indoor/outdoor cats

Originally Posted by Arlyn

I agree, but those posters are in the minority on this site as most understand and respect that things are different across the pond, therefore, I was not playing the 'hurtcard' as you put it.
Those (most) that do strongly advocate indoor only are only speaking from personal experience, not making purposefully disrespectful jabs as yours seemed to be.

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I have made no more disrespectful jabs to people who keep there cats indoors than others have made towards owners who allow there cats outside. I just mentioned some of the proven negative issues that could affect an indoor cat. I haven't said that people who keep their cats inside don't love their cats. I also did not have you in mind when I said the 'hurt card'. I have also read enough posts to feel that the opinion on here is unbalanced and quite off when it comes to the indoor/outdoor kitty, enough to defend the choices of the people who choose to allow there cats outside. I don't see why I should just accept the rude comments when it is fuelled only by ignorance. There are areas that are unsuitable to allow a cat outside but my area is not unsuitable. If it was I would either move especially if I live around people who set fire to animals or I would keep him in but thankfully that is not my circumstance and goldenkitty has my sympathy to live somewhere like that, but I don't.
I feel I have made the right choice for my cat just like most of us on here and I don't see why I should constantly have to defend that.

I think everyone on here feels that they have made the right choice for them and their cats, you aren't alone there.
And I agree it is unfortunate that that some feel the need to sway the decisions of others (sometimes with little or no respect), in not just cats, but almost everything.

And yes, once again I agree with you, the opnions here are unbalanced, but, you have to realize that the majority of posters here are in North America, so that would tend to unbalance things quite a bit.
It is also unfortunate that we have sick people, diseases and large predators in NA that prevent most from allowing indoor/outdoor.

At the end of the day though, it is the internet, and without voice and facial expression, it is impossible to guage feelings and emotions.
And often things said are taken out of context as there is really no way to catch intent.

My own experience with indoor/outdoor led to tragedy of my own making, so there really are many things to consider.

To get back to the OP, a fence will not keep a cat from roaming, or sprinting in fright, nor will you standing there.

Your choices are an enclosure, harness/leash, cat proof fencing, or 100% indoors (which really would be a shame).

Originally Posted by Arlyn

To get back to the OP, a fence will not keep a cat from roaming, or sprinting in fright, nor will you standing there.

Your choices are an enclosure, harness/leash, cat proof fencing, or 100% indoors (which really would be a shame).

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I agree.

Zeypher maybe you could post some pictures of your garden and the walls surounding it? Maybe some one here will have a good idea about how you could cat- proof it?

Christine

Originally Posted by Arlyn

And yes, once again I agree with you, the opnions here are unbalanced, but, you have to realize that the majority of posters here are in North America, so that would tend to unbalance things quite a bit.
It is also unfortunate that we have sick people, diseases and large predators in NA that prevent most from allowing indoor/outdoor.

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On the one hand you're right. On the other hand it might just be an idea too look at the person's profile to find out where they're from or to simply ask.

There are cultural differences concerning how cats are kept and I bite my tongue here quite often because I realize this


regards,

christine

I agree, often I see people post something similar and they have no location listed, many are quick to assume they live in the US.

I've been on the net since 94, I quickly learned to never assume this

Most cats were outdoor over here until the past few years, now more are getting educated about keeping cats indoors or in enclosed back yards.

Attitudes do change, I know people who let cats out in years gone by and now can't believe they ever did it, enclousures need not be fancy or costly and the cat enjoys best of both worlds.

Its not about education, another ignorant statement. I am very educated,without a doubt and that is of absolutely no consequence when it comes down to my decision to allow my cat outside. I have nothing against an enclosure but just because peole allow there cats out does not mean that they are not educated. I really cannot believe all the ignorance and judgements on here, it really is absolutely incredible.

... and I was trying to "educate" the people on this forum that there are cultural differences and that it would be nice if these could be respected

regards,

Christine

Originally Posted by missymotus

enclousures need not be fancy or costly and the cat enjoys best of both worlds.

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Jupp, this is a good point. Especially if there are already a few walls or a fence you can work with surrounding the garden.

Also depends on your cat- a crafty bengal is more likely to jump over a 2 meter fence then a persian

regards,

Christine

Originally Posted by cjh27

... and I was trying to "educate" the people on this forum that there are cultural differences and that it would be nice if these could be respected

regards,

Christine

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I am pleased that at least we are educated well enough to understand and respect others that are on this site. It is just a shame that others are unable to offer the same manners and courtesy in return.

.. I put the word "educated" in brackets because I didn't mean it that seriously , I don't really think it is anybody's job here to educate others or to judge how "educated" they are .

It doesn't make much sense to overrate the use of this word either- I'd rather discuss the topic or see what advice we could give zephyre, providing she hasn't been taken aback by the way this topic has been dicussed so far.

regards,

Christine

Hi everyone, sorry I havent gotten back to this thread in a while, I was travling..I honestly didn't think this was such a contriversial topic..I wasn't trying to stir things up. To be honest I used to live in the country and let my cats out, but that was years ago and now I live in the city on a busy street. I just feel bad keeping her inside when I am outside and I can see her laying in hte window.Thanks for the idea about trying to angle/extend the fencing, this might work..I will have to ask the bf . Till then I guss I will try harness training her. I really would like to able to let her in the yard when I am there, but relized there is a pit bull and german shepard living at the house caddy corner to us...I would feel to bad if she took off running into the wrong yard. Again..thanks for the help..I think I will google some home inprovement sites and see if I can find a way to fix the fence so it contains her better!

Originally Posted by zephyer78

Hi everyone, sorry I havent gotten back to this thread in a while, I was travling..I honestly didn't think this was such a contriversial topic..I wasn't trying to stir things up. To be honest I used to live in the country and let my cats out, but that was years ago and now I live in the city on a busy street. I just feel bad keeping her inside when I am outside and I can see her laying in hte window.Thanks for the idea about trying to angle/extend the fencing, this might work..I will have to ask the bf

. Till then I guss I will try harness training her. I really would like to able to let her in the yard when I am there, but relized there is a pit bull and german shepard living at the house caddy corner to us...I would feel to bad if she took off running into the wrong yard. Again..thanks for the help..I think I will google some home inprovement sites and see if I can find a way to fix the fence so it contains her better!

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Harness training your cat can actually be quite fun! I live on teh 14th floor of an apartment so clearly mine can't roam, but both are harness trained. If you search harness training on this forum then you will find LOADS of helpful information. It can be done!! Mine were both 7 when I adopted them and harness trained them as well, so it's not just for kittens!

Good luck and keep us posted!

The posts in this thread are getting much too personal. The indoor/outdoor debate is always a very heated one here on TCS and I ask you to please choose your words carefully before posting further. The words "I love my cat too much to..." are hurtful to either side of this debate and are not appropriate.

Please keep in mind that this is a worldwide forum and different countries have different views about indoor/outdoor cats. Many shelters in the UK will not even adopt to people if they do not allow outside access to their cat.

zephyr78, you know your cat and your yard better than us. If my yard was secure and my cat was not a climber, I would most certainly let her out on a supervised basis. Is she microchipped, have a collar, etc?

I've brought Abby into my fenced in garden before to let her run around. I've had to stop that because she gets so excited that she works herself into a frenzy and starts panting heavily.

I do bring Abby out on a harness and leash at times. This will not work with all cats. Abby takes to it well, but my Molly and my mother's cat (both docile cats) turned into little wildcats when the harness was put on them.

As I said, you know the your cat's personality and the local dangers better than anyone.

thanks for the support. Yes I definitly think harness training is the way to go for right now, as I said the yard is fenced, but there is 2 huge dogs caddy corner to us and I don't feel good about letting her just roam. I'll let you know how ti goes!

I used to live in Japan.
I had 2 cats there. My first cat got run over because she loved running around with my neighbor's cat and never bother to check for on coming car.

My second cat was also indoor / outdoor cat and she lived up to 22 years. She was very cautious kitty and was not super friendly like my first one. She lived mostly indoor after 15 years of age.

So, it's all depends. Educate kitty about danger of outside as much as you can.

I live in Seattle, USA area with pretty big yard. They mostly stay there during the day. They all come inside at night. I kind of put them on schedule.