Is It Ok Let My Cat Get Used To Getting Out?

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

As you know cats love exploring, I want to keep my cat entertained, but he doesn't enjoy toys.

My role as owner is just to give them home and healthy food. It's his choice to decide what to do with his life, death is inevitable, it's better die happy. They also can serve the purpose of their existence outside the house.

That's what I think, tell me what is the right thing to do and why. TY

EDIT: He doesn't trust humans, but I think if he got in trouble, a human will take him and call me, my cat wears a collar with my phone number.

ArtNJ · Nov 17, 2018

Yours is not a popular view here. Too many have had cats disappear, get run over, attacked by predators or other cats, etc. So some here believe no cats should be indoor/outdoor. Others, like myself, believe that if you have a safer than average situation, and a specific reason, then it might be reasonable.

I have two indoor/outdoor cats, but I live on a cul-de-sac and have a bit of public land behind me. Also, there are very few predators here. There are a few roaming cats, but they are currently all indoor/outdoor cats I believe, and none are especially violent. It also helps that mine are cowards, will retreat to the house and yowl rather than fight. I also have several specific reasons for doing this including: (1) former stray that hates to use indoor litter box; and (2) the former stray is super stressed by the younger cat unless the younger cat gets his energy out by going outside. While mine don't fight each other, when the weather is bad and neither goes out, the younger will try and play with the older, and the hissing, growling and yowling is frequent.

Anyway, not trying to preach, I just think that "bored cat" is not a sufficient reason by itself given the unavoidable dangers. Folks here can make other recommendations to help with cat boredom if you like.

boney girl dad · Nov 17, 2018

I agree that indoor stimulation comes nowhere close to the quality of outdoor stimulation. I also agree that life in general is a risk.
One's environment will vary the answers to what is correct.
I live in a rural wooded and agricultural area these past 20 years.
When we first moved out here, we allowed our cat to go outside unattended and she disappeared.
Our next cat was wild when she chose us and we allowed her to come and go as she pleased. She had great outdoor skills. As she aged, she became an indoor cat.
Cat #3 found us after being abandoned. She would only go just far enough from the front door to capture the sunshine. She would walk with me like a dog to explore the rest of our property.
We got our current cat from a shelter last year. Even though she was 3 years old, I managed to harness train her. She was an indoor city cat and had no outdoor country skills. After a year on the harness with great progress, I began allowing her out without it. She leads and I'm always within 10 feet. Definitely some risk here, but it is so obvious how much happier she is.
Early on we went back to the harness to correct any unwanted behavior and then back off as a reward as we developed our understanding. This seems to be right for our situation.
Anyway my recommendation is to harness train. Catios are a great option in some other situations. I agree with most who believe that free range is not the best idea and can lead to great expense and/or heartbreak.

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

ArtNJ said:
Yours is not a popular view here. Too many have had cats disappear, get run over, attacked by predators or other cats, etc. So some here believe no cats should be indoor/outdoor. Others, like myself, believe that if you have a safer than average situation, and a specific reason, then it might be reasonable.

I have two indoor/outdoor cats, but I live on a cul-de-sac and have a bit of public land behind me. Also, there are very few predators here. There are a few roaming cats, but they are currently all indoor/outdoor cats I believe, and none are especially violent. It also helps that mine are cowards, will retreat to the house and yowl rather than fight. I also have several specific reasons for doing this including: (1) former stray that hates to use indoor litter box; and (2) the former stray is super stressed by the younger cat unless the younger cat gets his energy out by going outside. While mine don't fight each other, when the weather is bad and neither goes out, the younger will try and play with the older, and the hissing, growling and yowling is frequent.

Anyway, not trying to preach, I just think that "bored cat" is not a sufficient reason by itself given the unavoidable dangers. Folks here can make other recommendations to help with cat boredom if you like.

It's not just about boredom, he WANTS to go out.
I believe I shouldn't force him to stay inside because it's his life, else he might hate home and never come back.
Also it's healthier if he walk more and explore, he's a bit overweight.

No predators in my area, just small cats, no reason for my cat to start a fight.

IDK what to do, maybe I should get him a GPS collar. Thanks for help.

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

boney girl dad said:
I agree that indoor stimulation comes nowhere close to the quality of outdoor stimulation. I also agree that life in general is a risk.
One's environment will vary the answers to what is correct.
I live in a rural wooded and agricultural area these past 20 years.
When we first moved out here, we allowed our cat to go outside unattended and she disappeared.
Our next cat was wild when she chose us and we allowed her to come and go as she pleased. She had great outdoor skills. As she aged, she became an indoor cat.
Cat #3 found us after being abandoned. She would only go just far enough from the front door to capture the sunshine. She would walk with me like a dog to explore the rest of our property.
We got our current cat from a shelter last year. Even though she was 3 years old, I managed to harness train her. She was an indoor city cat and had no outdoor country skills. After a year on the harness with great progress, I began allowing her out without it. She leads and I'm always within 10 feet. Definitely some risk here, but it is so obvious how much happier she is.
Early on we went back to the harness to correct any unwanted behavior and then back off as a reward as we developed our understanding. This seems to be right for our situation.
Anyway my recommendation is to harness train. Catios are a great option in some other situations. I agree with most who believe that free range is not the best idea and can lead to great expense and/or heartbreak.

How about free range with GPS collar?
My cat spend hours outside, I don't have the patience to be standing up this long doing nothing, got to be productive with my time.

Kflowers · Nov 17, 2018

I love dogs, got it? Dogs do what dogs are going to do, just like cats. If cats run free so should dogs.

I lost two cats to dogs who formed little packs. Those two died in fear. Friends lost cats to cars on a regular basis, two were run over by police cars, they didn't stop either, the cats died alone in the gutter. Others have died from drinking anti-freeze that leaked from cars.

People are as much a danger as dogs and cars. I've seen several posts from seemingly nice people that since cats kill song birds they'd shoot them if they could. One said she actively trapped them, because outside cats had to be feral, not pets, and sent them to animal control to take care of. You know the name of that song. Bird people put out bird seed which attacks birds and mice, which attract cats.

My parent rescued a cat who just had to go out. They gave him to my grandparents who kept him as an outside cat. He beat the hell out of all the rest of the neighborhood cats, actually running them out of the neighborhood. They never came back.

It's a tough world out there, not a happy one. But it's your game to play.

Kflowers · Nov 17, 2018

Oh, and a question, if your cat doesn't trust people why do you think he'd go to a person if he was hurt? When you're vulnerable you stay away from those you don't trust.

Of course if he doesn't trust people it will keep him safe from the kids who like to catch and torture animals. If they catch him, you won't be there to protect him. Vets can't fix everything.

FeebysOwner · Nov 17, 2018

Practically every week there is a new stray, abandoned, runaway, or 'outdoor' cat in my neighborhood. I only know of a couple that managed to stay alive longer a few months. I have also driven by dozens of dead cats on the side (or middle)of the road, many of which I had seen roaming among the nearby neighborhoods just weeks before.

There are also numerous neighbors who allowed their cats to come and go as they pleased, most of them no longer have those cats, as over time they 'disappeared'. Cats are pets, just like dogs. People who don't really want the responsibility of taking care of a pet, and all that entails, probably should just forgo having one.

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

Kflowers said:
I love dogs, got it? Dogs do what dogs are going to do, just like cats. If cats run free so should dogs.

I lost two cats to dogs who formed little packs. Those two died in fear. Friends lost cats to cars on a regular basis, two were run over by police cars, they didn't stop either, the cats died alone in the gutter. Others have died from drinking anti-freeze that leaked from cars.

People are as much a danger as dogs and cars. I've seen several posts from seemingly nice people that since cats kill song birds they'd shoot them if they could. One said she actively trapped them, because outside cats had to be feral, not pets, and sent them to animal control to take care of. You know the name of that song. Bird people put out bird seed which attacks birds and mice, which attract cats.

My parent rescued a cat who just had to go out. They gave him to my grandparents who kept him as an outside cat. He beat the hell out of all the rest of the neighborhood cats, actually running them out of the neighborhood. They never came back.

It's a tough world out there, not a happy one. But it's your game to play.

Ok! This could actually happen to my cat too, drinking toxic liquids, or get run over while sitting under cars.

Thanks, I will lock my cat inside forever.

Kflowers · Nov 17, 2018

I still want to know why you think your cat who doesn't trust people would go to a person for help.

KarenKat · Nov 17, 2018

I understand the dilemma too. We live in a super cat friendly neighborhood, but also with many busy roads. Our neighbor down the block has three cats that are indoor/outdoor and they do seem happy. But we spoke with them and they talk about the other cats they had that have been killed by cars. Another guy feeds some strays and annoyed people living nearby started poisoning them. Our kitty Olive used to be outdoors, and had been shot in the head by a BB gun before we adopted her.

There are many dangers, and many joys. I personally look at them like a child that can’t make proper decisions. I choose to keep them indoors for that reason.

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

FeebysOwner said:
Cats are pets, just like dogs.

Not really, just because they die young doesn't mean it's not the right environment for them, there's a reason to why a mother cat bring birth to 1~5 kittens and actually overpopulated.
They help keeping insects and rats away, but most of us doesn't have these issues anyway.

Dogs yes, they're tools for humans to use, guarding, tracing, easily trained, etc...Shouldn't be kept inside, they are so dirty especially their saliva. Dogs are easy-going, always happy and loyal to humans, I don't know why but that makes them real "pets".

No point in this conversation so let's just stop here, thanks for helping.

molly92 · Nov 17, 2018

Our roles as pet owners is more than food givers. It is the equivalent of parents and children. Kids also want to do lots of things we don't let them do for their own safety and no one thinks that is cruel. It's the same with pets.

Cats are not natural-they are domesticated. Human intervention created them, so letting them roam outside is tampering with the natural way of things. Outdoor pet cats have a huge environmental impact worldwide-birds and lizards species are dying out because of them.

As was mentioned, when cats are sick or hurt they hide instinctively. So being mauled or injured and crawling away to hide until they die is not "dying happy." FeLV does not cause a happy death. FIV does not cause a happy death. Cats are very dangerous to each other. Also, if your cat is roaming outside, they are hunting and eating mice, lizards, and birds that are full of parasites. Usually worms aren't life-threatening (although they can be!) but they do make your cat feel worse, detract from their general health, and are working against the things you do to keep your cat healthy (healthy food, vet visits, etc).

And-you are spending less time with your cat if they go outside alone, and you miss things. I had a woman come donate her cat food because her cat had just passed away. He died because he had started to lose his hearing, but they didn't notice because he spent so much time outside. And he didn't hear the car start, and she backed over him while he was sleeping in her driveway. It was horrific for her.

Leash walking is great! All of the benefits of outdoor enrichment with almost none of the dangers! It takes time on your part, but not having enough time to take care of your cat is not an excuse for negligence, and exposing your cat to very real and avoidable risks is indeed negligence.

Excuse me for not mincing words, but I take this topic very seriously. I have heard too many horror stories from well meaning owners that could have been easily prevented. Everyone who lets their cats roam free also believes their area is different and safer, but that is just not the case. The dangers are inherent to the unpredictability of the outdoors.

ArtNJ · Nov 17, 2018

molly92 said:
Excuse me for not mincing words, but I take this topic very seriously. I have heard too many horror stories from well meaning owners that could have been easily prevented. Everyone who lets their cats roam free also believes their area is different and safer, but that is just not the case. The dangers are inherent to the unpredictability of the outdoors.

I object to this. People who believe that their situation is safer do not necessarily believe it is perfectly safe. They make a judgment call. You can disagree with the judgment call, but you seem to be claiming that they can't accurately evaluate if their situation is safer than average. For example, only one of my cats is ever anywhere near the cul-de-sac street we live on, and he immediately scoots if a car approaches (usually into the top area of the storm drain). By contrast, yesterday I was driving on a busier street, and some cat appeared to recklessly time a busy street to cross it. Yes, my cat is safer than that cat. Not perfectly safe, but safer.

talkingpeanut · Nov 17, 2018

Is your cat neutered? Do you still have your other cats? Does he have playmates?

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

molly92 said:
Our roles as pet owners is more than food givers. It is the equivalent of parents and children. Kids also want to do lots of things we don't let them do for their own safety and no one thinks that is cruel. It's the same with pets.

Cats are not natural-they are domesticated. Human intervention created them, so letting them roam outside is tampering with the natural way of things. Outdoor pet cats have a huge environmental impact worldwide-birds and lizards species are dying out because of them.

As was mentioned, when cats are sick or hurt they hide instinctively. So being mauled or injured and crawling away to hide until they die is not "dying happy." FeLV does not cause a happy death. FIV does not cause a happy death. Cats are very dangerous to each other. Also, if your cat is roaming outside, they are hunting and eating mice, lizards, and birds that are full of parasites. Usually worms aren't life-threatening (although they can be!) but they do make your cat feel worse, detract from their general health, and are working against the things you do to keep your cat healthy (healthy food, vet visits, etc).

And-you are spending less time with your cat if they go outside alone, and you miss things. I had a woman come donate her cat food because her cat had just passed away. He died because he had started to lose his hearing, but they didn't notice because he spent so much time outside. And he didn't hear the car start, and she backed over him while he was sleeping in her driveway. It was horrific for her.

Leash walking is great! All of the benefits of outdoor enrichment with almost none of the dangers! It takes time on your part, but not having enough time to take care of your cat is not an excuse for negligence, and exposing your cat to very real and avoidable risks is indeed negligence.

Excuse me for not mincing words, but I take this topic very seriously. I have heard too many horror stories from well meaning owners that could have been easily prevented. Everyone who lets their cats roam free also believes their area is different and safer, but that is just not the case. The dangers are inherent to the unpredictability of the outdoors.

Dying by pain is not really different than dying from old age, they become much more vulnerable to cancer and kidney failure, and other deadly diseases. It's even a longer suffering than bleeding/poisoned to death. -- I don't want to make a vet end my cat's life with an instant-kill injection, who am I to decide that, God?

Anyway! I'll lock my cat inside, thank you for saving a life! Although I still have no idea how to entertain my cat, I want him to move/play and be happy. Other than using a harness.

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

talkingpeanut said:
Is your cat neutered? Do you still have your other cats? Does he have playmates?

Yes and Yes

Green_Tea58 · Nov 17, 2018

AIice said:
Dogs yes, they're tools for humans to use, guarding, tracing, easily trained, etc...Shouldn't be kept inside, they are so dirty especially their saliva. Dogs are easy-going, always happy and loyal to humans, I don't know why but that makes them real "pets".

I agree that dogs shouldn't be kept inside and they're still useful for many outdoor things (unlike cats which are reducing bird populations instead of just keeping them in check), but cats not being real pets because they're not as emotive/useful as dogs...? Cats are definitely happy towards humans like dogs are, they're just a little more subtle about it (they'll sit on your lap and purr out of happiness instead of barking and jumping up and down out of happiness like a dog might). And some cats are very vocal about it too and will meow at you a lot when you get home/when they are bored and want attention. While they aren't loyal and willing to save your life like a dog, they still trust and love you. So I don't get the logic there, but I absolutely agree that cats should be kept inside (unless you've leash-trained them). My cousin has a whole colony of cats outside near their house, and while them being run over isn't as common as some other areas, they usually die from disease and/or medical problems in general like birth defects (which can happen from inbreeding between all these outside cats).

AIice · Nov 17, 2018

ArtNJ said:
I object to this. People who believe that their situation is safer do not necessarily believe it is perfectly safe. They make a judgment call. You can disagree with the judgment call, but you seem to be claiming that they can't accurately evaluate if their situation is safer than average. For example, only one of my cats is ever anywhere near the cul-de-sac street we live on, and he immediately scoots if a car approaches (usually into the top area of the storm drain). By contrast, yesterday I was driving on a busier street, and some cat appeared to recklessly time a busy street to cross it. Yes, my cat is safer than that cat. Not perfectly safe, but safer.

Same, mine too immediately run away once a car approaches, but if the cat is sitting under a car, they might get run over.

molly92 · Nov 17, 2018

AIice said:
Dying by pain is not really different than dying from old age, they become much more vulnerable to cancer and kidney failure, and other deadly diseases. It's even a longer suffering than bleeding/poisoned to death. -- I don't want to make a vet end my cat's life with an instant-kill injection, who am I to decide that, God?

Anyway! I'll lock my cat inside, thank you for saving a life! Although I still have no idea how to entertain my cat, I want him to move/play and be happy. Other than using a harness.

I think a harness is a great alternative.

I know I'm not likely to change anyone's mind who comes to the discussion with their mind already made up, but I do run into people who wish they had understood the risks better and regret that they didn't when they lose their cat, so I put the information out their when I can.

Personally I'm very pro-euthanasia, for animals and people. True pain is horrible and I hate that anyone has to endure it. But that is another topic.

You make decisions for your cat constantly, and those decisions often affect their life, (for example indoor vs outdoor), so I don't see why euthanasia is playing God more than anything else.

Is It Ok Let My Cat Get Used To Getting Out?

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Kitty on the half shell, tortie power!

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