some people have told me that I'm being cruel to my cats because I strictly keep them inside?

Question

I don't believe this at all!! I believe that many "responsible" cat owners keep their cats strictly indoors. there are so many dangers resulting in cats that are kept outside most if not all the time. some people inform me that it's a cats nature to go outside and explore and whatever happens to them then they can take care of themselves with no problems. whatever!! in my opinion, these people are dead wrong. cats do not need to go exploring outside and go try to hunt and they are not prone to NOT gettin hurt!! therefore, they CAN'T take care of themselves! people need to seriously understand the consequences of letting your cats roam free wherever they please. also, it's a proven fact that cats who live strictly indoors live longer healthier lives! people just don't get it! I don't believe that I'm being "cruel" to my 2 cats just because I keep them inside all day long. cats aren't like humans, so needless to say, they don't particularly care if they are kept inside.

my 2 kitties couldn't be happier just sitting in a window sill and looking outside at the birds. they don't NEED to be outside for any reason! who agrees with me? anyone is free to answer this. I want your opinion please.

Pancakes: you can't compare cats to humans!! cats don't think about those things. sorry!

tkron: but you see, I do!! that's what indoor cats do! they watch birds out the window.

cascade ranger: great point! thanks!

my 2yr. old female is spayed and my 5 month old male has been neutered.

Answer 1

If they are happy where they are, they are fine. Outside can be very dangerous to a cat that isnt familiar to it, even to a cat that is. I believe if your cats are healthy and happy, then you are a responsible cat owner. Dont let other peoples opinions get to you.

Answer 2

I totally agree with keeping cats indoor. I currently have 2 cats that are indoor cats. They love sitting in our doors and windows watching the birds and squirrels. When I do let the cat outside I put him on harness and I take him for a walk but never let him out unattended. The people that let their pets wander all day to fend for then self's should be ashamed, these animals can't take care of themselves they get in to our garbage, get run over or get sent to the pound and the "owners" don't give a rats ***. Currently I am about to spend $300 to take in a stray cat because some jerk didn't want to keep the responsibilities of pet ownership and I can't stand to see this poor starving cat on my porch all winter. You are not being cruel you are saving your cats life!

Answer 3

No, it's not cruel to keep your cats indoors. It's actually better, because of all the threats out there.. some jerks have actually stolen people's pets. Indoor cats stay healthier and don't get in fights or get injured. My first cat, Sylvester was kept indoors and lived for fourteen years. The cat I have now, Tika, is quite happy being an indoor cat. She has lots of chances to interact with her humans, and she has lots of different toys to play with. I don't see how anyone who loves their cat would let them go outside, even to 'do their business'...people should litter-train their kittens, so that they 'do their business' inside. It's not all that hard to change a litterbox every week.

Answer 4

My cat is the first totally indoor cat I have ever had, and he has lived longer than any of my other cats. He has been with me for 7 years now, and has not been outside since he was a little guy and we lived in the sticks. I wouldn't let him out even if we lived in the sticks now, because I better understand the dangers (coyotes, other animals, diseases, parasites, etc). And now we live on a busy road... well you figure it out. He is fine exploring indoors. He plays in boxes, gets up as high as he can get (shower door, refrigerator, etc.), plays with his toy mice, lays in the windows to get the sun, and freaked out the few times that he accidentally got out.

No - you are not being cruel - contact your local SPCA or Feline Foundation for more information on the longevity differences between indoor and outdoor cats.

Just make sure you spay or neuter your cat, so that they won't feel the need to "tom-cat" outside.

Answer 5

I agree, i have had both indoor and outdoor cats, all were happy just having their own space and someone to lavish them with attention. If ur really concerned with kitties longing for an outside adventure, bring her outside in the yard sometimes and let her explore, just keep close by. My kitty goes out once a day to play with his best buddy Tiger (my whippet puppy) they chase each other around and explore all of my plants (and what they taste like.....poor innocent plants) and after an hour or so come right back in. I always keep an eye out and the front door is always open. Be sure to keep up with vaccines and pest control, u don't want kitty bringing in unwanted guests. Hope this helps

Answer 6

I agree with you completely.

My first street cat who I adopted when she was only 3 weeks was a house cat. Her name was Booby and she lived to be 17 years. I kept her inside because it is just to dangerous for cats to go outside - they can get hit by a car, poisoned, attacked by other cats and cruel people. My cat had the whole house to roam in and she also had windows that she could look out. I had plenty of toys and I gave her a lot of attention and love. Also, she did not want to go outside - if by mistake, she went out the door - she never ran outside, but waited for me to find out that she was outside the door and to let her back in.

Now my second cat, Sweetie who is 2 years old - also stays in the house and she also is very happy and safe and knows that the whole house is her territory.

So, I don't think we are being cruel - I think we are giving them a safe, comfortable, loving home where they can live a long and healthy life as opposed to those unfortunate street cats that don't have a home.

Answer 7

You're not cruel at all! I've read about cat care, and proffesionals have said cats should never be allowed outside. They're prone to all kinds of danger:
1. There are people who intentionally put out poisened food for cats because they get into their garbage and/or use their flower beds for litter boxes.
2. There are people who shoot cats for the afore mentioned reasons.
3. They could be attacked by other animals.
4. They could be hit by cars.
5. They could pick up a disease.
Besides all the dangers to the cat, cats are responsible for the deaths of many songbirds. I've seen "cat runs" coming from a window of the house and out into the yard. They're like screened in long tunnels for them to loll about in. They're outside, but protected. More people should take such good care of their cats as you do!

Answer 8

i agree with you. i have a cat now that has never stepped foot outside,nor will she , and she does not have any urge to even go near the door, i had another cat for 18 years. and the only time he was outside is if he was on a leash, he had a long happy life by staying in where he was safe, i could not have beared the thought of him getting outside and getting hurt, i loved him to much to risk him getting hurt or even killed. so do what you feel comfortable and happy with they are healthier cats as they do not have to content with other cats carrying diseases., mine was never sick a day in his life.he died of old age and the body was starting to shut down so i did the hardesr thing i have ever done and put him to sleep. he loved living indoors....

Answer 9

Our cats have always been indoor cats. C.K. (stands for Curiosity Killed), when she was alive, loved to look out the window but whenever the door opened she didn't care - she had a very happy life indoors.

Now my cat, Zoe, on the other hand... she loves watching the birds outside. And whenever doors open, she wants to check it out. Including doors to the outdoors. However, if she went outside I don't think she'd survive long. I love Zoe, but she's kind of dumb. My mom told me that she caught a mouse but it was still alive (my dad pried her mouth open and the mouse ran away)... my cat had no idea what to do with it!

Anyway, the point of my reply... I can understand that some cat owners want their cats to explore the outside world, but my cats will remain indoors. They live longer, are less likely to get diseases from other cats and animals, won't get run over by cars or attacked by animals, and they don't get lost (unless they somehow manage to get out of the house, but Zoe's been with us for over three years and hasn't gotten out once).

That's my two cents!

Answer 10

I agree with you! I see too many cats run over near my neighborhood. I'd rather be strict than a careless cat owner. My cat has some strange fascination with going outside. Everytime I open the door he tries running out. I let him out on a leash. I know cats hate leashes but it's the only way he can go outside without getting too excited and running away from me. He gets to anxious. Try a retractable leash. I got a mine from Target, like $10, they are meant for the tiny dogs. *BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY*