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I read a thread where the lady's cat did not return. I have read her threads and she seem very nice, but her DH thinks a cat should be free to roam.

I saw a cat get hit by RV one night, not a pretty sight. My DD has a wonderful cat, declawed, so LuLu is a house cat. They let her sit outside with them and I even fear for her. Cats can run and leap, being declawed... I must be the biggest worried wart. I have doxies and just wondered why a cat has to roam and are they safe as a rule?

"doxie family," To answer your question, NO!

Cats do not have to go outside to be happy; that is a myth people who do not understand animals blindly follow and then regret later.

It is very sad when people, who think they are doing the "right thing," finally realize that being inside where their cats are safe is the best place to have them. Unfortunately, that realization usually comes after the fact...

My heart breaks for those who lose them and, realize, after the fact, that their beloved cats would still be with them if ONLY they had kept them safe inside....

I totally agree with Idaho. My parents have 3 cats and they are NEVER allowed outside. They are 110% inside cats and are perfectly happy. It's way too dangerous outside for them to be allowed out. As I've said before, I don't think ANY dogs or cats should be outside animals.

Cats should definitely NOT be allowed outside. One of my cats was an outdoor cat when she belonged to my neighbor. After being missing for several months she showed up in my backyard and I adopted her (with the neighbor's permission). She has been living happily for more than 3 years indoors.

someone in my neighbohood has an indoor-outdoor cat. thankfully I won't be digging weeds out of flowerbeds until spring! I was happy to see it sitting in my backyard the other nite - hopefully it will catch Wabbit;s gophers that have apparently migrated here

For the most part, cats are safer inside, and adapt pretty well when there is plenty of activity inside for them, i.e, toys.

But there are situations, like farmers, who use cats as rodent control, that need to be outside.

I know my cat loves to be outside sunning. So I built an enclosure outside for her to do her sunning. But she's only out there when I'm able to be with her. My previous cat was happy sunning in the bay window.

I have two indoor cats, one is 11 years old and the other is 7 years old. Once is a great while, DS will carry them outside into the yard and walk around with them and they absolutely freak!!!! Digging their claws into him, until he brings them back into the house. Once we had a repair man leave the door open and the cats just sat there,it didn't even occur to them to walk outside. LOL

I have to agree, no, cats do not need to be outside. Buzzie, who is 8 years old, has only ever been outside when he has his harness and a leash on. The idea that he is vulnerable to loose dogs and vehicles is terrifying to me, not to mention all the other things than could happen to him.
Buzz got out once, fortunately into the back yard, but when I finally found him out there, he was terrified and couldn't wait to get back inside.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dutch5352,

Thanks, I was just wondering if I was wrong. I can see a cat outside in farm area, but then again, maybe not? I see people in my section have their garage overhead door up a foot. There is poison/weed killer, etc., and some birds may carry bacteria or?

It is so sad.

The ans to that ? is NO! They are exposed to disease that if kept indoors they may not catch. Feline AIDS, lukemia, and several others are in the soil and as the cats scratch around in the dirt taking care of business the disturb the germs that can lay dormant for years. So its a matter of their health to be kept indoors not to mention all of the other things that can happen to them out in the world.
I for one have never allowed my cats to roam around free. I have a couple that go out the front door at night look around and then scoot right back into the house. When we take on the obligation of a pet we have to keep them as safe as we can, and not exposing the to unnecessary health risks is as important as mean dogs and fast cars.


Kulani

I have to agree, mostly. I have 12 cats. They have their own room and an enclosure that they can access from the window. They are almost all satisfied with this arrangement. All are former ferals.

One year ago I took in a semi-feral cat that wasn't happy being inside. I was sure he would adapt. Unfortunately, he chewed the base of his tail until it was bleeding. After trying everything the vet and I could think of, I finally let him outside. His tail healed and he now spends most of his time inside, with the opportunity to go out. I've learned to live with it, even if I don't like it.

I'd like to add one thing to the above. In general, indoor pets (cats and dogs alike) live longer. I for one want as much time with my furbabies as possible.
Paws

They don't HAVE to go outdoors, but many do. It's a decision pet owners have to make for themselves, based on their situation.

quote:

They don't HAVE to go outdoors, but many do. It's a decision pet owners have to make for themselves, based on their situation

IMHO, it is also a decision they have to make based on where they live. If you live where there are other homes it is just NOT POLITE to let your cat roam outside of your yard. Just because you love him/her does not mean your neighbor does.

I like cats but get ticked off when the nighbors cat (from ¼ mile away) comes into my yard and nabs a bird or sits under the feeder at nite and eats a flying squirrel. Now I know it is not the cats fault... it is what they do naturally. It is the owners fault. They are simply not being polite.

Now if you live on a farm with no nearby homes.. that may be a different thing.

I keep our two kitties indoors. They are allowed on the deck WITH ME...but that's it.

Do you guys ever get a sense that way back in our parents' and G-parents days...that maybe they didn't view their pets as we do in the present. I remember going to my grandmother's house/Aunt's house/etc and they always had outdoor cats...who came inside from time to time. These were cats who lived on farms and mostly rural neighborhoods where your neighbor was maybe a mile away from you.

I think they had cats to take care of mice/etc in the barns. Farm work back then was rough and difficult...so I'm not sure that the owners really considered their animals as "family" or a "high priority" as we do now. And if something did happen to a pet...they just moved on...not many tears were shed.

But as for me and our kitties...they will be indoors...and seem to be just fine with that.
We do provide window access so they can look out when they want to...and they have lots of toys. Plus, they run and romp/play all over the house!

One more thing that might have a lot to do with how happy a cat will be outside vs inside...is how soon the cat was introduced to the indoors when it was a tiny kitten. The younger you can get them started on being inside cats...the more likely that they will be happy about it. At least that is my theory.

REgarding older cats, if they have been indoors before, I feel that they will like being indoors again.

That being said, I think there will always be a cat here and there that actually prefers to be outdoors..to do "cat things" like hunt.

Whatever the case, it is initially up to the pet owner to know or figure out what works best for their cat.

That is my humble thought about the matter~

Paula

although i know most people keep their cats indoors including my daughter. i had two cats who were indoor outdoor cats.we lived in an area with few cars and roaming was fairly safe. pistol lived to be 21 years old and was very healthy and happy.

Metwo, I'd say that's part of their situation.