Cruel?

Catsanddogs1238

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Hello,

My two year old male cat is terrified of unfamiliar people, even changes like new furniture in the house and any changes in his routine will cause him stress and to stop eating. He loves looking outside into our gated backyard/garden. I have tried bringing him out on my lap and a cat leash but he goes crazy and wants to go back inside. I dont want him to go out alone but do want him to enjoy some fresh air with me outside. My question is: Is it not cruel to keep a cat indoors without every going outside? It seems so sad! Thoughts?
 

daftcat75

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If the cat has never known the outdoor life, he doesn’t know what he is missing. And some cats, like your own, clearly prefer the comforts of indoors. Every cat is their own individual. Some people don’t care for the “great outdoors” either. I would think it cruel to force the outdoors on an individual that doesn’t care for them. Consider yourself lucky. Some cats can’t get enough of the outdoors and will whine and beg at the doors to be let out at any hour.
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi. Which is more cruel - forcing a cat to go outside when they don't want to, or just letting them look outside if that makes them more comfortable? Do you have screens in any windows where he could get fresh air that way?

Have you have this cat for his entire life or has he been recently adopted by you? It could be that in time his fear of certain things will subside. Until then, let him feel comfortable in the confines of his own home.
 

daftcat75

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My first cat Cabernet grew up with the back door open. She could come and go as she pleased. But she rarely ventured further than the porch. Perhaps she understood her brother was run over by a car. Or perhaps she just wasn’t the outdoors type. We later moved to a second floor apartment. Because of her outdoor style (which was to avoid it), I was often able to leave the front door open while I unloaded groceries. Or I would have to beg and entice her with treats to join me on the balcony.

Some cats just don’t like the outdoors.
 
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Catsanddogs1238

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If the cat has never known the outdoor life, he doesn’t know what he is missing. And some cats, like your own, clearly prefer the comforts of indoors. Every cat is their own individual. Some people don’t care for the “great outdoors” either. I would think it cruel to force the outdoors on an individual that doesn’t care for them. Consider yourself lucky. Some cats can’t get enough of the outdoors and will whine and beg at the doors to be let out at any hour.
Oh wow I did not think about it that way. This makes me look at it differently now. It makes sense. I guess maybe hes just happier inside. As long as hes happy- im happy lol. Thanks.
 
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Catsanddogs1238

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Hi. Which is more cruel - forcing a cat to go outside when they don't want to, or just letting them look outside if that makes them more comfortable? Do you have screens in any windows where he could get fresh air that way?

Have you have this cat for his entire life or has he been recently adopted by you? It could be that in time his fear of certain things will subside. Until then, let him feel comfortable in the confines of his own home.
Wow that is very true never thought of it that way. I had a dog for 8 years until he passed and maybe im still thinking in that way where dogs love to be outside. Oh yes thats what we do - i open the sliding door so the mesh part lets air come out. Ive had him since he was a kitten.
 

daftcat75

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This is where he like to sit on top looking outside. Im feeling much better now reading your comments. I felt i was being cruel but forcing him outside is even worst. Thank you all!
Cats love the game “the floor is hot lava.” The ground can be a vulnerable place for a prey animal. I see a wonderful opportunity to enrich his environment by providing some path between the tree and the perch that doesn’t touch the floor. A couch, cube storage unit, shelving (search Google or Chewy for cat shelves), or other piece of furniture could run the length of the wall with a box, table, stand or even a cat shelf to help him turn the corner to the perch. Giving him paths to traverse his indoor spaces from up off the ground will give him more confidence than taking him outside.
 

fionasmom

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Consider me cruel. The door shuts forever once a cat comes into the house. Given that every cat I have ever owned was a rescue, I would have to say that about 10% of them ever wanted back outside...and were politely refused. My current two new girls who were born as ferals but became highly domesticated and now live inside are completely relieved, one noticeably so, to be able to sit and look out a window in safety. Both parents and a sister were killed by coyotes and I know for a fact that they witnessed at least 2 of those events when they were still outside. Like you, my house is highly stimulating for cats and of the current lot here, no one even approaches a door.
 

vince

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I keep mine indoors too, and they seem to like it that way. They have been inside so long they panic if they venture out and the door closes behind them. Having had a number of cats run over when I was younger, I think keeping them inside is a lot less cruel than having them flattened.
 

IndyJones

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Consider me cruel. The door shuts forever once a cat comes into the house. Given that every cat I have ever owned was a rescue, I would have to say that about 10% of them ever wanted back outside...and were politely refused. My current two new girls who were born as ferals but became highly domesticated and now live inside are completely relieved, one noticeably so, to be able to sit and look out a window in safety. Both parents and a sister were killed by coyotes and I know for a fact that they witnessed at least 2 of those events when they were still outside. Like you, my house is highly stimulating for cats and of the current lot here, no one even approaches a door.
Indy's siblings where killed by coyotes as well. Just her and her brother survived. That's what the rescue told me anyways. She was born feral but taken in by the rescue with her brother (who was adopted separately).

I don't let my cats outside unsupervised ever. Between cars, wildlife, and an "interesting" neighbor I just don't think it's wise.

I also don't want them harassing the birds which are nesting and feeding in the area.
 

vince

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Perhaps it sounds funny, but your cat might like a cat stroller. Vids on YouTube show cats apparently enjoying a ride in one. It's worth a try if your cats just have to get outside with you.
 

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Hello,

My two year old male cat is terrified of unfamiliar people, even changes like new furniture in the house and any changes in his routine will cause him stress and to stop eating. He loves looking outside into our gated backyard/garden. I have tried bringing him out on my lap and a cat leash but he goes crazy and wants to go back inside. I dont want him to go out alone but do want him to enjoy some fresh air with me outside. My question is: Is it not cruel to keep a cat indoors without every going outside? It seems so sad! Thoughts?

Do you own the home? If you do, you may want to consider a catio for the cat to be outside but kept safe from wildlife. There are some TCS members' catio pictures here: Show Us Your Catios. Many are DIY or semi-DIY. You can even buy pre-made catios to put together yourself.

But some cats just prefer to be indoors only and that's perfectly fine :agree: My rescue cat was given up to the shelter because she refused to be an outdoor cat. The family didn't want to deal with a litter box but also didn't want to deal with cleaning up pee and poop all over the home :rolleyes3: So cat wound up at the shelter. I adopted the cat and she uses the litter box just fine and is content with watching whatever is going on outside the windows.
 
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Catsanddogs1238

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Thanks for the idea! Ive just accepted hes happy looking out the window for now lol maybe in the future.



Perhaps it sounds funny, but your cat might like a cat stroller. Vids on YouTube show cats apparently enjoying a ride in one. It's worth a try if your cats just have to get outside with you.
 
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Catsanddogs1238

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Wow cats really are so different from dogs. My dog loved walks lol.



For my cat Delilah, "outside" is a 4 letter word. I tried taking her out on a harness a couple of times and she actually walked right back to the door and tried to turn the knob herself to get back in.
 
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