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Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

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• Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

• Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  Dino147 > 11-25-2020, 04:47 PM

  Hello, I am researching rag doll kittens and local breeders are stating that they are brought up as indoor cats. Does anyone have any experience or general thoughts on how in the warmer summer months etc where you may normally keep patio doors, back doors and multiple windows open, how would you, or could you, stop your precious kitty from exploring the outside world unaccompanied etc?! Short from putting screens up at every opening, is this a common issue, or do the cats not show an interest in the outside? Thank you in advance, I do hope you can pass on your knowledge :-)

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  JanH > 11-25-2020, 10:21 PM

  Welcome to the forum.
  
  You need sturdy screens and everyone in and visiting the household to be careful not to allow escapes.
  
  The life expectancy of indoor only cats ia believed to be about twice as long as indoor/outdoor cats. Ragdolls expect all creatures to be friendly and most will not perceive danger before it is too late, so Ragdolls probably are more at risk outside than the average cat

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  Ragstimes1 > 11-26-2020, 03:27 AM

  Ragdolls will show an interest in outdoors, just like any other cat.  I went to great lengths to not have the windows (with screens in them) open far enough for them to lean against them and pop the screen.  I never let them out.  Their idea of "out" was my enclosed porch with 16 windows on it.  Max's idea of "out" was the 8 ft. cat perch I have on the porch and he would stare at the back yard and I'm sure was thinking "it's all mine!!".  Jamie wasn't even interested in looking out the windows.  If you leave things open, your cats will get out and you will not be a happy camper.
  
  Sue

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  MUM_of_FLUFFY > 11-26-2020, 04:00 AM

  Hi Dino147 - welcome to the forum 
  
  
  
  My ragdoll Fluffy has a strong interest in the outside - which increases at dawn and dusk. I love fresh air circulating through the house most of the year - so before I moved into this house I installed a sturdy front screen-door. The "mesh" is made from a single sheet of aluminium with holes punched through and provides privacy during the day. I always keep the windows in the front rooms closed. I have an air-conditioner in one of the front rooms and a fan in the other room so it works for me.
  
  
  
  
  The rest of the house only has standard wire mesh fly screens. I would have liked to replace them all - but it wasn't in the budget when I moved in...  I do open the sliding windows but I lock them in the open position at 3cm (less than one and a half inches). If I want to enjoy fresh air through the back door I put Fluffy in his enclosure and sit outside with him with the back door open.
  
  
  
  If I have a visitor arriving I put Fluffy in the spare room with the door closed while I open the front door. Fluffy doesn't have the "street-smarts" that some other cats have. And even if I had a "street-smart" cat I would still keep it indoors with a safe outdoor play area...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  NatsFan78 > 11-26-2020, 06:35 AM

  Welcome to the forum! My ragdoll loves to sit at the window and watch the wildlife. He will smack the window attempting to catch birds or bugs. He ran into the window at full speed once trying to get a bird on my porch rail. I never raise my windows because although I have screens I fear he would quickly figure out how to knock them loose. He walks my husband to the door every morning when he leaves for work and tries to sneak by him. I have started carrying him to the door so he can still see but not escape.

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  JanH > 11-26-2020, 07:14 AM

  Our big escape risks (including successful ones) were with cats who we exposed to the outside. We have had better success with a no exceptions rule of no outside exposure - even by screen. This has greatly reduced the interest in getting out.
  
  If you cannot manage a strictly indoor only cat, then consider a shelter cat who cannot be kept inside only based on having been feral or for some other reason. Some cannot be converted, although the effort to accomplish it is worthwhile based on longevity.

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  Smudge's Mom > 11-26-2020, 08:37 AM

  Welcome...screens, strong, strong screens.
  
  
  This is what a 6 month old is capable of.
  
  

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  Dino147 > 11-26-2020, 10:50 AM

  Oh thank you so much for all the valuable and informative replies, most interesting.  I have some more screen specific research to get on with!

• RE: Indoor cats and open windows/doors.

  Codysmom > 11-26-2020, 03:30 PM

  Hello and welcome to the forum, glad you joined us.
  I have screens on the windows so it's not problem having them open during the hot summer days over here in South Africa.
  My cats love watching the birds while enjoying the breeze so yes, secure screens on windows are definitely the answer.
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