letting cats out

[ilovecats]

How old do cats/kittens have to be before they can go outside? is it best to wait till they have been neutered before letting them out mine are both males but are eager to go out but aint being neutered till end of Jan.

Any ideas?
Debi.

[boscibo]

I don't let my cats out - too many dangers. That is a topic that has been debated here since the beginning of time, so do a search on outside vs inside to find out more.

Definitely do not let your unneutered males out! They can father kittens at a very young age and are much more apt to get into fights (requiring big vet bills) than neutered males.

[catnapper]

Depends on where you live, you'll get different answers. Here in my area, I'd have to be absolutely nuts to let my cats out -- dangers of human evilry, being smashed by cars. Not to mention the things other animals might do: fights, worms, fleas, FIP, FIV, FeLV.... no sir, mine are happy and content indoors. All but one of mine are petrified to even step outside.

[ilovecats]

Its a safe place where i live..... i live in a cul-de-sac, its very country fide, the people who live around me love cats (i think they all have at least one cat each house hold) i do understand other dangers and would prefer them to be total indoor cats.... but im worried incase one of my children leave the front or back door open and they get out they will be so scared if they have never ventured outside and i dont want them to go through that.... this is a hard one ..lol
Debi.

[JenBKR]

Never before they are neutered - personally I never let mine out at all, but that topic has been debated here and I know that there are people who do let theirs out. If you do decide to let you cat out, make sure that he is completely up to date on all shots also.

[Miss Z]

Before Zsa-Zsa became blind, she went out with my now RB cat Brando all the time. I would let them explore your garden first whilst you watch them, then hold them (if you can) and walk a bit around your cul-de-sac. It's surprising how quick they learn where home is, and where the best places are to hide, sunbathe, chase little animals etc.

[catmandu]

There has been Too Much FIP around here to let the Found Cats go out!!
And Too Many Careless Drivers and Unaltered Cats!
And you have to watch out for Dogs that are not tied up in thier Yards,as well.

[Jessika]

Definitely do not let your unneutered males out! They can father kittens at a very young age and are much more apt to get into fights (requiring big vet bills) than neutered males.

Don't forget the unspayed females! You DO NOT want to have to deal with taking care of and vet bills for a pregnant mother and then her kittens! And the associated health risks, of course.

The option is completely up to you. I would personally never let mine wander outside because I would be too afraid of him getting run over, or stolen by a neighbor, or attacked by a coyote or... well toooooo many bad thoughts run through my head so I keep him very close by!!

[catnapper]

If you worry about them getting out and being scared, then why not taking them out with you when you gaqrden, etc? That way they know their territory, and are only out when you are there, and if they get out accidentally, they know where they are and won't panic.

My oldest cat, Allen, was allowed outside before we got him. To this day, he wants outside whenever possible. At least he doesn't run and when he does go out, I'm out with him and he just sits in the sun eating grass. He never strays more than 5 feet from the back door (though its far enough that he caught a chipmunk this past fall!) I let Allen outside with me when I take out the trash, let Nicki out ot pee, etc. 5 minutes at a time, at most, but he loves it and NEVER goes anywhere. Once I FORGOT I let him out, and the sweet boy tried to get in through the basement door! LOL

Even if you live on a quiet cul-de-sac, there are STILL dangers. Flutter was born on much the same type street. The family who adopted her mom LOVED cats... yet somehow a human came along and choped off the legs of three kittens. My Flutter is one of those kittens, and every day I feel sad that I didn't get to her before some evil human performed their own cruel surgery.

[Miss Z]

Even if you live on a quiet cul-de-sac, there are STILL dangers. Flutter was born on much the same type street. The family who adopted her mom LOVED cats... yet somehow a human came along and choped off the legs of three kittens. My Flutter is one of those kittens, and every day I feel sad that I didn't get to her before some evil human performed their own cruel surgery.

OMG, that's terrible !!!! I've never heard of people doing that in England, in fact, theft of most animals over here is very uncommon. I'd always thought it safe to let out cats where i live, i've never met anyone who has an 'indoor cat' in my region.

[BC_MoM]

I know here it is illegal to let your cat roam the neighbourhoods. There are MAJOR fines for it. If you want your cat outside, it must be outside in your yard on a leash.

I don't have a cat right now, but I did used to have an Orange Tabby who was an all indoors cat. If I get another, it will be indoor unless I am outside with it.

[Miss Z]

I know here it is illegal to let your cat roam the neighbourhoods. There are MAJOR fines for it. If you want your cat outside, it must be outside in your yard on a leash.

That's a harsh law. There are many cats that roam the neighbourhood where i live. I think they enjoy getting fresh air, and cats are independant creatures that like to have alone time. Seriously, i never knew that some people always keep cats indoors (unless they are blind or disabled in some way) until i came on PT. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just that cats are always out and about where i live

[BC_MoM]

I have to admit, I do find myself getting angry when I see my dog come running inside with cat crap in it's mouth from our backyard, though.... that's the only thing that bothers me about them running around neighbourhoods.. they crap in the flowerbeds and in corners of our yard. Not even Marigolds keep these ones out.

I don't think cat owners would appreciate our dogs running around crapping in their yards..... sorry, guys.

[Jessika]

That's a harsh law. There are many cats that roam the neighbourhood where i live. I think they enjoy getting fresh air, and cats are independant creatures that like to have alone time. Seriously, i never knew that some people always keep cats indoors (unless they are blind or disabled in some way) until i came on PT. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just that cats are always out and about where i live

Technically its illegal where I live, too. Its a safety thing more than anything else and not only for humans but for the cats, too. I don't live in the city but there are major roads a couple hundred feet from my back yard and its a very busy town with a LOT of traffic. Not to mention a mile down the road there is a very busy highway. So I understand why we have that law here. Its easier to keep your cats indoors nad monitored than roaming free, possibly not being spayed or neutered, possibly not being up-to-date on their shots, and fathering/mothering MORE homeless kittens.. it REALLY helps cut down on that!

[babychicaleek]

I never ever let Gemini go outside it's too dangerous for her and plus we live near people who have big mean dogs!!!