Thread: kitten help

We've had a few cats with plans of having them indoors. All of them wanted to be outside a majority of the day, something we did NOT want but it seemed to be instinct for the cat. They came in at night, for food, whenever they wanted. One didn't use the litterbox, but would cry at the door when she needed to go. We've had one stolen twice (found it the first time, heard about it the second time ), one taken by a coyote we *think* and one disappear recently. Despite that, it seems unnatural to force them indoors fulltime if they want to go outside because of their history and desire to hunt, explore, etc. If you adopt a cat there's a chance you will have a cat that is used to exploring outside and won't want to remain inside all day.

We WANT an indoor dog but because we rescued an older dog from a shelter we have what we have- an outdoor dog that becomes neurotic if you FORCE him into the house and then begins peeing on everything. He had obviously never been an inside dog before. We've had neighbors say we're cruel for having him outside- where is he supposed to be? I feel that dogs need to be indoor/outdoor, even this one, but he truly hates being inside. He doesn't even like the garage! His favorite thing is to dig a hole and bask in the sun, like a cat. lol He won't come in when it's raining and we set treats from the door into the house, he would rather sit in his dog house!

we have 2 cats, and zero litterbox odor. That is because we keep it and the food in the garage, and there is a small cat door between the garage and the house.



That is a brilliant idea!

I have had cats most of my life, and I think the best solution for you might be an indoor/outdoor cat. You don't need a litterbox, minimal hair/dander issues, but cat gets companionship and a place to be safe from the big bad neighborhood outside. You might have a hard time finding a kitten in mid winter at the pound (at least in Ohio cats don't seem to have as many babies in the winter as spring/summer). Fix him or her as soon as possible (some pounds send them right to the vet before you take them home) and know that if they are outdoors at all, you do risk more diseases, injuries, fleas and death.

I don't know what is worse though. Scooping litter poop every day (or every other day) or digging into your garden (or worse....the kids digging in the garden/sandbox) and finding cat poop. I **hate** when cats go in my gardens. I use gloves but blech.

I don't have an outdoor cat because:
1) we live in a residential neighborhood. Out of consideration for my neighbors, I don't have my cat outside. The roaming and potty factor alone. And, if it's a male, spraying. It is like a freaking dog that barks ALL THE TIME. I think it is rude to neighbors to let your dog bark outside for hours, as well as have your cat roaming through my yard.
2) There are cars. There are children. There are wild animals. These are all accidents ready to happen.
3) Cat bites can be fatal. If a child thought that a cat was playing, but the cat didn't, those bites are horrid and get infected VERY quickly. This happens on both indoor and outdoor, but the chances of kids coming up to an outdoor cat are more likely.
4) Weather. Michigan has harsher weather than Florida, but I'm guessing it can still get cold and rainy down there. THen there are the vet bills associated with the cat getting sick from being out in the elements. I really wish there were pet insurance.
5) The Play factor. With every cat that we've EVER owned, they don't play like dogs. Dogs WANT to play. They go off wagging their tail and panting, begging people to play. Cats are so aloof. They don't want to play. They want to stretch out as long as they can in the sun. They may chase a fly or nibble catnip. They want to sit quietly and get scratches and rubs. But, play?

At this time in *my* life, I just couldn't have an outside cat.

I just want to thank you ladies for being so great! I posted the same questions at a different board (can you guess?) and was totally slammed and basically accused of being a wretched person for even considering an outside pet. I know that some of you don't agree with our plan, but at least you were kind! Thank you!

Originally Posted by OnTheBrink

I just want to thank you ladies for being so great! I posted the same questions at a different board (can you guess?) and was totally slammed and basically accused of being a wretched person for even considering an outside pet. I know that some of you don't agree with our plan, but at least you were kind! Thank you!

Have you seen the LitterMaid catbox? Like you, I am seriously grossed out by the thought of poo sitting around inside my house. (The garage idea is fantastic though and I wish we had an attatched garage.) Anyhow, the Littermaid box senses when the cat has finished its business and sort of rakes the deposit into a little box that is lined with a bag and more or less sealed up tight. There is NO odor and no poo sitting out in the open. And the new dessicant style litters really eliminate a vast majority of odors. It is expensive, but so worth it
-Heather

At the spca here there are about 100 cats killed each day. These statistics are from two different local cat foundations.

If you adopted a cat and kept it outside it will have a happier ending than being put to death at the spca. It may get killed outside sooner than an indoor cat but at least it will know love and care and have a full belly.

We are not allowed inside pets as we are renting. We've had several cats here and yes most of them got killed in one way or another. We had them vaccinated and spayed/neutered and spent time with them outside. Even if their life was short it was still longer than at the spca.

My kids have been exposed to several at deaths (knowledge of...not sight seen) and they are fine. They know that for a little while they were happy as opposed to a certain death at the spca.

ATM we have two semi-feral kittens in our kitchen (shh..don't tell our landlord). The local no kill shelters are full and at the spca they will get put to death for certain as they can't even find homes for the friendly cats. We are in the process of taming them and they will be outside cats once they become friendly. They have access to the laundry room/shower room where I will keep a nice warm bed and their food/water. They will be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. The kids go outside every day so they will still be around humans and of course have each other.

Maybe get two kittens so they can keep each other company??

forgot to add.....it's not just the litterbox factor but the fact they jump on everthing. I just don't like the thought of a cat walking on my kitchen counters after having used the litterbox. That grosses me out. Some people have claimed to have trained their cats but I'm still leery (sp??).

We got a cat last February. He was 1 year old at the time. He's primarily an indoor cat plus if he does go out he needs to be on a leash because of our leash laws. His box is in the laundry room and it doesn't smell. He still has his front claws and doesn't scratch the furniture or the kids. He also doesn't jump on the kitchen counters. He also rarely sheds. I was told by the vet that it's because he eats a good cat food. We feed him something about the Cat Lover's Soul. He's been a great cat!

Do you live in the rural part of Lakeland or city? That may help you decide. When I lived in Plant City, we always had indoor/outdoor cats (they only came in to sleep) and it was fine. Since moving to VA, we have to keep our cat indoors because we live in an urban area and it wouldn't be fair to a cat to have it roaming around dodging cars.

Cats do want to be outside though, its their nature. My kitty sits on the table and looks outside all the time. This is her favorite time of year because we have the windows open. To keep her happy, I take her outide on a long lead. I put the lead through the clothes line and she hides and plays outside. She loves to pretend she is a great hunter and will jump out at us, lol.