[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2330.0. "I Don't Want To Go Out" by CIMNET::ARMSTRONG () Mon Mar 27 1989 18:22

    I am new to this conference and I have a question regarding
    cats going outside.  My cat (KITTY) will be 2 years old in
    May.  He has always been an indoor cat and I have tried to
    bring him outdoors, recently.  He is very frightened when
    outdoors and wants to go back inside, immediately!!  I have
    decided to keep him indoors, as I do not want to torture
    him.  I feel as though if he wanted to go out he would
    do this on his own.  The problem being, I have continuously
    been told my a close friend that I should make him go outside
    whether he likes it or not.  Does anyone have any kind of
    feedback for me.  Should I force Kitty to go out or not?
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2330.1They are your cats...SAFETY::MORRELLMon Mar 27 1989 18:259
    This is actually a very hot topic in the file, but I think that
    you should do what you feel most comfortable with.  We don't know
    the neighborhood that you live in and what it is like.  If your
    friend is making you uncomfortable tell her in a subtle and tactful
    way that they are your cats and you will raise them the best way
    that you can and that includes making decisions like this one.
    
    Kathy
    
2330.2CIMNET::ARMSTRONGMon Mar 27 1989 18:437
    Kathy,
    
    Thank you for the support.  I have made it quite clear to this
    person that it is my cat.  Yet he still seems to thinks I am
    being cruel to the cat.
    
    Denise
2330.3ONFIRE::FRANCINEtweak...tweak...tweakMon Mar 27 1989 18:4313
    
    
    I'm not saying whether you should or should not let them out, but
    here is an idea:
    
    Open a window, and take the screen out..  When kitty comes up to
    get some fresh air, she could go all the way out or get used to
    the outside at her own pace.
    
    Of course (as you prob. know) keep in mind the conditions for her,
    busy streets, dogs, children, etc.
    
    F.
2330.4ONFIRE::FRANCINEtweak...tweak...tweakMon Mar 27 1989 18:469
    
    
    One more thing.  Keep in mind that there are lots of cat owners
    who keep their cats inside and these cats live healthy, happy, and
    *long* lives.   My veternarian has had a few indoor cats!!
    
    Not trying to take sides..
    
    F.
2330.5Do what is best for KittyWITNES::HANNULACat Tails & Bike Wheels Don't MixMon Mar 27 1989 18:4911
    Even though I strongly believe in indoor/outdoor, I more strongly
    believe that you should do what is best for the cat.  Of my 4 cats,
    2 are indoor/outdoor cats, 1 is almost petrified to come inside, 
    and 1 will go outside for about 5 minutes a week.
    
    If your cat is afraid to go outside, then why put the cat through
    any stress by making it go out?  Also, why put yourself through
    the stress if you do not feel comfortable with letting your cat
    go outside?
    
    	-Nancy
2330.6Another happy indoor catDELNI::GRACElife is unpredictable; eat dessert firstMon Mar 27 1989 19:4714
    Amen, Nancy!
    
    I have the same situation with my cat, being his keeper for 4 months.
    His previous keepers (since he was 6 weeks to 1 yr.) kept him indoors
    He likes going outside into the screened in porch for a short while
    then he scratches the door to come back inside after a few minutes.
    If I open a screened-in window, he's content with the breeze and
    keeping a watchful eye on the squirrels.
    
    I might try bringing him outside to let him explore the back yard with
    a long leash. I just can't picture him liking it too much. Anyone
    try that with a cat that was a house cat (with claws)?
     
    
2330.7Kitty has claws!!!CIMNET::ARMSTRONGMon Mar 27 1989 19:5515
    Kitty has been a house cat since day one.  When I even try to
    bring him towards the sliding glass windown when its closed,
    he takes a fit and scratches and wriggles out of my hands.  That's
    why I thinks it's best to keep him in.  When I open the slidding
    glass door, he won't even go near it.  I will be keeping it open
    now that the nice weather is here.  So maybe he will get used to
    the breeze.  I guess I leave it up to kitty, if he wants to go
    out he can.  I won't force the issue with him anymore though.
    
    Thank you all for your imput.  You've really put me and kitty
    at ease.
    
    Denise
    
    
2330.8FSHQA2::RWAXMANA Cat Makes a Purrfect FriendMon Mar 27 1989 20:5317
    It is not cruel to keep your cats indoors and not all cats want
    to be out and about.
    
    I have five cats.  Three are indoor/outdoor and two are completely
    indoor.  The indoor cats show no desire to go outside.  In fact,
    they will sit by an open door as if they know the outdoors is off
    limits to them.  Of my three indoor/outdoor, only one of them could
    be converted to completely indoors quite easily.  The other two would
    be quite unhappy if forced to stay inside and enjoy their freedom
    to come and go as they please.
    
    If your cat shows no desire to go out, don't force him.  You are
    not being cruel.  You are being humane.
    
    
    /Roberta
    
2330.9See Ma? No lecture!JULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeMon Mar 27 1989 20:5416
    I used to believe in indoor/outdoor, but, as cats go, outdoor cats
    tend to have the hazard of streets, dogs, kids, etc....and they
    also can disappear. After going through many cats, mine are strictly
    indoors and they are not worse for it.  They are also still alive.
    (of course, I live in residential areas--if you live in the boondocks,
    yours might be safer from cars, but then you have wild animals to
    deal with--coyotes used to get cats in my old neighborhood).
    
    Keeping your cat indoors is not cruel.  To MAKE it go outside isn't
    either, but I'd suggest listening to the cat and leaving it in doors.
    It won't get hurt that way, even by accident.  :)
                                                                
    
    Just a suggestion.
    
                                                      ---kim
2330.10MECAD::GONDADECelite; Pursuit of Knowledge, Wisdom, and Happiness.Fri Mar 31 1989 11:4011
2330.11USEM::SENAFri Mar 31 1989 17:248
    As the other replies have said, it really depends on what your living
    situation is.  I live on a very busy street and wish I hadn't allowed
    my cats to be indoor/outdoor.  They drive me crazy to let them out
    and occasionally I do.
    
    Go with your gut feel....
    
    Joy