1st May 2006

Should I let my kitten out of the house?

Read more: Cats Behaviour | Comments (0)

Question:

We have a 4-month-old kitten and I don't want to let him outside as we live near lots of busy roads. Am I being over protective? I have been told that it is unfair on him, but he won't know anything other than playing in the house. It won't harm him will it?

Answer:

Decide at an early age whether your kitten is going to be permanently indoors. It is easier for a young kitten to adjust to an indoor lifestyle if he has never experienced the outside world. But kittens kept indoors must be encouraged to fully exercise their minds nd their bodies.

• encourage him to play with inanimate objects that he can investigate, such as a toy mouse
  
• provide an area in which he can play, where you can place cardboard boxes of various sizes that he can climb into, cushions he can hide under or behind, and possibly a cat climbing frame or activity centre that he can climb all over and explore
• It is not necessarily unfair on your kitten to keep him indoors, but you will have to think very carefully about how to allow him to fully develop and how to keep him entertained