Indoor or outdoor cats just a question

[esrandall2000]

Originally Posted by ink

I know people think, well the cat used to live outside and now he is crying pitifully, so it must be cruel to keep him in. But sometimes, for their safety, we can't let them have what they want. If a child whines and cries and throws a fit because they want to go play in the street, are you going to let them because its cruel not to? If your dog howled pitifully at the fence because he wanted to chase cars, would you let him out of the yard because it was cruel to keep him in the yard when he so desperately wants to get out and chase those cars?

What it boils down to, is that cats don't think of what might happen to them. They don't understand the possibilities. They don't understand that there are some humans that are cruel and twisted. They don't look at the road and think, "I could get hit by a car if I cross that". Its our job to think of these things and protect them from it in the same way we think of them and protect young children from them.

You go girl!!!!

[otto]

Originally Posted by ink

I know people think, well the cat used to live outside and now he is crying pitifully, so it must be cruel to keep him in. But sometimes, for their safety, we can't let them have what they want. If a child whines and cries and throws a fit because they want to go play in the street, are you going to let them because its cruel not to? If your dog howled pitifully at the fence because he wanted to chase cars, would you let him out of the yard because it was cruel to keep him in the yard when he so desperately wants to get out and chase those cars?

What it boils down to, is that cats don't think of what might happen to them. They don't understand the possibilities. They don't understand that there are some humans that are cruel and twisted. They don't look at the road and think, "I could get hit by a car if I cross that". Its our job to think of these things and protect them from it in the same way we think of them and protect young children from them.

Well Said!!!

[otto]

Originally Posted by bens_slave

Since the move I have noted he's become notable depressed and taking his frustration out on the sofa, it could be that he's missing the dog or more likely Ben is missing the great outdoors, I am currently researching products which may relieve his boredom

All he needs is his own furniture to scratch and climb and jump on (cat tree) and daily interactive Game time with you.

[otto]

Originally Posted by Yosemite

Many times but due to the wonderful membership and mods, they are reported and deleted before the general membership even sees them. Some have been horrific and have caused nightmares.

.

Yes, and I am eternally grateful to the moderators on this site for protecting the rest of us. It one of the reasons I have turned down every request I have gotten to be a moderator on a pet forum

What I've seen I will never get over. I don't care to see any more, ever.

[Auntie Crazy]

Bens_slave, check out this post that Otte put together listing a ton of creative and fun games for you and your kitty... Post# 27 & 28. Enjoy!

[cococat]

Originally Posted by Ruthyb

The main question is why do you prefer indoor cats and what are your main reasons?

My reason is 100 percent directly related to safety and health.
My cat is more likely to live longer. As she will not be harassed/chased/injured/killed by loose dogs, tom cats, or bored children, not be stolen, and be exposed to near as much infection, worms, and disease as an outside kitty would be. My kitty is protected from the elements all of the time and kept comfortable, dry, and warm, and very loved.

[LDG]

Originally Posted by yayi

Not sure if I agree. I've watched mine while they're "playing" outside and they sure remind me of lions and tigers on the prowl.

Yes, but that's just it. They "remind" us of tigers and lions on the prowl. The fact of the matter is that cats have been a domesticated animal for around 10,000 years. Felis Catus that is not of a specific breed gene pool is "domestic short hair" or "domestic long hair." !!!!! They have a symbiotic relationship with humans, and while they can be great at surviving on their own, they continue time and again to worm their way into our hearts, our lives and our homes, because it is their nature to do so. They are independent animals, but they live with humans, and thus we can decide to protect them. They can be perfectly happy indoors. I'm not sad at all that ours don't go out.

The only reason that cats in the wild need a lot of space is hunting territory. They hunker down in very small spaces to sleep or raise kittens. The feral mom that raised four of the kittens that now live with us had them in a groundhog den. Cats do not require space - they require ACTIVITY. So we make sure they have LOTS of vertical space, enabling a lot of activity. They have their own furniture, and they get lots of stimulation - we make sure they do. They're happy and safe, and we don't have to worry about cars, foxes, poison, sick people, ticks, fleas, parasites - and all the diseases they carry - or injuries or attacks from other animals, and the disease and threats those pose.

The only issue is caring enough to make sure they have what they need.

BTW - we live in an RV - it is 38 feet long and 8 feet wide. We have 7 cats and two people.

Every single one of our cats was rescued from outside. Almost all of them would be dead if we didn't rescue them. Lazlo would have died of a urinary tract blockage, as would have Shelly. Tuxedo would have died of an unknown autoimmune disease that is similar to feline hemolytic anemia. Flowerbelle was almost dead when rescued from herpes infection that made her deaf and lose an eye, and she would have "drowned" from being so severely infested with lung worm she could no longer breathe. Billy would have died of his giardia infection/infestation, and Ming Loy would have starved to death if left on her own because she's physically handicapped (but she never had the chance because she was tied up in a baggie and thrown away). Spooky is the only one that may have made it - at least this long - on her own.

[oodlesofpoodles]

I will only every have indoor only cats. When i was a child living at home we had a total of 3 cats. Delilah was the oldest then Lynx, then later Harley.

Sometimes Lynx would get outside and no one would chase him down...needless to say, he died from being hit by a car at only 3 years old. After that my parents got me harley. Harley was my shadow. he was inlove with me and the best cat id ever known. After we moved into a house he and Delilah would both get outside...and again...not be chased down (accept by me) After a while they got used to being indoor outdoor cats. Delilah didnt live through the first summer...we dont even know HOW she died. only that she was found dead in our yard at only 7 years old. A year later harley came home from being outside...poisoned, and ALSO died, only 4 years old. I was broken hearted over all of them...but esp harely. Now that I am the adult and the cats are soley MINE they do not go outside. Fae got out one time when i was not home (i have no clue how, my sister was home at the time) But didnt leave the bushes. I found her and she hasnt gone outside since. Sebastian was my aunts cat and sometimes was allowed on her deck, but he wont be allowed outside anymore. I wont take those chances again.

I guess basically ive just had bad experiances with having indoor outdoor cats. I feel safer with them only inside.

[Ruthyb]

My mum has 5 cats all outdoor and indoor, her youngest cat is 12 and her oldest cat is 21 !!! She doesn't live in a rural area and there are cars about, I guess she has just been lucky, I am trying hard with Floss to keep her indoors, my other 4 you couldn't make them outdoor cats if you wanted as they are too lazy and sleep on my bed all day