Conference misery::feline_v1

    Good Lord - your cat *repeatedly* comes back in such a state and
    you still let her out???
    
    OK, I know they can be persistent when the *want* out, but this
    sounds serious. For one thing, it may well be that her spaying
    operation was not completely successful; if there's enough left
    to generate the "come hither" hormones, your cat will continue to
    be molested.
    
    If that's not it, then you apparently live in the midst of some
    serious feline "turf wars," and I'd recommend keeping your cat indoors
    for her own protection. 
    
    You could also try using the various "cat-away" products to mark
    your boundaries and try to discourage the unwanted visitors, but
    I've never tried such things and don't know how effective they would
    be.

    -b

     For her own protection, I would keep her indoors. She may "think" she
    wants out, but it would seem that she can't survive well. Also,
    if you live in a country setting she may meet up with critters
    far worse than another cat- i.e., raccoons, who could quite
    readily attack her (and generally cats do not survive raccoon 
    battles). If she comes home looking as you describe from cats -
    she won't fare well other animals. Cats also can do harm to another 
    cat - even unintentionally. [I adopted  a "guy" whose eye was 
    gouged by another cat, resulting in an infection, and eventually 
    requiring removal of the eye.]
    
    If you can- try to ignore the "meowing to go out". It's hard to
    do - I know. If she ** really ** has to go out, try putting her
    on a "kitty harness" and let her out while you are around to keep
    an eye on her. 
       
    In any case, she sounds like she is apt to get injured -  before
    she learns to defend herself - (if she indeed ever does learn).
    
    Pat
       
    

    Christ.  keep that baby in the house.
    

    Have you called your vet for advice?

    re: .2
    I wouldn't say that generally cats don't make out well with racoons.
    At least in our house. Our big black mass of fur brings home at
    least two dead racoons a year. In fact I think this is his favorite
    pray. Then again he is kind of a monster with animals coming on
    our property. A few weeks ago he attacked a golden retriever when
    it came on our property. Needless to say I don't think that dog
    will be back.
    
    							Geoff

    You're right--it's tough to ignore that "I WANT OUT!" meow!  But
    from what you've said, I'd say leave her in and KEEP her in.  I
    can't recommend much about the horny male cats, but I can relate
    what I went through with Billie.
    
    I've had my girl about 10 years--when she adopted me, she was a
    street kitty of about 8 months.  I have no idea if she was abandoned,
    or what--I just knew I couldn't walk away without her!  Anyhow,
    I let her out regularly each afternoon at first, and waited anxiously
    for her return.  I'd be half crazy with worry about what might happen
    to her outside;  but since I'd found her outside, I didn't want
    to "deprive" her.  But I stopped it when she came home once with
    a MASSIVE bite below her tail that had nearly severed it!  That
    ended the going out!!  I endured her meowing to go out by remembering
    that injury and how badly scared she was.  Sooner than you'd think,
    she stopped asking to go out, and was content to be inside.  
    
    Just ride it out--she'll stop it.  You're keeping her safe!  You
    don't want to see her hurt, and she can be happy in the house, and
    live longer, too.
    
    Best of luck,
    
    Jane

    Just to ease everyone's mind, we don't let our cat out unless we
    are home.  She has only stayed out for an hour or so at the most.
    We just moved and will be looking for a new vet.  I did mention
    this to our last vets.  They did not seem too concerned about my
    letting her out nor did either one suggest I keep her in.  
    
    I'm surprised that the responses so far are for leaving her in since 
    I would think most animals have natural instincts that would eventually
    prevail regardless of how their raised.  I am new to the feline
    notes but can't say that I've ever heard of a cat getting seriously
    hurt by other cats... other animals/people...yes, but other cats??
    
    In response to keeping the baby in.... Her name just so happens
    to be "Babe".  Maybe the name was more appropriate than I thought! 
    She's a beautiful white and grey long haired.  I love her and I would
    like her to experience the great outdoors, but not at her own
    expense, ofcourse.           
    
    DBH
    

    I've stated this before but will again. i think it is purrfectly
    alright for cats to go out when and where they want. They are given
    beautifully sharp claws to defend themselves and more common sense
    than most humans. They also have fast little legs so they can usually
    outrun or outmanuver almost any animal that would attack it. We
    have always allowed our cats to go outside and have rarely had any
    problems. Just my two cents worth.
    
    						Geoff

    Re: .8  of course, that's why she's in such great shape when she
    gets back in the house.
    
    I changed my first cat from outdoors to indoors after he had been
    hurt several times in fights, about every few weeks.  The last straw
    was when he came home wih a huge gash across his face;  it just
    missed his eye by a hair's breadth.  earlier that week he had been
    several hours late getting home, and while I was worrying and waiting
    I remembered that that morning there had been an open moving van
    parked a few houses away.....
    
    It took him about two weeks to get used to staying inside.  There
    are a multitude of cat platforms, window seats and toys and so forth
    in the house, and he and all my subsequent pusses have seemed quite
    happy.  I've had the inddor vs. outdoor discussion with several
    of my friends;  every single one of the outdoor proponents has
    subsequently had a cat hit by a car, killed by a dog, etc.
    

    This notes file has discussed indoor/outdoor cats ad nauseum.  If
    she was happy indoors before you moved, she will adapt to staying
    inside again.  This cat doesn't seem to be able to defend herself.
    Also being a longhaired cat you are inviting fleas and mites and
    really giant mats by letting her "experience" the great outdoors.
    
    Frank _owned by Witch who panics at being outdoors (even held) if
    not in a carrier_

    A little late but....
    
    As you can tell, the indoor/outdoor question can start religious
    wars.
    
    But, from past experience, I have always grown up with cats that were
    outdoor cats. Cat fights were very common and each cat of my past (at
    my parents house) has come back with at least one major injury due to
    fights (lots of stitches, infection, etc.). They all recovered, but not
    without lots of vet bills and lots of nursing tme. So, yes, cats can
    seriously injure each other in fights.
    
    Our two are semi-outdoor. They go out when we are home and can be
    near by. But, they have also come back with scratches and cuts and
    have had to be taken to the vet. 
    
    A cat going outside faces all sorts of risks. Not only from cats but
    from all other sources, as mentioned in previous replies. Some cats can
    handle themselves, others can't. 

    It really is a personnal dilemma that every animal owner must go
    through at some time. You can only do what you are comfortable with.
    Good luck with whatever decision you make/or have made (since this
    is an old note!
    
    janet b.
      owned by 2 spoiled kitties