2006-12-06 04:14:49 · 46 answers · asked by Tracey H 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
if you raise the cat from a kitten to be a fully trained house cat, then it isnt cruel as they dont know what the outside is.
2006-12-06 04:18:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
To be totally honest I get more people telling me I'm cruel letting my cat outside rather than hearing that cats should be let outside!
My cat Twinkle is 13 years old and has been allowed outside all her life. Some would say this is cruel because she is apparently in danger from traffic, other animals, neighbours etc. I disagree - yes we live in a city but the road we live on is very quiet. Twinkle never strays near roads, she won't even go into the front garden because we have discouraged her from doing so. There are no animals around here, we don't live in the US, it's not like we have coyotes in the back garden or anything. The neighbours are fine with animals. It's a perfectly safe area for her - if it wasn't, then I wouldn't let her out but I see nothing wrong with it as she isn't hurting anyone and she isn't in danger of being hurt either. She's getting older now and she has diabetes and anyone with a diabetic animal will know the illness is hard to keep under control as it is without worrying about exercise, if she didn't go outside and get extra exercise it would be a lot more difficult to manage. Also as she's getting older she barely leaves the back garden. Yes its cruel to let a cat outside if it's going to get run over by traffic and eaten by wild animals or poisoned by neighbours but it really depends on your situation. Sorry to go on a bit of a rant there
I would consider its cruel to keep a cat inside if you have nothing for it inside. Also make sure you get a food designed for household cats because I believe it helps maintain a healthy weight.
2006-12-06 06:25:18 · answer #2 · answered by lizzy_anne_oliver 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How can you keep a cat inside all the time and also not keep a cat inside? If you mean keep a cat inside all the time and let the cat use a dirt box, it depends where you are. If you are in a the top flat of a tall block of flats then I can't see how you could let it out, how would it know how to get back in. So the answer to your question would be No. If you are in the town by lots of main roads with fast moving busy traffic, it would be kinder if you could keep the cat in. If you have a house or low rise flat with a garden or countryside and are living under normal conditions (the roads have traffic but are not exceptionally busy) then it would be cruel to keep the cat in and doubt if you would be able to. Hope this answers your question.
2006-12-06 04:25:38 · answer #3 · answered by patsy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, a cat that was brought up from a kitten indoors knows no other environment. And indoor cats live many, many years longer than an outdoor cat. Why would anyone want to shorten their pet's life? I keep my cats indoors but put them on a leash in the summer for short periods of time to let them explore a little. I always stay outside with them when they are leashed.
2006-12-06 04:38:49 · answer #4 · answered by kiki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have five cats and they are all inside cats.
In the warm weather I open an upstairs window and the cats can go out on the porch roof. They can enjoy the sun and fresh air but are safe from dogs and automobiles. I had one cat live to be 22 and he was an inside cat and he didn't mind at all. If the cat is raised indoors and has not experienced the outside they are not missing anything. If the cat has been an outside cat and has hunted an all the things outside cats do, they will not like being confined to the indoors. Indoor cats are healthier and live longer. Keep your cat safe, keep it an indoor cat.
2006-12-06 04:21:04 · answer #5 · answered by simbasega 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No! In fact, it's one of the best things you can do to let your cat have a long healthy life. Outdoor cats live on average up to about three years, because the chance of their developing diseases or running into predators is so much higher. An indoor cat lives for 14 years on average. It's true cats do have an instinct to pounce and hunt things, but if you have a ready supply of toys, like furry mice or feathers or, best of all a string on a stick, then this will take care of that. Your cat will probably stalk you as well; mine loves playing hide and seek with me.
You should also do some research on the breed of your cat. Some cats, like Ragdolls, should absolutely NOT be allowed to be outside because they lack aggression and won't defend themselves if attacked.
2006-12-06 05:14:23 · answer #6 · answered by Cam C 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As long as it is all the cat is used to, it has plenty of toys with the windows open slightly to let fresh air in. Obviously, fresh water and food etc. Not a problem.
It is best to have them in pairs though, so they have a constant companion and also to have access to the whole property for exercise.
The only down side would be the constant cleaining of the litter tray, but then some outside cats only use one of those!
A plus would also be less chance of injury.
Good luck
2006-12-08 01:42:31 · answer #7 · answered by why? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is cruel to keep a cat always inside, however for a dog it would be worse. Can you imagine to be locked in all the time, would it be natural for us?
2006-12-08 09:55:49 · answer #8 · answered by Justine T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have indoor cats and I am constantly defending myself to my coworkers about it. We live on a busy street and there are several dogs in the neighborhood, so I know there are many dangers my cats would face outside, even though they really would like to be out there in the summertime.
According to an article on Stanford's website, the average lifespan of an outdoor cat is 5 years, compared to 15 years for indoor cats. Check out the article: http://www.stanford.edu/group/CATNET/articles/infosheet_indoors.pdf
I plan to get an outdoor enclosure attached to a window so they can go out as they please and still be safe. Perhaps that is something you can consider, as well.
2006-12-06 06:34:10 · answer #9 · answered by frffy21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not cruel to keep a cat indoors. Mine wouldn't survive a day outside, they've always been indoors. Keeping them in from kittenhood and early spay/neuter will make house life easier on both of you. It's not cruel to move an outdoor cat indoors if it likes to be inside or if it is sick. Indoor cats live much longer because they aren't exposed to infectious disease, they don't fight, they don't get squished by cars or attacked by other animals. Letting cats or dogs roam free is a recipe for disaster.
2006-12-06 04:20:49 · answer #10 · answered by lizzy 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I agree with Firespide. It's not cruel. I once had an indoor cat that accidentally got out after 7yrs and ended up getting AIDS. I had to put my beloved pet to sleep cause she was suffering so bad. I would say keep it inside and have it fixed so you don't have that problem.
2006-12-06 04:27:35 · answer #11 · answered by robsgrl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋