Hi, has anyone got any advise please? Ive got a new kitty, we,ve had him for about 4 weeks now, he,s now had his vaccines and been castrated, but before that we let him out on a harness and lead so he didnt run off, but now is the time to let him go out on his own and i dont want too, we tried him this morning, and went out on the front with him, but he jumped over walls and ended up at the bottom of our road which has got a busy road at the end of it and myself and my daughter were worried sick, so when he finally came back i took him in and told him he is going to be a house cat cos its too stressful letting him out on his own. Do you think it would be wrong to just let him him out only on the lead and harness? He,s desperate to go out all the time btw. I think im like this with him cos my last cat went missing last year

If hes been done he should not go too far but Im not the cat expert on here medusa's the best one to ask.

To be honest, I wouldn't let my cats out on their own if I lived near a busy road that they had any chance of getting near to. I know it's difficult when they want to go out to prowl alone, but if he's used to the harness and lead, I'd consider sticking to that.

We already have one cat owner on here who only takes her cat out on a lead ;)

She takes hers to the seaside too - so if you are prepared to walk your cat on a lead, there is nothing wrong with that lifestyle. It certainly beats being squished ;)

thanks for all your opinions and advice,:thumbsup: i think im going to stick with the lead:)

My cat doesn't go out. She did for a short while, with her brother and only when we were around. Her brother got killed on the road outside our house, which isn't particulalry busy, but it only takes one car. Ever since that day she hasn't been out, only in the garden very occasionally and watched like a hawk by me! I would say that being a male cat yours will want to go outside, once he gets a sniff of it, so it might be better keeping him in all together, what they don't know, they don't miss. All cats are different though and you might find it's impossible to keep him in.

Good luck

We have two cats who are brothers and they are house cats, we have a cross road at the end of our street and it gets very busy at rush hours.

I would worry sick if they were out alone and they are quite happy indoors...they dont know any other lifestyle.

Our present cats are house cats- it was a condition of purchase with them being pedigrees. All our previous 'moggies' were allowed out - but now the road is quite busy and to be honest, we would be worried about letting ANY cat outside. I have over the years lost 3 cats to busy roads (but not here), a suspected poisoning and even had one cat killed by a dog (ex greyhound that didnt know any better- just saw the fluffy running thing and gave chase).

At first, it seemed cruel to keep them indoors, but they have free run of 4 storeys and have their own playroom in the attic, with lots of stimulating toys, climbing frames and things to keep them occupied. They get lots of attention from us too and they are highly sociable as a result.

It was easier to convert to indoor living than we expected, because we have more than one cat- they are good company for one another and they have the daft Doberman to buddy up with as well. We have a quiet courtyard back garden with a high fence and we do let the cats out when we are in the garden in the warmer months, where they enjoy sunbathing or chewing the ornamental grasses - but they are always supervised- they never stray and are hapy to go back indoors when we do. We did think about constructing an outdoor run for when we are outside but to be honest they dont need one. having said that- the more adventurous ones will make attempts for freedom when we open the back door - but they are predictable and always go straight into the adjoining end garden...

nb our barmy Bengal Alfie has his own blog check it out at http://www.blogstoday.co.uk/bloghome.aspx?username=katkin2

You have to do what you feel comfortable with- and if that's not letting them out for their own safety, then don't feel that you have to apologise for that.

At certain times of their lives, several of my cats have chosen to remain indoor cats, despite the fact that I live in a little cul de sac and have a quiet garden. They were repeatedly given the option, but chose to stay indoors, and I respect that.

As long as they're happy, and you're happy with the decisions that you take with regards to their safety, then what's the problem?

Yes don't be made to feel guilty (as I was) by other peoples views. People say it's cruel etc, well I wish I'd listened to my instincts more and stuck to my guns about letting my two out, then Peanut would still be here with me today.

nb our barmy Bengal Alfie has his own blog check it out at http://www.blogstoday.co.uk/bloghome.aspx?username=katkin2


Katkin your blog is hysterical :hihi:

After reading all your replies, ive decided to keep him indoors and just take him for a walk up and down our road on his lead every day, im not going to be made to feel guilty because if i did let him out and something bad happened then i would feel even more guilty than i ever could, so im sticking with my decision, thanks again everyone:thumbsup:

Katkin your blog is hysterical :hihi:


The pleasures and pitfalls of owning a barmy bengal...we love him to bits, but I'm not sure we could own more than one, he is quite bonkers!