When can my kitten go outside?

[Randy_K]

The culture isn't so different in South Africa as it is the USA or Europe. I have friends in Jozi (Johannesburg for the non-saffies here!) who keep their Abyssinian cats indoors.

Any cat can be perfectly happy living an indoor-only life and South Africa has its own special hazards for a little cat not commonly found on other continents. They don't need to go out!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

From the other perspective (well, you knew I was gonna pipe up didn't you? )


My Brody is 3 and she has access to the outdoors whenever she wants.

My RB kitty Cally was 14 when she died from cancer - she was allowed out and my hubby's RB kitty Tweed lived until she was 18 - she was also allowed outside.

Maybe it all comes down to the nature of the cat and the dangers posed by the outdoor environment........

[Medusa]

Maybe it all comes down to the nature of the cat and the dangers posed by the outdoor environment........

I'd say that's very sensible. Perfect world: all of my cats would be indoor/outdoor. It's their nature to be outdoors and to roam. Most of my cats, though, are special needs, so to allow them outdoors is out of the question. My parents didn't have pets when growing up and, when I came along and would drag a cat home and say that it followed me , my parents insisted on it being indoor/outdoor. But we lived in the city and I don't need to tell you of the dangers. Even as an adult, my cats were indoor/outdoor. It wasn't until I began actively rescuing that I kept them indoors because of their special needs. I have several friends who were born and raised in S. Africa and they told me that it is not their culture to have cats in the house but that it is a personal decision. They were shocked when they saw that I had 4 (at that time) indoors. I guess that may sound a little confusing, considering my previous post, because I do believe that humans pose the most dangerous problem but not everyone believes the way I do. That doesn't mean they're wrong.

[Saddlebred girl]

Thanks everybody for your replies and advice.Im defenitly going to make him a indoor cat now.His name is whiskars and he is grey with dark stripes.I am struggeling to upload pics here.It just says invalid file.But i will keep on trying.

[Saddlebred girl]

Hi here is a picture of my kitten he is so cute.

[Freedom]

Hi baby, and welcome to PT! You have it made, ya know? Your mom is a part of the extended world wide family so you get all sorts of aunties and unkies to share in your life and send you love and good wishes!

You really are adorable, and your mom and going to have to post lots of photos of you and start threads all for you! Luv ya, sweet one!

[Medusa]

Whiskers is a cutie pie alright! You're going to have lots of fun and lovin' together.

[Moesha]

What a cute picture of a cute kitty! What a good idea to keep her inside!

[kb2yjx]

Whiskars is PRECIOUS!!!!!! Glad to hear you will keep him INSIDE!!!!!!!!
YEA!!!!!! from the Campbell Clan of Cats: Norton(16), Raven(COTD 12/9/04 and 12), Tina Peepers(soon to be 12), Riley(soon to be 8), Hayley(4), Hope Simone(2), Nimet(2), and Bianca Rose(1)!!!!

[columbine]

What a little sweetie! Hello, Whiskars! Your human is wise and loves you very much. Stop by any time for a lively discussion of toys, treats, and keeping healthy!

Love, Columbine

[kittycats_delight]

Ciao Whiskars sei bellissimo!!! In case you don't understand Italian (not all my kitties do) you are beautiful! We can't wait to see you grow into a happy, healthy, fun loving little man. We have all girls in our house except the 'baby' Frost. Frost is the only boy and does he take advantage of that. hehehe He is quite the little mischief maker but a real lover boy too. Welcome to the PT family sweetheart!


You are doing a great thing for Whiskars keeping him as an indoor only kitty. If you ever have a question you have found a wonderful place to ask them. We have some amazingly knowledgeable people here that can answer just about anything you need to know. PT is a great family and we support and help each other as much as we can. You really have found a wonderful place. We look forward to getting to know you better and seeing Whiskars grow up. And would it be too forward to ask for .... MORE PICTURES .... only if you can.

BTW...if I haven't introduced myself my name is Michelle and I live in Italy with 5 cats and one dog. Vixen is the queen she just turned 4. Phoenix is the moody one, she just turned 5. Then there is Bella, she used to be feral but now is living the indoor life and is quite happy. She is almost 2. Frost is the baby, that is Bella's son. He will be 1 next Saturday. And last but certainly not least of the kitties is Vega. She is the sweet little wild child. She is just over 1. Then we have Artica our dawggie who is a border collie cross. She is also just over 1. I think that about covers it. Again welcome to PT. We hope you stick around.

Michelle

[Taz_Zoee]

Welcome Whiskars!! That's probably what my Taz looked like at that age. I got him when he was a few months old.
It will be fun watching this little guy grow up.

[Saddlebred girl]

Thanks everybody.My name is jaclynne and i will defenitly keep everybody up to date on how whiskers is growing up.I will post more pictures.

[gini]

A warm welcome to you and to Whiskers. You will be so glad that you joined our forum. If you ever have any other questions about your kitty, all you have to do is ask and there are so many experienced people on this board who will willingly help you.

I am happy that you will keep your new little love indoors. You won't be sorry.

[carole]

Welcome to PT, and you have made a very wise choice deciding to make little whiskars an indoor kitty, who by the way it simply adorable.

It is not the norm in my culture here in NZ to keep cats indoor's,but if it is practical and you can do it, i say go for it.