Cats decided in the end to go outside
- I had two cats who lived to be ages 19 and 17 who were Mother and son relationship...and died a few months apart. I tried to keep the first cat (female) in, and did so for 2 years...when I let her have 1 litter, I could not keep her from going out no matter what...she had to train her kittens to mouse! What a mess...BUT, when I saw how happy her son (the one kitten I kept) was outdoors...he was a longhair who loved to roll around on the sidewalk. Seeing the simple pleasure he experienced, I could not deny him or her, and it made litter box duty much easier. I knew it was more likely they could get injured, and they brought ticks into the house, but they had long lives! I now have to beautiful kittens. I'm trying to decide, but I believe a cat should attain maturity before going outdoors, and that the cat should show a strong desire to go out. From then on, microchip, pray, insure them, and accept the additional risk for the greater reward for considering kitty's needs.
- —Guest Tracy S
yes to indoor cats
- I agree about keeping our little friends indoors. our six cats have not been out in over 20 years. they are very happy.
- —Guest rreger
Indoor Cats at Risk Too
- I agree that allowing a cat outdoors is risky, but keeping a cat indoors has its problems too. I worked at a vet clinic for 3 years, and we never once had anyone bring in a cat that had been hit by a car, but almost every week we got a call from someone that wanted to euthanize their cat because it wasn't using the litterbox inside. Cats that don't use the litterbox are generally euthanized on the spot at shelters and will not be admitted to no kill facilities because they are unadoptable. I knew a woman who was willing to take the time to force-feed her cat three times a day for several years, but was not willing to keep the cat when it started urinating in her house. The bottom line is that the indoor/outdoor decision is not a black and white issue. You need to take into account your living situation, and your individual cat. I just wanted to point out that keeping a cat indoors predisposes it to developing behavior problems that can also lead to an early death.
- —Guest Beth
No Dangers Outside in the Country
- I think the "dangers" listed only apply to cats living in the suburbs or city area. We live out in the country on 5 acres. Our cats spend at least half their time outdoors. They walk about the acreage with me as I garden or tend to the veggies, or even the walk down to the mailbox. We are quite far from traffic. We have a big dog with whom they get along fine and they have become friends with our neighbor's dog, who comes over to hang out and play periodically. From what I can tell --- they love it! Running thru the fields, sharpening their claws on a log, basking in the sun. They are and have always been very healthy animals. I wouldn't think of keeping them indoors all the time. In fact, they often request to go outside, sitting by the door meowing. They love to just sit on the front porch or on their cat tree outside and just gaze at the lovely scenery. So maybe someone should clarify that the "dangers" of cats being outdoors pertain to suburban or urban cats only.
- —Guest fatcat
Indoor, but with reservations
- I just had my indoor only cat get out and I'm devastated. If he had been an outdoor cat he would have known his way around, had a territory and not have been confused. But we could have lost him many times over had we allowed him out. It saddens me to not know what happened to my cat. And there are cat leash laws! I'd hate to think he was beating up on the smaller kitties. He's huge!
- —Guest Morrie's mommy
Spouses and kids also safer indoors.
- There are more important things to life than safety. Consider that spouses and kids are also safer indoors only: You can monitor their health, control their diet. They (and you) are relatively safe from many diseases (H1N1, AIDS). They don't get into car accidents. They don't fall pray to drug dealers. They don't get into trouble with neighbors. They won't get hurt in fights. They are safe from attack by bullies and robbers. A home gym provides indoor exercise. They won't go hunting wildlife. They won't get lost or 'stolen' by some more attractive partner. Here's my compromise: my cats go in/out through a cat door with chip reader and timer. Keeping them indoors around dusk/dawn reduced dead wildlife on porch to near zero. I check for abscesses/tender abdomen etc daily (they think I'm petting them, but if anything is off, it's a trip to the vet - about 3/cat/year). I introduced them to neighbors and left a cake + my phone number. If a cat is not home for dinner I go and look for it.
- —Guest Monika
Definately Indoor
- I have been feeding a sweet male 2 year old unmicrochipped cat who one day just ran up to me in my parking lot. He was skinny and so friendly , was obviously not feral. By today, he was fluffy and not so skinny. My neighbor and I found him an indoor home! ( Neither of us could take him because we already had 2 cats each, indoors) Our other neighbors wanted to keep him but they said they would let him outside. We did not want them to have the cat, because we live where there are coyotes, owls, hawks, traffic, dogs, and who knows, there could be mean people or antifreeze drippings etc...The outdoor thinkers just did not get it. They felt it was cruel to keep him indoors. I think it is cruel to expose a trusting animal to the dangers, and there are big ones out there. It is not a cozy Andy Mayberry world, and the innocent creatures need us to protect them. My co conspirator agreed with me later, that the outdoor people will not get the cat, we are taking him to his new indoor home.
- —Guest Becx
Indoors, but concerned
- We live in a senior apartment and keep our cat indoors, but I am concerned about how much exercise she gets. We got her from a vet who had kept her after her owners wanted to put her down. We think she had been abused and it took a long while for us to get her to trust us. She really doesn't know how to play with the toys we buy her, but she occassionally goes on these wild runs thru the apartment. I hope that this is enough for her, but am not sure, but we don't want to let her out because there are many feral cats in the neighborhood plus a very busy street. Since indoors seems to be the only answer, I guess this will have to do.
- —olivialeeper
Too Many Crazies
- In most situations, these days it just is on safe to let pets or kids below a certain age roam around unsupervised. There are just too many crazies out there, besides all the natural hazards.
- —Guest Debbie
tragedy outdoors
- My family has had several cats through the years. Some of the funniest moments of raising our children include our cats. The cat who sniffed the 220v wires! We didn't see Snowball much for a while. Curiosity almost killed that cat. Later, while outside unattended, Snowball was horribly killed by a mean neighbor and my son was deeply saddened. Our favorite cat survived a viscous animal attack that left a hole in his side large enough to drop a golfball in. Inside or outside? I am torn. All our cats have always enjoyed the outdoors very much. We loved coming home and finding won on the porch waiting. I think that our cats get more out of living if we let them outside. Yes sometimes they die from some avoidable hazzard had they been contained inside. All things have a life cycle. People would live longer if we lived in more controled environments. But what would our quality of life be? Our cats were never happier than when lolling in the yard chewing a blade o grass or enjoying a warm car
- —Guest Chris
Indoor only
- I am in agreement with the indoor benefits,not only for my cat but for me. I never worry where she is when I'm gone. We have outdoor dogs and cats in my neighbor.I don't have to wonder if they have fleas,parasites or diseases. I live close to a highway,I never have to be concerned about that for my cat. My cats health and all around well-being is my responsibility. So before I got her I decided she would be indoor only. She has lots of toys,plenty of room,hiding places,sunning spots etc. and most importantly lots of attention. Playtime with mommy and playdates with other [indoor only ] well cared for cats. I know indoor was the right choice for us.
- —Guest Snickers mommy
indoor cats now
- We had 2 cats that we loved SO MUCH and they were indoor-outdoor cats. Our town is doing a lot of construction and many trees are being chopped down for houses and malls. The coyotes now come into town at night to catch cats. We lost both of our cats to this. We now have 3 cats that are 100% indoor.
- —Guest marilyn hay
Indoor maybe, outdoor prefably
- I used to live with my sister who did not fix her cats and therefore she kept them inside. With the reasons for keeping cats inside, I agree, it can be a safer option. But when she used to go out she used to lock all 3 cats in one bedroom, further more she hardly ever cleaned their kitty litter and we were not allow to open the windows. Can you jsut imagine the smell??? I am now living on my own and my cat Lucy is free to come and go during the day. I have noticed that she hangs around outside but as soon as she sees my car turning into our drive way she scrambles to get back into our garden (very cute!). I think if you can keep your cats inside, in a clean environment, and they are getting enough attention and excercise then great. BUt I think of my sister's cats who have never seen a vet and have to go in a kitty littler with weeks old pooh - it makes me shiver, poor things! L
- —Guest Karen
stolen cat
- our indoor/outdoor cat was befriended by our downstair neighbor {I thought to to give his lonesome child some amusement}but turned out to take our cat with them when they moved.and throwing her collar on our doorstep to let me know at least a four legged animal didnt get her...
- —Guest marianne
Originally Outside
- Our cat came to us from outside of the house, and gets on the bed every time we bring her inside after she's finished eating, so she's an outdoor cat.
- —Guest Crene
