in home

[maureenmcollins]

can i keep my kitten indoors andnever let her out would it be ok , had a lovely cat got hit by car dont want it to happen again

sinceely MAREEN

[opus88]

I don't leave my Sami alone when on a leash, I am with him all the time, we sit on the deck and read or his leash is long enough he wonders over and lays under the trees....not safe to leave on his own because he has a clever way of slipping out of his harness if he see's another cat trying to enter the yard!
Leashes work but yes do not leave kitty alone...good luck, takes time to train....but now Sami sits at the door and waits for his leash when asking to go for his walk....

[penswriter]

my cat hasn't been outside since she was 3 months old...she's now 2 years old.

[IMstacie]

All my cats are indoor cats.  Indoor cats live longer and stay healthier.  I do leave them out in the back yard on weekends for about an hour, supervised of course.

[Piparskeggr]

Hey Maureen;

Absolutely!

Kitties can be very satisfied as indoor only creatures.

Mine are mostly indoor and only like to get outside and "graze" for 10 - 15 minutes when the weather is nice.

A key is making inside as interesting and enriching as outside...toys, play time, cuddling, petting, tall scratching posts to stretch themselves full-length...

Con Do!

[bmused]

I AGREE! inside is best all around, for everyone. I was raised on a farm and the barn cats lived about 6 yrs or so. i have never had an indoor cat make it less than 15 yrs,

opus, i tried the leash thing on majik, and he got attacked by a mature tom while on the leash. no damages, but he would hide when the leash came out after that. He was awful about running out but got way better after we moved. the others seem happy with the sunporch and birdfeeders to watch and eating my chives.

[opus88]

april is so right!!
for the past 20 yrs I have had strictly indoor cats...however they do go into the backyard with me only, for the fresh air daily, most of the cats I had would never attempt to jump the fence, but one of the ones I now have certainly would.....so he is on a leash! I take him for at least an hour stroll around the yard each day so he can walk around smelling all the scents and get some sun...this one LOVES the outdoors, other one Nemo 10 min. and hes had enough and ready to come inside. 8-}

[April2]

Absolutely. It's easier to start when they're young but cats can be perfectly happy being an indoor cat only. In fact, according to the vets I've talked to, cats live longer if they're strictly indoors. Outdoors, they have other cats who fight with them, the dangers of getting run over, weather, diseases, not to mention cruelty from some humans. It's just better and safer for them to remain indoors.
I would make sure you have a nice sunny place they can look outside, though, and watch the birds and sun themselves. They like that. :)