Let her back out, or no?

[LhasaLover]

I have a perpexling situation with one of my cats and I'd like to see what all of you think?

One my cats, Arual (are-you-all) was born a feral cat. My nephew picked her up when she was a kitten, then I got her a few years ago. (one of those "can you keep her for a few months, Aunt Cindy?" LOL) She's an adorable little black cat who still only weighs 7 lbs at 13 years old. It's fun to watch her because she's maintained so many of her feral ways thru all these years, although she's quite affectionate.

Arual has always been allowed outside during the day, wherever she's lived, whether it was in the country or in town, but that was up in New York state. She's a major hunter and I was 'gifted' at least one mouse/mole/rabbit/rat/bird/snake a day in front of my door, from spring to fall up in NY. She has no problem killing things a little larger than she is, and I know she was keeping the whole neighborhood clean! lol

The problem is we moved to South Carolina a year ago where there are poisonous snakes. I have 3 acres of land on a deadend road, 2 of which are wooded and I can only imagine she'd think she was in heaven. But because of her past snake hunting, I've been afraid to let her out because I know there are copperheads in the area. I feel so bad for her; every morning I open the window blinds all the way to the top so she can 'watch the world' from the top of her cat perch - and I feel guilty.

Although there are other dangers out there for her, I'm not really worried about much of anything else because she's a pretty tough little cookie. I'm really worried that she won't know a snake is poisonous tho, and get herself bit while trying to hunt one.

What do you all think? Should I take the risk and let her out? Do you think she'll know if a snake is poisonous?

Or, since she's 13, should I put more emphasis on her quality of life, rather than the length of it?

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I'd say quality of life.. but has she been inside all this time since you've moved? If so.. why change that?

 

[LhasaLover]

Yes, she's been inside for 15 months now, but not willingly. She sits in the windows all day and tries to sneak out every chance she gets. And I feel guilty knowing she was born to the outdoors and has spent all her life outdoors (until now).

 

[Julie]

Only you can make that decision and really know if she is that unhappy or not. I would hate to contribute to a kitty fatality or injury.
But I will say this, I would rather see a happy cat inside and out, than a sad cat inside. I don't have any cats now, but my "heart" cat was 21 when she died. She had been bitten by a copperhead and couldn't close her left eye, and her head tilted to the left, she had her back right leg amputated from an outdoor injury, and she had metal pins in her back left leg due to an inside injury. She was always allowed inside or out, and she usually only picked inside at night to sleep under my covers. She needed steps to get into bed. She was always a happy cat despite the 9 lives she finally went thru. That cat would have never made it to 21 if I forced her to stay inside, it just wasn't challenging/stimulating enough.
Really the choice is yours...do you risk death or injury meanwhile your cat is happy..... OR do you "try" to keep him safe with a long life meanwhile may be missing out on what he likes. Just weigh the good and bad... see what works for you and your cat.

Best Wishes,
Julie.

 

[LhasaLover]

Wow! Your poor cat! She must've kept you hopping, huh? She must've been a real trooper.

You answered a big question for me - thank you!. I was wondering if they got bitten by snakes, and what happened if they did. I've never lived anywhere there were poisonous snakes before so, while I know what they do to people, I didn't know what they do to pets. Maybe I'm doing the right thing, then.

Thank you so much for your answers!!

 

[mrose_s]

could you make her a cat run she could have during the day? lot of toys and thinks she can pretend to kill?
electronic mice and little dog bones might be nice to.

i am startign to keep panda in every night and he doesnt really want to go out much anymore. maybe an hour during the day and an hour in the evening but he always coems home for bed. and he's only 9.

and julie, i see what your saying. my thing with buster is, i have to let him off leash sometime. even if he chases a jangaroo through the bush and ends up injured, i would rather him actually to enjoy his life and stuff rather than be unhappy but live longer for my sake.

i saw a man once, his BC was swimming in the river beside where he walked. my mum asked if he was worried a croc would take him (they were everywhere up there) and he said he does worry but his dog lives for swimming here and he couldnt take it away from him.

if i could find an outlet for busters chasing drive elsewhere then by all means i would take it, but i cant lead him around on a lea for all eternity just for my sake.