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Barnyard Buddies:  City cats to Farm Cats?  |
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NatureNymph
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Tracy
Barrie
Ontario
Canada
73 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 07:34:13 AM
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Can I train my indoor cats to like the outdoors in adulthood? Our cats will be 3 years old when we get our farm. Right now there are city bylaws restricting cats from 'roaming at large' so we keep our two little ones in (both unfixed females). My male cat (an old general) has always been outside and we just don't have the heart to keep him locked up. He's fixed and mostly stays in the wood lot behind our rental house. If someone complained then I would bring him in...
Anyway...how can I train my young scaredy cats to like outdoors or will they always be indoor cats?
"Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 11:37:06 AM
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It shouldn't be a problem, I have had to train my cats who used to be outdoor kitties at our other house to be indoors here. After losing several kitties to animals and two to the road, we just couldn't take it any more. I still have one kitty who does her best to escape whenever possible, the last time she got out she got hit with a car, got a broken jaw and lost the sight in one eye, but she a relentless hunter. She gets very excited when there is a mouse in the house! Likes to sit next to the screens in the windows and sob as only a Siamese can....
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Homespun Livin
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Brenda
Louisiana
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 1:52:50 PM
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Personally, I would still keep them in. I used to have outside only cats and none of them ever lived to be senior citizens. :( They were either bit by snakes or hit by a vehicle. I forgot to look under the hood one cold morning and accidentally mangled one of my kittens who was sleeping close to the fan blades. :( :( It took me a VERY long time to get over that. Now, I keep all of my kitties inside only. I live in the country and people let their dogs roam on others property, and people like to target practice too much around here, if you know what I mean. I don't mean to be so discouraging, I just love kitties so very much and I would really hate for something to happen to your babies. You may live in a better rural area though, with friendlier neighbors though. I truely wish only the best and safest life for your little fur babies. :)
"Love one another." |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 2:00:43 PM
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| All our cats are outdoor cats. We took our granddaughter's indoor cat when she moved to a place that she couldn't take her cat. We put it in the shop with water and cat food. (her brand). We never saw her again. Our cats never 'grow' old. We are going to have to look for some more cats soon. We are down to one. He is a he so won't be getting any babies. We either have too many or not enough. |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 5:06:26 PM
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My indoor cats (indoors for many years) all CRAVED being outdoors. Start off letting them be outdoors with you, they will eventually go off exploring on there own--when your both comfortable with it. I bring mine in at night by feeding them in the evening. There are risks with cats being outdoors so be cautious. Also be aware that outside cats kill songbirds and the like so be prepared for the local bird population to take a bit of a hit...a collar with a bell helps.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 6:01:14 PM
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First of all, if you plan on your young female cats being outdoors, you probably want to get them fixed so you don't have unwanted or feral kittens everywhere, plus there's that nasty habit of the visiting males spraying(and you can't get rid of that smell!). What the others said about outdoor cats succumbing to hazards such as cars, non cat people with guns or poison, etc is something to also consider. Then you have the issues of fleas,ticks, worms or other parasites that outdoor kitties seem to pick up. And let's not forget the 'presents' outdoor kitties bring and lay at your feet...dead birds, baby rabbits,mice, rats, moles, or whatever other critters they happen to kill!
I have 3 cats, all of which I rescued, and they all live indoors. Occassionally two of them like to go out in the back yard, but we have an 8 ft privacy fence so they can't escape, and I stay out with them while they are outside. The 3rd one has no interest in the great outdoors at all.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city! |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 7:29:33 PM
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Our cats have always been outdoor cats who occasionally get to come inside. One kitty is about 13 years old and little kitty is one. they live in the barn but roam all over hunting. they come when I call. We have had other cats and like all animals they come and go. i have never found and dead though. You can do it. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 11:53:03 PM
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I hate to be discouraging but if there is a big oppossum or raccoon population where you live you will lose cats. My folks live in a rural area and sadly have had to put down some of their beloved pets after something (we think coons) got them during the night. The last cat they had to euthanize was a beautiful tuxedo neutered male named Boots. Something got ahold of him and ripped half his jaw away. He was just in agony. Their cats love to go in and out as they wish. They have so many since someone a few yrs. ago dumped nearly 40 cats on their farm. My folks have spayed and neutered 18 over the yrs. but some were feral and they were never able to touch them. They stick around for the food but won't let humans close to them. So I agree with Homespun livin...sometimes our precious kitties are safer inside. Most especially if they are declawed as they have no means to protect themselves. Definitely neuter your sweet females and maybe bring them in at night as a suggestion. 
Cheryl
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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NatureNymph
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Tracy
Barrie
Ontario
Canada
73 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2008 : 12:24:12 PM
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Oh my goodness...sounds like some of you have some pretty nasty stories.
I know we will definitely be getting the kittens fixed. I've only ever had outdoor cats so it's kind of strange to have these two sisters indoors all the time. I like having the cats take care of unwelcome lil critters and I have learned to not mind the odd corpse ending up on our porch. I look it as my cat trying to provide for us...he has a look of..."well aren't you going to put it on the BBQ?"
I also must admit I like having a cat follow me around the garden like my male cat Ash does now. Suppose we'll have to see how it goes. Thanks for the advice everyone.
"Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park |
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Barnyard Buddies: City cats to Farm Cats? |
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City cats to Farm Cats?
