I have a 5-month-old kitty named Cookie who has been with me for two months. I adopted her from my university once my finals were completed, and I have been taking excellent care of her. I only take her out for vet appointments since it’s really hot and I don’t want her to be exposed to it. I plan to take her for walks when the weather improves), and she has recently begun to stare out the windows in our house. My sister constantly calling me cruel for keeping Cookie at home and distancing her from her family.
I checked with numerous vets and websites online, and they all indicated kittens are fine to adopt around three months old because that’s when the mom normally tries to make them independent.
I feed Cookie the best food I can find here, keep her safe and away from harm (other cats, people, diseases), and play with her daily, and she is pretty much spoiled here.
But I do wonder if this is cruel, even though I know she will have a better life at my house than outside (because she would have lived at my university, she would have found very little food during the summer when there are no classes, and it would have been dangerous overall). I’m curious about what others think about the increased number of kittens outside, but also the sad fact that many of them die.
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Sher is being absurd.
If your cat is pining for the outdoors, you can try harness training.
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Think about creating a Catió, an enclosed outdoor environment where your cat can securely enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and the sights and sounds of nature without the risks of free-roaming.
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Or another kitten that is the same age. The kitten is not pining for the outside because it is outside, but because it appears to be an enjoyable activity. A friend can check the same boxes.
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Agreed big time. shes thriving under your care.
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I am not sure what your sister means by isolating her from her family. You adopted her, so you are her family. Cat “families” don’t usually stay together. When the kittens are weaned and capable of self-care, the mother pushes them away from her. It would have been cruel to make the kitten reliant on you for food and care, just to abandon her at university when you moved home. Your sister is not sure what she is talking about. My cat always stares out the window because interesting things are going on outside and she can see and hear birds. It does not imply that she is “missing her family”. You’re doing the proper thing and taking very good care of your kitty based on the sounds of it. Thank you for saving her!
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Yes, I also had this thinking. Exactly. I walk one of my sons, but you can’t bribe the other to go outside. He couldn’t care less; your sister, I might add, isn’t in the arena, so she should mind her own business.
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This sister sounds like she’s projecting some weird Disney version of the world on the kitten. My cat also looks out the window but it’s because she watches the squirrels and wishes to know how it would feel to crush their bones between her teeth.
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on the dot. If someone had left the kitten behind, they would most likely have returned to an ill, dying, or pregnant kitten in the fall.
My cat does the same thing, except with pigeons on my neighbor’s roof. She was discovered outside, so I believe she is reliving her hunting glory days, wishing for the apartment mice to be courageous enough to peep their heads back out for her to chew (they won’t, she has cleaned them off, regrettably for her).
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My cats always peek out the window, but that doesn’t imply they want to be outside. And the other poster is correct. You are now part of the family.
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I agree with this! My cat and my neighbors’ cats like staring out the window at the birds, squirrels, and so on. We have unique kitty towers for them to play in, as well as bird feeders outside for their enjoyment. They are kings and queens atop their towers. They even keep an eye out for dog walkers and passers-by. You are her furry family, and she is your furry child. You’re all growing old together, just as it should be.
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Sounds like you’re taking good care of the cat, and your sister is ridiculous. Make sure to get your cat spayed. After that, you can take her out on a halter as long as she is with you. There are too many dangers out there for cats to face alone. Otherwise, she’ll be alright indoors. Toys will provide enrichment and entertainment. Please have her spayed. She doesn’t miss her previous family. You are now her family.
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Your sister is ignorant.
This is completely normal cat activity. Cats usually stand watch. I open the door for my kitten when she does this, and she simply sticks her nose out.
If you’ve provided her a loving home, you’ve done the opposite of cruel, since there’s nothing crueler than being homeless.
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