Thread: Outdoors or not?

Hi there, we were in the same situation when we got Larry and Monty. We'd always had moggies before who were allowed outside, in fact, they were supposed to go outside to use the garden. We had to get used to the idea that pedigree cats shouldn't necessarily be allowed to roam the area and establish a territory in the neighbourhood, like a moggie would. Our breeder said do let them outside if you can, but enclose your garden first, to keep them safe. We are in a city suburb, on the corner of a residential road, so cars do come round looking for a parking space, although they are going quite slowly because of the corner. So the traffic is one thing, but they could get nicked, being unusual-looking cats, and so good-natured that they might wander into someone's house.

I think a cat should be allowed outside if at all possible, and you have to strike a balance between allowing them that freedom and keeping them safe. We enclosed our entire garden using netting from Homebase, attached to poles, attached to the perimeter wall and trees. We built a couple of tree platforms for them and they absolultely love it out there. We still only let them outside if we are 'in' and keeping any eye on them. We don't let them out in the dark either, although they do escape sometimes at teatime, now that it's dark it's not that easy to get them back inside! I know some of our friends think this is unnecessary and don't really understand why they can't just roam like our previous cats. One has even nicknamed our garden 'catcatraz' and the cats 'the inmates'. But it is a fair compromise.

Sylvester will get a taste for the outdoors once you let him out, it's only natural, and it will be a whole new exciting world for him. I would recommend that you enclose a section of your garden if at all possible, for your peace of mind. A harness is OK but he's not free to do his thing when he's in a harness. It will be lovely in the summer when you're in the garden a lot yourself, if the lads can join you.