My previous cat was 100% indoor. Mainly because when i first got her I lived in an appt, then I moved to a small house with a tiny yard, then finally to a big house with a big yard...but by that time she was so used to being indoors that she was only interested in going into the yard if we were there, then would come inside when we did (she NEVER wandered). We always knew where she was and everyone was happy. My feeling at that time was that cats should stay indoors where it is safe. Btw she lived to be 17.
Now I have taken in a pregnant stray (due in about 1-2 weeks). The dilemna my husband and I are discussing is whether to let her outside after she has the kittens (she won't be spayed until 12 wks post birth). My husband thinks it is cruel to keep her inside since she loves the outdoors and we live in southern California where the weather is beautiful and sunny most of the time. Right now we are keeping her inside all the time because we don't want her to have her kittens outside. I let her into the yard daily to enjoy the sun with total supervision, but I make her come inside when I do because she tends to roam.
Philosophical Question, which scenario is better:
1. Force her to stay inside for at least 3 months after the kittens are born when she will be spayed and possibly permanently (she wants to go outside)
OR
2. Allow her to go outside with all its risks, and have her spayed at 12 weeks regardless of whether she is pregnant or not (we do NOT want more kittens).
I want her to be safe, but she does not like being cooped up inside the house (and we have a big house)...but she wants to enjoy the great outdoors and mingle with her cat friends. The risk in letting her out is that she is a roamer and I'm worried she'll wander away and get hurt, lost, etc. but I do want her to be happy. What do you guys think?
Now I have taken in a pregnant stray (due in about 1-2 weeks). The dilemna my husband and I are discussing is whether to let her outside after she has the kittens (she won't be spayed until 12 wks post birth). My husband thinks it is cruel to keep her inside since she loves the outdoors and we live in southern California where the weather is beautiful and sunny most of the time. Right now we are keeping her inside all the time because we don't want her to have her kittens outside. I let her into the yard daily to enjoy the sun with total supervision, but I make her come inside when I do because she tends to roam.
Philosophical Question, which scenario is better:
1. Force her to stay inside for at least 3 months after the kittens are born when she will be spayed and possibly permanently (she wants to go outside)
OR
2. Allow her to go outside with all its risks, and have her spayed at 12 weeks regardless of whether she is pregnant or not (we do NOT want more kittens).
I want her to be safe, but she does not like being cooped up inside the house (and we have a big house)...but she wants to enjoy the great outdoors and mingle with her cat friends. The risk in letting her out is that she is a roamer and I'm worried she'll wander away and get hurt, lost, etc. but I do want her to be happy. What do you guys think?