moving to outside time for cats

[Anonymous]

We live in the city but not downtown. Busy street, quiet alley, space between duplexes, kind of area.

Our cats are 1 years old and increasingly want to go out. We didn't help matters by bringing them out for brushing this spring.

I've read and read and read and see all vets say inside is safest and your cats will be happiest and safest if you create outside inside. But, how do I create outside inside in a small row house? And, is that even really possible? And, if these cats would really be most happy with outdoor time, is a little danger worth a happier life? We are leaning towards letting them out during the day when we are home. They are currently spending about 30min outside when we grill and are doing yard work. This would be just some additional freedom.

Given this, what additional steps should we take to keep them safe? I called the vet and set up an appointment for some additional tic and worm preventative meds. Anything else? (They are chipped already and wear breakaway collars.)

[Anonymous]

I think you need to worry about feline leukemia and feline AIDS (or whatever it's called now). There are a lot more diseases and illnesses you have to cover when cats are outdoors.

As a bird lover, please don't let your cats outside. It's not cute nor is it okay to let them kill birds because it's their instinct.

[Anonymous]

Cats should not roam free outside. It's dangerous to them and to wildlife. Read about the number of birds domestic cats kill every year.

There are lots of options including outdoor enclosures and window box enclosures. My neighbor takes his two cats out on the deck every afternoon on leashes. And many many cats are perfectly happy indoors.

[Anonymous]

Please don’t let them out OP. They will get hit by a car, it’s only a matter of time. Try teaching them how to go on a leash. It sounds crazy but has become more common. Short walks outdoors on a leash is a happy, safe compromise. If there is a little grassy area by your townhome just sit in the grass with them on the leash. They don’t need a big grand walk. The general rule is to play with your cat 2x/day for 15 minutes each and they’re happy. Take them outdoors 1x a day for 15 minutes and the other 15 minutes play with them indoors maybe before bed.

[Anonymous]

You can walk them on a leash or build an outdoor enclosure to spend time in, but you really should not just put them outdoors and turn them loose. Traffic is a concern, but there are others (poisoning, parasites, predators, etc.). Also, your neighbors will probably not want your pets damaging their property and urine marking in their yard, on their cars, on their porch. Also, free roaming outdoor cats cause a great deal of stress when indoor cats see them through the windows which your fellow cat owners will not appreciate.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of ideas on how to do this safely, here.

https://catioworld.com/outdoor-cat-tunnel/

[Anonymous]

I live in a neighborhood with a lot of outdoor cats and I really f$&ing hate them. It’s outrageous that people can just let their pets use my yard as a litter box. They’re loud. People feed them (to say nothing of the feral cats which ought to be exterminated).

If you want to let your pet outside it should be leashed or securely fenced on your property.

[Anonymous]

Please dont let them outside. They will kill the birds and bring home more illness than they need.

[Anonymous]

Look at the stats, the average life expectancy of a cat allowed outdoors is 2 to 5 years. An indoor cat is 10 to 15. We had an outdoor cat back when I was a kid and one day when he was maybe 3 he was just gone and I never found out what happened to him. My sister's current cat was a former outdoor cat who lost her ear and eye, probably to a dog only another animal. Since she moved inside full time, she's been healthy. We don't know exactly but the vet says she's pushing 20.

Keeping cats inside, better for the environment, better for your cat, better for your family. I can't tell you how much it sucks as a kid to have your cat just disappear and never know what happened.

[Anonymous]

Ahhhh cats are so much happier outside...our cat was an outside cat until she turned 12--now we're stuck with her sh*t inside she won't even use her $500 litter robot.

[Anonymous]

My family had outdoor cats when I was a kid. They lived long lives and they knew that when they had to poop or pee, to go to the back door to be let out, so we never had that "aroma" of a litter box in the house.

I guess it depends on where you live as to whether letting cats outdoors is a good idea. Cats being locked up for their entire lives in a house is why I will never one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family had outdoor cats when I was a kid. They lived long lives and they knew that when they had to poop or pee, to go to the back door to be let out, so we never had that "aroma" of a litter box in the house.

I guess it depends on where you live as to whether letting cats outdoors is a good idea. Cats being locked up for their entire lives in a house is why I will never one.

^have^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in a neighborhood with a lot of outdoor cats and I really f$&ing hate them. It’s outrageous that people can just let their pets use my yard as a litter box. They’re loud. People feed them (to say nothing of the feral cats which ought to be exterminated).

If you want to let your pet outside it should be leashed or securely fenced on your property.

Why should feral cats be exterminated? They help keep mice and rats down.

[Anonymous]

Leash , cat fence, or catio only.

[Anonymous]

Your cat will be content with this. They just need a place to watch the wildlife from inside.