Molly had never been outside other than in a Cat run until I got her. (At least I am pretty sure of that!)

I got her a harness so i coudl take her out on sunny days, as she loves laying in the sun. I now think I maybe made a mistake. She is now desperate to get outside and yesterday she snuck past myself, hubby and our three dogs, through the kitchen and out the back door into the garden. The garden is secure, but the fences on either side are only about 3 1/2 ft high. I know she is capable of jumping that high, but we have stairgates indoors and she never jumps them, she mews for us to open them.

She is currently sat at the patio doors, scratching to get out.

I feeel quite mean, to be honest. I have taken her in the garden 'loose' under supervision, and she just mooches about, but I worry about her suddenly deciding to leg it!

I don't know what to do for the best. I do know our neighbours, and she can only get into other gardens, not into the road (we live in an army camp anyway, so fairly safe) so would she be ok to go out in the garden a couple of times a day if I supervised her? Or is she likely to just want to go further the more I let her out? A cat run is a possibility, but I'd prefer to wait until next summer, as the weather here is so bad I am not sure how much use she'd get out of it until then.

Would another indoor cat help? Do cats get lonely? We play with her and have the dogs, but she doesn't play with them.

unfortunately once you give them outside they want it. it's the risk you take. Trouble(my ocicat) was the same way. she always wanted to go walkies. we got to the point where we couldn't even say 'walkies' or 'outside' she knew the words!!! she started acting out and knocking things off the mantel and sitting in front of the tv or chewing on something she wasn't allowed. what ever she could do to get me to raise my voice. then when i did she would go... meeeow and come over like it was nothing. eventually we worked out it was because she wanted to go out. if she has a proper daily walk she's fine and if the weather is crap we take her out anyway just to show her it's wet and she goes stands in it a minute and comes back in again and goes to sleep.

i found putting up a washing line and hooking her stretchy lead to it so it slides up and down it for her to have a bit of a run. we didn't leave her on it very long though and kept an eye on her. you have to keep all that she can reach out of her reach basically so she doesn't get wrapped up or hung on the harness. i like using the stretch leads because you can adjust them and lock them in a shorter length.

The only thing you have to be carefull with is that Ragdolls do not have the same instincts as other cats and dont recognise danger.. they will walk up to any one or thing. So if you do let her out it should be under strict supervision.

The cat run would be a good idea, I'm hoping to build one when I get into a bigger house with a garden next year.. although my 2 havn't shown any signs of wanting to go out.

Another cat for Molly to play with to keep her occupied is also a good idea

It's a tricky one, yes basically, the more access she gets the more she will want, and she will keep getting bolder and she will wander further each time.
Taking her out on a harness is a great idea, as is a run. With Winter coming she might not be so keen when the weather turns, which might buy you some time to think about what you want to do.
Some breeds are bred for their personality traits as much as their looks [as with dogs] and then you get cats who are not stranger shy or danger aware. Raggys I think are like that and my Siamese would walk right down ther middle of a busy rd without a care in the world.
So far as company goes, was she used to having other cats around before she came to you? Mine do get very lonely and will actually pine if seperated, but others prefer their own space and will be territorial.

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Any chance of cat proofing your garden or even making a run that is a feature of your garden?

This is an Australian site but gives multitudinous ideas:

Cat Enclosures* Cat Runs* Outdoor Cat Enclosure Photos

wow! some of those runs are amazing! I like the idea of the tunnells aswell lol

To be honest, I think it only fair to allow cats to roam outside, and you don;t need to worry about them! It's not as scary as you may think. I've grown up with cats my whole life and when I found a stray 9 week kitten living in an old garage in the gully behind my house I just had to help her. So I took JD by means of cat treats (Jack Daniels, my sisters idea), and kept her inside for about one week, slowly gaining her trust as she was a complete stray. Armed with a cat litter box, her own special cat bowls and some TLC after one week I allowed her to go outside into the yard. She had a great time exploring the yard and then I brought her back inside. After just two more goes of this she was roaming the city of brum on her todd and coming home to eat, sleep and play.

In fact she was one of the best cats I ever had, she was affectionate, loved ot play with my hair for some reason and always came bolting to my side when I called her. In fact, she was more like my little guard dog and even tried crawling under my blankets a few times in the night so I'd wake up with her curled up against my tummy.

Don't be afraid to let your cat out, she will return to you. Home is where the heart is.

As far as loneliness goes, cats are highly territorial and really prefer not having other cats around! If you want another cat you will have to go through a tough period while they get used to each other and possibly have a bit of a scuffle.

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You don't choose cats, they choose you.


|Love Your Cat|

Thanks for your reply, but she really won't be allowed, and shouldn't be out. She is a Ragdoll and they are very trusting. Even the breed book states they are indoor cats. She is already 16 months old and has never been allowed out unsupervised, and I am not about to let her out.

Thanks to eveyrone else. I think I willt ry just keeping her in for a bit without taking her out at all, and see if that solves her wanderlust! I have bought her some new toys today to help keep her occupied.

We are very seriously considering another cat for company though. She lived alone until she went back to Lyn, who bred her, but obviously had company there.

Another cat's a good idea.. I'm so glad I got a friend for Alfie.. he's a much more confident and happier cat now, really come out of his shell

Will you (if you decide to get another) go for a Raggie kitten?