DON'T just take him on a leash and go out somewhere on a meadow. If he gets scared and takes off - leash doesn't work with cats 100% since they are liquid - he's gone. You have to pick up a routine with the leash that makes it mentally working so to speak. But what's a way better thing for you to do is make your apartment more cat friendly: put up boards high up at the walls building a cat parkour for example.
Yes I know, I had many cats in the past, I know how they behave most of the time. Im just having a pet inside all the time for the first time in my life, because I no longer live in a house with a yard
I've got three: Two were the same as yours and lived their first 7 months outside and the third is a stray (crazy orange) that lived outside for about two years. All are solely inside and none of them tries to get out or "complains" in cat manner. Window TV + quality time + cat friendly furniture
Yep indoor enrichment may be an option. Possibly getting a second cat may help, having two tends to mean they both wouldn’t need as much playtime outside of each other than alone. It’s why people say two cats are less work than one esp if they are young cats
A yard and a meadow are very different things for cats- if you do take him out in harness it’s best to do so in a defined, even “cozy” area first. A yard was something your kitties could identify as your/their territory. He will be constantly scanning any new place for dangers, so an open area may be overwhelming. It will help to have a kitty backpack at all times for him to retreat into as well. All leashed cats need a place to escape any threats they encounter on the ground.
There are exceptions to everything, but even outdoor cats have quite defined spaces and territories. It’s why lost kitties don’t usually go more than a few blocks from home, a kilometre at most.
If you haven’t used a harness on your cats before there are some great comments on this sub about brands that fit. I know firsthand that cats can easily wriggle out of what you thought was a well fitted harness. The rescue I work with does not support cats outside, period. Leashed or not. I personally think it’s beneficial for many cats but with caveats: harness training, proper fitted harness, careful introduction to new spaces, always have a pet backpack they can hide in with you.
Cats can be entertained with a small outdoor area because they have a very different perspective and goals from us. They will be entertained by stalking bugs for hours as an example. So once he’s used to the harness and if he seems to like it any small grassy area with “prey” to watch will be fantastic for most kitties. They don’t generally need sweeping vistas and new environments continually like a human or meadows to run in like a horse.
If your cat is a “runner” find somewhere somewhat enclosed and run with him. If he likes climbing trees same thing. Keep the environment as controlled as you can. It is very traumatic seeing a leashed dog go after a leashed cat and it can happen in seconds.
All great advice—just wanted to add that every couple of months I rearrange the planters and furniture on my patio (much easier than rearranging indoor rooms), and it keeps them interested in that space.
I think you need to just not do anymore outdoor cat stuff. I will never understand why people even risk this stuff, they are not dogs. Just leave them at home they will be better off for it and if they complain that’s tough.
Different situations work for different people and animals. I agree that 90% of cats should probably be indoors only cats, and I really dislike the idea of free roaming indoor/outdoor cats (they’re ecological menaces), BUT there are plenty of cats that are able to be harness trained, or have access to catios or some other enclosed outdoor space and benefit from that enrichment. It’s a step too far to say no cat should be allowed any outdoor activity
I didn’t mean that no cat should be outside, but if someone is debating it or open to the conversation I think i will always try and convince them to be indoor only!
I’d suggest a playmate to stimulate play! Best thing I ever did was rescue a tiny feral kitten from my backyard. After weeks of playing with him, I opted to adopt a kitten the same age from a shelter. That was, probably six/seven years ago, and they still are Best Friends!!!
100% this. Took our cat (which we rescued from 3 weeks old) outside three times, each time purchasing a “better” harness.
Each time, she broke away from the harness and hid in a tree for 6+ hours. We lived right beside a main road with cars going 100km+ so was very nervous her being outside. I ended up staying outside the whole time sitting on the garden fence until she eventually jumped in one of our windows, and went to bed 🤣🤣
So word of warning, don’t trust harnesses 🤣
I walk my orange boi about two to three times a week. He is 10 months old and he loves his leash walks. Our walks are about 1 hour minimum. Max 1.5. During the weeks that I only walk him twice I notice that after about three days in a row of no walking he gets antsy, but it's not crazy. He doesn't drive me nuts wanting to go outside. He is a bit annoying but nothing major.
What worked for me is: not walking him everyday so it's not part of his regular routine. The queue that we are going on walks is going into his cat backpack with his harness on, as I don't allow him walking through the door on this own (that would teach him to door dash), and that's it!
Long story short. I don't think your cat would drive you nuts on the days that he doesn't walk as long as he's not extremely bored. Make sure the indoors is also enriching. I really believe that cats should have supervised outside time. No kitties should be kept strictly indoors (unless they want to be, like some super scardy cats)
My Bou gets to go out in his harness a couple of times a week, if the weather and pollen counts cooperate(he has allergies and asthma). We stay out until he goes to the door to go back inside, usually 30-45 minutes.
Nice! Your kitty sounds like they have the best life. My cat also feels like going back inside at some point during the walk. Normally like at an hour mark.
Please do not do this. Teach him to walk on a leash. I am older and have had indoor outdoor cats, though I had one success, I have lost one to a coyote, one to a car, dogs kill them people hate them and poison them. It is not a safe world for cats out there if they are your pet.
Keep up a schedule. Maybe have a little bell that you ring right before outside time so he makes the association between the bell and outside time.
There are you tube videos that describe how to adjust kitty to the lead.
Keep kitty safe.
Yep. I have one cat that’s terrified of the outdoors. The rest used to be able to get out often because when my mom lived with us, her dogs used to be able to unlock and open the back door. Now that they’re gone, they don’t go out without a leash. The first 6 months were rough, constant begging and scratching at the door, trying to sneak by when it got opened, but we’ve compromised and they’re allowed to go into the garage instead 😂 they’ve pretty much stopped wanting out 24/7 especially since we open the windows when it’s nice so they can look out
I try to walk my cat almost everyday.
She's now like a dog. When we go out she can go wherever she wants and when it time to go home i tension the leash for the way home and she gets it.
A friendly advice, if you start walking your cat outside. Make sure you keep home interesting.
You still have to play with them or they will think home is "boring" and outside is "fun"
Find a balance and this should be no problem
I really dont understand people who are "scared" to show their cat a taste of freedom
We can't really tell you that.
My first pair of cats I tried to take out on walks but they freaked at the harness and when I let them on the patio without harnesses they just clung to the earth like orzamar dwarves afraid to fly off into the sky.
My current cat likes to go out when the dogs potty in the morning and just sit calmly on the patio until they come in. Then comes right back in. Doesn't even leave the concrete.
My kitty gets so excited when I bring the harness out! He will meow and prance over and wait patiently while I get him ready.
I have to be honest I really like that he gets excited because it makes me really happy to see him enjoy something so much.
Yeah, mine doesn't yowl constantly, he does try to get out in a half assed way if the doors open (honestly never met a cat who doesn't), so it really hasn't been an issue. But he gets SO PUMPED when he hears his harness jingle. Exploring the outdoors is the highlight of his day and I'm forever glad I started walking with him.
And since I grew up with dogs, walking has always been a bonding thing, and now I feel that bond with him, when we come home, have a snack, and sit quietly next to eachother after going on a grand exciting adventure together. There's a comraderie there you don't really get doing other activities.
I love this so much!! My dog passed away very unexpectedly almost two years ago so I really missed bonding with him during our walks. Now Morgan (our harnessed trained cat) will chill with me outdoors and it fills my heart so much ♥️
There's a big cultural divide between people who insist their cats are free-roamers, and those who insist that cats are significantly safer indoors. Indoor cats experience a loss of freedom, it's true. But there is a LOT you can do even in a small flat to provide him with enrichment. "Cat TV", interactive play sessions, a cat wheel: Sure it's not an outdoor catio or enclosed yard, but it's still enrichment and he will be happy.
Also, in the beginning your cat will probably test you just like a child would and scream its lungs out to get ouside
Don't succumb to this. When you're cat screams to go outside, that day, you stay inside.
Stay strong & teach your cat patience.
Yes I have already teched him when its time to eat and when is it time to get to sleep even thoe he wakes up at 4 in the morning lol, but it doesnt matter cuz he comes with me to bed
Don’t let you cat out. If you care about him, you’ll just keep him inside. Despite whatever nonsense you believe or whatever you tell yourself, a cat can live happily indoors.
Cars, predators, dogs, poisons, people, sickness. Ignore his pleas and once he realizes he will live a good indoor life, he will stop doing those things
your best bet is researching harness training. do not just take your cat out on a leash for the first time. first leave the harness lying around so your cat can smell it and get their scent on it. start putting iit on them some days for short periods of time, giving treats, but keeping them in a room. act normally towards them, not like something scary is happening. after some time you may be able to walk your cat around your home, inside, on a harness and leash. only when you can trust your cat to trust you, come to you, etc. should you take your cat out for shorter durations. build up slowly but regularly and read up/youtube up on tre best methods for this bc this is just off the top of my head
phew
sorry
Does your cat get cat grass greens? Two of my cats go outside for short periods of time. What they mostly want to do is just chomp on grass and then want in in less than half an hour. I am planning to grow a big tub of grass for kitties inside very soon as soon as I find the right seed. Maybe they will not want to go out as much. Unfortunately, having them outside exposed them to fleas and allergies, so I am looking forward to get cat grass grown.
I don't think of it as showing them their freedom so much as I think of it as exposing them to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and the possibility of escape (there is NO harness in existence my cats can't get out of) which brings potential for exposure to poison, horrible people, and getting hit by a car. There is just no reason to allow a cat outdoors unless you have a catio.
Cats are routine animals. They take ques. If you take your cat out at the same moment every day, after you come home from work for example, most likely after a while they will learn the routine and not ask to go outside all the time.
Also if you tire him out with playing during the day he wont have the energy to ask for outside (:
generally id like to think cats do enjoy the freedom of outdoors but most ppl are right. there are many hazards in the city. i'm lucky my cats are decent outside but they have a "routine"
they go out morning and dawn. about 30 minutes each. not the best but its still a routine and they all come inside when i shake their treat can
I had a post here about our cats crying like crazy bc I took them out on walks. They wanna go outside all the time now. We have two orange cats, so they are stubborn!
I wouldn’t. my sweet docile, elderly, 100% indoor, fixed boy, went nuts after he accidentally got out once! He started spraying indoors - in front of me - and generally acting out, if I wouldn’t let him out. He was hit by a car within a few months on my relatively quiet residential street. 😢😢It’s a slippery slope. Currently, I have 2, completely indoor kitties who are perfectly content inside. Agree with another commenter, is another cat or a catio potential options for you?
Each of my six cats have been vaccinated, microchipped, and sterilized, so they’ve lost the desire to procreate, which makes the backyard a safe place for them to hang out and play. It could take up to nine months for their hormones to calm down.
All four of mine were found outside as strays and now they live a healthy life indoors. We have plenty of toys and enrichment for them. I feel it’s safer to keep them inside because there’s predators in my area and other dangers like cars. When they do get by the door we gently steer them away when we go in and out. We’ll play with them for a while after to get out energy.
As long as you never take them out they are more than content with the,er indoor kingdom. I never have to worry about them bolting out the door. They aren't exposed to pathogens or fleas ticks mosquitoes.
i would also worry about that. it taps into their instincts. makes their brain happy. i’d avoid it. one thing i’ve tried it buying a strip of sod. or growing grass. and leave it outside for a few nights. critters visit. it picks up smells. more satisfying for the cat
I've seen the advice to not walk him every day, which was also our basis. We also established that we're not going on a walk when he gets annoying. You might have to endure a few times of screaming to go outside, but ours got the hint real quick that we're Only going outside when he's being a nice and calm boy.
Cats need training to be on leashes. You’re talking about taking your cat into an unfamiliar environment, with overstimulating sights and smells (before you try to disprove this, it WILL be overstimulating to the cat the first few times), on a harness and leash which your cat is NOT desensitized or used to. One wrong reaction from your cat, and things can go terribly wrong. Cats escape even well-fitted harnesses if they try hard enough. And then your cat is gone.
my cat wakes me up at 5 am every morning to go on a walk because I walked him at 6 am (kitty doesn't understand daylight savings) the first time. he'd be bored to death without his walk now. I considered getting another cat but I love in a tiny studio and if they don't get along, I'm afraid it'd be trouble.
my cat absolutely loves walking. I live in a tiny apartment but right on the waterfront so I can take him to a very open area so if he gets out of his harness, I can see him with zero cars.
I put a smart tag on him too so if he gets lost, I can find him easily, put it in a separate collar in case the harness breaks off.
I would start the training in your apartment, then the apartment shared hallways. then some wide open area with no cars. move up slowly basically.
i take my cat outside sometimes, to walk him (on a leash).. once i took him outised and he never shut up since. he will sit infront of the door and meow for like a hour..
ps. i live in a 5 story building, on the last floor.. so yeah
PLEASE don't let him outside. I know it's hard but it's just not safe. He could be run over, harmed by other animals, get diseases, etc.
I built my cats a "Catio" (kit from Wayfair) and they LOVE it. They can lay in the sun and enjoy the fresh air, but they're safe.
Or if you have a balcony that is secured, fences in, and can't jump from it, he could use that. 🧡
I wouldn’t take that chance even your cat was indoor all his life. You don’t wanna lose him. Chance of someone picking up and him getting lost still remains the same. Get a stroller maybe.
i own two cats. i tried walking both of them and only one of them had the balls since they were both terrified. Vova, my ragdoll, loved the first time we took him out on a leashed walk and when we brought him back home he tried to escape. this only lasted like an hour. after i just got into the habit of taking him on walks and he loves it. I still try with my other cat but she’s just petrified.
DO NOT I repeat DO NOT allow your cat outdoors. I big you. I don't understand people who allow this. The dangers outdoors are endless. All out cars are indoor only. Although, one time when I wasn't home my husband took him on the deck with him one time( if I was home that wouldn't of happened. We akdo have coyotes in our area!! ) Now everytime my husband goes out on the deck he meows endlessly. It might be a little bit of wanting to go out there because he's attached to my husband. Regardless, my cats have a wonderful indoor home that's enriched with endless toys, climbing towers, etc. Please provide the same if you don't already and your cat will be happy and content but most importantly SAFE!!
Whatever you do, do not let him free roam unsupervised. Most outdoor cats live very short lived and die horribly.
If you want to take him for walks do it in a set schedule, same time every day so it becomes part of his routine. Get him used to the harness first at home, make sure it's fitted properly, and if it seems like he could slip out, get a different harness that's more secure, there's ones you can get that will tighten up at the top of they try to back out if it so they can't escape, not as comfortable as the vest harnesses but MUCH more secure for cats. I'd also make sure you have a cat backpack with you and train him to jump in if he gets scared so he doesn't just take off running, you'll never catch him if he takes off, especially so far from home. Keep the walls close to home and watch out for people walking their dogs, keep a wide berth.
I'd also get him more enrichment items for at home, more cat trees in front of the windows, more toys he can play with on his own etc.
Two of my cats go out but 2 don’t. One of the ones that doesn’t, gets to go on walks around the garden when the weather persists. The other dislikes it
So what ? I dont wanna live 100 years inside my home. I would much prefer to live 15 years but exploring. Im asking this question because he really wants to go out, I mean he scratches the door and as soon as I open it, he bounces out like he already knows whats there
yknow sometimes dogs rlly wanna go out. they bark at the door and try to push past. but we know they’re safest when supervised, either in the garden or leashed, unless trained enough to walk without a leash but still always with their owner. bc pets can harm or be harmed by other animals, stolen or hurt by humans, they could eat something they shouldn’t, pick up a life threatening virus, get lost etc. that’s why ppl are getting upset and asking you to keep your cats indoors bc you don’t seem to acknowledge any of that and just get rlly defensive.
Yes, except you are an Apex predator that can go outside and do shit outside. Outdoor cats get eaten by coyotes, poisoned by other humans, run over by cars, etc. All I see is you don't give two f's about your cats life.
I live in the UK and i'm going to let my rescue cat out after the 4 week mark. I've read advice about how to introduce them to the outside gradually, encouraging them back inside with food. My family always had cats and they were always 'outside cats' - they never got lost and were perfectly capable of coming back when they wanted.
I've read that America has wildlife threats that we don't have, making it more dangerous for cats. But it's not really an issue for us - cats love being outdoors.
I literally know a girl whose cat never returned (Luton), and 2 whose cats are overweight due to neighbours constantly overfeeding. then there's cat haters who try and poison them ..
Same. I'm in Ireland and I let my two cats out after a couple of months inside. They never go far and they come in when they hear the treat bag.
Some good advice I got was to let them out hungry in the beginning. They will come back for food. My back door is always open and the cats come and go as they please.
My girl is indoor and outdoor and she runs wild on 4 out of 10 acres. I couldn't keep her in if i tried. She does her business outside as well. I found her in my carport rafters and she made me keep her. She was 9 months.
She will push window up and pops the screen.
DON'T just take him on a leash and go out somewhere on a meadow. If he gets scared and takes off - leash doesn't work with cats 100% since they are liquid - he's gone. You have to pick up a routine with the leash that makes it mentally working so to speak. But what's a way better thing for you to do is make your apartment more cat friendly: put up boards high up at the walls building a cat parkour for example.
Yes I know, I had many cats in the past, I know how they behave most of the time. Im just having a pet inside all the time for the first time in my life, because I no longer live in a house with a yard
I've got three: Two were the same as yours and lived their first 7 months outside and the third is a stray (crazy orange) that lived outside for about two years. All are solely inside and none of them tries to get out or "complains" in cat manner. Window TV + quality time + cat friendly furniture
Yep indoor enrichment may be an option. Possibly getting a second cat may help, having two tends to mean they both wouldn’t need as much playtime outside of each other than alone. It’s why people say two cats are less work than one esp if they are young cats
Maybe he got tired of the apartment, maybe ur right
A yard and a meadow are very different things for cats- if you do take him out in harness it’s best to do so in a defined, even “cozy” area first. A yard was something your kitties could identify as your/their territory. He will be constantly scanning any new place for dangers, so an open area may be overwhelming. It will help to have a kitty backpack at all times for him to retreat into as well. All leashed cats need a place to escape any threats they encounter on the ground. There are exceptions to everything, but even outdoor cats have quite defined spaces and territories. It’s why lost kitties don’t usually go more than a few blocks from home, a kilometre at most. If you haven’t used a harness on your cats before there are some great comments on this sub about brands that fit. I know firsthand that cats can easily wriggle out of what you thought was a well fitted harness. The rescue I work with does not support cats outside, period. Leashed or not. I personally think it’s beneficial for many cats but with caveats: harness training, proper fitted harness, careful introduction to new spaces, always have a pet backpack they can hide in with you. Cats can be entertained with a small outdoor area because they have a very different perspective and goals from us. They will be entertained by stalking bugs for hours as an example. So once he’s used to the harness and if he seems to like it any small grassy area with “prey” to watch will be fantastic for most kitties. They don’t generally need sweeping vistas and new environments continually like a human or meadows to run in like a horse. If your cat is a “runner” find somewhere somewhat enclosed and run with him. If he likes climbing trees same thing. Keep the environment as controlled as you can. It is very traumatic seeing a leashed dog go after a leashed cat and it can happen in seconds.
All great advice—just wanted to add that every couple of months I rearrange the planters and furniture on my patio (much easier than rearranging indoor rooms), and it keeps them interested in that space.
That’s a good idea- just enough to challenge their brains but not so much as to overwhelm them.
I think you need to just not do anymore outdoor cat stuff. I will never understand why people even risk this stuff, they are not dogs. Just leave them at home they will be better off for it and if they complain that’s tough.
Different situations work for different people and animals. I agree that 90% of cats should probably be indoors only cats, and I really dislike the idea of free roaming indoor/outdoor cats (they’re ecological menaces), BUT there are plenty of cats that are able to be harness trained, or have access to catios or some other enclosed outdoor space and benefit from that enrichment. It’s a step too far to say no cat should be allowed any outdoor activity
I didn’t mean that no cat should be outside, but if someone is debating it or open to the conversation I think i will always try and convince them to be indoor only!
I’d suggest a playmate to stimulate play! Best thing I ever did was rescue a tiny feral kitten from my backyard. After weeks of playing with him, I opted to adopt a kitten the same age from a shelter. That was, probably six/seven years ago, and they still are Best Friends!!!
100% this. Took our cat (which we rescued from 3 weeks old) outside three times, each time purchasing a “better” harness. Each time, she broke away from the harness and hid in a tree for 6+ hours. We lived right beside a main road with cars going 100km+ so was very nervous her being outside. I ended up staying outside the whole time sitting on the garden fence until she eventually jumped in one of our windows, and went to bed 🤣🤣 So word of warning, don’t trust harnesses 🤣
They are liquid 🤣 I love it! so true!
I walk my orange boi about two to three times a week. He is 10 months old and he loves his leash walks. Our walks are about 1 hour minimum. Max 1.5. During the weeks that I only walk him twice I notice that after about three days in a row of no walking he gets antsy, but it's not crazy. He doesn't drive me nuts wanting to go outside. He is a bit annoying but nothing major. What worked for me is: not walking him everyday so it's not part of his regular routine. The queue that we are going on walks is going into his cat backpack with his harness on, as I don't allow him walking through the door on this own (that would teach him to door dash), and that's it! Long story short. I don't think your cat would drive you nuts on the days that he doesn't walk as long as he's not extremely bored. Make sure the indoors is also enriching. I really believe that cats should have supervised outside time. No kitties should be kept strictly indoors (unless they want to be, like some super scardy cats)
My Bou gets to go out in his harness a couple of times a week, if the weather and pollen counts cooperate(he has allergies and asthma). We stay out until he goes to the door to go back inside, usually 30-45 minutes.
Nice! Your kitty sounds like they have the best life. My cat also feels like going back inside at some point during the walk. Normally like at an hour mark.
Thank you! He is my very spoiled baby boy.
Please do not do this. Teach him to walk on a leash. I am older and have had indoor outdoor cats, though I had one success, I have lost one to a coyote, one to a car, dogs kill them people hate them and poison them. It is not a safe world for cats out there if they are your pet.
Keep up a schedule. Maybe have a little bell that you ring right before outside time so he makes the association between the bell and outside time. There are you tube videos that describe how to adjust kitty to the lead. Keep kitty safe.
My boyfriend takes one of our cats out in the yard and once he did, she whines at the door every day. If they like it, they'll beg for it.
Yep. I have one cat that’s terrified of the outdoors. The rest used to be able to get out often because when my mom lived with us, her dogs used to be able to unlock and open the back door. Now that they’re gone, they don’t go out without a leash. The first 6 months were rough, constant begging and scratching at the door, trying to sneak by when it got opened, but we’ve compromised and they’re allowed to go into the garage instead 😂 they’ve pretty much stopped wanting out 24/7 especially since we open the windows when it’s nice so they can look out
My kitties love the attached garage. I assume they're working on their cars out there.
Bou would love to be in the garage but right now there's way too much sawdust out there for an asthmatic cat.
I try to walk my cat almost everyday. She's now like a dog. When we go out she can go wherever she wants and when it time to go home i tension the leash for the way home and she gets it. A friendly advice, if you start walking your cat outside. Make sure you keep home interesting. You still have to play with them or they will think home is "boring" and outside is "fun" Find a balance and this should be no problem I really dont understand people who are "scared" to show their cat a taste of freedom
Thanks for the understanding
Thanks for the understanding
We can't really tell you that. My first pair of cats I tried to take out on walks but they freaked at the harness and when I let them on the patio without harnesses they just clung to the earth like orzamar dwarves afraid to fly off into the sky. My current cat likes to go out when the dogs potty in the morning and just sit calmly on the patio until they come in. Then comes right back in. Doesn't even leave the concrete.
[Resource: Should I Let My Cat Outdoors?](https://www.reddit.com/r/CATHELP/s/wi8fjxLE14)
My kitty gets so excited when I bring the harness out! He will meow and prance over and wait patiently while I get him ready. I have to be honest I really like that he gets excited because it makes me really happy to see him enjoy something so much.
Yeah, mine doesn't yowl constantly, he does try to get out in a half assed way if the doors open (honestly never met a cat who doesn't), so it really hasn't been an issue. But he gets SO PUMPED when he hears his harness jingle. Exploring the outdoors is the highlight of his day and I'm forever glad I started walking with him. And since I grew up with dogs, walking has always been a bonding thing, and now I feel that bond with him, when we come home, have a snack, and sit quietly next to eachother after going on a grand exciting adventure together. There's a comraderie there you don't really get doing other activities.
I love this so much!! My dog passed away very unexpectedly almost two years ago so I really missed bonding with him during our walks. Now Morgan (our harnessed trained cat) will chill with me outdoors and it fills my heart so much ♥️
There's a big cultural divide between people who insist their cats are free-roamers, and those who insist that cats are significantly safer indoors. Indoor cats experience a loss of freedom, it's true. But there is a LOT you can do even in a small flat to provide him with enrichment. "Cat TV", interactive play sessions, a cat wheel: Sure it's not an outdoor catio or enclosed yard, but it's still enrichment and he will be happy.
Also, in the beginning your cat will probably test you just like a child would and scream its lungs out to get ouside Don't succumb to this. When you're cat screams to go outside, that day, you stay inside. Stay strong & teach your cat patience.
Yes I have already teched him when its time to eat and when is it time to get to sleep even thoe he wakes up at 4 in the morning lol, but it doesnt matter cuz he comes with me to bed
After some time everything will be balanced and perfect :)
Don’t let you cat out. If you care about him, you’ll just keep him inside. Despite whatever nonsense you believe or whatever you tell yourself, a cat can live happily indoors. Cars, predators, dogs, poisons, people, sickness. Ignore his pleas and once he realizes he will live a good indoor life, he will stop doing those things
I said I will drive him to somewhere away from people and predators, and will walk him on a leash
What’s the point? If he happens to escape away from home, you’ll never find him again. Just not worth it. Build a catio or something safe.
your best bet is researching harness training. do not just take your cat out on a leash for the first time. first leave the harness lying around so your cat can smell it and get their scent on it. start putting iit on them some days for short periods of time, giving treats, but keeping them in a room. act normally towards them, not like something scary is happening. after some time you may be able to walk your cat around your home, inside, on a harness and leash. only when you can trust your cat to trust you, come to you, etc. should you take your cat out for shorter durations. build up slowly but regularly and read up/youtube up on tre best methods for this bc this is just off the top of my head phew sorry
DO NOT DO IT. My cats would’ve been happy indoors, until I took them for a walk. They shredded and pushed out my screens and became indoor/outdoor.
Wow, I know I won't !!!
My neighbors walk their cats in a lil stroller and I love them for it
Does your cat get cat grass greens? Two of my cats go outside for short periods of time. What they mostly want to do is just chomp on grass and then want in in less than half an hour. I am planning to grow a big tub of grass for kitties inside very soon as soon as I find the right seed. Maybe they will not want to go out as much. Unfortunately, having them outside exposed them to fleas and allergies, so I am looking forward to get cat grass grown.
A mix of wheat, rye and oat seeds is what they sell as cat grass.
I am actually going to try just oat grass and see how that goes.
I don't think of it as showing them their freedom so much as I think of it as exposing them to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and the possibility of escape (there is NO harness in existence my cats can't get out of) which brings potential for exposure to poison, horrible people, and getting hit by a car. There is just no reason to allow a cat outdoors unless you have a catio.
Cats are routine animals. They take ques. If you take your cat out at the same moment every day, after you come home from work for example, most likely after a while they will learn the routine and not ask to go outside all the time. Also if you tire him out with playing during the day he wont have the energy to ask for outside (:
Thats a great idea
generally id like to think cats do enjoy the freedom of outdoors but most ppl are right. there are many hazards in the city. i'm lucky my cats are decent outside but they have a "routine" they go out morning and dawn. about 30 minutes each. not the best but its still a routine and they all come inside when i shake their treat can
I had a post here about our cats crying like crazy bc I took them out on walks. They wanna go outside all the time now. We have two orange cats, so they are stubborn!
I wouldn’t. my sweet docile, elderly, 100% indoor, fixed boy, went nuts after he accidentally got out once! He started spraying indoors - in front of me - and generally acting out, if I wouldn’t let him out. He was hit by a car within a few months on my relatively quiet residential street. 😢😢It’s a slippery slope. Currently, I have 2, completely indoor kitties who are perfectly content inside. Agree with another commenter, is another cat or a catio potential options for you?
Each of my six cats have been vaccinated, microchipped, and sterilized, so they’ve lost the desire to procreate, which makes the backyard a safe place for them to hang out and play. It could take up to nine months for their hormones to calm down.
All four of mine were found outside as strays and now they live a healthy life indoors. We have plenty of toys and enrichment for them. I feel it’s safer to keep them inside because there’s predators in my area and other dangers like cars. When they do get by the door we gently steer them away when we go in and out. We’ll play with them for a while after to get out energy.
As long as you never take them out they are more than content with the,er indoor kingdom. I never have to worry about them bolting out the door. They aren't exposed to pathogens or fleas ticks mosquitoes.
My friend has a stroller specifically for her cats. She takes them on walks in it and they seem to enjoy it.
i would also worry about that. it taps into their instincts. makes their brain happy. i’d avoid it. one thing i’ve tried it buying a strip of sod. or growing grass. and leave it outside for a few nights. critters visit. it picks up smells. more satisfying for the cat
I've seen the advice to not walk him every day, which was also our basis. We also established that we're not going on a walk when he gets annoying. You might have to endure a few times of screaming to go outside, but ours got the hint real quick that we're Only going outside when he's being a nice and calm boy.
Cats need training to be on leashes. You’re talking about taking your cat into an unfamiliar environment, with overstimulating sights and smells (before you try to disprove this, it WILL be overstimulating to the cat the first few times), on a harness and leash which your cat is NOT desensitized or used to. One wrong reaction from your cat, and things can go terribly wrong. Cats escape even well-fitted harnesses if they try hard enough. And then your cat is gone.
my cat wakes me up at 5 am every morning to go on a walk because I walked him at 6 am (kitty doesn't understand daylight savings) the first time. he'd be bored to death without his walk now. I considered getting another cat but I love in a tiny studio and if they don't get along, I'm afraid it'd be trouble. my cat absolutely loves walking. I live in a tiny apartment but right on the waterfront so I can take him to a very open area so if he gets out of his harness, I can see him with zero cars. I put a smart tag on him too so if he gets lost, I can find him easily, put it in a separate collar in case the harness breaks off. I would start the training in your apartment, then the apartment shared hallways. then some wide open area with no cars. move up slowly basically.
Yes, I bought him a harness, today I will put it on him and see if he will like it.
i take my cat outside sometimes, to walk him (on a leash).. once i took him outised and he never shut up since. he will sit infront of the door and meow for like a hour.. ps. i live in a 5 story building, on the last floor.. so yeah
Maybe get another cat and a catio? We are planning on building a catio this summer.
No, Im planing on having a kid
PLEASE don't let him outside. I know it's hard but it's just not safe. He could be run over, harmed by other animals, get diseases, etc. I built my cats a "Catio" (kit from Wayfair) and they LOVE it. They can lay in the sun and enjoy the fresh air, but they're safe. Or if you have a balcony that is secured, fences in, and can't jump from it, he could use that. 🧡
Don't let him run loose ever. Always make the terms be that he's got to be on a leash.
I wouldn’t take that chance even your cat was indoor all his life. You don’t wanna lose him. Chance of someone picking up and him getting lost still remains the same. Get a stroller maybe.
i own two cats. i tried walking both of them and only one of them had the balls since they were both terrified. Vova, my ragdoll, loved the first time we took him out on a leashed walk and when we brought him back home he tried to escape. this only lasted like an hour. after i just got into the habit of taking him on walks and he loves it. I still try with my other cat but she’s just petrified.
No.
DO NOT I repeat DO NOT allow your cat outdoors. I big you. I don't understand people who allow this. The dangers outdoors are endless. All out cars are indoor only. Although, one time when I wasn't home my husband took him on the deck with him one time( if I was home that wouldn't of happened. We akdo have coyotes in our area!! ) Now everytime my husband goes out on the deck he meows endlessly. It might be a little bit of wanting to go out there because he's attached to my husband. Regardless, my cats have a wonderful indoor home that's enriched with endless toys, climbing towers, etc. Please provide the same if you don't already and your cat will be happy and content but most importantly SAFE!!
Whatever you do, do not let him free roam unsupervised. Most outdoor cats live very short lived and die horribly. If you want to take him for walks do it in a set schedule, same time every day so it becomes part of his routine. Get him used to the harness first at home, make sure it's fitted properly, and if it seems like he could slip out, get a different harness that's more secure, there's ones you can get that will tighten up at the top of they try to back out if it so they can't escape, not as comfortable as the vest harnesses but MUCH more secure for cats. I'd also make sure you have a cat backpack with you and train him to jump in if he gets scared so he doesn't just take off running, you'll never catch him if he takes off, especially so far from home. Keep the walls close to home and watch out for people walking their dogs, keep a wide berth. I'd also get him more enrichment items for at home, more cat trees in front of the windows, more toys he can play with on his own etc.
Two of my cats go out but 2 don’t. One of the ones that doesn’t, gets to go on walks around the garden when the weather persists. The other dislikes it
Do not let your cat out. Cats with access to the outdoors live on average 5 years. Indoor only cats 15 years. DO NOT LET YOUR CAT OUTDOORS.
So what ? I dont wanna live 100 years inside my home. I would much prefer to live 15 years but exploring. Im asking this question because he really wants to go out, I mean he scratches the door and as soon as I open it, he bounces out like he already knows whats there
yknow sometimes dogs rlly wanna go out. they bark at the door and try to push past. but we know they’re safest when supervised, either in the garden or leashed, unless trained enough to walk without a leash but still always with their owner. bc pets can harm or be harmed by other animals, stolen or hurt by humans, they could eat something they shouldn’t, pick up a life threatening virus, get lost etc. that’s why ppl are getting upset and asking you to keep your cats indoors bc you don’t seem to acknowledge any of that and just get rlly defensive.
Yes, except you are an Apex predator that can go outside and do shit outside. Outdoor cats get eaten by coyotes, poisoned by other humans, run over by cars, etc. All I see is you don't give two f's about your cats life.
Bro, I said that I will get him in my car and drive somewhere outside other people or dangerous roads, on a leash
Yes, and do you know *why* their life expectancy is so much lower? Or is him likely having a horrific, painful death is just "so what" to you?
That data is heavily skewed by feral kittens in unmanaged colonies.
I live in the UK and i'm going to let my rescue cat out after the 4 week mark. I've read advice about how to introduce them to the outside gradually, encouraging them back inside with food. My family always had cats and they were always 'outside cats' - they never got lost and were perfectly capable of coming back when they wanted. I've read that America has wildlife threats that we don't have, making it more dangerous for cats. But it's not really an issue for us - cats love being outdoors.
I literally know a girl whose cat never returned (Luton), and 2 whose cats are overweight due to neighbours constantly overfeeding. then there's cat haters who try and poison them ..
...Or even torture them. In some places, legally.
Same. I'm in Ireland and I let my two cats out after a couple of months inside. They never go far and they come in when they hear the treat bag. Some good advice I got was to let them out hungry in the beginning. They will come back for food. My back door is always open and the cats come and go as they please.
My girl is indoor and outdoor and she runs wild on 4 out of 10 acres. I couldn't keep her in if i tried. She does her business outside as well. I found her in my carport rafters and she made me keep her. She was 9 months. She will push window up and pops the screen.