Why would people let there cats run wild but not their dogs?

Question

Beside leash laws I mean. Would all the "let the cat be an outdoor cat" people let their dogs do the same thing if they could? Seems driver's would notice dogs more and dogs could defend themselves against dangerous animals better. Is it that people care about dogs more or that cat's are smarter? In case you missed it I did say beside the law lol.

Answer 1

Domestic animals should not have the freedom to go where they want. There are too many dangers. I am very frustrated that people let their "beloved" cats just wonder around outside. Wild animals belong outside!

Answer 2

I see what you are saying. Dogs can be more dangerous than cats. They are bigger, can be hit more easily by a car, more likely to scavenge and cause problems and could attack and injure a child. Cats are more independant, unlikely to harm another person (apart from the odd little non harmful scratch) and less likely to run away as such. They have a better sense of direction and when let out are more likely to stay in the neighbourhood area. However I believe cats should be locked in at night for sure. They kill wild life especially in the early hours of the morning when birds are first waking, they can cause problems in other peoples gardens and can be annoying to people who don't like cats. I think it's fine to let cats roam free for a few hours in the middle of the day but otherwise I think they should be in from say 4-5 at night until. about 9 the next morning. Of course another thing responsible cat owners could do is build a run for their cats that connects up to an indoor area such as a laundry or garage so the cats can go in and out as they please through a catflap and get the most of both worlds. My friend had a neighbour who kept reporting her cat to the pound so she made a run and it has worked brilliantly.

Answer 3

Cats can't be controlled like dogs. In my area dogs must legally be licensed, but not cats. Cats are classified as a wild animal rather than a domesticated one. I'm not sure if that's true everywhere.

It has nothing to do with people caring more about dogs, or cats being smarter (watch your apostrophe use, by the way) - it's just that cats are more difficult to control. I tried to make my own cat an indoor cat, but it didn't work. I try to keep a collar and tag on him, but he takes it right off. I've been through 3 this year. Some cats can be trained and controlled like dogs, but I don't think that people will ever be able to truly control them.

Answer 4

Check out this story on Yahoo! News: Jack the cat chases black bear up tree http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060610/ap_on_fe_st/cat_scares_bear



Here's my theory:

A cat can scratch you and your scratch can get infected. I suppose the infection can kill you. However, when have you ever heard of a cat attacking and killing a human. I don't doubt that it has happened, but it would be not nearly as common as fatal dog attacks.

Even Pomeranians, the little companion dogs, have killed babies. And isn't it every summer where we here the story about some neighbors dog attacking and killing or severely wounding another animal or person - usually a child or an elderly?

Answer 5

I'm assuming, like other posters said, it's an issue of danger and liability.

For the record, I think dogs anc cats both live happier, healthier lives as inside animals.

Answer 6

I think it's because of the reactions of cats in nature. Cats do not emit a lot of noise, are not as dangerous, aggressive, and do not cause small piles of feces in yards of people who do not wish to have feces.

Cats can be a nuisance, though, and you can call your local pound/humane shelter/animal control to wrangle up any wild cats.

Answer 7

Dogs are more likely to run away. Any time our dog got out he tried to make a run for it. Cats stay put and usually won't run away.

Also, you have to account for the bad owners whose dogs would just go around biting people.

Answer 8

because dogs would chase after cars and stuff and would normally get lost or squashed

people are scared of dogs and the dog would jump up yo u the cat would not

Answer 9

cats don't generally maul people to death for going into their yard.
cats are considered free in the eyes of the law.
you said it cats are smarter than dogs.
pigs are also smarter than dogs.

Answer 10

because cats were born to be wild. They are considered free sprited. All cats are wild to a certain degree. And some are so wild you couldnt catch them if you wanted too.