09 Mar 2015

A question about : Indoor cats suddenly want to be outdoor!

Hi all,

We have had our two lovely boys since they were 8 weeks old and they are now almost 4. For all of this time they have been indoor cats as we lived in a city centre apartment so it wasn't practical/safe for them to go outdoors. There was a contained courtyard in our apartment block and they did go out in this occasionally (under our supervision) for bits of fresh air and to explore around, but apart from this they've been perfectly content being spoilt by us 24/7 indoors. Plus they never really showed much interest in going into this courtyard/out in general, it's only with a bit of encouragement that they ever bothered.

However, we have recently (mid-Dec) moved from the city life into the suburbs and so now are renting a house with quite large front and back gardens. Since the move, both our boys have been showing increasing signs of wanting to go outside, meowing at the front door and running out past us on our way in (only to be ushered back inside by my worried self!). We have seen a few other cats around our own garden as well as the neighbour's so I don't know if this might be one of the reasons for their change in behaviour but they are both neutered. They have also had lots more windowsills to look out of which I suspect might be making them see what they are missing!

My worry is what to do about this - is it safe to allow indoor cats to change to going outside when it is not what they have been used to their whole lives? Would I be unfair in trying to keep them indoors when they are showing these desires to go out? I am terrified of them not being road-safe enough and also concerned that there are 4 dogs living in the house at the back of us!

Any advice from fellow cat owners with experience would be welcomed and much appreciated!

Best answers:

  • It's a tricky one, and for me it depends on how savvy they are. Generally cats should be fine, as they are naturally cautious. Roads can be a problem, but it's generally a risk with any outdoor cat. If it's a male, it's likely to want to wander more.
    Generally I'd say if you are no right near a road, then let them out. Chances are at some point they'll bolt for the door anyways. Keep an eye on them. If it's their first time out they should go out very slowly and gingerly, and then you know it's as good as can be as they'll be wary of any sound and movement.
    In a few months time, you'll probably find it's not an issue. As for the dogs, it's rare for a dog to catch a cat. Cats have all the tools they need to outwit a dog.
  • Hi
    We also have 2 brother cats from kittens, though ours are old boys now at 14 years. Our old flat had outside access but it was difficult for them to get to and they were happy indoors for a couple of years.
    Then we moved to a house with a garden and lots of other gardens nearby. They were interested in going out and we encouraged them - had to go out into the garden with them the first time! After that they gradually increased their confidence, going out together and then separately as they fancied. I don't think they ever explored further than a few gardens but were so happy being outside, particularly sunbathing in their favourite spots.
    Our old neighbours had dogs and the cats very easily (and artfully ) avoided them, easy for them to walk along the back of the fences and jump onto sheds etc.
    Now they are senior catizens they are indoors in the cold weather although love going out for short spells on milder days but in the summer they are out a lot more.
    Personally I would give them what they ask for! If they are keen to go out, they may find a way when a door or window are opened anyway.
    Now the not so nice bits about cats going out:
    Make sure cats have worm and flea treatment and be prepared for the odd present in the form of a mouse or bird though ours stopped hunting a long while ago and bells on collars can help. There are potential dangers like getting into fights with other cats and of course roads although ours have never been injured - I think being ex-indoor cats mean they are happy to stick near to home.
    HTH
  • My cat was a house cat like yours for a few years, then started wanting to have a bit of time outside, and this was without moving.
    Mine is I have to say was quite easy in the main as she never went far, comes when I shout her in usually, and is only allowed out when I am in so that the door is always open for her to come back in.
    I would find it difficult not to let them out if they are asking to be personally.
    I would start (and possibly only ever) let them out under supervision. At first I would do it when they haven't been fed for a while and when you have time to be out with them. Then call them back in for food after a while.
    With you having two they will probably be more adventurous than mine was as have a partner in crime, so I would try and train them to come in to some noise and treat. Mine used to come back to me rattling the house keys as she knew this meant I was going out, but I realise that is probably pretty unusual.
    If you do let them out you will worry.....but this will get less as they come back and you relax with the whole thing a bit more.
    Unless the dogs are particularly aggressive towards cats they will be fine I would have thought as most can either get out of the way or claw their way out of a problem....depends on the dogs though...and the cats.
    Lastly....is there any way you can kind of discourage them from roaming by having tall fencing around the garden?...I have moved and now have aback garden that is enclosed and well fenced, so far she hasn't bothered going out of this area.
    Good luck.
  • I don't know if you have read my thread 'Grandcat having extended sleepover'? well, Barney, the cat in title - was an indoor cat for all his life. but last year I decided to allow him out. I went out with him and over the next couple of months 'trained' him to stay in the garden. He loves his garden time and I haven't regretted the time it took to train him.
    I started by taking him out on a cat harness and short lead and just letting him have a walk around. then after he got used to that I lengthened the lead and sat down and let him wander about . the hardest part was when it came to taking the harness off - I did have to retrieve him from neighbours garden and under the car a couple of times. But, he is a fairly docile cat and he DOES understand the words 'No Barney'! which I used every time he tried to scale the wall or fence while just gently putting him back on the ground.
  • No practical advice other than you may wish to have a look at other threads where people have moved house and are asking how soon to let their cats out.
    Personally I think that the cats should always, where possible, have a choice whether or not to go out. Mine have always had that, and they have all enjoyed the gardens (ours and neighbours) to varying extent. I have found that as they have got older, they all preferred to spend their time mostly indoors. We now have a 'junior senior' (14-15yrs) left and she managed a house move last year and does have access to outside, but prefers to stay indoors almost completely. I think she finds the outdoors too much for her as the neighbours young cats are often in our garden and she does not like the confrontation.
  • Firstly, it's best to keep them in for a month or so after moving, so they know the new house is home and they don't stray trying to find your old property.
    Secondly, if/when you do let them out, you can do it gradually. We adopted a 2.5 year old cat. He had previously gone out but we still introduced him to our garden slowly. The first time, we let him out, left the door open, and called him in after about 20 minutes with his name and a shake of the food box (the latter gets him running!) and gave him a few biscuits. The next time we left it longer, after a few times he was out for an hour, then we started just leaving the door open for him to wander in and out at will.
    Ours is also a neutered male but he's never gone far. The longest he's ever gone for is about 90 minutes. Though I know some toms do go out for much longer and it's not uncommon for cats to disappear for 24 hours when first exploring a new territory - so don't panic too much if this happens.
    Whether you let them out at all is entirely up to you. 'Cats should be outdoors' is quite a British thing - in the US and Canada virtually all cats are indoors and they think it's odd to let your pet roam free. Different cultures.
    If neighbours' cats have routes through your garden then your boys may get into a few fights before the territories are settled. Be aware that this can lead to vet visits. Our boy got into his first fight and got a cut. It got infected, which a lot of cat-fight cuts do due to bacteria in their teeth and claws, so that was Ј50! (vet consultation fee plus antibiotics)
    One final point - if they've been indoor you may not have had them vaccinated for feline leukaemia virus (FLV). It's an extra vaccination they can have on top of their normal ones. The vaccine itself carries a small risk of serious complications, but it is recommended that all outdoor cats have it. FLV is transmitted in fights, through bodily fluids, and is a really nasty (usually fatal) disease.
    All of the above has probably completely put you off letting them out! I like seeing our boy out exploring and patrolling his territory. I think it would be fine to let 4 year olds out for the first time (gradually) as they're old enough to not be too scatty. But, as I said, up to you.
  • I have 4 cats - most are outdoors but one tends to stay in. The second she leaves she wants to come back in!
    When they were kittens I was worried that they wouldnt be road savvy but a shake of the treat bag and they always come back - luckily they do not go very far and I can always find them.
    Cats are inquisitive but really they like their home comforts.
  • I used to work for a Chinese company. One of my friends there who was Chinese, living in Hong Kong, was completely shocked at the notion of letting cats outside. Apparently you wouldn't do it in China or Hong Kong because people would steal them to eat them.
    It's not all practical considerations, such as predators. There are cultural differences and I've seen lots of comments on US forums where it's actually seen as irresponsible pet ownership to let them outdoors unsupervised.
    I'm not saying either perspective is right or wrong. Just that different people do feel differently and I don't believe that UK cat owners should feel pressured into letting their cat out just because it's seen as the done thing here. Ours goes out but I have no problem at all with people who have house cats.
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