We adopted a rescue cat with FIV three years ago. We have never had any problems with her being an indoor cat and she hasn't seemed to fussed about going out either.

She's got out a couple of times over the years, but we've always managed to get her back in pretty quickly. However, last Wednesday she got out of a bedroom window and was out for half an hour before we realised. Now every afternoon since she cries and scratches to go out of the front door, she's never been a very vocal cat and it's quite upsetting hearing her sound so upset.

Do you think she'll get over it?

Yes she will, give her something to play with, distract her. Unless you could get her used to a harness and take her for a walk yourselves. The fact she has FIV makes her too vulnerable to go out alone.

Sad that a cat has to be denied something as basic as going outdoors because of her condition. Like Heartache says, perhaps walks on a harness would be the solution.

I always thought that a kitten who never learns to go out will be completely happy as an indoor cat (eg in a flat, and can't get out) but once s/he learns to go out it'll always want to (unless it's a nervous one, like one of mine). Our local cat sanctuary has that descriptor on the pics of its cats, in fact - if it's an outdoor cat when it comes to them, they insist it stays as one, ie you can't take it if you live in a high-rise or don't want it to go out. The cat will always be wanting to 'escape'.

So, NorfolkBird, it's a bugger, but your cat's just got the taste of freedom and you'll have to be super-vigilant now. If the harness idea doesn't work too well, could you fence off an area outside for her, and perhaps put a 'lid' of chicken wire over the top? She'll get outdoors experience and fresh air but without traipsing off. Alternatively, there are window box things you can get for cats nowadays. Here's a link to Google Image search for it:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wi...HSvJARYQsAQIGw

If she hadn't got FIV, I'd suggest you did let her out for a wander round.

The reason for this is that if exclusively indoor cats do accidentally get out and wander off without you realising, they will often get lost very quickly. Whereas those who are allowed out bit by bit for short periods, firstly under supervision, get used to their area and find their way back home without difficulty.

Could you get an outdoor cat pen?

The cat could experience the sounds, smells and visual stimulation of being outdoors, whilst being safe behind wire.

oh bless her! can you take her out on a harness or something? I am assuming when she got out she left your garden? (assuming again, you have one!)

not sure what to suggest tbh - if you do have a garden can you fence of a part for her so she could go into that? like a cage or some description............

I would be upset too if it were my little kitty - she might get over it - fingers crossed she does!

try a harness tho - you never know she might like it

good luck and keep us posted!!

There are lots of options and products to make a secure pen or even secure off part of the garden so she can have some outside time.

Thanks guys. We had a wooden cat pen built for her the first summer we got her. She didn't like it. We tried so many times, just wouldn't stop crying. Groupon has a pet pen for £20, so thought we'd give it a try. It's still sitting in the conservatory at the moment, been far to hot in the garden to put it together.

She has been a lot better this past week, only a couple of little cries at the door. We're finding having a play is a good distraction. Normally wears her out and then sleeps for hours.