Hi,

From reading other posts on the forum I have noticed some people use extendable leads to allow their cats to have a bit of outside time.

Any advice??? Is it cruel to keep them in?

I doubt my two would allow me to put a harness on them, they are house cats and I have not as yet really tried to put collars on them. I did get a collar on Mani but he was terrified of the bell on it and haven't had the heart to try them again.

They never ask to be out but if the door was open they would go out. Lola did get out once and didnt come home for 5 days after we set a cat trap to capture her...never again!

I dont think its cruel really jst people prefer there cats inside safe..
I have a cat she will be a 1 year in July just started to let her out well when i say out its only when i am out with dogs or the washing ect she never went far and she like to sit out in the front garden never goes out it(yet) and sits on the window watching things go by..

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R.I.P ...Mesha xx Never Forget you xx
I will be back! i need to fight the BIG "C" atm!

with the harnesses the trick is to introduce it slowly... not put it on and go outside

Indy has been used to his harness a full month now and today is our first trip out

Let the cat(s) get used to it just wearng it around the house and distract them with food and play til they forget they are wearing it, then do the same with a lead so they get used to a limit on their movement, again reinforcing with play and treats...

My boys are so far perfectly happy indoors but as I am catproofing the garden for them to have safe outside access I am getting them used to the outdoors safely... I believe that if you *can* give a cat safe outside access then you should as all animals like rabbits, cats, dogs etc are designed to roam and the mental stimulation of the sights and smells are invaluable to a happy and healthy mind.

If you can't give them *safe* outside access through either safe area/catproof garden/pen/harness then as long as you give them lots of play and stimulation inside so they stay happy and healthy then you are fine in my book, so don't feel guilty as long as they are ok

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I have 4 cats who all go outside when they want and come in when they want via a flap, if I could go back in time I would deffinately have them all as indoor cats as with traffic and evil idiots I think the world is a dangerous place for outdoor cats. I think having known the freedom of going outside it would be cruel to keep them in now but if your cats have never been out I think given enough stimulation indoors then I can't see that they would need to be taken out on harnesses. sorry bit of a ramble ther but hope it helps.

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Hi,

Thanks for the advice, neither of them have been house cats since we took them in 2 and a half years ago. Lola was 1 and a half and Mani was only 10 months, they are mother and son.

They were previously in their old home but that was the reason they needed rehoming as the neighbours were putting poison down to keep them of the gardens.

I have never dared let them out but Lola sneaked out once and like I say never came back for 5 days. And that wasn't through choice, we had a catch her in a humane cat trap.

I do try to keep them entertained indoors but feel like a bad mam when they sit and watch the world go by from their window perch.

I guess it is safer from traffic and nasty people keeping them in, I dont think they look they are lacking in anything...

My rescue kitty was declawed so he has to be an indoor cat but we harness trained him and take him on walks with the dog. Its not cruel to keep them as house pets but I want him to be able to experience the outside world

I think you just need to risk assess the area and see what you think is best for your cat.

I personally do not think that it is cruel to keep a cat in. Mine stays in and goes outside on her extendable doggy lead. She absolutely LOVES going outside but is currently stretched out on the sofa in the sun light so I like to think that I am giving her the best of both worlds.

You might be surprised about getting a harness on her though. My kitty is quite a bruiser and she is really strong but she sits down and lets me put the harness on and doesn't seem to bat an eyelid. I got her used to it by putting it on and off of her whilst she was eating

Any cat will try to go outside if a door is left open - it can be the most content cat in the world but it will still be curious so I wouldn't worry too much about that

I think I will continue on the way I have been. I might try to get the collars on them again to get them used to wearing them so I can progress on to a harness.
They have a big bay window that gets the sun all day on their activity centre at the moment so I think they are content.

Cheers though everyone...

if you drive you can put a harness on them and take them somewhere really nice and secluded or i have known for someone to attached a lead to a washing line... i wouldnt fancy that with two cats they would get tangled! I dont really know the risks or one cat on a line, i think it might be okay but not sure

nopoo actually i'm not liking that idea, it would have to be fully tested in all situations before it could possibly be safe!