Having never been outside for its whole life, I would be more worried that your "new" cat is going to be a "dead" cat fairly quickly.

 

Jacq, you are absolutely right. With no street smarts it will be prey to anything larger than she is.
Andoshaye, outdoor cats have a much lower life expectancy than indoor cats and often suffer a horrible death. Can you imagine being grabbed by a predator and eaten alive? 'nough said by me.

 

I would also worry about a cat that doesn't know the way of the outside world. There is a lot to know to stay safe.

 

I'm going to have to agree with the other posters.
I've got indoor/ outdoor cats and I know what you mean about the litter thing but I wouldn't subject a cat who is use to the indoors only to the outside world. The stress on the poor cat could be immense. It may get use to the out doors, eventually and over a lot of time and patience but odds are not good.

I think getting a kitten and starting from there is a whole lot better.

 

I would never expect, or put that kind of stress on a cat, that is used to being inside, and using a litter box it's entire life, and then getting it and expecting it to suddenly have to go outside to do it's business. I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound mean, but that sounds cruel to me. The cat won't understand. Not only that, it is an indoor cat, it is not street smart, or outside smart, and suddenly it will be thrust outside to figure it all out. It just seems a little cruel to me. Maybe you should reconsider getting the cat? My latest kitten that I took in...I had no intentions of getting a third cat, I was like "no way, ever....that's too many indoor cats". I found someone who wanted him, fell in love with him, but she already had a cat who had a cat door and was indoor/outdoor, and her cat has probably blown through all 8 of his 9 lives, and I was like "NO WAY". No. He was rescued from the woods, he has lived the rough life, having to deal with cars, people who don't like cats and are mean to them, and wild animals, and I was not going to do that to him, so I said no. I ended up keeping him. My feeling is, if you are not prepared to keep him inside, which is what he is used to, maybe you shouldn't get him? I"m sure you are taking him because he needs a home, but are there no options for him to go to someone who is ok with dealing with a litter box and all the other indoor cat issues? I know litterboxes are a mess and not fun to deal with. If you are not prepared to take care of all of that, I would reconsider getting a cat who is used to the indoor life. And if you suddenly have no litterbox and expect him to do that outside, and he has no access to one....he may end up going inside.

Sorry, I don't mean to sound mean, I really don't.

 

I adopted Gracie when she was 12 years old. She had lived in an apartment in NYC all her life. I was almost not allowed to adopt her when I said that she would have the opportunity to go out if she wanted, but the director knew me, and relented.
Gracie took to the outdoors like she'd been waiting her whole life. She loved it, and along with her new life with me it opened up a new exciting world for her.
But - do this only if you have a safe situation for your 3 year old cat. Otherwise, forget it. There are threads on how best to introduce a cat to the outdoors, so I won't go into that.

 

I would never subject an indoor cat to that.

Really.

I currently have 3 cats and I've had 3 others in the past, all indoor only cats. Litter boxes aren't fun, I have 3 in my home I scoop daily, and sweep up tracked litter daily, but to me I accept that as a part of having cats in my home.

An indoor only cat would be terrified to go outdoors now, especially as an adult. My cats run from the doors and the doorbell. Even though they all love to watch the world go by from the safety of my home, they would be traumatized if I let them out now. They are too used to being cared for by me.

I would hate to think what would happen to a poor innocent cat that was all of a sudden thrust outdoors with no idea how to cope. Being run over by cars, tormented by cruel people, fighting with other animals, becoming lost... Please reconsider taking this cat if you are planning on changing his/her lifestyle. I don't think it would be fair to the cat.

Maybe a no kill shelter can find a good home for this cat.

 

Thanks all for your replies. After reading threw them all we have decided not to get the cat. Both of the cats spend majority of their time outside, but at night they are brought in to protect them. My old cat was the same and she lived till 18 years old until my mum had her put down as she was very old, in pain and only had a few days to live anyway

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

I think that you made a good decision not to take the cat. I'm glad that you've been successful with your current cats, but it doesn't sound like the potential new cat would have been a good match with your household.

 

We always have people inquiring if we have any siamese cats to adopt. I would put feelers out that this cat is siamese and help it find a home. You made the right decission to not take it. There is an indoor only home waiting for it. Maybe this cat came into your life so you could help it get the right type home? You sound like a very responsible person. Just who this cat needs in its corner!

 

Hi AndoShaye - welcome to the forum!

...You made the right decission to not take it.

You sound like a very responsible person...

I want to echo both of those comments - good for you to take a pass on this kitty!

As Mitts & Tess said, when people hear that she's available, she'll be snatched up.


AndoShaye, I also want to say good on you that you listened to your "gut" feeling on this....you sensed there could be a problem and you acted on it - you didn't disregard your instinct......and, these days, too many people don't.