Looking at the Cat section of Yahoo answers I have found a large portion of people who hold the stance that a cat should be confined to the indoors. And not only do they think this, but they berate/belittle people who have indoor/outdoor cats or stricktly outdoor cats. It seems a very "holier than thou" attitude to me and I want to know how many people agree with them (or not) and WHY you agree or disagree.
I am very interested to see what cat owners think and more importantly WHY they think that way
2007-01-14 04:11:53 · 34 answers · asked by Camirra 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I like to keep my cat indoors because he is a house cat and is used to being indoors. I am just afraid that if he gets attacked, he will get hurt. Also by keeping him inside, he won't pick up any ticks or stuff like that. But I don't care what other people do with their cats.
2007-01-14 04:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by Militant Agnostic 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I used to let my cats outside years ago, but they're all indoor-only now. After I took a job working in an emergency vet clinic, I started seeing many examples of the terrible things that can happen to cats allowed outdoors, and decided that it just wasn't worth the risk. The worst was seeing some of the results of the terrible cruel things that humans can do to cats - I still have nightmares about some of the things I saw there.
It's a personal choice, though - some people feel that a cat allowed outdoors leads a happer, more exciting life. But you need to be aware of the risks - there are a LOT of terrible things that can happen to cats that are allowed outdoors. If you're willing to live with the possible consequences, and feel that your cats just aren't happy any other way than being allowed outdoor, then that's up to you.
But honestly, if want to let your cats outside, I would advise only allowing the cats outside during the day, and bringing them in at night, to at least reduce the hazards associated with being out at night.
If people want to transition their cats to living indoors, there are a lot of things that can be done to make indoor life entertaining. The 'environmental enrichment' article linked below has some good ideas.
2007-01-14 06:29:11 · answer #2 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I always had cats that came and went as they chose. But we did not live in an apartment where he or she couldn't get outside. My opinion is a cat is an animal, meant to be out doors at least some of the time. But you can not leash them easily, or at all, so a place like a dog park is out. I would say i might keep mine indoors in some instances. But no holier than tho allowed. silly
2007-01-14 04:17:03 · answer #3 · answered by swamp elf 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Indoor only, if at all possible.
I had a cat for eight years that started out as an outdoor cat (started by his previous owners). When we moved to a city with more traffic, we brought him inside to protect him. Eventually, he was declawed as well, so being outside wasn't safe for him. I lost him to FIV complications. Having a cat that's strictly indoors and is FIV (and FeLV) negative means the cat can't be exposed to the viruses. I don't ever want to go through that again.
My new cat, which I adopted after I lost the previous one is strictly indoors. If he wanted, I would be willing to take him out on a leash, but he's not interested. Beyond the health issues, my new cat is a pure bred cat. I don't want to risk him getting stolen by someone who sees him and thinks he's as beautiful as I do.
2007-01-14 04:33:48 · answer #4 · answered by st_mel 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because I love my cat and want to keep her safe from getting run over by a car, getting eaten by a dog or getting some disease. Thats why I have an indoor cat. Indoor cats are healthier and live longer. My cat is part of the family. I don't want to put her in harms way. I also don't want her sleeping on my bed after she's been running around in mud and the streets all day and eating dead animals. I don't want her dragging any diseases or fleas in.
My cat is also very beautiful with long white hair and blue eyes. I don't want her getting into fights with other cats that are jealous of her beauty.... :)
2007-01-14 04:17:36 · answer #5 · answered by Katie 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I think it depends on where you live and the personality/needs of the cat. I personally have indoor cats because it is easier to control what they eat, and their interactions with other animals. If they were outside cats I would worry about diseases and them getting hurt outside. My cats seem very content being indoor cats. I am scared to let my kitties outside because I know not all people are as kind to cats as they should be and I would rather be safe than sorry. BUT each to his/her own, I am not judgemental of those people that do have outdoor cats.
2007-01-14 04:34:34 · answer #6 · answered by Somanyquestions,solittletime 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I personally feel that if you get a kitten to be indoors and as they grow up you put them outdoors that is not fair to the cat. I also know that in the society that we are in you can't trust everyone to treat your cat as you would. Some people don't like to have free roaming cats around their nieghborhoods.
I love cats. They are great companions. I just live around young teens who may not share the same love for animals and you should think about that before sending your cat out for it's afternoon stroll unsupervised.
2007-01-14 04:21:15 · answer #7 · answered by Moans33 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In all fairness - I have had both indoor & outdoor cats. I had many more health problems, meaning fleas,ticks, eramites etc with outdoor cats. I have 8 cats ( I foster them.) I will never let a cat out again. They suffer from all kinds of ailments * And your vet ill will go up.
2007-01-14 12:40:13 · answer #8 · answered by sarahtx2005@verizon.net 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My current two cats are strictly indoor cats. My two previous cats were allowed to go outside as they wished.
I changed my feelings on the inside/outside issue after my Roxie [passed away in 2003] was attacked by another animal. We never knew what got ahold of her, but she ended up with 3 broken ribs and a collapsed lung. She was 18 years old at the time of the incident, and I refused to let the vet put her down. Rox ended up living to be 20 years old, but she was not the same.
I know my previous cats loved going outdoors. They hunted rabbits, birds, squirrels and mice, often bringing home their prizes to share with me. But now I just can't bare to risk losing my current guys to a car, or even worse, coyote or raccoon. And then there is the problem of fleas, ticks, worms, etc. It is just not worth the worry for me.
If I could get my current guys to agree to using a leash, then I would walk them. The previous cats both loved going for leash walks. But Riley falls over like he is paralyzed when you put a leash on him! Quite funny, actually.
I would never presume to tell anyone else what to do on this issue. If I lived on a farm, I would have dozens of barn cats!
2007-01-14 05:43:29 · answer #9 · answered by pwernie 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
In a very rural area, a cat outside might be all right. I've had indoor/outdoor cats most of my life.
But think about it: There are nutcases who will run over your cat for 'fun'. There are critters out there who will think your cat is food. Or who could give your cat serious diseases, such as rabies or distemper. A cat could get lost, or poisoned by people acting either out of malice, or anger of your cat should be in their gardens for instance. Not to mention where I am, there are people who think they're Richard Petty and won't look where they're driving. Enough said.
All in all, in most cases a cat is much safer inside. And if they've never been allowed outside, they don't miss it.
2007-01-14 04:43:19 · answer #10 · answered by Tigger 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋