What can be done with a boy named Damon?
What can you do when:
- every curtain rod is bent from “walking tightrope”
- window blinds have crashed to the floor
- racing room to room clears every surface
- anything hanging down is for peeing on, including clothing tossed over a chair
- kitchen rugs are “slip and slides”
- pocketbooks are for hide and seek and treasure hunts
- cabinets are for exploring
- potted plants are for digging
My Damon is, probably, a perfect example if a completely indoor cat.
Regardless of the many stimulants he has and that I, probably, carry him around with me a total of 3 hours a day just to give him one-on-one attention, it isn’t enough.
Cats need to have outdoor time. But, it’s just too scary here sometimes.
It breaks my heart.
Dee
Thanks Dee for this poignant little post. It is complicated. Naturally cats should be outside but outside can be too dangerous. The eternal dilemma. What has happened is that the world has become more dangerous outside for the domestic cat and will become more dangerous in the future because man made hazards are increasing. So, people are undermining the initial success of the domestication of the cat. That is what I think.
Of course it depends on where people live. Many places are still relatively safe outside for the domestic cat.
I know that Damon is probably missing out on a natural kittie life but how would you feel if you let him out and he came to harm? I do feel for you because I have the same dilemma 🙁
-About Damon-To Dee_
We have Four Adult, mostly indoor cats, whom have been raised from birth. Two of the four are High Maintainance>meaning they have health issues.when they are let outside, my husband & I are watching them-and the dangers which DO arise from a domestic animal having some fresh air* They are not declawed *never will be and are able to climb, hunt ect…I have not had many problems with them indoors.
They have fun time with Mom & Dad {us} Scratching post we made for them & pet stairs to get into 4-of our windows. One female main coon {ZOE] is a bit neurotic so I had to cover corners of some tables with Alumunium Foil-which stopped her scratching in the wrong places. She also decided from age 5-months to urinate outside of the litter box. she is healthy.just nuts, so I wipe the Box edges with a lemon or pine scent-this keeps her rear inside the litter area. There are many sites you can research to help Damon & yourself.{ Please DO NOT LEAVE HIM OUTSIDE ALONE after being inside. He sounds like a wild creature of the woods with no Momma cat to teach him what he needed. I am afraid he may be set in his ways by now-{Plant a Tree in your Den !Here is the link{http://www.mykittypalm.com/ The maker is a friend of mine* A NiceGuy. Jim “Turtle” Harmon -Eva D.R.Force
Neutered.
Sorry that I did not publish it first time. I just thought that Dee’s short little post carried some weight. It is insightful and it made me question whether at the end of the day an indoor environment can ever be totally fulfilling for a domestic cat.
Never mind Michael. I found it, and I remember it well. That was a great bunch of poems on that post. Lucky Damon. My, you are a poet Dee!
He is or isn’t neutered? Accidental ear clipping? Yikes.
I’m afraid I missed that poem. Maybe Michael can add the link here.
So he is still a youngster. That explains the energy. I had a very small kitten years ago that I carried around in the pouch pocket of my sweatshirt for months when I first got her. Or on my shoulder. She wanted to be under my shirt, under the covers, or up on my shoulder the rest of her life. It was very sweet really. That was more than thirty years ago. I haven’t had a kitten since her. Only mature cats. I’m reminded though of how much you can influence the nature and habits of cats you get as kittens. Maybe someday……..
Meanwhile, Damon is one of the lucky ones. He found you!