Stitches Out Day. She has been spayed, chipped, had all the injections and is strong and healthy. My concern is 'to be let out or not'' I know there have been lots of questions on here about this subject and a lot of great answers - perhaps I'm still looking for reassurance that I will be doing the right thing.
I now live in a OAP bungalow, and as most people living in the UK knows - there's no room to swing a cat - pardon the pun, especially as mine is only has one bedroom.
I've had my garden area turned into a patio with decking (I'm semi disabled so would be unable to look after a lawn) and raised flower beds and surrounded by a 4ft wooden fence, which I now know will be no problem for her. Someone suggested that I put barb wire across the top of the fence but I do think this is a bit drastic and could cause a nasty injury. I live in a cul de sac with a large field at the rear on my garden with very tall trees and if my curtains and wallpaper is anything to go by, she'll be up them like a shot.
I don't sit in the garden because I feel sorry for her stuck in the house.
So cat lovers - what do I do.
I now live in a OAP bungalow, and as most people living in the UK knows - there's no room to swing a cat - pardon the pun, especially as mine is only has one bedroom.
I've had my garden area turned into a patio with decking (I'm semi disabled so would be unable to look after a lawn) and raised flower beds and surrounded by a 4ft wooden fence, which I now know will be no problem for her. Someone suggested that I put barb wire across the top of the fence but I do think this is a bit drastic and could cause a nasty injury. I live in a cul de sac with a large field at the rear on my garden with very tall trees and if my curtains and wallpaper is anything to go by, she'll be up them like a shot.
I don't sit in the garden because I feel sorry for her stuck in the house.
So cat lovers - what do I do.
barbed wire? and i thought that was an American thing.
barbed wire is great for cows, even to keep people out, but a really bad idea for a cat.
cats love going outside, but there are a lot of dangers. there is no easy answer.
those who live in a city, close to a road, or deep in the woods, should not let the cat outside.
barbed wire is great for cows, even to keep people out, but a really bad idea for a cat.
cats love going outside, but there are a lot of dangers. there is no easy answer.
those who live in a city, close to a road, or deep in the woods, should not let the cat outside.
I have two out door cats that come in and out as they please, and one indoor cat. My out door cats were already outdoor and fully grown when I got them. My indoor cat Rain doesn't have a problem being an indoor cat. I got her a safety release collar that has her info on it and she has a harnis for her if I go out to the garden or outside for anything I hook her up on a long rope and her harnis and she plays away. Theres no problem with having your cat as an indoor cat. Just make sure you have lots of toys for her to play with. Indoor cats need more to play with. I find that Rain prefers the simple toys like the tie off of the milk jug and a card board box to play in over fancy expensive toys. As far as climbing on things you don't want Tiger to, get a little squirt bottle or gun and just keep it around you and when she does something wrong then just give her a little squirt of water. It teachers her what she can't do in a humane way. good luck on your decision!
Proud cat owner!
hey hun, aww your poor lickle cat. First of all stay in with her, barbed wire not a good idea your cat can easily dislocate its jaw or lose teeth tryin to break through. make sure you give her plenty of attention, because at the mo she really needs it. look after your cat and be the caring, loving owner which your cat needs. make sure she gets plenty of rest and if she has the energy, SOFT play. dont matter if its inside or outside. keep an eye on her if she go's to a certain worrying area of the garden, ok. look after your cat. xx
personal experience, trust me.
You might find that your cat will not now want to wander. Teach her use a figure 8 harness, which is safe for cats. You can take her out to the garden and she won't want to wonder.... if she is spade, she will stay put...
It's the sex drive that causes problems...
Sit in the garden with the figure 8 harness... and teach her how far she can roam away from you.... It can be done.....
It's the sex drive that causes problems...
Sit in the garden with the figure 8 harness... and teach her how far she can roam away from you.... It can be done.....
If your garden is completely fenced in then if you have a look on e-bay you will find rubber "spiking". Apparently it is very easy to use. You can either nail it on or stick it on top of your fence. It does not hurt in any way but simply makes it very uncomfortable for a cat to jump up on or walk across it. I am not sure what category it comes under - try "cat containment" or even "home security" as I know it can be used to deter burglers.
Note - Just looked on e-bay but cant find it. However, did find it from a company called Primrose London under "cat deterrents". My friend has used it to keep her 2 cats in and the neighbours 2 cats out.
If you make your garden as cat friendly as possible, she will be more happy staying in it. Get a water feature and tubs of grasses, wooden climbing frames that she can use for sunbathing and also for scratching on. Grow specific cat grass which she can nibble on etc etc. It sounds as if you are in a quiet area so I would definitely allow her out but under supervision. That is what I do with my cats and they have adapted well. They know that if I am out then they must stay in the house but as soon as I come home I will allow them access to the garden. You will get loads of people telling you not to let your cat out. However, most of them will live in the USA and I don't think they realise that life in the UK is a bit different. We don't have wild animals roaming around, nor do we have neighbours with guns or poison waiting to kill our pets (well, not many!) so I always feel that a cat - to a degree - should be allowed to live the life of a cat and be allowed access to fresh air and sun. Both things are pretty much essential to a happy and healthy life.
Just be vigilent and do whatever you can to keep your cat in your garden but if she does go into the field she will be fine. She will just be doing what comes naturally to her and will be back when she is hungry!
Note - Just looked on e-bay but cant find it. However, did find it from a company called Primrose London under "cat deterrents". My friend has used it to keep her 2 cats in and the neighbours 2 cats out.
If you make your garden as cat friendly as possible, she will be more happy staying in it. Get a water feature and tubs of grasses, wooden climbing frames that she can use for sunbathing and also for scratching on. Grow specific cat grass which she can nibble on etc etc. It sounds as if you are in a quiet area so I would definitely allow her out but under supervision. That is what I do with my cats and they have adapted well. They know that if I am out then they must stay in the house but as soon as I come home I will allow them access to the garden. You will get loads of people telling you not to let your cat out. However, most of them will live in the USA and I don't think they realise that life in the UK is a bit different. We don't have wild animals roaming around, nor do we have neighbours with guns or poison waiting to kill our pets (well, not many!) so I always feel that a cat - to a degree - should be allowed to live the life of a cat and be allowed access to fresh air and sun. Both things are pretty much essential to a happy and healthy life.
Just be vigilent and do whatever you can to keep your cat in your garden but if she does go into the field she will be fine. She will just be doing what comes naturally to her and will be back when she is hungry!
Animal welfare volunteer. Owner of 6 cats.
i own my very 1st cat just now, i was terrified to let her out, but she didnt give me much option. so i let her out i was sitting in the house worried sick till she came back. but 1month down the line she is out overnite out when am at work and if i shout on her she comes running to my backdoor. cats are ok indoors if you play with them enough or thye will get distructive, i think its nice to let cats out.
as your vet when you go to get the cats stitches out for more advice.
as your vet when you go to get the cats stitches out for more advice.
me n my cat Chloe
Ignore the barb wire advice that is dangerous. It sound like you don't live next to a busy road so i would let her go out and explore . I always think it is cruel not to allow a cat to go outside and be stuck in a house all day unless you live near a dangerous road etc. Cat like to lay in the sun, and explore so i would l let her go out. The best time is just before she is due to be feed so hopefully she won't stray to far. she is microchipped which is good just incase she does wander alittle to far but she probably won't . We have always lets are cats go out as they please and they have always come back home.