like their not allowed to go outside? I tried to keep my 2 cats indoors but they just didnt want to stay indoors all the time, isnt an animal suppose to enjoy nature and not be on a leash esp a cat.. dogs sure... it made me feel as if I was doing something wrong...I know the dangers cats face outdoors but IF they sneak out when the door opens and dont want to stay inside... isnt it only right to make them enjoy the best of both worlds?
2007-01-11 03:05:07 · 9 answers · asked by gina B 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I just have my Stimpy and she never goes outside anymore{her choice} thank God. She has only been sick ONCE. Pretty good? She's 13 1/2. NO ticks, fleas, dog fights, nasty cars,,,etc. Need more? Go to drjon@petplace.com . How about a whole staff of vets advise for FREE.....luck
2007-01-11 03:17:03 · answer #1 · answered by renhoez 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because those Vets are very smart.
There is no reason in the world that a cat needs to go outside.
I've had cats my whole life...all have been indoor only.
My parents had one when I was born, she never went outside and lived to be 22 years old, she was never sick.
Then the one they got later never went outside was only sick once and lived to just a few days short of her 19th Birthday.
I help rescue stray cats, and if you'd have seen the things I've seen you'd never let your cat outside.
They get hit with cars, the people who hit them don't stop just leave them injured or dying in the middle of the road...the cat then in pain pulls itself off the road and it may die a very slow very painful death, all because someone thought their cat NEEDED to be outside.
Some recover from their injuries, with horrible scars or deformities.
Some are poisoned either because they ate a mouse or rat that had been poisoned or because some heartless person put food with poison in out for the cat.
Feline AIDS, Feline lekuimia, Feline herpes, Rabies.
I could go on and on...PLEASE if you feel that your cat MUST go outside then get a harness...not a collar...and a leash and take your cat for walks.
But PLEASE don't let it outside alone because you think it needs to enjoy nature...keep it an indoor cat and let it enjoy a long, happy and health life instead.
Outdoor only cats have an average life span of 2 years.
Indoor/outdoor cats have an average life span of 4 to 6 years.
Indoor only cats have an average life span of anywhere from their teens to early 20's.
Sorry for the typo's spell check isn't working!
2007-01-11 03:54:03 · answer #2 · answered by gracieandlizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I moved to my current house I had six cats and put cat fence-in in my back garden so my cats can be out in the sunshine and fresh air and still not be subjected to the hazards of cars, stray dogs, other cats or wildlife. It is a compromise as it's not a "natural" environment.
When I was a child and when my son was a child 40 years ago the dangers of being free to wander wherever were not as significant as they are now. It is the same for cats so it is a choice owners make. Some outdoor cats live pretty long lives and others are gone before they are two years old.
I had a cat who was 22 and 1/2 years old before she died from kidney failure. She was a rescue cat and had lived 15 years of her life totally outdoors. I have a 12 yr old "protected" cat who has bladder cancer and not a good prognosis for a much longer life. Another "protected" cat died of mammary cancer three years ago - he was twelve.
So, we just can't protect our cats from all the hazards of life and statistically an outdoor cat will not live as long as one who is kept indoors.
2007-01-11 03:26:35 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Gina, I can see both sides. I personally let my cats out because we own a lot of land and I know it is very rare that they'll get hurt. Mostly they'll just enjoy outside time. Make sure your cats are spayed/neutered, you won't want them running away/and or having kittens. Also don't let declawed cats outside, and they probably shouldn't wander free if you live in the city. Yes, I agree with you, the best of both worlds is good for cats. They can also run off some of that crazy energy... : )
2007-01-11 03:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by sir'slady 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have 3 cats and I dont not let my babies out, now my female she has gotten out more than once. But my love for her is more important that her wanting to sneak out the door. Look at it this way. You should love your pet as much as you would your kids. If your child wanted to play in the street would you let thiem just cause they wanted to. I would hope not. So dont let your cat do it. People are mean and alot will hurt or even kill cats just cause they hate cats. Cats are an easy target to other animals as well.
2007-01-11 03:11:34 · answer #5 · answered by Lora 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i dont let my cats outdoors and they really dont want to go out i have openned the door and not one of them is interested in going...however, there are way too many dangers that are outdoors for one there is diseases that they can catch from un-vaccinated animals, they can be hit by a car, they can be abused from people who hate cats (believe me there are plenty out there who hate cats and other domesticated animals) so take your vets advice and keep your cats inside if they want to explore let them out on a screened back porch or take them out on a leash for a short walk...
2007-01-11 03:23:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally let my two cats outside. I tried to keep them locked in like a "good pet-owner " but the little darlings made their wishes known. One cat uninated and deficated all over the house ( living room carpet...a dozen times ) until I let her out....the other snuck out the door when I came home ( 11pm at night ) and disappeared for almost a year ( yes...a year ) We only got her back because I had the girls micro-chipped. Now the ladies go out when they wish and every one is happy !
2007-01-11 03:37:36 · answer #7 · answered by RedHairedTempest 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All credible vets, shelters, experienced people say to keep your cat indoors. Domestic cats are the number one killer of songbirds. They get hit by cars often, feral cats are everywhere. Our state has proposed, quite a few times, a hunting season on feral cats because of the damage to the songbird population. They can pick up a lot of diseases and parasites by being outside.
I let my cat outside- but only on a harness and tied to a pole so he couldn't kill any birds or go off and be eaten by someone's dog (that happened to a neighbor's cat)
2007-01-11 03:16:37 · answer #8 · answered by D 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Things have changed since we have been smaller. More danger, disease,(for them and us) You can make ahouse a home for them. Going outside once and a while is okay if you have a closed in area they can't get out of?
2007-01-11 03:22:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋