Nervous about going outside

[jezebel]

I mentioned the cat flap in the shed idea to him and he thought it was a very good idea. In fact, he says his neighbour has done that (as well as turning the shed into some sort of mancave with TV and lights - I can think I can see what's going to happen!).

[sheilarose]

I have a kennel in the garden too, like Slugsta, a halfway house for my brood who sometimes prefer to stop out (even though they have a flap on the kitchen door). If I needed to it would be a simple job to attach a microchip operated catflap to the kennel so it only allowed access for my cat(s).

Otherwise he needs to work out who deserves his love more, his wife or his cat! 

[emmmy_lou]

Or have a wiindow open, even tho its not the weather for it!

[alisonandarchie]

Yes ,shut her out

He does need have a flap somewhere she can escape and feel safe

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

My friends built an outside 'hutch' which their cats seem to like. Access is via cat-flap, it has several raised, carpeted areas and the top (which is covered and waterproofed) lifts off for easy cleaning. Over the years, I think many of their cats have used it as a sort of 'halfway house' between outside and in.

[jezebel]

The shed's a good idea - I'll ask him tomorrow if he's got one.

I also like the idea of shutting the wife outside. 

[Jiji]

Maybe he could build a small run with a cat flap and somewhere for her to hide out of sight or put one on an outbuilding/shed if he has one?

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

The wife is an idiot!

Maybe keep the cat in but bet the wife doesnt allow litter trays either!

Definately ignore the wife and shut her outside

[jezebel]

Someone I work with is concerned that his cat (one-year old female) has suddenly become nervous about going outside, and he thinks she might have been frightened by one of the neighbourhood toms he's seen in the garden.

I've told him she needs to feel secure, and that a cat door would help (so that she can run back indoors if she's scared) but he says his wife is adamantly against it.

He keeps talking to me about it but I don't know what else to suggest to him. I've said that if she gets scared and can't get indoors, she might run off and get lost - or worse. He's had cats before but it sounds like they've all been toms who can defend themselves. He really doesn't understand nervous, young females!

What else can I say to him (apart from to ignore his wife!)?