should i let my cat be outside? - Page 2

[2xy]

If you decide to go with an enclosure, be sure to take appropriate measures to keep your cat parasite free. Fleas can cause tapeworm infestations, and cats are susceptible to heartworms, as well (caused by infected mosquitoes). I have a 14yo cat who is a heartworm survivor. She has permanent lung and heart damage, and will be on Prednisone for the rest of her life.

[weliveintheforest]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

Could you try to sort of "outside train" your cat? Like, feed kitty daily at 5pm. Let kitty out daily at 4pm. Shake the food bowl at 5pm. Teach kitty that kitty gets one hour of outside time. Maybe he'd be less likely to wander very far that way? I've never tried such a thing, but it just came to my head.

I really like this idea, especially since it sounds like he would be eager to come eat at 5.

[lookatreestar]

i know how hard that is, i had a cat who would do the same thing. he would bolt for the door every time it was opened. it got to be so hard juggling kids, groceries and having a cat dart out.

[Mamacitac]

My cat was always afraid of going outside...and my kids took him out just ONCE..playing on the grass and the little bugger started to open my two sliding doors, and kept letting himself out. He took off for almost 3 weeks with no sightings and we finally found him two streets over at my parent's house lol
He was skinny and scared when he came back so I thought for sure he would be scared to go out again..NOPE. He still itched to get freedom.
Once they get a taste of outside (especially male cats) it's given that they'll always be trying to get out.