Am I a bad cat owner for leaving my cats out all night?

I have had indoor/outdoor cats, but the majority of my life, I've had indoor cats. My indoor/outdoor cats were usually rehabbed ferals, neutered/spayed and somewhat socialized.
Kairi will be an indoor cat, but I will harness/leash train him since we camp for many weeks during the summer months, and I figure I could try him out in the camper.

That being said, there are many, many outdoor cats around here. There are also raccoons and foxes, which are very aggressive. Most of my neighbors bring their cats in at night. I'd hate to hear of a predator like a raccoon, which sometimes carry rabies, get ahold of one of the cats.

One more thing, please neuter your males (spay the females too-that's important) but-un-neutered tomcat urine is the most vile and disgusting smell-especially around the rose bushes and house foundation. Leaving ones home in the morning, just to get a whiff of that stench, would be maddening to me. I'd probably mind that very much, and insist they be neutered or removed to indoors.

Originally Posted by Feralvr

So I am also assuming your other four cats are not altered either.

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I don't have 4 other cats, I have 2 cats and 4 children.
I don't want to get my cats spayed or neutered because I believe it is their right to reproduce.

Originally Posted by catsinmypajamaz

I don't have 4 other cats, I have 2 cats and 4 children.
I don't want to get my cats spayed or neutered because I believe it is their right to reproduce.

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I can understand that, but sometimes you have to pick the lesser of two evils.

During her life, a single female cat can have 100 kittens.

Even if you were able to find a home for each and every kitten, you are taking away spots from the masses of other kittens already waiting desperately for homes themselves.

Fact is, there are far too many cats born every year than there are people to give them homes. This results in the overwhelming majority of those cats that end up in shelters having to be taken to the back and put to sleep. Cat overpopulation = Dead cats, make no mistake.

Take away a right to save many LIVES, not such a bad compromise if you think about it. I hope you'll reconsider for their sake.

Originally Posted by catsinmypajamaz

I believe it is their right to reproduce.

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Wow. If it's their "right" to reproduce, who's responsibility is it to care for all the kittens they produce? You're their owner, you allow them to exercise this "right", therefore shouldn't it be on you to make sure every baby born to them is properly cared for? Unless you are out there making sure every kitten attributable to your cats is fed, sheltered and medically sound, then you are a bad cat owner.

Please be aware that in the forum rules, it states the following principle of the site:

2. Please make sure to spay and neuter your cats. Unless you are a professional breeder and your cat is part of a professional breeding program, please educate yourself to the importance of spaying and neutering by the time your cat is 4-6 months old. If you take care of a feral colony, please make sure to do so responsibly by practicing TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) protocols within the colony. By spaying and neutering, you enhance a cat's quality of life and improve their longterm health. You are also proving your love for cats because in acting as a responsible pet owner/caregiver you are minimizing the problem of cat overpopulation.

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Since you asked for our opinions, I guess I am entitled to give mine - to everyone: this is my opinion, my opinion only, not the right or wrong:

Am I a bad cat owner for leaving my cats out all night?

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IMHO yes, you are - two folded:

1. You are putting them, consciously, by choice, in harms way. They can be hit by cars, be poisoned, be attacked by predators, abused and tortured by sick, malicious people, etc. We see this day in and day out here on the Bridge forum. Outside cats live far less than inside cats, for many reasons - the described above included. The average outside cat live 4-6 years, while the average inside cat live over 15. Hard to dispute statistics.
2. On the top of it you are not only contributing for overpopulation, but further putting their lives in risk by letting them breed and roam intact. In the US alone millions of cats are killed every year because of the "they have the right to reproduce" mentality. Millions. Not one, not two, but millions. Perfectly healthy cats. IMHO if you believe in the right for them to reproduce, maybe you would like to go to a shelter and spend the day in there during kitten season watching cats be killed - one after another. Then you might change your mind.
   
   Aside from over population, every time they breed, they are in risk of contracting deadly diseases - so you are doing them no favors. And when they do not breed, they can have deadly diseases too - each time a female has a cycle and she doesn't get pregnant, she in in risk of getting pyometra, which can be deadly fast. Let alone increase risk of mammary cancer, risk of uterus cancer, risk of testicular cancer for the males, etc.

So, do I think you are a bad cat owner for letting your cats outside? IMHO, and again, IMO only, yes.

I don't think you're a bad cat owner, because the fact is, you take care of your cats and you have them spayed/neutered, and their lives are far better than any cat that's homeless. It's true that cats live longer if they are indoor only, but whether they lead overall happier lives, I just can't answer that!
Jake is the type of cat who is indoor only, but his entire existence revolves around his attempts to go outside. So, I wonder the same thing for a different reason, if I am a bad cat owner for keeping him inside.
The thing is, I may be selfish, but I don't plan on risking him being hit by a car or eaten by a coyote. Like someone else already said, it's all a matter of personal preference, and I don't think anyone knows what the right answer is, we each have only our opinions..

Mariya, the kitties are not spayed and neutered. The female is pregnant. The OP believes in the "right" of cats to reproduce.

Originally Posted by LDG

Mariya, the kitties are not spayed and neutered. The female is pregnant. The OP believes in the "right" of cats to reproduce.

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Oh, I apologize for not reading closely enough! I must have been skimming, and I only went to answer the first post without reading all the replies ...my fault!!

Well, that changes everything. I mean, if your cats are indoor/outdoor but they are altered, I dont' think that's a bad thing, I think it's a personal preference.
But if they are INTACT, whether indoor or outdoor, that's a huge problem, and then the fact that they are indoor and outdoor makes it so much worse, because they are contributing to the overpopulation problem...

To the OP:
Sorry, I don't mean to be blunt, but since you asked it yes you're a bad cat owner IMO

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

Wow. If it's their "right" to reproduce, who's responsibility is it to care for all the kittens they produce? You're their owner, you allow them to exercise this "right", therefore shouldn't it be on you to make sure every baby born to them is properly cared for? Unless you are out there making sure every kitten attributable to your cats is fed, sheltered and medically sound, then you are a bad cat owner.

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REALLY well said. Brava! I can't express how much I like this post!

Originally Posted by Willowy

It really is the aspect of cat keeping I have the least amount of opinion about

, provided the cats are spayed/neutered and well cared for. Some cats do better being allowed outside, and it's better than being put down because they don't behave well indoors. Of course it also depends on the area. . .if you live right by a highway I'm not going to say that it's a good idea to let your cats out.

And I don't like the idea of outdoor-only cats, unless that's what the cat chooses. I think it's sad if the kitties can't come inside when they want to

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I do keep my cats inside (except the ferals) because I think the neighbors would complain if I set 20 cats loose on the neighborhood

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I don't have a lot of experience with unaltered cats. But I did observe the cats on my uncle's farm. The females would frequently get chewed up by the toms, and sometimes they died from it. I'm sure a pet who received proper vet care would be much less likely to die from her wounds, but cat mating is not gentle at all and it is a risk. Also, if you observe feral cat populations, you'll notice that females over a year or two old are pretty rare (unless they're spayed, in a well-managed colony). This is because they usually die during mating or birthing.

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Yes as I said if it is safe to let the domestic cat outside I think the domestic cat has the "right" to go outside if that cat chooses to do so. Plus the cat needs to be able to medically do so !

Anyway yes twenty tame cats might get you in trouble with the neighbors . So I can see why you do not let your pets outside !

Also I let my domestic cats inside whenever they want. I do not like the idea of a cat outside twenty four seven unless the cat wants to live that way. So I guess I am saying unless it is a feral cat, I agree a cat should not be forced outside twenty four seven.

Lastly I now understand what you mean about "dangers" of domestic cats breeding .

Originally Posted by catsinmypajamaz

I don't have 4 other cats, I have 2 cats and 4 children.
I don't want to get my cats spayed or neutered because I believe it is their right to reproduce.

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I am going to be VERY CAREFUL how I respond as I like you. But can you explain to me by they have the "right" to reproduce? Also are you from the Southern/Midwestern part of the US? If so, I have run into licensed veterinarians that believe the cat should be spayed/neutered after a year old or proof it has had a litter. Yes growing up in the North I have a very different view. But animal care is based off of cultural "norms" and we all need to understand everyone has different views!

catsinmypajamaz, I don't know where you live. But some information may help you understand the position of The Cat Site and its members.

In the U.S., according to the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association, Americans own 88 million pet cats. One in every three homes owns at least one cat.

No one knows how many unowned cats there are, but estimates range from about 20 million to the same number of unowned cats as owned cats (potentially about 88 million unowned cats).

So there are between 108 million and 176 million cats in the U.S. (To put that into perspective, there are 310 million people in the U.S.).

What would happen if everyone believed that cats had the right to reproduce? If only 30% of the cats were female, and if 10% were so ill they gave birth to still born kittens (like this poor kitty: Requesting a ton of vibes for new foster, Brooklyn, and if each had only one litter a year, and if each only had three kittens per litter, that's still 64 - 105 million kittens being born every year. And you think your cat is pregnant with 8 kittens.

Humans are the guardians of our environment. We are the caretakers of our animals. We are responsible for their health and welfare. When there are literally tens of millions more cats than there are homes for them already, how is it not cruel to let our pets breed? The result is millions of cats being intentionally murdered in shelters every year. (And that's with 82% of the owned cat population being sterilized and only about 35% of them being allowed to roam.)

Even if you find homes for your cat's kittens, that potentially leaves 8 other homeless cats - already born, already homeless - that could otherwise have been adopted from a shelter. That's 8 cats that will be killed by some shelter to accommodate your cat's kittens.

And this just addresses the issues of the cat population. There are many health benefits to the cats themselves when they are spayed and neutered, and these alone are excellent reasons to spay and neuter our cats.

Originally Posted by catsinmypajamaz

I don't have 4 other cats, I have 2 cats and 4 children.
I don't want to get my cats spayed or neutered because I believe it is their right to reproduce.

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I think you should go and spend some time in a cat shelter and volunteer. Then you will change your mind about your ignorant statement. The suffering is beyond belief. There are quite a few of us who are feral advocates on this site who trap/neuter/release. It is a never ending battle and the hardship these cats/kittens endure is heartbreaking. The injuries these poor cats sustain are traumatic. Many of the strays/ferals suffer terrible deaths, suffer traumatic injuries with no medical attention, suffer prolonged and slow deaths, suffer abuse from cat-haters, suffer from starvation/dehydration, suffer from disease. If these cats are lucky enough to have found a feral caretaker such as many of the members here on this site, then their life may be slightly better. Why should we have to be responsible for your carelessness, and IMO, cruelty to letting cats breed and live a life of suffering outside?????? Why should we have to pay for medical care/food/TNR for that cat or kitten that was born to your outside cat??? Not to mention the worry and concern we put into caring for these poor innocent cats. Why do we do it..... because there will always be someone like you out there letting unaltered cats roam and breed because you think it is their right. We do it because...... someone has to step up and have a voice for all of the stray/feral cats. We do it because.... someone has to take on the responsibility of your mistake and misguided thinking about cats and their right to breed.

I am having a hard time understanding the thinking that "it is a cats right to reproduce" I really don't think cats have the mind or thought process to feel like their rights have been violated if you have them spayed/neutered... I really doubt they enjoy having litter after litter...Thats just a lazy excuse not to bother and spend the money and time to get them fixed. I don't mean to offend just my thought..
And as to letting them outside or keeping them inside only. Thats up to you. I myself love my cats very much and would not dream of letting them be harmed by free roaming ever!! They do go out inside their Purrrfect cat fence and thats it no free roaming..Night time the window is shut and access to the outside fencing system is closed for the night. I could not sleep knowing they where out in the fence even though they can't get out of it. Thats me I love them and worry about them..

I am not here to judge anyone but I would NEVER and I mean NEVER let my cats outside. They are strictly indoors.... and they are happy.

Originally Posted by catsinmypajamaz

I don't have 4 other cats, I have 2 cats and 4 children.
I don't want to get my cats spayed or neutered because I believe it is their right to reproduce.

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"Just because you can reproduce doesn't mean you should". -random quote which I find to be very true, with human and animals..

Are your children also indoor/outdoor and free to knock up anyone they want and fight with other kids because it's their 'right'?

Are your breeding quality (if not, then WHY are they breeding?) cats tested for STDs and other diseases?

I would be way too worried about my cats if they were going outside, I could never do it. Luckily they don't even like to go out (tried with harness). If your cast are spayed/neutered/vaccinated and well taken care of and you live in the middle of nowhere, then I can understand letting them go out. Even then I would suggest an enclosure for them so nothing can attack them etc.

"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." -Antoine de Saint ExupÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]ry

Originally Posted by Feralvr

I think you should go and spend some time in a cat shelter and volunteer. Then you will change your mind about your ignorant statement. The suffering is beyond belief. There are quite a few of us who are feral advocates on this site who trap/neuter/release. It is a never ending battle and the hardship these cats/kittens endure is heartbreaking. The injuries these poor cats sustain are traumatic. Many of the strays/ferals suffer terrible deaths, suffer traumatic injuries with no medical attention, suffer prolonged and slow deaths, suffer abuse from cat-haters, suffer from starvation/dehydration, suffer from disease. If these cats are lucky enough to have found a feral caretaker such as many of the members here on this site, then their life may be slightly better. Why should we have to be responsible for your carelessness, and IMO, cruelty to letting cats breed and live a life of suffering outside??????

Why should we have to pay for medical care/food/TNR for that cat or kitten that was born to your outside cat??? Not to mention the worry and concern we put into caring for these poor innocent cats. Why do we do it..... because there will always be someone like you out there letting unaltered cats roam and breed because you think it is their right. We do it because...... someone has to step up and have a voice for all of the stray/feral cats. We do it because.... someone has to take on the responsibility of your mistake and misguided thinking about cats and their right to breed.

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Are you a bad cat owner? Yes. (Sorry, but it's because of people who believe that cats belong outside and that cats have a "right" to have kittens that shelters are always so over-crowded and in constant need of money and volunteers. And it's terribly sad, not to mention very selfish.)

We got our last kitten two weeks ago because of an owner who thought it would be cute for her cat to have kittens. But then she didn't want to care for the kittens because they had ear mites and she didn't want to be bothered taking care of them. They ended up outside. Thank god, Tabby found her way to us, but we don't what happened to her litter-sister (there were two kittens). We had six cats and now we have seven. I'm certainly not begrudging any amount of money we're spending on vet bills for this little darling, but frankly, it's because of people who think it's cute for their cat to have kittens and think it's their cat's right to have those kittens that Tabby was born. And had it not been that she found her way to us, god only knows what would have happened to her. And is it her "right" to die because her mother's owner wasn't responsible?

(And yes, I'm really upset about it. Frustrated. Angry. And everything else.)

This may be an unpopular opinion, and please forgive me for being blunt, but cats do not have the "right" to do anything. Animal rights doesn't necessarily mean what the animal has the right to do or not do, it means how we as humans must treat them- with dignity and respect, as they deserve. I think that saying a cat has the "right" to reproduce is just another way of saying you don't want to get her spayed because you think kittens are cute. They are cute. They're very cute. There are also lots of them dying every day.

Please, don't impose human affect on your cat! It doesn't have the "right" to reproduce, it reproduces because it's an animal and that's what animals instinctively do. That's nature, not a right.

I hope that made sense.

Catsinmypajamaz............ I want to help you and have been thinking about this. I am worried for your cats and you too. I really think you need some assistance in this situation with your cats and I know you probably do love your cats BUT, I think you might have your hands full with your four beautiful children and you say you live in a tiny apartment, right? Would you consider bringing your cats to a shelter/rescue/foster organization? Sometimes, we hang on to pets for our personal needs and wants but if you try to take yourself emotionally out of the equation and think about what might be best for your cats. Are your cats being cared for properly? Are they getting enough food? Are they getting proper medical attention? Can you afford all of these things? If not, please, please consider contacting someone to help you get these cats into a new situation. I am wholeheartedly sorry if you will take offense to my suggestion because that is not why you posted here with this thread. I just have to wonder, can you really, truly, care for these two cats. Just think about it.

Actually, I am glad you came to the site asking about your cats. It means you DO love them and want what's best for them . Sometimes the best thing for our cats is not what is best for us and a decision must be made for the betterment, health and welfare of the animal involved. Many, many, many .

I wonder if we're being spoofed.