Do you feel bad your indoor cat never gets fresh air?
Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at
5:08 pm
I am starting to feel horrible that my indoor cat never gets fresh air. Do you think he even knows what hes missing? He seems to stair out of the windows a lot.
Any ideas on how I can get some in the apartment? I keep the windows open regularly.
Thanks!
Filed under: Cat Furniture
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I wouldn’t feel bad. A lot of cats enjoy looking out windows, even if they’re indoor-only cats. Believe me, you’ll feel a lot worse if you let him outside and he gets hit by a car, attacked by another animal, or otherwise injures himself.
Screened windows are a great way to let fresh air into apartments. Depending on where you live, maybe you can set up some birdfeeders near windows so he can watch the birds.
If you really want to keep your cat happy indoors, make sure to give him plenty of toys and play time. Also, places where he can hide and climb will allow him to workout his wild instincts.
i think that he is probably fine. i have a cat 2 and i just leave the window open and it LOVES it!
My cat gets plenty of fresh air, despite being a strictly indoor cat.
I’ll leave the back door open (screen door shut). She has no real interest in going outdoors, but she LOVES to sit in the windows, and keep an eye on things.
Hmm…
well, you could get a cat harness and take him for a walk. Pretty much, be ready for the kitty to lead you and have lots of time otherwise he’ll hate it. You want to make it as relaxing and fun as possible for them or else they will suck on a leash. Don’t listen to everyone that makes you feel bad about it not being a dog for that (I succumb to that pressure too) because they need exercise too! They will learn to love it.
Also, have you thought about getting a bird feeder for the kitty to stare at outside the window? They can watch the acrobatics of all the birds that come to the feeder. It keeps their brain stimulated if they have something fun to look at during the day when you’re at work.
do you have a balcony? I feel the same way! 2 indoor cats! I used to let them on my balcony, now withone i let them outside under supervision.. they stay by me. i live by the woods and they still dont get to far ; ) hope this helps
well maybe the windows are just enough for him!!
Most indoor cats love being indoors, esp if they have grown up used to it.
Remember their are many ways that you can still take your cat outdoors with you safely – carry cages, cat collar/lead to walk them on grass for a little.
Mine sit at the back screen door and watch birds for hours, they love being inside.
Unless your Vet has suggested otherwise, do not concern yourself.
Keeping the windows open regularly is just fine.
If you have a patio you can build a small pen for them, I had one that was built around my window right into the pen.
I have an Applehead Siamese who will be 9 this spring. She has never been outside and she never misses it. However, if you think your cat should have fresh air–there are several way to do this. One is to buy a figure eight harness and leash. You will have to train her to wear the harness and leash–so you should just put the harness on her and let her wear it around for several days. Then attach the leash and let her drag it around for awhile. Then you can put it on and take her outside. You usually won’t be able to walk her–she will walk you. You will have to remember that if she is suddenly scared, she may be able to slip out of it. Then there are enclosures that you can set up outdoors and are made of mesh and a metal frame. Buy the size you want and then put her in there for awhile. She will have all the benefits of being outside without being able to run free. I do know that drsfostersmith.com carries them and you can get a catalog both online and have one sent to you. Then there are cat and dog strollers. They look like a regular baby stroller except they have a net enclosure for the pet to sit inside.
If it really is that big of a concern for you, why not spend the 2 dollars for a simple kitty harness that can not be wiggled out of and bring your cat to the park, or somewhere it can take a run? .. something like a long kite string attached to the loop on the leash will be enough to track down your precious pet when playtime is over..
If you can’t find a way to get the fresh air in, you can always bring the pet out
From a cost perspective.. the walk to the park costs nothing compared to fans and airconditioning.. and it is healthy for you too.
Your question is kinda strange?, you claim you let fresh air in your apartment, with the windows open, so what else do you expect to do, other than letting the cat outside?, then you risk not having your cat come back, or come back sick from other cats or animals. There is nothing you can do, don’t feel guilty, I’m sure your cat is happy, he’s laying in the window, not only for fresh air, but also soaking up the rays, (sunshine), that is a cats vitamin supply as well. They need to have some sunlight to be healthy, but by the sound of it, I’m sure he’s a happy cat, because his owner sounds very concerned with his welfare…
Keeping the windows open is letting your cat have plenty of fresh air. My cats are strictly indoors as well and while they do sit in the window sills, they won’t go outside even if you try to get them to. I wouldn’t worry about it, you’re doing the right thing by keeping them inside. =)
i agree with BRENDA B. your cat get enough air from the window
Get a leash and walk him once in a while
Open windows is fine. You can also try putting a harness on your cat and see if he accepts it. If he does, you can take him out on a leash (but beware, he’ll probably pick up fleas outside). They also make various outside runs for cats… check out the pet stores.
My old kitty was at one time and indoor/outdoor cat. Even after 10yrs as an inside only gal, she still wants out occasionally (and manages to get out once in awhile, in which case she just sits there in the flower bed till I spot her and take her back in). My others have never been outside and they actually get freaked out when I take them out on a harness. My one boy loves the harness, and loves to travel… but he doesn’t know what to think of grass. He doesn’t like it!
Your cat isn’t missing anything… unless cars, dogs, etc can somehow be seen as a benefit. He’s better off inside, whether he knows it or not.
I would feel a lot worse if I let them outdoors and exposed them to being hit by a car, poisoned by a human, rat poison, antifreeze, snail bait, etc. or cat fights/abscess, being attacked or eaten by a wild animal or dog, or catching a disease like feline leukemia, distemper, or rabies. I think opening your windows regularly is just fine…no need to let him out.
If your windows are open, he is getting fresh air. Cats always stare out of windows..it’s like TV for them.
Do I feel bad? No! I would feel worse by exposing my cats to cars, animal attacks, parasites and disease by letting them out.
Don’t feel bad. I have 2 inside cats who are not allowed out. On e day our backdoor came open and one got out. She wasn’t out long!! she was scared to death and flew back in when she figured out where the door was. I keep the windows open often and they both love it.
All indoor cats look for some form of entertainment. Two of mine sit in the picture window and natter at the birds in the feeder for hours. But they also do that with the television screen.
Don’t feel guilty. Your cat will live a long and comfortable life without fear of being hit by a car, beaten up by the local bully or catching a disease from a passerby.
Open screened windows are a great substitute and safer than letting him wander in the outdoors.