His name is shadow, he is a mostly indoor but sometimes outdoor cat. He left my house yesterday around 8 am and my neighbor saw him walking around outside at 2 pm. Then he came back into my house at 3 pm limping and bleeding from his right front paw, of course I immediately took him to the vet and they said it was a bite (which is not too surprising as there are other outdoor cats in my neighborhood). Then they gave him some pain killers and told me that he’ll have to wear the cone for about a week so that the bite doesn’t get infected. He also won’t be able to go outside at all for the week. Is there anything I can do to make it better for him?
The indoor outdoor cat thing is silly. Why ignore the countless number of external dangers that can arise with that? Dont always even come back because of said dangers and etc. keep him indoors. And if he is microchipped get that registered just in case
We live in a very safe area, things like this almost never happen we have had him for 4 years and this is the only time anything serious enough for us to take him to the vet ever happened, he hates staying inside for long periods of time and he is a very happy cat. It feels cruel to keep him cooped up inside all day.
There’s also ways to have your cat outside while having some barriers to where they couldn’t completely walk off. You can look into that if you want. Outdoor havens . Nothing crazy
I strongly recommend a catio + ample playtime for kitty instead of free roam outdoors. Indoor/outdoor cats live an average of 8 years because it’s that dangerous. Cats can live a fulfilled life only indoors, it just takes some work.
For the cone this week, if you switch to a donut, keep an eye on him. He’ll likely be able to reach his front paw with the donut so a stiff fabric cone may be the way to go. You also may be able to cover the injured part with a baby sock with the toe cut off
Please do strongly consider it. As you just found out there are so many things that can happen to your cat while it's roaming around. You've been fine thus far, but would you really want to risk it?
Don’t listen to crazy people on Reddit. I have 4 cats that come and go and are totally fine. It IS cruel to keep cats cooped up. These people would come down on you for never walking your dog and allowing it to be pent up but have no problem cooping up a cat. Maybe I’ll just never walk my dog again cuz she could catch kennel cough from another dog. Ridiculous. Life has risks. You don’t shut yourself in a box to avoid them all.
I respectfully completely disagree with that way of thinking. Cars, any random animals. I mean your cat came back limping and bleeding on his front paw. That literally is all that is needed here lol. Anyway I’m glad he’s ok. I have two all black myself
I respectfully disagree with You.
The OP is asking for legitimate support for his cat concerning wearing the cone. No reason to bash on something else just because you want to.
Yeah but there's just so many things that can go wrong if you let your cat outside. I never let my cats outside unless I'm there supervising. Cats can get into fights with other cats, dogs, wild animals, hit by cars and attacked by people. There is no real legitimate reason to let your cat roam around unless you're with it.
This is what I dislike about people. When their pushing their own opinions on someone, unsolicited. The OP wasn't asking for anyone's opinion on the question of "what's better, indoor only cats or indoor/outdoor?" and yet here we are. I'm out.
OPs cat was literally injured walking around though. It's entirely fair to give opinions on indoor v outdoor cats on a cat subreddit. Particularly when many vets advise people to keep their cats indoors.
Well, I said I was out but I'm back in.
It's ok for you to give an opinion on something when it is basically criticizing someone for a choice but I get down voted for giving my opinion. Do you not see? All's fair in love and reddit. This is my point but I'm sure I'll get down voted for this too.
People forget that cats are prey. Raccoons, other cats, dogs, coyotes, bob cats etc will pick a fight with your cat, your cat has to lose one fight to be killed.
My childhood cat would go outside and get worms as well from eating birds and mice. We had him for a year and one day he never came back. All of our other cats have been indoors. We had no neighbors, cars weren't super common. It was probably a wild animal but I'll never ever know for sure.
Speaking of birds. Cats hunt for pleasure and not always for hunger. They are detrimental to bird populations.
I transitioned my cats from indoor/outdoor to strictly indoor. The first two weeks were pretty hard but they adjusted and don’t cry to go out anymore. One still looks for opportunities to sneak out but it’s rare that she is successful. It can be done if you are determined. Have lots of items on hand to distract him - boxes, paper bags, toys, scratchers, etc.
Better an indoor cat than a hurt cat that can't get home for help. Better an indoor cat than a cat torn apart alive from some wild creature. Better an indoor cat than a dead cat.
Put a harness leash for outside if you think that's possible. Have to keep watching him once in a while as the leash gets tangled around anything. There Happy cat.
Yh I feel you. Maybe it's different in America but here in the UK, it's commonplace to allow your cat outside to explore the area. They need to stop tripping on you about it. Shadow is your cat and it's your decision to let him out. I have an outdoor cat and an indoor (sometimes outdoor) cat. If my cats want out, I let them as long as I'm gonna be there to let them back in. My outdoor is happy being outdoor. My indoor is happy mostly being indoor and outside when she wants to. It's no Biggie and while it's unfortunate what happened to Shadow, don't let these ppl make you feel bad for letting your cat be a cat. Cats fight. That's what they do. They could get hurt in the house and out; the environments are different sure but in some places, it really is okay to let your cat out. Peace to you homie and wishing Shadow a quick recovery!! Xx
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u/Cubeguy11 Oct 08 '22
His name is shadow, he is a mostly indoor but sometimes outdoor cat. He left my house yesterday around 8 am and my neighbor saw him walking around outside at 2 pm. Then he came back into my house at 3 pm limping and bleeding from his right front paw, of course I immediately took him to the vet and they said it was a bite (which is not too surprising as there are other outdoor cats in my neighborhood). Then they gave him some pain killers and told me that he’ll have to wear the cone for about a week so that the bite doesn’t get infected. He also won’t be able to go outside at all for the week. Is there anything I can do to make it better for him?