indoor cats vs out door cats?

Question

Give me a reasons why a cat should stay inside vs a cat the is living outside.


My cat is an indoor cat because i live in the area where there are coyotes and other wild animals like bears that come down from the mountains . The people have been told to keep there animals in from the Forest Rangers.

I have had an inside cat before and she lived to be 21 years old

There are also people that will run over a cat with their cars to see them die and they don't care.

my cat does have the run of the house.

Answer 1

First off, I commend you for keep kitty inside. Many people would still let the cat out, despite the obvious dangers where you live.

Outside dangers include, but not limited to:
1. Wild animals
2. Other cats that have not been spayed/neutered or not had vaccines. Cat fights can have horrible consequences.
3. Cruel humans. We've all heard the stories, acts of cruelty can be absolutely heinous.
4. Parasites from ingesting rodents/birds
5. Cars
6. Bad weather
7. Contributing to the pet overpopulation problem if your pet is not spayed/neutered.

If people are concerned about proper exercise, there are many things you can do. Get scratching posts, toys, and all sorts of other diversions to keep kitty occupied. Sometimes the simplest of things are the most amusing to a cat. You can also use a harness/leash to take kitty for a walk, or to just hang out outside. One of my cats loves to go out on the leash to roll on the sidewalk. She couldn't care less about the grass, but loves rolling in the sun on the sidewalk.

People are also concerned about the prey drive and that cats will not be happy unless they hunt. That is a fallicy. They don't have to be actually outside hunting and stalking rodents. When cats play, they exhibit those behaviors, and are perfectly happy doing so. I highly doubt they actually want to eat their playmate.

In general - indoor cats live longer, healthier lives.

Answer 2

If you are living in the Country, there are a number of reasons to keep you cat indoors, especially at night.
(1). so he doesn't get hit by a car.
(2). there are Owls out and about at night, your Kitty could become the Owls Dinner.
(3) as you mentioned before, because of Coyotes and Bears. But there are Probably Wild Cats there too. Your Cat couldn't go anywhere to be safe from a Wild cat, like a Cougar, Linx or Bobcats. They all can climb trees.

I have lost one cat to an owl, and 3 to a Hit by Cars.
Now I have a House Cat that does not go outside at all.

Answer 3

My experience is that an indoor cat can live much longer and have a healthier life (which means lower vet bills). Forest Ranger is giving you good advice.

It's a big world out there and cats are small. There are just too many diseases and injuries a cat can get, plus there is the irritation factor with neighbors. If we love our pets we keep them safe.

Answer 4

Completely outdoor cats have, on average, a life span of 2-3 years. They usually die from attacks by other animals, disease, or being hit by a car. If the rangers say to keep your cat in, do it. I know two friends who have lost their cats - one to a mountain lion, the other to a bobcat. Also, consider that if your cat has not been outdoors, he is not aclimated and does not know how to survive out there. If you want him to have some outdoor exposure, put him on a leash (I have successfully leash trained four cats) or put a 6 ft wood fence around your yard. Some rescues now will not adopt out to people that will let their cats outside - which is ridiculous considering how many need homes and that cats are from the wild originally.

Answer 5

Friends of mine live in an area where there are wild babboons protected by law, and they come down in winter and literally feed off people's pets. I can understand keeping them indoors, if it's against an animal that can climb as fast as a cat.
I would however, consider a enclosure, nice and big, so you get the best of both worlds.

Answer 6

from what i have been told & read indoor cats are proven to live long because they dont have the dangers of being outside .. vehicles .. other cats & other animals that prey on cats. they dont pick up on any out door harm from eating something random to getting poisened from a fertilized yarn altho i dont see nothing wrong with outdoor cats if you live in the right type of neighbor hood but i personally have decided to keep my cat inside except for her occasional vet trips

Answer 7

If at all possible keep your cats indoors. They will be safer and healthier. There are a lot of dangers and disease in the outdoors.

Some cats simply cannot accept an indoor only life, so for them you have to let them outside. Just realize that by letting them outside you're greatly increasing the chances that they'll die early.

Answer 8

Well unles you want to give the coyotes an easy meal keep your cat inside at least at night. I'm all for outdoor cats because they get more exercise then indoor cats. If you want an alternative build a small enclosure preferably with a cat door or infront of an open window with cat trees, ropes and shelves. lets the cat have fresh air and keeps the coyotes out.

Answer 9

You answered your own question.
Keep the puddy cat indoors and keep the "wildlife" outdoors. The wildlife (outdoors) should have their own natural protection (thicker fur coats, natural defense devices (stronger claws, etc.) to survive outdoors. The cat has lost it's "original protection" over the past few millinea due to domestication-practises.

Answer 10

Anywhere outdoors is dangerous...whether it's the country or the city. Animal attacks, being hit by cars, parasites, disease, accidental or deliberate poisoning and even cruel kids with bats are all out there and are all dangers.