The cats I have known to be kept inside are unhappy and hyperactive. I know there is a lesser chance of them developing certain contagious diseases, but would you not rather a cat had a short and happy life, than long and frustrated?
2006-11-12 03:27:33 · 46 answers · asked by emily_jane2379 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
While I agree some cats might be as happy or happier kept inside. The cats I have seen have spent long periods staring out into the garden, interspersed with manic time running up and down stairs, in and out of rooms, destroying furniture and other items, and once they go outside they are much calmer and less distructive. The reason I ask is that I am getting some negative comments about letting my cat outside, but he is much happier when out, and I would prefer him to be that way.
2006-11-12 03:36:40 · update #1
trube- wouldn't it be lovely to have the space and money to build an indoor garden for our cats!
2006-11-12 03:41:50 · update #2
sounds like there are a heap more risks in the US than where we are in England- don't have any wild animals to worry about except maybe foxes. Think I migth consider keeping it in if there was quite so much risk!
2006-11-12 03:46:58 · update #3
i think you should let the cat free .because most of d cat like to play aroung and not 2 stuck in a cage!.short n happy life is better than the other one.but if you don't want your cat 2 die early mayb u should keep it inside your house...=D
2006-11-12 04:49:09 · answer #1 · answered by farisha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I keep all my cats indoors - I know they will never catch a disease, be knocked down, beaten by cruel teenagers with nothing better to do, stolen, fight with other cats, annoy the neighbours and so on.
I think it's easy to think that a cat wants to go outside just because it looks out of the window. When I'm sitting at work it can be blowing a gale outside, and I'll look out of the window too - doesn't mean I want to be outside!
I really do think that what a cat has never had it'll never miss. If you want to give your cat some fresh air have you thought about making a small run in the garden? Perhaps it can be around your back door so they can come and go into their run as they please.
2006-11-12 05:14:25 · answer #2 · answered by eiserblew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had two cats and they were inside cats. They were very happy. One live to be over 18 and developed cancer. The other developed diabetes at age 12. I gave her insulin twice a day and she lived to be 15 1/2. A cat, like any animal will act and react to how it is treated. I always played with them. I had a couple of places where they could perch themselves by windows and look out. A few times, I took them in the car with me and even for some long trips. When I did that, I was certain they had their identification tags on and always had a good grip on them. I have known many people who let their cats out and eventually, all of them lost them. They never came back or were killed.
2006-11-12 03:33:09 · answer #3 · answered by brucenjacobs 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the risk of keeping cats outdoors are destruction to the native wildlife regardless of where you live in the world. England has problems with outdoor cats killing native birds and it's becoming more of a problem everywhere worldwide not just the UK. Cats can do fine indoors as long as they have plenty of toys and interaction with their family. Humans always make the mistake of projecting their feelings as the animals. Any vet will tell you that this is without merit. Any behavioral biologist will even cite more reasons why too! Ask any zoo trainer as they understand this best in order to care for wild animals who are not domesticated.
2006-11-12 04:25:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have indoor/outdoor cats. One day one of them left and never returned home. I know his father (a neighbor's cat) had been hit by a car in front of our house. If you have busy roads near by I would not let them out. Since you don't have an wild animals to worry about you are lucky. We are planning on buying a home in the country I would consider letting the cat I have now out as long as I am outside with him (he is declawed) but if you feel there are no worries you can let them out.
If a cat had never been outside how could it miss or want to go out if it never knew what it was like to begin with.
Its your choice. Just kinda watch the area and see if there are any risks. It all depends on where you live city vs. country setting
2006-11-12 04:23:12 · answer #5 · answered by mandad1084 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats don't like to go outside. I have two cats and one never ventures further than the garden while the other is more adventurous. I think it just depends on the cats nature. As long as the cat is up to date with the required injections then going out is not a problem.
2006-11-12 03:48:28 · answer #6 · answered by koolkatt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is a Ragdoll and is too stupid (sorry, trusting) to go outside - she doesn't understand the concept of danger, so she is indoors all the time. (Obviously, a concern is that she would be stolen, as she would let anyone pick her up and take her home.)
We have spent a fortune on toys to keep her entertained, but we have apparently wasted our money as she prefers to wind the dogs up, sleep on the ironing pile and making the house smell dreadful each time she uses the litter tray. She also spends most of her day finding new and exciting ways of getting around the house without touching the floor. Admittedly, we have a large house, but as far as I can tell, she is quite content to stay indoors!
2006-11-12 08:40:51 · answer #7 · answered by lady_muck_007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry if I offend anyone here but, but keeping a cat indoors all the time is cruel! How would you like to be kept in all the time? No fresh air, no outside stimuli. I don't agree with caging any kind of animal, and keeping a cat in all the time is the same thing.
If someone is not able to allow their cat to have their rightful freedom, then they shouldn't have them as pets.
I have had cats all my life, they have always had as much feedom as they want. Cats choose their owners, and I find it a real honour when any of my cats choose to live with me.
2006-11-12 07:08:19 · answer #8 · answered by Louise 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See, outside cats have a more chance of dying, for example: if you live in the city it might be ran over by a car or somthing, but if you live in a nice quiet neighborhood there is a possible chance of it getting stuck in a sewer or in a tree. But if you live on a farm, for example:my uncle lives on a farm with alot of animals like horses and nothing happend to any of the 3 cat litters. i would take he, she out side very often but keep track!
2006-11-12 04:06:20 · answer #9 · answered by Rob&Big 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emily, what you are doing is called anthropomorphisizing (giving human characters to an animal). Cats actually are fine with being indoors so long as they are provided with plenty of climbing posts, toys and attention from their family.
Let me put it this way: would you think it's better to base-jump off cliffs for the sheer fun or find other safe fun ways to live longer?
Destroying the home vs. destroying the native environment? Do you realize how many housecats are responsible for injuring the native wildlife environment? Many studies has been done on this so if your cat isn't destroying your home it's doing it elsewhere. Here's an article about this--http://www.uga.edu/srel/ecoview1-23-05.htm
This applies to the UK too.
2006-11-12 03:37:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋