Should cats always be indoor pets?

Question

We have a cat that stays in about 23 hours a day. For some reason, she just has to go out about an hour a day, so we got her a cat door so she could come and go as she pleases. We just went to the Humane Society to adopt another cat since our other cat seems to get lonely at times, especially when we are at work. We were crushed when the people at the Humane Society said they could not let us adopt the cat because it has to be an indoor cat 100% of the time. What do you think of this?

Answer 1

The only way to keep a cat safe is to keep it inside all the time.Cats do not understand traffic,dogs,warm car engines in winter...ect....COURISOTY KILLS THE CAT !!

Answer 2

Don't be crushed. The cats at the humane society are probably raised to be indoor pet. Plus they are afraid of the cats running off, getiing lost, and becoming strays. We had a cat ( a stray) that we loved and fed and he stayed out all the time. Except when it got very cold he went to his shelter we made for him. Once we were going away and we palced him with someone who would feed him and keep him safe while we were gone. The cat ran away from the person and we never found him. He hated being inside.

Answer 3

Most likely because of the abandoned cats out there and life of an out door cat is under 5 years. If you are rescuing a cat they want to make sure it is going to be safe. Just read some of the posting of people here and you will be able to tell that there are some really nasty things that can happen to a cat.

Answer 4

I think that it is best for cats to be inside 24/7. that way they cannot be hit by a car, eaten by a dog, attacked by another cat and they wont pick of fleas and diseases. Inside cats tend to live longer, also they will not be picked up by someone and taken to the humane society without you knowing about it. All of my cats have run outside at one time or another but they are just curious and after they run out once when it is raining or snowing they usually lose interest, all of my cats enjoyed a screened in porch or balcony (depending on where I was living) so maybe you could screen your porch and be able to rescue a second cat.

Answer 5

I don't have a problem with that. All three of the cats I've had (currently two) were indoor cats. I think they all should be. It's proven fact indoor cats live longer than out door cats. If they stay indoors, no chance of them getting run over or being injured or killed by other animals.

Answer 6

I work in an emergency animal hospital and LOTS of our business comes from outdoor cats. They get feline aids and leukemia, get hit by cars, attacked by other animals, get in cat fights, get posioned and I've even seen a cat come in with an arrow through it's head. Those are just the ones that make it in. Cats tend to hide and silently suffer until they die when they get seriously injured. Those are the "runaways". It may not be that your cat doesn't want to come home, but that it can't.

My cats NEVER go outside. I provide them with stimulation and everything they need right inside the house.

Answer 7

personally i think it depends on the cat and the owner. Maybe you could ask the the Humane Society to explain why they have this opinion, there may be a very good reason for it! If they stick by their opinion and you still want a cat from them you could lock the cat door somehow and let you other cat out youtself just by opening the door.

Good luck :)

Answer 8

Yes, I think they should always be inside. Having worked as a vet nurse, I've seen the results of having outdoor cats - being hit by cars, attacked by dogs and involved in cat fights, cat baiting and trapping, which can result in expensive surgery. Not to mention the spread of disease such as cat AIDS, chlamydia and unwanted pregnancy. If your cat is inside all the time you know that it is safe all the time, and not at risk of being hurt or killed.

Answer 9

I personally keep my cats indoors all the time. Their are so many dangers out doors. Cars,trucks,dogs,even cruel people can injure a cat. Fleas and ticks also.

Answer 10

Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives. Neutered or spayed or not they don't leave litters all over the country. They don't get into fights and either injure someone else's cat or come home all torn up themselves.
Keep your cat in the house, you'll have her longer wnd you won't be straddled with vet bills for stitching up her cuts, scrapes and bites.

Answer 11

In honesty, it is a wonderful idea. Though cats can be friendly and gentle indoors, they do serious damage outdoors. In PA, last year, there were so many outdoor cats (Strays and family pets) that we eventually lost sight of one of our small birds. They aren't all dead but because we had so many loose cats, we lost a great deal of them. Yes, you can fix your feline so they don't breed like rabbits (like around my house) but they will always do damage to birds, reptiles, salamanders, and rodents. Another reason why cats should be indoors at all time is simply because they can also BRING damage into the house. Cats who are not short haired have a tendency to drag in fleas and ticks with them (just like dogs) but because cat hair can be so much more soft and loose, they carry more and it's difficult to remove eggs as easily as dogs. In my opinion, it's a good idea not to have your cat go outside, but to each his own. Also, I have two cats and if you REALLY want your cat to go outside, teach them to be on a harness (no collars, they can snap their necks if spooked) My cats love the outdoors but they are supervised by me. I hate to see them sad because they can't go out so both of my felines are trained to be "walked" like a dog. Sad, but they love it...<<;;