cats - indoors or outdoors?

Question

why are some people on here so obsessed that cats should be kept indoors? they are natural hunters and explorers and free spirits and i chose where i lived especially so my cats could have a garden and a quiet residential road with few cars. they are both spayed, both micro chipped and both up to date with all possible vaccinations and i love them more than anything. when i do keep them in, say on bonfire night, they howl and paw at the back door to get out because its natural for cats to be outside. i wouldnt deny them their natural instinct to hunt and lie in the sunshine, does this make me a bad pet owner?? don't get me wrong - i'm not saying people who keep their cats indoors are wrong, it is undeniably safer for them. but why do people have such a problem with the fact that i would rather let my own cats roam free, and protect them as much as i can while doing so?

my cats are NOT terrorising the neighbours, they're just chasing each other round the garden. I would NOT live in an area where there are rough kids or a busy road. I love them both more than anything in the world, which is why I want them to have a decent life, not cooped up in a house all day. Keeping them in is just inflicting my own selfishness on them

Answer 1

There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your cat out, especially seeing as how they are bothe fixed. There is nothing lazy or irresponsible about it. Animals were not meant to live in cages or houses. They enjoy being outdoors, and it keeps my cat from being bored. I love my kitty very much, and so I do let him out, he's not pedigreed, or expensive, I took him as a favor to a friend that had too many. He seems to be happy, and frequently brings me kitty type gifts. Yes they are going to fight and possibly get hurt or catch a disease. Some of you sound like your cats are your children, and if that is the case, would you keep your kid from interacting with the world? Playing outside, or making new friends. Get a flea collar, have the animal vaccinated, and you have done what you can do.

Answer 2

I really think it depends on the circumstances and the cat. I've had many cats in the past and they've all been able to come and go during the day through their catflat. I wouldn't allow them out at night and they seemed quite happy to stay in until the morning.

Of those seven cats, I had one run over and two catnapped. But, I always believed it was natural for a cat to go outside and that letting them out was all part of the risk of being a cat owner. I actually thought it was crueller to keep them indoors.

Four years ago my marriage broke up and I had to move into rented accommodation. My three cats stayed with my ex-husband because I wasn't allowed to keep pets.

Since then I've moved (with a new partner) into a new home. Our house is a 150 year old cottage with all of the period doors that go with a house of this age. I desperately wanted cats again but couldn't imagine putting a catflat into the door furniture.

Eventually, after a lot of research, we ended up buying a couple of Singapura kittens. Everything we'd read and been told about them suggested that these were not outdoor cats.

We've had them nearly a year now, and they are really quite happy being inside, they have everything they need to keep them happy and active and don't hanker for the big outdoors at all.

This leads me to believe that whilst cats are natural hunters, they can also adapt quite happily to life indoors.

I now have no strong opinions one way or the other, and really believe it's up to the individual cat owner's choice as to whether to have an indoor cat or an outdoor cat.

Answer 3

There is no right or wrong answer. Some places mean it simply isn't safe for cats to be outside animals. Some rough council estates are plagued with packs of dogs which roam loose. They are a danger to cats, so is living on a busy road. In those cases, then indoor cats are safer. If they have never known what it is to go outside, they really don't miss it. You seem obsessed with them being able to use their natural instincts, yet you have them neutered. Why is this? Or are you only interested in their instinct as long as it is convenient to you?
I have 12 cats. Mine can come and go as they please during the day. I live very rural and am surrounded by oopen fields full of mice, rat, voles etc. They have a great time. If it rains or is cold, they choose to stay indoors in the warm or curl up in one of the sheds or barns and sleep. However, at night, it becomes dangerous with local chavs doing up to 70mph along my lane either after the pubs and clubs have closed, or joyriding. They come from the council estates in the nearest town. Or the gypsies come out lamping. In both cases, this quiet country area becomes dangerous for cats left outside and to this end, my cats are all called in at dusk and have to stay in. Since they know the routine they are fine with it and settle down either to sleep or to play wild games while I'm in bed.
The 2 kittens I am about to give to my son and partner, will live in a large town, on the egde of a rough council estate. Their little residential road gets very busy at rush hour in the morning and afternoon.I have insisted that the kittens remain as indoor cats until they move somewhere more safe for them. Do you imagine that someone late for work, in a hurry, would bother slowing or stopping for a kitten in the road? I can assure you that they wouldn't.
So, indoor or outdoors. Neither is all right or all wrong. It depends on your area, your cats and your desire to keep your pets safe.

Answer 4

I've got a 6month old mog called boo and I do let her out but I would never leave her out at night or when I go out I always make sure she is in, during the day when I am home I leave a window open a little so she has the choice to come and go but to be honest she mostly prefers to stay indoors, I think it really depends on the cat some prefer to be out some prefer to be in, some are cuddle cats and love people some aren't. if I lived in a really rough area or on a really busy main road then I might try and keep her in more, oh and I only ever let her out the back garden never out the front door.

Answer 5

Council laws, here in Australia, determine if cats have to be in or out. Most have cat curfews, where the cat has to be inside between dusk and dawn. This is to stop the cats killing wildlife.
There are some councils which outlaw cats (dont bounce on me, just saying) and any caught are put down with owners fined.
For those that like to have their cats outside, there is a compromise - cat runs, fully enclosed. The cats can enjoy the outdoors in total safety.
A cat's territory depends on the individual cat. My outdoor cat stays around the house and in the garden, doesn't leave the yard at all. She comes in at night, and quite often chooses to stay indoors. I have a young hunter who will soon have a cat run and play area. And I have recently homed a stray from the shelter where I work. He isnt well and has been here for just over 24 hours, so dont know if he will be indoor or outdoor. Being a Burmeses stress head I may keep him indoors.
I have grasses for them to chew and roll in. Full length windows so they can be warmed by the sun. Toys aplenty to play with, pounce on and chase.
As I said, here in Australia our council by-laws do determine if cats are indoors or outdoors.

Answer 6

My mum has 2 house cats (16 & 13 years old) and they show no interest in actually going outside at all. They sit in the conservatory when it is hot and my mum has put a mesh door up so they can have fresh air and they love it, they are also exceptionally territorial as when the neighbours cat dares to cross the garden they puff up 2 twice their usual size and prance about to intimidate the intruder, this always results in the other cat scarpering and they then both settle down as if nothing has happened. My parents used to have another cat who did go out but she never stayed out at night and in the winter she was most happy laying on the ottoman in one of the bedrooms, with all 4 feet on the radiator when it was on, fast asleep. I think if a cat shows an interest in going outdoors, by all means let it, just as long as you are prepared to be brought 'presents' in the shape of decapitated birds or mice etc.

Answer 7

I dont have a problem with people letting there cats out I choose on the other hand to keep mine in. I have one phusically diabled cat who I rescued after he was run over at 6 months old. He will always need special help to move around. My other is a mentalaly diabled cat who has seperation disored and possible brain dameage. Both whould not survive outside. I choose to adopt them both as I cant face letting them out to get possibly hurt so I help the ones who cant go out instead. I agree it is natural for them to hurt but it was one natural for dogs to form packs and do the very same thing. Humans decided this was not going to happen any more. For a good reason in my opinon. Cats are not so much different they stractch peoples cars while sitting on hot bonnets. POO in there gravel/ garden. fight with each other causing injurys.Can spread feline aids and fleas/ worms etc. They live longer and healthier lives indoors as you can attent to there needs as they arise and there is no chance of them going away to die without vetinary attention which is another one of there traits. I can see the good and bad for both options but everyone should leave others to what they want to do and not give a judment on others lifestyles.
I dont think you are a bad pet owner at all you have vacinated and spayed them and that make you one of the good ones. I am sure they are extremely happy and thats all that can be asked of you. I hope I have answered the question as to why others can view it differently.
Michelle :-) x

Answer 8

You can't protect them when they are outside, that's the problem. They can be attacked by predators, dogs, and neighborhood kids. They can crap in people's gardens, kill the birds at their bird feeders and baths, and hunt the local wildlife. They can get stuck up trees, run over by cars, picked up and dumped at the SPCA by strangers, sprayed with hoses by neighbors, the list goes on and on.

I work at the SPCA, and I don't believe that anyone who safeguards the health of their animal by spaying/neutering and microchipping is a bad owner. I reserve that title for the ones who constantly drop off litters of kittens. It is generally recognized that there are indoor cats, outdoor cats, and a combination of both, and that once a cat is let out often enough, it will become nearly impossible to keep it in all the time because of the howling you've described. It's easy for people who have never watched a cat practically peeling the paint from the walls to condemn someone who relents and lets the cat out.

The only thing you can do, if you have cats that go outside, is make sure that they can get inside any time they want or need to, by installing a cat door. Don't leave their food outside, make sure they have to come in for it, and when you see one of your cats outside, go out and bring it in. Give them a bit of tuna every evening at around the same time, sometimes that helps them want to stay in, and make sure that the home is not too noisy - sometimes cats go outside because it's too chaotic in the house, they love a little peace and quiet, and a tranquil environment encourages them to stay in.

Hope this helps :-)

Answer 9

It seems like Americans are all about having indoor cats, and one of the reasons for this might be that cats can get attacked and killed by wild animals. Conversely, in Australia cats should be indoors because they will attack and kill the indigenous wildlife!
I think it's just horses for courses, most people I know in the UK wouldn't really consider having indoor cats unless they live in a flat. I really don't know why you get so much hassle for it - I personally wouldn't have a cat unless they would be able to spend time outside safely. All our cats have been in/outdoor cats, and although our current cat has occasionally been hurt in fights with other cats, HE refuses to be an indoor cat - on occasions when he's been on mandatory indoor confinement he absolutely refuses to use a litter tray, so he has to have supervised outdoor toilet breaks.

Answer 10

These are people that think their way is the only way. Sounds like you are a very responsible cat owner. Plain and simple, there are people that do not take care of their animals whether they be cats or dogs. It is not fair to group all pet owners together. I, myself, have always kept my cats indoors due to my living environment. If I had lived in the country, I may have done differently. Don't let it bother you. Good Luck! :)