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New Member
 
Cats owned: heinz 57
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: highlands scotland
Posts: 18
28-12-2007, 09:57 PM   #1

Indoor or outdoor??


My oldest cat sylvester is 7 months old and has been neutered. We had intended to let him outside during the day and to keep him in at night,, that isn't his plan though. He wants to stay in all day and go out at night - so far I have refused to let him out but he prowls the windows and doors around 10pm crying to get out. what should i do give in and let him out or make the decision the keep him and his little brother indoors?

Anne



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alexgirl73's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 lovely boys and a beautiful girl
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Telford UK
Posts: 10,652
28-12-2007, 10:00 PM   #2

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Cats can be so pernickity cant they!!! Tbh, my 3 cats are all indoor, but if I was to let them out I couldn't sleep knowing they were out at night. Mad I know, but just how I feel lol. I think most on here have their cats in at night too.



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Elaine's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 moggies
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 15,256
28-12-2007, 10:09 PM   #3

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Cats will want out at night, its their nature and hunting instincts. There is no harm in keeping them as indoor only cats if you prefer that. My cats seem to have learned that I will not let them out at night and so have got used to it. They only get outside in the day time and when i am home coz i live in the city but my back garden has an extremely high wall to stop them getting out into the streets.
I notice you live in the hioghlands, can i ask where?
Watch out you soft southerners, the Scots are invading this forum



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New Member
 
Cats owned: heinz 57
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: highlands scotland
Posts: 18
28-12-2007, 10:15 PM   #4

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Hi Elaine
don't they try to get away even throught the day? I have had sylvester outside during the day, he is happy to stay by my side but won't go anywhere. I always thought it was a bit cruel to keep them indoors but I would rather that than being outside at night - i am in Thurso right at the top!!
Anne



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alexgirl73's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 lovely boys and a beautiful girl
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Telford UK
Posts: 10,652
28-12-2007, 10:18 PM   #5

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


My dads family were all from Thurso!! The closest I got was Wick lol.



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dandysmom's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Leia: blue torbie
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Posts: 31,378
28-12-2007, 10:20 PM   #6

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Cats are nocturnal prowlers and hunters by instinct, but I agree indoor at night is much safer. He should adjust if you stick to it. Have you thought of giving him a good romp/playtime before bedtime to use up some of his energy and make him more disposed to rest? And is it safe in your area: traffic, foxes, feral dogs, traps, etc?



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New Member
 
Cats owned: heinz 57
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: highlands scotland
Posts: 18
28-12-2007, 10:20 PM   #7

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Hi alexgirl!!
Poor you, should have travelled another 10 miles or so to get to Thurso!!

Anne



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Elaine's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 moggies
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 15,256
28-12-2007, 10:22 PM   #8

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Oooh Thurso, that makes you the most northerly one amongst us
No, the wall is 18 - 20 ft high. If they really wanted to get out then i guess they could as i have seen other cats get in and out of the garden but my two either dont want to leave their dear mummy me or are too stupid and lazy to suss it out
Its not cruel to keep them indoors provided there is enough stimulations for them.



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Mags's Avatar
Global Moderator
 
Cats owned: NA
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: South-West,UK
Posts: 37,618
28-12-2007, 10:24 PM   #9

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Cassie has access to outdoors during the daytime but I always get her in during the evening and lock her catflap.

Sam, my previous cat was a bit like Sylvester...... he went out during the day and I locked him in at night. He was neutered too but he would scratch and "howl" to get outside when it was night time. I had an awful time with him, he even broke a cat flap once with his efforts.. I never gave in to him though ........ I wouldn't sleep knowing I had a cat still outside after dark...



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New Member
 
Cats owned: heinz 57
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: highlands scotland
Posts: 18
28-12-2007, 10:25 PM   #10

Re: Indoor or outdoor??


Hi Dandys mom

we always have a good play in the evening - they seem to play in the mornings and sleep afternoons and then play again in the evenings - mind you the pair of them are asleep at the moment!!, they are still getting used to each other though. not feeling so guilty about keeping them in though. we live away from busy roads and I am not sure about foxes etc, but I have heard that there is a group of youths stealing cats and torturing them whether this is true or not I don't know but I don't want to take the chance
Anne



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