My partner and I are fairly sure we would like Enzo to remain an indoor cat. For his safety mostly...

We have a problem though... he is VERY interested in going outside! Every time we come home from work and open the door... he tries make a run for it! He's even got out once...

Is he not meant to be an indoor cat? Is it cruel to keep him in?

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Enzo - Maine Coon (Jemahan Enzo)

How old is he? if he's a kitten he may be fine as an indoor cat, but if he's already showing interest in going outdoors then I don't think it would be fair to keep him in. If he's an adult cat, do you know his history, was he previously an outdoor cat? if so keeping him in also isnt fair on him. Have you thought about cat proofing your garden so that he can go outside safely in the garden but not roam out of it?

Your baby Enzo is a maine coon right? (sorry probably spelt it wrong). But that means hes going to be a very BIG boy and a very beautiful stunning one too (witch no doubt you knw ). Most breeders only will sell their pedigree kits to indoor homes. Near my parents house theres a lady with two siamese (absoloutley stunning) and they go out and about.

Personally I'd say it depends on where you live (what your surroundings are like).

Things to consider -

What dangers could my kitty face if I let him out e.g other cats, roads, possible theft..

I think it is completely unatural for a cat to be kept inside it's whole life and personally I might even dare go as far as to say cruel. However there will be plenty who will argue that if they don't know any different..

However letting a cat outside might not be the obvious letting him run out through the front door, how about a kitty harness? Enzo is still young and he might really take to it? Outdoor runs from your home are expensive but a good investmant too! A cat proof fenced garden would give him some access to the outside too.

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Soda is like this, tonight she tried running out the door for the hundredth time. I hope once she is fixed she will lose interest.

I plan on building an outdoor run when I get my own place, is this possible for you?

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Cats-Decker, Horris, Soda

Dog-Sophie

10 Gallon tank - 2 fantail goldfish.

Rest in Peace Kira (cat)2011

He may want to go outside but the negatives outweigh the positives.

1. He could be stolen as he's a Maine Coon kitten.
2. He could get run over.
3. Local thugs could attach fireworks to him.
4. Local cats could fight him.
5. He could get lost.
6. He'd be more likely to catch diseases.
7. He'd be out killing animals for fun.

As previously said, it is likely you signed a contract regarding whether he is to go out.

My Maine Coon was like this a lot; eyeing up the doors & windows. Since we got a second kitten she hasn't been that bothered. They will both sit & watch the world go by but are too interested in play to wait for the door to open.

ambercat: Enzo is almost 6 months old now! I live in a privately rented home, so cat-proofing the garden isn't really an option...


Miss-Meow: Yes, a big baby Nothing was mentioned to me by his breeder about him being indoor/outdoor or any other limitations.

We live in a quiet cul-de-sac with fields at the end of the road.

With Enzo's interest in wanting to go outside, we did buy a harness... he walks completely fine with it on around the garden. Although, I wonder if this feeds urge to go outside?


messyhearts: I don't like all of those negatives I never signed a contract............

We plan to get Enzo neutered shortly - will this make any difference? I'd love to get him a play mate! Can't afford another at the moment though, and we'd like for Enzo to grow up a bit first

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Enzo - Maine Coon (Jemahan Enzo)

It's not cruel at all. My kitten is an indoor cat and she has also expressed interest in going out. I provide her with a lot of toys, mental stimulation and she has the dogs too so she's not too bothered most of the time.

If you have the space build a run in your garden or if you have the money and want to cat proof your garden. Extend and fences/walls and add wire mesh to the tops of them with the top bits curving inwards. This means if they get up up the mesh they can't climb over it.

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Before horris was fixed two months ago he was always bolting out the door. I have run across the parking lot in my pants and bra trying to catch him and he is a fast little bugger too.

But since hes been fixed havent had a problem.

Decker likes going outside and I used to take her for walks but alot of people around her seem to have gotten dogs and I dont want to take the chance of running into them.

Soda is dying to get out and I'm hoping once she is fixed it will stop.

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Cats-Decker, Horris, Soda

Dog-Sophie

10 Gallon tank - 2 fantail goldfish.

Rest in Peace Kira (cat)2011

Yes, if he's already had a taste for the outside on the harness, it really isnt fair to now make him an indoor cat.

Cat proofing neednt affect the rental property - if there is existing fencing, brackets and mesh can be attached to the fencing without damage - and can easily be removed if at such time you move out of the property. It would be worth asking your landlord about it. The other alternative is something like Purrfect Fence, which is freestanding within the boundaries of the garden - and again is a temporary structure which can be taken down at some point in the future if needs be.

We have British and i know a lot of people keep them indoors.
We live in a cul de sac and we allow ours out in the day.
We often find that they don't go out much. Now the weather is cold and damp they are mostly in.
If you work full time then you could have a cat flap fitted. You can always lock it when you want to keep him in.
Also you could let him out when you wake up in the mornings. That way he perhaps wouldn't go far before his breakfast. Then lock him in while you are at work.
Is it possible to let him out in your lunch brake for an hour ?
I find that if i'm doing jobs in the garden they like to come outside with me. So at the week ends you could let him out more when you can be out and about.
Hope this helps.
Like somebody else said cat proof fencing would be a great idea!!

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