If you have cats, how do you feel?

Question

I'm asking this question to help spread awareness on a very important and controversial issue. I have 2 cats and am a strong advocate of keeping cats inside for their safety. I believe the outside world is no place for wondering animals. What are thoughts on this issue? I have this issue addressed on my website also to help spread the word. http://maketheconnection.co.nr

Answer 1

I also have 2 cats and am a strong advocate for keeping them inside. Many people think I'm just being overprotective of my babies, but there are so many issues that go along with this. The feral cat population in our country is out of hand, and when people don't spay/neuter their cats and then let them outside, they're just adding to the problem.
PLEASE keep your cats inside!

Answer 2

Absolutely! I can't imagine having my cats outside - I'd be sick with worry every second! There's so many dangers out there. I think they should make it a law that cats be kept indoors. Not only would cats be a lot healthier but we'd end up with less litters from roving un-neutered tom cats. Bird and small animal populations would be saved as well. Here's another site with some great info about why cats belong indoors - http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=indoorsoroutdoors

PS: linda_chikana - WOW - your cat's survived four whole months so far outside :-/

Answer 3

I've had cats since the day I was born and they've all been indoor cats. My cat I have now will go outside when my husband or I are outside and she plays with the dog in the fenced in yard but if we go inside for anything, even if only for a minute, she comes in with us. I'd never leave her out there by herself.... there are too many wild animals, other cats to fight with and cars to worry about that I just wouldn't feel safe leaving her out by herself.

Answer 4

Cats outside on harnesses and leashes while being accompanied by their owner is not a problem in my eyes. I also think safe secure outside enclosures are a good idea to give cats the experience of the outdoors minus the dangers. If I lived in town, there would be no way I would ever let my cat wander around alone outside. Too many things could happen to it. My cat I had as a kid was an inside/outside farm cat, he lived to be 17 and died of natural causes. There were still things that could have happened to him, but didn't. I wouldn't let either of my cats out unattended anymore, in a rural area or not, too many things to worry about.

Answer 5

Depends on where you live a little. I have had cats my entire life, and currently have 3 (10 yrs,7yrs,and 3 yrs old). They live inside, but are allowed outside when they want to go out. I agree that confining them is probably safer physically, but I think mental well being is just as important. I've never had a cat injured or killed , and every cat I've owned has been rescued as a kitten, and lived their entire long life with me until their natural time to pass on.

Alot of indoor/outdoor cats with horror stories are/were not altered, and tend to roam the neighborhood.

Just a thought..people and our children are much safer if we never step outside our house too, but we leave daily, and let our kids outside to play because it's worth the risk to us to have the freedom to come and go.

Answer 6

I used to let my cats outside until I had one that never came home. When I worked at the humane society and animal hospital is when I really started to keep my cats inside. The number of cats that were seen and the injuries and illnesses done to these cats were so heart breaking. Since then, I never let my cats outside. They are perfectly happy inside and are much safer too.

Answer 7

I also have 2 cats, I never let them outside. I love them and want nothing more then to know that they are safe from harm and never go hungry. Keep spreading the word, the world needs more gentlr caring people like you.

Answer 8

I have 2 cats and I believe that for their safety and well being, they should remain indoors. One night about 2 years ago, my male got out I noticed he was gone about 9pm. I searched and searched and found him at 2 amdown the block being held at bay by a stray cat. He went out because he was curious and unaware of the danger that would be around him (Cars, cats, people.) I made a choice that to satisfy their curiousity, I would let them out, BUT, I stayed out with them, like a parent watching her children. When they strayed to the edge of the grass I went and brought them closer to the house, when they sniffed at the bushes separating my yard from the neighbors, I went brought them closer to the house. This is not for every cat and not for every owner. I have never disciplined my cats, so they do not run away from me, I have to WATCH their every move. I do not read a book, nor talk on the phone while we are out. When we are out, it is for them and they have my full undivided attention. I've told my neighbors that these are not outdoor cats, and if they see them outside and don't see me, they should ring my bell (This has never happened, since we have scheduled time outside, they no longer try to run out the door when I open it.) When its time to go in, I give them treats, and catnip in the house to reinforce that home is where they should be. They were spayed and neutered when young, I would not entertain this outing with a cat that wasn't (I wouldn't own a cat that wasn't spayed or neutered.) When I lived on a two way street in NY, they never went out. Period.
I hesitate to even submit this, because it takes a lot of time effort, and attention. It is not easy, and you have to really watch them, you can't turn away for a minute as they are easily distracted by birds, and squirrels and you have to react as soon as they do so that they can accept the limits that you impose on them.

Answer 9

I agree with you. I have 6 cats and they never step foot outside. I had a cat as a child that was hit by a car and that was enough of a lesson.

Answer 10

Actually, I feel the same way you do. Both my kitties are indoor kitties. My dogs are indoor animals, too.

If my mother had felt this way, her cat would still be alive.He appeared to have gotten into some kind of poison / pest control chemicals somewhere and she found him dead in her back yard :( She has other cats now, and they ARE indoor cats.