question about taking my cat outdoors

[melissam87]

So spring is around the corner and I've been contemplating whether or not to take my cat outside, on a leash of course. Part of me thinks that it would be nice for her to get out and get some fresh air and experience something she has never done. The other part says I could be creating a monster and before you know it she'll want to go out all of the time. Not to mention putting her at risk of ticks, etc. Living in Massachusetts there are only certain times of the year that I would be interested in taking her out anyway. I guess I'm concerned that what starts out as a treat will become a battle of wills. LOL

Any thoughts?

 

[KMcgown]

We take 3 of our cats out on a leash. 2 are great. They get excited when you put the vest on, etc. The third one is obsessed with going outside once she starts going out. She literally barks at the door to go out! This continues on unitl say Oct/Nov when it gets too cool. We also live in Mass!

 

[admin]

taj has been walking outside since he was a kitten and we are in NJ, so spring/summer/fall he goes out...and yes, he does cry by the door, which is what he is doing today...and yes, I will take him out later when it is much warmer...he also knows where his leash and harness are kept and brings them to me

Once it is cold, he does not want to go out...it is an individual thing, I guess, but I say, go for it!

 

[Charley]

I am so glad this question was posed because we aren't sure if we should take our kitty out or not. Do you guys find that your cats try to escape at all? I'm just concerned that once Jengo gets outside he might try to jet out everytime we leave. He's also really shy and skittish so I am not sure if being outside would totally freak him out or not.

 

[admin]

I think it depends Charley...Taj used to try to escape and does not do that anymore but...he howls endlessly until I walk him when it is a nice warm day like today...I felt terrible because Zuri was crying at the window when she saw us outside But she will go out later...

 

[KMcgown]

I agree with Paige. If I take Kingston out Sopie cries the entire time and vice versa so i need wrangle someone to help!

 

[Charley]

Do you guys have screen doors? We don't have ANY screens and he's fast...we're debating on what to do.

 

[admin]

Do you guys have screen doors? We don't have ANY screens and he's fast...we're debating on what to do.

I do have a screen door but it is recent...until I got one, Taj used to run out the door

 

[KMcgown]

I have a door in the kitchen that leads to a set of stairs and then outsids...so if the cats get by me, they cannot get out and i can grab them and bring them back in. this used to be Sophies favorite game!

 

[KMcgown]

It was in the 70's here in mass today, so I broke down!