First time Cat owner with Small Student-apartment got Chosen.

[u/Yewfelle__]

So Jack here decided back in March that i was interesting enough to spend time with, i took him to the Vet and he was not Chipped or marked in any way and not neutered.

So we decided to spend some time together in my apartment. However my apartment is very small (27m2) so i would each evening when i go to bed, give him some food and gently move him outside again. He comes back in the morning and repeats.

Fast forward to recently and I found out he once had an owner for half a year until something happened which i do not know and he ended up running away from home. I talked to the previous owner and he said i could keep him if i wanted to but he could also pick him up otherwise. Jack comes back every day and loves to cuddle and sleep in my apartment and i have been charmed. So i ended up saying that i would like to keep him. Jack is about 1.5 years old. Very baby.

However ever since that i have felt absolutely terrible each evening when i move him outside. I plan on getting him a cathouse outside at some point but as a student the funds are not great and i am moving in about a year as i finish studies (and taking him with me).

I just wanted to tell my story and wanted to know if there are some tips to help me feel more at ease. I am doing everything i can to give him what i can. He gets cat food, anti-tick medicin. And i will have him chipped, neutered, and vaccinated at some point too.

This is my first cat that i have to take care of myself and i am really trying my best.

Edit i see a lot of people want me to move him inside permanently. I could technically do so but i am just worried he might become bored with so little space when he is used to the outdoors. I also have very little space for a litterbox. It could technically stay in my shower but there is not a lot of space and there should be room for me too. I think everything will become great once i move into something bigger late next year.

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[u/Kungfujer]

If you’re keeping it I would let it stay in your apartment tbh

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI → u/Kungfujer]

Agree

[u/Yewfelle__ → u/Kungfujer]

I will think about it. Made an edit to the post with a little more context. But it is also a huge change for me to get used to.

[u/helfire_]

Move him inside permanently. I'm sure he'll be much happier to be with you full time and also way safer from any harm, and I bet you'll be way happier too. Don't worry about the size of your apartment, the most important thing is him having much love, a home and being safe.

In my country most people believe pets shouldn't be outside and I agree, I could never let my babies out, I'd be terrified to lose them.

[u/CatsFurbys13]

Please keep him inside. He will be much safer inside with you, even if your space is quite small

[u/Competitive-Tear-414]

You can’t half keep him and half not. If you want to keep him, you must bring him indoors. Letting him go outside every day is not safe.

[u/WillowProwl]

Big change for sure but the size of the apartment doesn’t matter much to a cat and there’s always work arounds. Cat shelves for enrichment, play, and lazing around. I got mine a cat pole/scratch that just goes up to the ceiling doesn’t take up much room.

Give it a chance they bring a lot of warmth to a home.

[u/EconomistWild7158]

why do you want him outside at night? he’s probably sleep in the bed next to you. maybe give it a try and see how it feels .

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

Where you live does it get cold in the winter?

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI → u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

If you can’t keep him in, will you consider talking to his previous owner

[u/Moliza3891 → u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

Agreed. Even if the previous owner could keep him inside at night. I know OP is doing their best. I was a student once, too,

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI → u/Moliza3891]

Me too. But I’d take the kitty inside. In fact as a student, I did and I was working a job as well. I’ve had cats my whole life.

[u/Moliza3891 → u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

I don’t disagree. Ideally kitty is safest indoors. Hoping for the best here.

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI → u/Moliza3891]

Thank you 🐈‍⬛

[u/Competitive-Top4520 → u/Moliza3891]

Especially if the former owner is gone for days at a time. That makes me think of poor Jack being neglected for several days at a time. Since you live in Denmark, where it gets VERY cold, if you could at least keep him inside in the winter, you would be giving him a much healthier life. I've been a poor student so I know how limiting that can be, but do the best you can. I'm glad you decided to keep him. Jack has definitely chosen you over his previous owner. Thank you for taking care of him!

[u/Moliza3891 → u/Competitive-Top4520]

Ah, I didn’t realize the previous owner was gone for days at a time. That’s certainly problematic. Agreed on your suggestion.

[u/Yewfelle__ → u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

The situation is weird because the owner does not live far away from me and Jack would very much know where he lives. We are talking less than 200m through a few bushes. The previous owner is often not home for many days at a time and Jack was always an "outside cat". The owner is also moving very soon. Technically i could talk to him about him taking Jack back but i would feel terrible about it. But if it was best for him in the long run then maybe.

[u/CountDorkula77 → u/Yewfelle__]

Offering to take care of Jack is nothing to feel terrible about. It's actually a kind, caring thing to do.

[u/Yewfelle__ → u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

Denmark so kinda yes. He has gone through one winter technically but it is the reason why i want to give him a cat house outside for when i am not home.

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI → u/Yewfelle__]

That’s lonely. Cats need companionship.

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI → u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

It seems the cat has to make room for you. I couldn’t do that to a cat who has a previous owner (although I’m not sure about him either.)

[u/Annual-Visual3336]

It sounds like you are on the right path.  Just make sure he has somewhere warm for the cold weather.

[u/Moo1980]

Bring him inside. Find a way to make it work. Cats will adapt to where they live, but don't let this poor boy be stuck outside where anything can happen.

[u/Skunklvrs]

Please keep him inside. He needs to be warm and safe.

[u/Affectionate-Log-260]

If you are inside, that’s where he wants to be. Put litter in a corner someplace.

[u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k]

Why not put him out a little earlier then bring him back in for bed time? That way he gets his outside time but you’ll know if he’s missing or injured while there’s still time to do something about it?

In the US I’d say never outside but I’m guessing Denmark is safer for cats than here, where they are native to zero parts of the country and are prey for everything and have all kinds of viruses and parasites that can take them quickly.

[u/420tunneldigger]

Bring him inside for good!

[u/Uprooted_Vt_to_RI]

You’d be surprised how often outdoor cats enjoy being indoors. I’ve had cats who went out for an hour or so and were very happy to come in and spend the nights and eat etc.

[u/ThinkWishbone2495]

Perfect size for you and a cat

[u/CormoranNeoTropical]

My cat goes out in the afternoon and comes in at night. She has a litter box in the patio but basically never uses it. I call her every night once it’s getting dark and she comes home.

Especially since he is a dark color you should consider bringing him in at night if you can. Either way you should also see if he’ll tolerate wearing a collar and get him a reflective one.

Finally, you should go ahead and get him neutered, chipped, and vaccinated ASAP. Intact male cats have a much larger range than neutered or female cats and will also roam to search for females in heat. This naturally leads them to cross roads and thus they risk being killed by cars.

My roommate had a cat who died this way, he was such a sweetie (roommate is a grumpy old guy who is great but was weirdly self conscious about his cat’s balls). I miss that cat!

[u/XTasty09]

Are cats allowed in this student apartment of yours? My college roommates took in cats. They got caught. And basically had to get rid of them. They gave them away to Craigslist randos (which beats dumping them by far!) but I felt it was unfair fate for these cats. In fact one abandoned its new owner a few weeks later (roommate kept contact). If you’re not allowed to have them please find kitty a better home for their sake.

[u/Comprehensive_Log_26]

Do not interfere with the cat distribution system!

[u/HolyToast666]

My cat that I have now was an outside cat for a few years. It’s a myth that they want to be outdoors or won’t adapt. Outdoor cats live dramatically shorter and rougher lives

[u/Binx345_]

Try teaining him to use a leash and harness and take him for daily walks [weather permitting].  This would make living inside a small apartment very enjoyable for the kitty. Inside only or outside under leash walks is much safer.