Kyba will be six this summer. She is declawed and losing her hearing. She loves to go outside. We let her out when we are going to be outside to watch her. Here lately though, we've run into a problem. Twice now she has disappeared all afternoon. I spent 1 hour looking for her both days. The first day it began raining and she came running in. I didn't get to see where she was coming from, but she was soaked, which made me think she had run quite a ways. Today, I saw her down at the road. When she got up here, her nose was bloody and I'm pretty sure she'd been in a fight. I hate to keep her strictly indoors! With her wandering off though and being declawed I just don't see any other options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Need advice on my older cat
(19 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago by linksboomerang #
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Have you thought about putting her on a harness for her safety. That way she could be safe and within your sight. She could still get outside and play even tho she is declawed. I am scared for her being declawed and losing her hearing. I know GreatDane puts her Bobby on a harness and he has a ball outside! Just a thought! Hugs to Kyba!
Posted 2 years ago by mollycat71 #
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PS. Kyba is adorable! Looks just like my Betty!
Posted 2 years ago by mollycat71 #
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Seems really young to be losing her hearing. What does the vet say about that?
About the outdoors, I don't have much in the way of advice; ecept to say that indoor kitties adjust very well. I have taken in ferals who only ever knew about life outdoors, and all have done well as exclusively indoor cats. Best wishes.Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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I'd try getting her used to being outside on a leash or a harness, LB.
I used to let Bobby go out with me watching him, but as he got more used to being outside, he'd start running off. I don't want him outside alone - he's had seizures and he needs medication. The compromise was the leash. He hated tha harness, so I let him just have the leash. It took a few outings for him to get used to it, but he doesn't mind now as long as he gets to go outside. As a matter of fact, when he sees me get the leash, he meows and comes running.
I've been thinking of getting him a couple of these cord-things at Petsmart that I can tie to something, so he can go a bit further than the 16 foot leash while still staying in the backyard. This way I can leave him and come and go to check on him. -
Do you all take your cats on walks, or tie them up to something? My mother-in-law didn't take good care of her. When I got her she had this awful fungus in her ears. If it had went on much longer she'd lost all her hearing. We got her fungus cleared up and she is fine now, except for the hearing loss. She is just so passionate about being outside. She starts as soon as we get up pawing at the door and pacing until we go out. I hate so much to take it away from her, but then again, I hate to lose my cat!
MC...She does look alot like Betty!
Posted 2 years ago by linksboomerang #
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I have had good luck(fortunately) bring outdoor/indoor kitties to indoor only. They were a bit older than Kyba, so the transition was a bit harder. Opening a door without looking to see who is lurking to bolt outside, is quite a process. I think harder on us to acclimate our daily lives to the opening of doors!!! All of the above suggestions are good......only outside on leash/harness(to give you peace of mind). There are various enclosures to set on patio and or lawn that will provide kitty with the outdoors fresh air/entertainment without worrying of their well being, running loose, and getting hurt. GD has a good one, and there was one posted the last couple of days for $20 or so.
Posted 2 years ago by 12PAWZinFL #
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LB, I understand how you could be so torn! Try the leash like GD, see if that works, if it doesn't I would rather keep her in than out! She looks like such a doll I would hate if you would lose her too!
Posted 2 years ago by mollycat71 #
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Bobby paws to go out, too, and I feel bad. I would feel much worse if I let him go out alone and something happened to him!
I've been taking him out on a leash. I pull it to the full 16 feet and let him go, with me trailing as far behind as the leash allows so as not to interfer with his hunting - or in case he'd look uncool to any kitty friends out there :)
Mostly I follow him around in the back yard but if he wants to go out in front and walk on the sidewalk, we do that. I can't walk him - I think he kind of walks me :)
I'm going to get 2 or 3 10 foot rope things that I can tie to something when I don't feel like following him around. This way we can do both and he can spend more time outdoors. -
Thanks, now I understand about the hearing loss. I am glad that you have taken such good care of her.
Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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I've never tried the leash and or harness. Daddy doesn't want fleas ((despite the fact I have a flea collar on him)) but the use the leash on the new savannah breed and it works well with them. I'd hate for your kitty to get lost! Itd tear me up if my binx ended up lost especially since we have dogs next door. Eep! You could also try a laundry line and have a long leash attached to it. But keep the line low to the ground so kitty can go wherever.
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Our cats are strictly indoors after a terrible accident with one of my mother's cats. She got into the yard next door by climbing the fence, and a big dog cornered and killed her. It can be very dangerous for a declawed cat. I do put them outside in a cat carrier, though, and they love it! Fresh air and sunshine, but no risk.
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I bag up enough dead cats in my front yard to know better I guess. The man across the street has about 20 outside cats if not more. They are always getting run over or chased over here.
Posted 2 years ago by linksboomerang #
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You might look into getting (or making) one of those screened 'kitty play pens' for your cat. She can still be outside, but won't be able to run off. Of course, you can't go off and leave her since she wouldn't be able to run away if something tried to get into the pen.
Another thing you can try is one of those window perches they make for cats. Maybe seeing what is going on (and having a little supply of cat grass to eat) will keep her happy.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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Could you get her one of those enclosed pens? She can be outside, but not wander off or get hurt.
Posted 2 years ago by HuddysMama #
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I was looking at some enclosures online. I'll have to talk to my husband. He's the one who figures all of this stuff out. It looks like it'd be real easy to build something for her. I think I'll try a harness/leash first. I would think she would walk really well on a leash.
Posted 2 years ago by linksboomerang #
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Patience with the leash/harness may be needed but she should adjust well to it, everyone has given very good advice. I have 3 formerly outdoor (throwaway kitties) whom are all strictly indoor now and even with time they adjusted well to being indoors only. They lie at the patio door and watch the birds, squirrels and other things outside so they still get to see the 'outdoors action'.
Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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Well, we've decided to make her a completely indoor cat. It is just not worth the risk of losing her! Maybe when the cat tower arrives it'll take her mind off of it.
Posted 2 years ago by linksboomerang #
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Good choice--you would never forgive yourself if something happened to her, she's defenseless without claws and poor hearing.
Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #
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