniture or carpet or anything, really. But I feel that he's smart enough to figure out what the litter box is for, especially if he knows that Pumpkin is using the adjacent one.
Looking forward to your wisdom and guidance.