..a subject that's been covered many times before I'm sure. When we first got Florence our lovely bbsh kitten, I was dead set on her being an indoor cat. But because it just goes against my natural instinctive wish for her to be as free as possible, I've struggled with the concept.

Consequently, I've talked to so many people about it, from breeders to family and friends, people on the web, trying to get a feel for whether I'm right to make her strictly a house cat, or whether my instincts are true and I should just let fate take it's course. When I told our vet we intended to limit her to the house indefinitely, he seemed delighted. But my mother-in-law is appalled and considers it cruel. Flo's breeder made it very clear it was a no brainer as far as he was concerned, he felt that if a cat has never experienced the great outdoors, then they do not miss it and it's only cruel to confine them if they've known different previously.

Then of course there's lots of other more than viable reasons besides the seemingly rather dismal mortality statistics of unrestricted outdoor cats, the impact domestic cats are having on the native flora being just one.

But as she gets bigger and her true character starts to really shine through that initial, tender fluffy kitten phase, and the exceptionally bold and brave cat I know she's turning into starts to exert itself, I find I'm getting the wobbles - this is a cat that I feel almost instinctively, will thrive out there given even a slim chance. She's just got what it takes and I can almost see her now, prowling through fields of tall grass, marking the highest branches of trees, murdering entire generations of field mice, exterminating entire populations of rats - it's in her eyes!

So. For probably the upteenth time I throw the question to the floor - what do you guys think, indoors or out?

well my vet said that it depends on their personality.
if they are one of those cats that doesnt show hunting instincts etc, then obviously dont let it out- the reason why leo cant be out on his own is because whenever something big (eg me) approaches him outside he lies down. so if that was a dog he would be dead in afew minutes.
its mostly yuor choice. if you think they r strong enough to be on their own in the big wide world- let them out.
but if they are like leo, then obviously dont.

hope this helped xx

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As you are aware you are opening a can of worms with this question.My opinion is this,All my cats have been house cats,except one who was a semi feral but even he became very nearly a house cat ,his own choice.Meeko is approaching 2 years old now and is ,and will be a house cat.I would love to see him outside in my huge garden,climbing tree's and enjoying the "outdoors"But much as I would love to see that, I dont want to see him splattered on the road,beaten up by other cats,poisoned or kicked/shot at by some of the mindless morons.Nor do I want to see him tear birds/mice to bits for "fun".He has no knowledge of "outdoors" so cant miss it.To him outside is just another room,one that he can just look at,and seems perfectly happy with this arrangement.

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When you say 'outdoor' are you talking about free roaming or just being outdoors?

My cats are allowed outside in our cat secure garden but not to free roam. I had to ask myself the question how I would feel if something happened to them - would I feel good about having allowed them to wander as they had a life of 'freedom' or would I feel bad that I didn't protect them as promised. In my case, the answer to my question was the latter.

Our road is quiet, but that makes it worse as cats think it is safe. They end up not being street wise enough to run from sudden van drivers who zoom up the road OR fall asleep under cars and get run over accidentally by drivers who didn't know they were there. Too many neighbours have lost their cats this way, including one who's cat was run over and then hid under our car in the driveway where it died.

I agree with the point that what a cat doesn't know it won't miss but also that it is dependant on the personality of the cat. As long as you are happy with your decision then don't let what anyone else says upset you. Everyone has their own opinion about everything, and we all make up our own minds at the end of the day.

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I have also struggled with this. I also have people who tell me it's cruel to confine them. It's tough one and no one can tell you what to do, I think weighing up the pros and cons and looking at the individual cat is the only way to decide.

I have three cats - Harry is nine and an ex-feral kitten. He's very "streetwise" and the most sensible (only way I can describe him) animal I've ever known. He's always been allowed free cat flap access to the outdoors and spends a lot of time (apart from when it's really cold like now) outside. I could never imagine confining him (though I "encourage" him to spend nights in at this time of year).

Oscar is 7 months old and the (I hesitate to use the word) thickest animal I've ever known! He is gloriously soppy and cuddly and likes nothing more than laying upside down in our arms. He would approach anyone and that scares me even more than cars tbh.

Kitty is Oscar's sister - she's very tame and cuddly but a lot brighter than Oscar - she worked the catflap out within half a day of being here which gives me massive headaches re Harry's free access!

Oscar and Kitty are going to be "indoor" cats, I have concluded. I never thought I'd have indoor cats but they are so different to Harry (even how he was as a kitten) I just can't risk it. I do allow them in my garden with me wearing jacket-type harnesses and I take it in turns to let them off the leads while I watch them. They also go for walks. TBH they are showing little interest just now (we got caught in the garden in a hailstorm a couple of weeks ago and they won't entertain going out right now) but I know they like it when it's warm. I would ultimately like to "cat-proof" the garden.

It's a tough one, I know where you are coming from.

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Harry: Ginger & White b. September 2002
Oscar: Black b. 7th May 2011
Kitty: Grey Tabby b. 7th May 2011

Our lovely cat family

Thanks for the reply guys. It really is a can of worms. I've decided I'm just going to play it by ear, but I'm going to do it with the mindset of "indoor cat" and see where fate takes us. If she uses her ingenuity to get past the gate keeper often enough, that will inevitably lead to an outdoor cat whether I choose it or not (she's like a ninja and already outfoxes my wife and I on a regular basis), but I'm hoping by the time she's 14 or 15 months, she'll just prefer being curled up on a sofa than murdering small mammals and birds

By cat proofing your garden they can have the best of both worlds.
It also means that you can have your windows and doors open in the summer without fear of her getting out.
They can enjoy sitting outside in the sun with you and they will be safe.
That is what we have done.
It didn't cost very much as we already had 6 foot fencing up and it only took hubby a weekend to sort it.
now it's winter she probably won't want to go out much so it's something to think about for next year.

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After losing cats to traffic accidents years ago I wanted our cats to be indoor but they had other ideas. When we moved from london one of the considerations was to move to an area with less traffic. I can see how thewir lives are enriched and I love watching my three chase one another and playing whilst they are outside. Ella and Cleo like to go out more than Archie, he prefers to be with us causing trouble.

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As others have said; it depends on your cat! See how things go, maybe make your garden cat proof so she can't wander off, maybe only let her out for short periods & practice calling her back in with lovely treats.

Ultimately this is your decision & I'm sure you are more in a position to judge what is best for your cat so don't let anyone make you feel bad for what you decide.

My two were originally indoor cats & seemd very happy with this. Then last year we moved to a rural location with a big garden which they then decided they wanted to explore. Basil isn't that fussed & only gos out for short periods (I think he's a bit scared of the birds ) but Winnie loves the outdoors.

Ok here's my take...
Oscar my BSH was an outdoor cat, even though my vet advised against it I decided my area was safe! I'm near no main roads and live in a quiet culdesac. My vet told me that he would lay in the middle of the road and expect cars to drive around him and he did exactly that!!! He was well loved and used to visit most of the houses on the street, everybody knew and loved Oscar, he even used to follow the postman on his round just like a dog!
I never intended him to go further than the garden and at first he didn't but gradually ge went further and further. Every time he didn't come in when expected I always feared the worst, that he had been run over or stolen!
In June this year my worst fear was realised, straight outside my house, my own son ran him over he nearly died, had multiple fractures to his jaw, his palate was broken straight down the middle from back to front and his front paw was paralysed it was touch and go for weeks and was in intensive care for 2 of those weeks! It appears the car went straight over his head He came home to me looking like this


It took weeks of syringe feeding and syringing strong painkillers into him and then further op to remove the wires, implants and his front teeth before he was well on the road to recovery! The nerve damage in his paw mended and he now has a limp which is hardly noticeable but has become worse with the cold weather.
He is now an indoor cat with outdoor access via a run my hubby built for him. He has a new friend, Rosie who I've just got to keep him company! I would never let any cat out again! As I said earlier my road isn't busy, my son wasn't speeding, just setting off out!
BSH are deffo not for going out they just don't have the road sense and are far too friendly for their own good!
Here's a pic of how he is now

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