How can I keep my cat from running in the road?

May 15th, 2009 | by DistanceRunner |
Cami Chocolate Lover asked:


I have 2 outdoor cats, and one is always running in the road. I have seen cars have to honk and stop for her to move. There is a main road near our house, and one day when we went on a walk she followed us and nearly got ran over. I am so scared for her safety, I don’t want her running in the road anymore.
And no, we can’t bring her in the house because my family is allergic.

Sometimes she sleeps in the road, what should I do?
We found both of them as strays, so mostly they can handle. I just thought of something: Should I get them beds? Would that keep her from sleeping in the road? I haven’t really thought about that because of the chance of rain or they are going to tear them up.
Oh, and we live in Hawaii, so she’s not out there freezing cold.
No they are not stray cats we feed, they both are spayed and micro-chipped.
Are there any collars or something that will stop her from going out of a certain area?
I’m not worried about anyone stealing her or poisining her, we live in a nice area with security guards that patrol the neighborhood, and that never has been a worry. Usually someone is at the house,and they would notice.
I have had my cat for 2 years now. Before we moved she was an indoor/outdoor cat.
I really, really don’t want to give her away. I love her so much!

The Night

  1. 14 Responses to “How can I keep my cat from running in the road?”

  2. By birdbrained22 on May 18, 2009 | Reply

    If you’re going to let your cat go outside, then that’s one of the dangers you have to be aware of, along with predators, crazy people with guns, diseases from cat fights, etc. You can’t really “train” the cat not to go onto the road. If she’s out there by herself, and you’re not with her 24/7, there’s not much you can do.

    The lifespan of an outdoor cat is approximately five years. Yes, there are exceptions, but that is the average. There are many kinds of allergy medication that your family can take. I don’t think that this kind of risk is acceptable for your cat.

    Good luck.

  3. By TmB on May 18, 2009 | Reply

    Give the cat to a home that can keep her indoors. Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do but keep her indoors, and since you can’t do that, if you don’t get her to a home that can keep her safe then she is bound to get hit and wind up seriously injured or dead.

  4. By yvonne p on May 22, 2009 | Reply

    Keep him indoors, get him a litter box, & you’ve solved your problem.

  5. By EQ on May 22, 2009 | Reply

    You have a pet that your family is allergic to and you can’t let in the house?

    You don’t have a pet, you have a stray cat that you feed.

    What on earth were you thinking getting an animal that you can’t let into your house? That was an incredibly irresponsible decision, one that it sounds like your cat is going to pay for with its life very soon when it winds up getting run over because YOU have left it to live in the street.

  6. By terry on May 23, 2009 | Reply

    This is a hard one. All cats like to go on the road.While you are out can you put the cat in shed with food and water and lock the shed.? Your cats are outdoor cats and you cant stop them from going on the road.

  7. By Amber C on May 25, 2009 | Reply

    If you are really concerned about thier safty but, you are allergic to them so can’t bring them inside,then unfortunatly the best thing for them would probably be to take them down to a shelter or call the shelter to pick them up so they can be adopted into homes where they are not running the streets!

    You might be attached to them and love them and all but their safty is very important. Plus if they are not fixed then there will just be more and more kitty’s out there running around in the street.

    So yeah call the shelter to pick them up. Sorry.

  8. By jtfirewalker1 on May 26, 2009 | Reply

    There is really no way to train a cat to stay out of the road. You may try a containment system, such as an invisible fence, but that still will not stop people from coming into your yard and stealing your cat.

    I would also be scared, not only of people running the poor thing over, but poisoning it.

    You may want to try a leash (this is what a neighbor of mine does).

    Maybe they can stay in the garage, or have a space in the house that they stay in?

    Perhaps you should consider another home where these cats can get loving indoors?

    Good luck!

  9. By UNC on May 29, 2009 | Reply

    NEVER LET YOUR CAT OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first cat died by being hit by a car. 90% OF CATS THAT GO OUTSIDE GET HIT BY CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so if you love your cat PLEASE keep it inside.

  10. By Stalked by cowards on May 30, 2009 | Reply

    If you are scared for the cats, bring them inside. Cats really should only live inside. By allowing them to remain outside, you have the distinct possibility of allowing them to be hit by cars and suffer horrible deaths. If you love them, bring them in. Trust me, they will adapt.

    If you can’t provide this for them due to family members who won’t get on a allergy program, give them to a no-kill rescue group that can find them a more responsible home. Good luck to you.

  11. By P*Kitty on May 31, 2009 | Reply

    if you love her that much you would either find a way to keep her indoors (screen porch) or give her to someone that would be able to keep her indoors

  12. By Calais on Jun 2, 2009 | Reply

    keep it in a run outside

  13. By jsfan211 on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply

    Have you ever seen those really big playpens that babies stay in when parents are busy? I would get one of them and I would also get a big dog house. Set up the playpen away from the road so that she can’t see the road. Put the dog house in the playpen and put her food and water in the dog house. If she uses a litterbox, put a small one in the dog house as well. Just keep your cat in the playpen. Throw in some toys. Take her out maybe twice a day and hook her up to a kitty leash so that you can watch her and she can have her freedom. Hope I helped. Good Luck!!

  14. By girl on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply

    Your cat running into the road is one of the dangers of having an outdoor cat, the best thing you can do is keep her or him inside untill you are going to go outside and, you must watch her carefully and if your cat know common commands like when you call her name and she looks or listens to you then when she goes near a street call her name as loud as possible.
    I hope my advice helps and that all your pets reemain safe.

  15. By whitney g on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply

    keep your cats indoors?

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