Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

1. 

   Hey everyone,

   I was wondering if anyone know about kittens/cats & depression? I bring this up because our little Pumpkin (but she's getting so big!) has discovered the cats and squirrels outside. She is genuinely fascinated by all of the ruckus, etc. The next door neighbor girl asked if we were planning on ever letting her outside and I said no because of the dangers outside (cars, people, other cats, dogs, racoons, etc.) She said that she noticed that her cat started to get depressed when 8 months of "confinement" (what she said) came around & that it is cruel to keep wild animals inside. I said that although cats are "wild" animals, that's their bloodline and they are so much domesticated. I'm just looking for any input!

   Thanks,
   AL82

   Posted 1 year ago by AnimalLuvr82 #

2. 

   Not to mention, that I have had HORRIBLE experiences with cats being let outside. I will spare everyone the details, but I would hate to have anything happen to Pumpkin. :D

   Posted 1 year ago by AnimalLuvr82 #

3. 

   AL, my girls are strictly housekitties and I'm pretty sure that they are not depressed! Not at the level that they play! Now,Windi is a bit nervous but I think that comes from having lived out on her own, in the desert, for the first 4 - 5 months of her life.

   We do have a screened in patio and the girls go out there to watch what we call "kitty TV". It's the birds at the bird feeder. But my girls were both feral and they don't indicate any desire to go back out in that scary outdoor world.

   There are just too many things out there that are dangerous. Where we are, coyotes and cars top the list.

   I think that as long as Pumpkin has toys that stimulate her, play time with you, and lots of love she certainly won't be "depressed". It's just my personal opinion that kitties are so much safer inside.

   Posted 1 year ago by WillowandWindismom #

4. 

   Cats do very well indoors. Just be sure she has lots of toys and playtime. .
   I'm sure you already do that :)
   A feline buddy is also a good idea..

   Posted 1 year ago by caroline #

5. 

   You will hear a lot of pros and cons about letting kitties outside. I think if Pumpkin has always been an indoor cat, that's how she should remain. Mine never go outside for the very reasons you state: cars, predators and unknown people.

   I don't think they know the difference between inside and outside. It's just this place and that place. Let her look at the birds and squirrels, then give her some active playtime. Throw the toy for her, or get one of those feather on a string toys (Da Bird). As long as she has mental stimulation, she'll just view the outside room as somewhere she isn't allowed to be.

   So far as getting depressed, cats do have down moods but not going outside isn't likely to cause them. Losing a buddy or her human would, but she can't miss something she never had.

   Posted 1 year ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

6. 

   Thanks!!! Pumpkin has a lot of toys, although she's keen to hiding them and making us find them! LOL She is learning how to play fetch on her own, she likes her "loud toys" (plastic balls with bells in them) thrown every which way several times :) She's so smart!

   When she had her collar on to keep her away from her incision, I could tell that when she had it on for the first day or so that she was not happy about it, but adjusted quickly to the monstrosity! LOL :D

   Posted 1 year ago by AnimalLuvr82 #

7. 

   I've seen cats or other animals 'depressed" because they are being abused,neglected and/or lost their living situation and they are quiet and pretty much avoid eye contact and try to hide.
   A well cared for inside pet like Pumpkin is not going to be "depressed" because she can't swat butterflies,she'll find something to play with inside and can live up to 20 years instead of the average 18 months for an outdoor kitty.
   AL you are of course right,I'm a little annoyed at the neighbor's question. Grr.
   Pumpkin will have a fine full life indoors as a pampered house kitty. Maybe a buddy later down the line(you can't have just one.LOL)

   Posted 1 year ago by Buttercup #

8. 

   I mean, considering the way she was found (hence her name Pumpkin). She was found with her sister in a local pumpkin patch, abandoned with her sister, infested with fleas (my friend said as if the skin was moving! ick!), and screaming for something or someone. She does not try to get out, & hopefully she never will. I've taken her out a few times in my arms and she seems okay for the first minute or so, and then clutches onto me for dear life to get back inside!
   I know that people have different opinions about cats being outside, but it was frustrating of how pushy she was about her opinion.
   It doesn't help her case that her cat who is inside/outside has gotten numerous wounds from animals. :o(

   Posted 1 year ago by AnimalLuvr82 #

9. 

   I think she was depressed until you rescued her and gave her a wonderful home AL

   Posted 1 year ago by Buttercup #

10. 

    I live on both sides of the in or out fence. Kitties are undeniably safer indoors where very little can harm them if it is a loving household. In some neighborhoods I would never let me cat out- dense population, traffic, immediate dangers, etc. In other circumstances, which I am lucky enough to enjoy at the moment, where these things are not an issue, kitties love being able to go out into the exciting world (don't you?) So currently I have indoor/outdoor kitties. When I am home and can keeep a bit of an eye on them they can go out. I teach them to come when called and they are very good about it. They sometimes look depressed when I am leaving for work and they can't go out but they get past it, they are always happy to see me when I come home. So I would say, ignore your neighbor's comments and do what you feel is right for you and your kitty in your current circumstances.

    Posted 1 year ago by DancingCatHill #

11. 

    It was part of my contract with the rescue I got Toby from that she be an indoor cat, I believe. I can check to see if that's true. But I would think that as long as they have enough playtime and interaction, that a kitten/cat would be no more prone to depression inside than out. IMHO.

    Posted 1 year ago by Jen #

12. 

    I think it depends on the cat. Tristan could never have been an indoor cat. Whenever we would try to keep him inside, he would plot his escape until he got out. I remember walking up to my front door when coming home, and seeing him peering at me briefly through the window, then hiding. He would hide just around the corner, out of sight, then barrel through as soon as the door opened, nearly knocking me over in the process. He also quickly figured out that the kids were the weakest link and he had a good chance of running through a child's legs as they either entered or left the house. He didn't come home until he was good and ready.

    Posted 1 year ago by Catwoman #

13. 

    AL, get Pumpkin a toy with feathers. I know from lots of experience that they have great ones at Wal-Mart. They come on a little card and there are three on a card. We are the proud owners of six of these toys? Why? Because my girls throw them around and catch them (think birds) only they also love to hide them. I guess they think that I don't get enough exercise at the gym and so it must be good for me to crawl around on my hands and knees peering under furniture. But they absolutely LOVE any toy that has feathers.

    Posted 1 year ago by WillowandWindismom #

14. 

    After seeing those beautiful pix of Taco in the snow, I'm wondering if maybe you should get her used to a leash? Then you could take her outside for a walk and explore if it seemed like she wanted to go later on, and she would still be safe and always under your supervision...

    Posted 1 year ago by jcat #

15. 

    My experience is like that of DCH -- depends on where I live, the applicable rules, and whether an indoor-outdoor kitty would be safe in the locality. Of course, now I am in an apartment where I am prevented by rule from having a free-roaming outside animal, so I bought Dashy a lovely mesh tunnel (about 2'x8', with zippers on each end) which is the coolest thing I have seen in a while. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Dashiell's kittenhood experience with Hurricane Ike seems to have convinced him that he wants no part of outside. The minute I get him out the door, he starts whining, kicking, and screaming. I suppose I should count my blessings, but I have never had a cat who didn't WANT to go outside.

    Posted 1 year ago by Ivory Bill #

16. 

    AL, I just scanned this thread quickly, but, please, please, don't get talked into letting Pumpkin go outside unescorted; nothing good can come from doing that in the long term!!!!

    Posted 1 year ago by kittymom #

17. 

    My hairdresser has cats she lets out in the morning and evening. But she has somehow trained them to come in when she calls. And they only go as far as her fence. And she made sure that no big hawks had her backyard in their territory. And she watches them while they are out.

    A cat who is only allowed out at certain times and who stays within its assigned borders isn't really an "outside" cat. If I had a yard mine could play in, and I knew they wouldn't venture out of their approved area, I probably would let them out. I guess that will be in another place, another time, another life.

    Posted 1 year ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

18. 

    My three are all terrified of being outside for different reasons. Emma had been abandoned as a young cat. To her outside means fear and starvation and she wants no part of it, unless she is with mommy and on a harness. Thierry Henry is scared of the big loud world and has never spent more than a moment or two outside. He is quite happy sitting in a safe window watching it go by. Gracie use to try to get outside at every opportunity until one day when she fell out of a window whose screen was loose. She fell into azalea bushes and was hurt and frightened.

    Previous cats that I had loved to go out on the deck with me and would stay in the fenced yard. Indoor cats live longer, stay healthier, and do not have to contend with fleas. My vote is for indoor only on Pumpkin, especially if you signed a contract. Since she shows signs of fear when outside, I think that should answer your question and your neighbor should mind her own business.

    Cats are no longer "wild" animals. They were domesticated centuries ago. Their "wild" instincts can easily be channelled into indoor activities as mentioned above.

    Posted 1 year ago by KYKAT 12 23 #

19. 

    Honey, ask your neighbor what meds she's on. That may explain why she is projecting a depression on her cat. :)

    My boys are indoors only, and they don't seem to be depressed. At least, I never hear them say anything to indicated that frame of mind. Of course, when there is a kitty part on TDK, I can imagine that some of you hear your cats asking, "Do you think this makes me look fat?"

    By the way, Pumpkin sounds like one smart, happy cat -- like her meowmy!

    Posted 1 year ago by Emma #

20. 

    Tell your neighbor to MYOB! Two of mine were ferals and no way do they want to go out. All of mine love when I open the window--they love the smell of fresh air--they are able to sit on the wide sills so they are happy. I have a hummingbird feeder and they love to watch from their safe positions.

    The only time I've seen a cat depressed is if ill or at the loss of a companion, human or animal.

    Posted 1 year ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

21. 

    My kitties are now indoor only...BooBoo used to go outside and Betty was born on the streets but now all live indoors where I know they are safe and they have plenty of things to keep them busy...They hunt everytime a bug or fly enters the house!! We have grasses for them to chew and smell...The only thing they miss out on are the dangers!!!

    Posted 1 year ago by 2bpurring #

22. 

    When I got my first kitten, Chappel, I was also told that cats have to be free to roam outdoors. After one of his brothers went out one day and just never came back, another was struck and killed by a car, and Chappel himself contracted feline leukemia (before the vaccine was available) and died from it, I decided that my cats were going to stay inside. Tiger Lily, who was indoor/outdoor at that time, adapted readily to the indoor life. None of the cats who've shared my home since then have objected to living indoors. Katie was leash trained and took regular walks until she lost interest in it. I'd like to do the same with Penny and Gabe; Buttercup doesn't seem interested.

    My cats stay indoors for three reasons: first, to keep them safe; second, to keep them from becoming nuisances to the neighbors; and third, to protect small wildlife from their predatory instincts.

    Posted 1 year ago by Leeny #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.