Indoor vs. Outdoor Dilemma

I know the general topic has _certainly_ been addressed here a million
times, but I'd like to hear some brainstorming on how I can get around
the problem in my own future situation.

My wife and I have three cats (2-3 years old) that were raised entirely
as happy, laid-back indoor cats. In a couple months, we should be
moving, though, and it looks like we'll be moving into an old Craftsman
bungalow (rental) that has old windows that open outwards, and no frame
for screens.

Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?" Does anybody have any bright ideas that I'm missing? Or a
persuasive argument why I'm getting concerned about nothing? We like
fresh air, but we also love our cats and wouldn't mind having them for
another 15 years...

Urgh...

Thanks for any replies!

Andrew

It all depends on where your house is located. If you're not too close to busy
highways, you should allow your cats to go out. I have 3 cats and they go out whenever
they want (through a permanently open window). They are very happy cats. You can
see the joy on their faces when they chase each other on the hillside
behind the house.

wrote in message
oups.com...
I know the general topic has _certainly_ been addressed here a million
times, but I'd like to hear some brainstorming on how I can get around
the problem in my own future situation.

My wife and I have three cats (2-3 years old) that were raised entirely
as happy, laid-back indoor cats. In a couple months, we should be
moving, though, and it looks like we'll be moving into an old Craftsman
bungalow (rental) that has old windows that open outwards, and no frame
for screens.

Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?" Does anybody have any bright ideas that I'm missing? Or a
persuasive argument why I'm getting concerned about nothing? We like
fresh air, but we also love our cats and wouldn't mind having them for
another 15 years...

Urgh...

Thanks for any replies!

Andrew


I prefer to keep my cats indoors. They are happy, and I think they are far
safer. That said, I understand your desire for fresh air. Is there any way
you could mount temporary screening on the *inside* of a couple of the
windows to permit cross-ventilation and yet keep your kitties safe?

MaryL

Photos of Duffy and Holly: 'o'
Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf
Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o
Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e
Recent pics: http://tinyurl.com/clal7

wrote:
I know the general topic has _certainly_ been addressed here a million
times, but I'd like to hear some brainstorming on how I can get around
the problem in my own future situation.

My wife and I have three cats (2-3 years old) that were raised entirely
as happy, laid-back indoor cats. In a couple months, we should be
moving, though, and it looks like we'll be moving into an old Craftsman
bungalow (rental) that has old windows that open outwards, and no frame
for screens.

Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?" Does anybody have any bright ideas that I'm missing? Or a
persuasive argument why I'm getting concerned about nothing? We like
fresh air, but we also love our cats and wouldn't mind having them for
another 15 years...

Urgh...

Thanks for any replies!

Andrew

Figure out a way to put up some screens. We have "open" windows in our
formal living and dining rooms that open out, without screens. I place
a child's security gate (pressure-secured kind) across the openings,
and open the windows part-way.

-L.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?"

If there aren't any screens available and you can't make any yourself,
you're going to have to do without the fresh air. It's a small price to pay
in exchange for healthy cats.

"223rem" wrote in message
news:qTBGf.786312$xm3.618275@attbi_s21...
It all depends on where your house is located. If you're not too close to
busy
highways, you should allow your cats to go out.

Hogwash.

wrote:
I know the general topic has _certainly_ been addressed here a million
times, but I'd like to hear some brainstorming on how I can get around
the problem in my own future situation.

My wife and I have three cats (2-3 years old) that were raised entirely
as happy, laid-back indoor cats. In a couple months, we should be
moving, though, and it looks like we'll be moving into an old Craftsman
bungalow (rental) that has old windows that open outwards, and no frame
for screens.

Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?" Does anybody have any bright ideas that I'm missing? Or a
persuasive argument why I'm getting concerned about nothing? We like
fresh air, but we also love our cats and wouldn't mind having them for
another 15 years...

Urgh...

Thanks for any replies!

Andrew


Arrange for screening for the windows.

It all depends on where your house is located. If you're not too close to busy
highways, you should allow your cats to go out.

Wrong! Cats do *not* just get hit by cars on busy highways! I've seen
several dead ones on the side of roads that are not highways. One of mine
was killed this way when I was a child - I did not live on a highway.
There's also more tragedies that can happen to a cat outside, such as:
- come into contact with cats carrying various viruses, such as FeLeuk, FIV,
FIP, distemper (raccoons are carriers of this too) and rabies. Vaccines do
*not* guarantee your pet won't contact these diseases
- be killed by dog(s) - this has happened to several cats in my city
- meet up with some sick creep who takes pleasure in hurting cats or
neighbours who are sick & tired of them digging & pooping in their garden up
and trap them to bring to Animal Control
- eating raw meat - birds and mice can cause worm infestation and
toxoplasmosis
- cat collectors - yes, they have been known to take people's pets, not just
strays


LMR

--
Message posted via CatKB.com
http://www.catkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...ealth/200602/1

Many Craftsman bungalows had open-out casement windows. The 1905
bungalow I lived in had screens mounted inside the windows. The crank
mechanism passed through a hole in the screen frame, which was sized to
fit within the window opening. You might find a carpenter who could
frame the inside part of the window and install screens in a similar
fashion. You might also check our forum on the American Bungalow
magazine website, ambungalow.com, for other suggestions.

Good luck.

John Luke
Editor, American Bungalow

wrote:
I know the general topic has _certainly_ been addressed here a million
times, but I'd like to hear some brainstorming on how I can get around
the problem in my own future situation.

My wife and I have three cats (2-3 years old) that were raised entirely
as happy, laid-back indoor cats. In a couple months, we should be
moving, though, and it looks like we'll be moving into an old Craftsman
bungalow (rental) that has old windows that open outwards, and no frame
for screens.

Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?" Does anybody have any bright ideas that I'm missing? Or a
persuasive argument why I'm getting concerned about nothing? We like
fresh air, but we also love our cats and wouldn't mind having them for
another 15 years...

Urgh...

Thanks for any replies!

Andrew

wrote in message
oups.com...
I know the general topic has _certainly_ been addressed here a million
times, but I'd like to hear some brainstorming on how I can get around
the problem in my own future situation.

My wife and I have three cats (2-3 years old) that were raised entirely
as happy, laid-back indoor cats. In a couple months, we should be
moving, though, and it looks like we'll be moving into an old Craftsman
bungalow (rental) that has old windows that open outwards, and no frame
for screens.

Will it really come down to "let the cats out" or "never open the
windows?" Does anybody have any bright ideas that I'm missing? Or a
persuasive argument why I'm getting concerned about nothing? We like
fresh air, but we also love our cats and wouldn't mind having them for
another 15 years...

Urgh...

Thanks for any replies!


Andrew--you know the answer. You need to be talking to a window or
screen specialist. Chances are excellent that you will wind up with dead
cats if you allow all-indoor cats to roam after spending their entire lives
indoors. They are only windows, for heaven's sake. I feel sure a screening
system can be devised. I mean, hell, do you want birds and bugs and stuff
in your house? Eyeeewww.