How to manage a cat in an condo complex

[Reggs]

My girlfriend brought home a cat.

The complex I live in has a small courtyard with a private porch. The cat is young, but his legs are long. I am sure he will grow large enough to jump into the courtyard, which is fine since thats where the other cats congregate(assuming the other cats are not a bad influence on him).

Every year or so, someone's cat goes missing. It's a large complex, so that's not very much per capita. I still worry. Is it safe to have go outside? Would they get lost if every porch looks the same? If he happens to make it outside the courtyard and into the sidewalk/street, could he still find his way back? How common does catnapping?

The cat is still young and impressionable. Any advice as far as raising it?

I'll post more questions as they come.

 

[Reggs]

I just found out it was a girl.

I'm thinking Margot; after the woman in The Shadow.

 

[pistolero]

Best to not let it out unsupervised at all. Cats that aren't used to living outdoors usually don't have the survival skills to deal with loose dogs, cars, find their way back home if they get lost, etc.. why chance something happening

 

[suited]

I wouldn't let it outside unless you have your own enclosed area, separate from the common courtyard.

 

[Reggs]

After some thought, I dont think this will work out.

The cat is simply not affectionate. It has no personality. It never licks or hugs, or seeks attention for anything other than food. It never plays either. I woke up at 3am this morning to it meowing. It didn't want to use the litter box, drink water, eat, or be petted. It just simply started meowing for a good 2 hours. The meowing is very loud. I dont want to upset my neighbors, especially since I have complained about the one's above me before(to them directly, not the association). It would be hypocritical.

Even worse, I dont think the cat is cute enough to live with me. It's eyes are cold and it's too lanky for its own good. I resent it when it looks at me.

 

[magogian12345]

Originally Posted by Reggs

It's eyes are cold and it's too lanky for its own good. I resent it when it looks at me.

Hilarious.

 

[ArteEtLabore14]

She's taken on the personality of Margot Lane.

 

[Reggs]

Originally Posted by ArteEtLabore14

She's taken on the personality of Margot Lane.

I haven't thought of it like that.

 

[jfranci3]

We let my gf's cat wander the condo hallway. Satisfies the cat need to wander and there are 4 doors between the cat and the outside world. We leave the door cracked open. when the cat hears someone coming, she runs for the door and pushes it open.

 

[GQgeek]

lots of cats never go outside their owner's apartments. I don't understand what's to manage. It's not like you've got a dog.

 

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by bkstone

Well it is new and young and probably need to get used to trusting you first.

This. Seriously, just be nice and gentle. Pick it up and hold it in the crook of your arm and pet it lightly. It will warm up, as far is cats ever do. As for playing, once it relaxes it will play.

 

[WorkingClassDude]

As a cat owner for about 26 years (always had cats in my household til about 2.5 years ago) they always knew us and wherever we were. We moved our cats through 3 different houses in 3 different towns in 3 different decades and the only cat we ever 'lost' was Frisky, who was getting up there (he was about 18 to our best guess) and just wandered off one day and didn't come back. Which from what I hear is almost common for some older animals. All the cats we ever owned, would go outside and come back in, no problem. We always fed them around sundown and left dry food out generally all the time. I think the key is providing an environement they want to come back to every day. I don't do indoor-only cats and I don't think I ever would. Cats are supposed to be able to go outside and be able to survive it when they do.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by Reggs

The cat is still young and impressionable. Any advice as far as raising it?

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[GQgeek]

Would be impressive if he flushed and didn't fall in. Do you really want your cat walking around on carpet after he's stepped in a toilet full of poop?

 

[Brimshack]

What were the circumstances of the adoption? Cats have to be taught to play and/or be affectionate. If it was ignored or ferral before coming to you, it may not know to think of you as a source of comfort or amusement. That can change over time.