Having 1 Cat

Why have a cat and make it a decoration? A cat is happier being able to roam and chase stuff. If the cat wants to go outside, let it. Even if it automatically removes a quarter of the cat's life expectancy (which I don't buy for a second), it's a lot fuller life than 16 years spent solely eating, pooping, sleeping on the top of the sofa and staring at your Hummels.

Indoor-cat keepers say it's in the best interest of the cat, but it's really for their own peace of mind. The cat doesn't give a crap about its mortality. It wants to roam, hunt, and be king of your bushes. It's probably not going to outlive you no matter how many satin pillows you give it.

ps In Ireland where I live in the suberbs,we dont have coyotes and birds of prey also where I live it is very quiet.Also mainly everyone of my neighbours have cats

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

We currently live on a farm and closest neighbors are 1/2 mile away. We do have a few barn cats (all spayed/neutered now) but when we had kittens, we did lose a few to the road or a hawk/eagle.

HOWEVER, unless you are an isolated area with less dangers, its NOT wise to let a cat out unsupervised. If you live in a town, then the dangers outside are far worse then inside.

Outside cats live a short life - our one barn cat is an exception - she's about 8-9 yrs old which is long for an outside cat. Most don't make it past 5 yrs old. Outside cats face the dangers of dogs, other cats, hawks/eagles, and cruel people that wouldn't think twice of catching kitty and torturing it or poisoning/killing it.

If you feel your cat needs outside time, then teach him/her to walk on a leash/harness or get an enclosed cat tent. But to allow total unsupervised freedom for a domestic cat is suicide for the cat.

I would NEVER sell or give Dell one of my cats!

BTW my indoor cats (oldest ones are 17 and 15 yrs old) They don't want to be outside.

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Sorry but have you asked them if they want to be outdoors.................I thought so,How do you know what they want also I wouldnt take a Cat of you.

Originally Posted by Dell1234

Buta cat is ment to be outside,you should give it the freedom it deserves.If it gets hit by a car well thats thats nothing can be done but at least it had a good life and fighting with each other is natural.

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How can you say that? Cats were bred to be domesticated animals. Of course they like the outside but it is our responsibility as owners to keep them safe. How can you say you care about a cat and then say "oh well" when it gets hit by a car and you just let it out there????

This is a general warning for all of our members posting in this thread.

Although various cultures have different views on letting a cat outdoors we need to be respectful of each other and our various views. Everyone here is passionate about their cats, and everyone is doing the best for their cats that they can. In some places, it is safe for cats to be let outdoors; in other places it would mean a very short and unpleasant life.

Please be mindful of the first paragraph in our rules:

TheCatSite.com Forums is dedicated to cat care & welfare. We are a worldwide forum and therefore a mix of different cultures, races and religions; there is always room for different opinions, however, intolerance, bigotry, and religious ridicule will not be tolerated. Additionally, there is no room for flames, slams, and personal vendettas that carry on to the public view.

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

hehe, oh I definitely know of all the FIV+ kitties out there that need homes! If I had the means and the room, I'd adopt them all! Unfortunately, I'm a poor college student (poor partly because I spend all my money on the animals I already have!) and I live in a studio apartment up at school... Oliver's a handful as it is and omg, I think he'd have a heart attack if I brought another cat in! He is king, and not only is he king but he better get 100% of my attention, according to him, haha... he is wonderful with all people - very social, yet definitely a mama's boy.... no behavioral problems so I'm not worried about him being an only!

PS: those looking to adopt a pound kitty - having an FIV+ kitty doesnt mean they're gonna die in like a year! Most live just as long, happy and healthy lives as FIV- kitties... they dont require daily meds and you just have to be on top of URIs and such since their immune system is weakened... you'd NEVER know Ollie was FIV+ unless you saw the test - so dont rule out having an FIV+ kitty (or two, or three!)

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Hey, I'm a college kid living in 2.5 room apartment, also! I just work 2 jobs and I don't really go out or to the movies or anything like that so that I can afford my 3, and my fiance helps pay their bills since they really are OUR cats even though they live with me. Leonardo was the only one I went out and got BY MYSELF, he was with me and and helped me wihth Gracie's adoption and then he met Raphael on on of my shifts at work (I work at a rescue) and we made the decision together.

But that is neither here nor there.

Dell, you really need to realize that in the US, it's generally illegal to allow unattended animals in the public way. This isn't because they cause a nuisance (although, some do and many people justify poisoning loose animals because they are "a nuisance"), but because here in Urban America, there's some pretty disgusting trends. One is dogfighting and the other is bunching. Cats are used CONSTANTLY as bait for dogfights. WHen they are baiting and training these dogs, they often give it rabbits and cats to eviscerate, or they let it maul the cat or rabbit as a reward. Bunching refers to pet theft, in which people go around stealing cats off the street and dogs out of back yards to sell into laboratory service...it's sort of a cash under the table kind of trafficing of pets, and these pets are subjct to nazi-like procedures by various companies. Not only that, but there are cars, there are unfriendly people, there are diseases, other animals....

You say that cats naturally want to be outside. That may have been true in the Middle East 8,000 years ago, but unfortunately, they have been transplanted to temperate climates all over the world and urban and suburban areas where anything that would be "natural" to them has been destroyed. In fact, cats play a SMALL part in removing some species that ARE native to the areas, such as birds and small mammals (although, don't listen to all of the propaganda people like ABC BIRDS will try to shove down your throat) and because of this, some places think it's ok to leg-trap or shoot cats. There is NOTHING NATURAL about being shot or run-over or having your legs trapped in some sharp trap and starving to death.

My cats are not decorations. They don't sit around and stare at my figurines. They have plenty of toys, they have big windows to look out of, they have extremely healthy food and fresh water and they are safe and disease-free. They play with each other, they play with me and they have not by any means become aggressive and/or withdrawn because of their status as indoor cats. In fact, 2 of my 3 refuse to even GO outside. And one of them has a 15cm scar from having acid tossed on him, so I don't blame the poor guy.

Do some research. I know in places like the UK it's common for cats to be let outdoors. I don't agree with this and I don't think it's sound reasoning because I'm willing to bet (but I've never been overseas) that there are cars and crazy people over there, too.

We had barn cats when I was a kid and let me tell you, they didn't last long. I have 2 cats now and after seeing a cat run over in front of me on our road, I can say that I personally will never let these 2 out while we live in an urban area. Even in a more rural area, I would be hesitant to let them out because they are dependent on me for everything. I try to be a responsible owner and this is just one of the ways that I feel I can be responsible.

That's a very interesting discussion - let's just keep it civilized, folks, thank you

I would say that in Urban environments, and in many of today's rural surroundings as well, cats are better off being indoors-only. Sure, cats do enjoy being outdoors, but in most places this is simply not safe enough anymore.

The thing to remember, Dell, is that indoors-only cats can be just as happy and free of confinement-stress, but need to be provided with appropriate stimuli and a suitable indoors environment. Things like cat furniture, or just shelves and places they can climb, plenty of toys, windows with perches, companionship, can all go a long way towards making an indoors-only cat very very happy.

Don't forget, there's always the middle ground for people who live in houses -
Cat Enclosures.

Originally Posted by Dell1234

Why have a cat and make it a decoration? A cat is happier being able to roam and chase stuff. If the cat wants to go outside, let it. Even if it automatically removes a quarter of the cat's life expectancy (which I don't buy for a second), it's a lot fuller life than 16 years spent solely eating, pooping, sleeping on the top of the sofa and staring at your Hummels.

Indoor-cat keepers say it's in the best interest of the cat, but it's really for their own peace of mind. The cat doesn't give a crap about its mortality. It wants to roam, hunt, and be king of your bushes. It's probably not going to outlive you no matter how many satin pillows you give it.

ps In Ireland where I live in the suberbs,we dont have coyotes and birds of prey also where I live it is very quiet.Also mainly everyone of my neighbours have cats

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Do you think of children as decoration? We protect our babies from the dangers out there, and most of these dangerous situations we as people have created. Be it cats, dogs, children..................many of us think of our pets as our children......
We do not let are children run around without supervision, hopefully! And if you did and god forbid your child got hit by a car, I doubt you would say "aw well, it happens".

Also would like to say that I believe having barn cats is different..........if you have a barn, chances are you have the property do provde a safer outdoor environment for them. As long as they get health and vet care, no problem....................

Where I live(thats the Republic of Ireland)in the suberbs Its fine to have an outdoor cat,My Neighbours have cats that are 15-17 years old and they have always been outdoors.also I think yous might be a bit confused by me saying "outdoors" It mean that it can go outside and come inside when it likes.Where I live there is not as many cars as there would be in America.

Very interesting...

I have an opinion both ways! I've had cats all my life. Where I live, it's nothing but fields and pastures...good ol' NC country side. I know it's not safe to let kitties stay out, but growing up...I always did. I was actually afraid of what might happen to it inside the house(house plants, chewing through wires, outlets...my parrott...Yeah, I'm a worryer...LOL ) Anyways, I have had 7 cats(not counting these kitties)...all of which were outdoors. I got my first cat, Sassy, when I was like 8. My neighbors gave her to me, then when she was 2, they told me they were taking her back... because she was pretty...(How mean, telling a 10 yr old that...) Anyways, that's when I adopted my next cat, Simba. He was so sweet and loving...I tried making him a house cat, but he was TO roudy inside(he was 2 yrs old and had been outdoors his whole life). Well, I put him out, and he did great...But when I took him to the vet for his check up a few months later(as a follow up to the first-which a huge mass was found on the inside of his back leg), I found out he had cancer... So I had to have him put down. Then, less than a week later...I found CHIPPER! Chipper was the BEST cat ever....He was a 6 week old kitten and at this time, my parents wouldn't let him stay in because we bought a parrot since Simba's indoor adventure. Anyways...Chipper lived until last year...he passed away at the age of 10...He had a rare heart disease. The vet said it didn't come from outside, by keeping him indoors wouldn't have helped.

Now I have two adult females, Smoke and Snickers, who are outdoor only cats. Snickers was a wild kitty when I found her...and she still will NOT let me hold her...only pet her while she's eating. Smoke is Snicker's kitty(well, she's 3 now ) and she is the sweetest cat. She hardly ever leaves our pool fence. After reading up on birds and cats living in the same house hold, I decided to make Smoke an indoor cat, but she only meow's and crys when she's inside, so that didn't work. I tried it slowly for almost a month....

Oh and I can't forget Smoke's two brothers, Ace and Boomer, who lived outside with Snickers until 12 weeks when I gave them to good homes.

Thus, brings me to now. My new kitties. For some reason, I am SO nervous thinking about them growing up outside...even with my history of outdoor cats, I feel I have just been blessed. IDK, Just the more I think about it, the sadder it makes me...So I have decided to keep TWO of my new kitties indoors! Zippy and Dixie now have a home, INDOORS, with me! Oh and as for little Indy(the other one) He is going to an AWESOME home to be with another cat-indoors-as well. I'll even be able to visit him!

Anyhow, sorry this was SO long....I just thought I'd put in my two cents...hope I didn't cross any lines or offend anyone...If so, I'm VERY sorry in advance!

Like people, cats are very adaptable and can lead happy lives as indoor or outdoor cats depending on circumstances and personality. I don't think there are any rights and wrongs here. Sometimes the risks of being allowed outside are outweighed by the benefits and it is worth allowing a cat to have outdoor access. However, I'm of the opinion that cats can be perfectly happy indoors provided they have opportunities for exercise, play and companionship. Mine were initially indoors because I live near a main road and thought it was too dangerous for them to go outside. Now that I've seen how well they do as indoor cats I wouldn't have it any other way. If/when I get a house with a garden I intend to put up some cat proof fencing so that they can have safe outdoor access but I'll never allow a cat to have completely free access outdoors.

I'm sure my experience is not typical, but we had a 2 yr old male cat...very people friendly We had always heard people say that it was good to give kitties companions, so we adopted another little boy.

My older boy may be of a different temperament than most, but now, a year later, he is having behavioral problems (spraying, hissy, generally grumpy).

In my case, I feel it was definately a mistake to bring a new kitty in. Now I am faced with the possibility of putting down my big boy because we cannot solve this problem. I feel terrible because I feel this is all my fault, even though my intentions were good.

Just make sure you kitty is of a good temperament and not prone to anxiety.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by JaxMaxMom

Now I am faced with the possibility of putting down my big boy because we cannot solve this problem. I feel terrible because I feel this is all my fault, even though my intentions were good.
Good luck.

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Never have a cat put down because of behavioral issues.
Even if you've exhausted all avenues, there are still rescuers out there that excell is fixing problem cats.

I do not believe there are any behavioral issues that cannot be fixed, but sometimes, they take a very special person to fix them.

IMO, cats can be ok as indoor/outdoor cats, provided you are in a safe area. And take all safety precautions, shots, flea treatments, etc. However, I do not believe that this makes the cat happy or unhappy. I mean, has a cat ever said it is happier outside? It's just all that it knows, or was taught to go outside.

As a child, I have had outside cats. It was a matter of finding kittens under a truck tire (intended to be crushed), and my mother agreeing to take care of them, although we already had 1 in the house and couldn't bring in 4 more. I have gone through the heart ache of finding 1 hit by a car, beyond saving, but still alive... and I felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest watching him die...he was so beautiful and full of so much ego and personality. Then my indoor cat snuck out once, and she came limping back 2 days later, blind in 1 eye and severly beat up, her eye was almost completely scratched out. Reason #999 not to declaw your cat.

Now, in the case of my LuckyGirl, she was starving and living in the wild... dying for affection, she followed us and meowed & meowed for us to take her. She was extremely malnourished and sick with Bartonella. When we took her in she purred for days, non-stop. She didn't wanna be away from us. She kept checking to make sure we were still there. And although she LOVES to watch the birds and bunnies from the window she will NOT go outside even if the door is open with no screen. (we don't leave it this way, but it has been accidentally left open and she just stares with wide scared eyes) And when I have to take her to the vet she freaks out when I take her outside...clawing desperately back towards the house...it's as if she thinks I'll leave her out there, and she is afraid, trust me it is fear in her eyes. We have only had her for 8 weeks now, and she is TOTALLY adapted to indoor life. She demands to be treated like the princess that she is! We also make sure that she has plenty of play time and things to do. She climbs straight up the ladder to our daughters loft bed and all over the house. (the only off limits are my kitchen table and the kitchen counters!) She has tons of toys and plays with everything in sight. She even plays angry at my hubby if he is gone all day and then wants her attention when he comes home... as if she's saying "I'll teach you to stay out late!" and she ignores him!

Originally Posted by JaxMaxMom

I'm sure my experience is not typical, but we had a 2 yr old male cat...very people friendly We had always heard people say that it was good to give kitties companions, so we adopted another little boy.

My older boy may be of a different temperament than most, but now, a year later, he is having behavioral problems (spraying, hissy, generally grumpy).

In my case, I feel it was definately a mistake to bring a new kitty in. Now I am faced with the possibility of putting down my big boy because we cannot solve this problem. I feel terrible because I feel this is all my fault, even though my intentions were good.

Just make sure you kitty is of a good temperament and not prone to anxiety.

Good luck.

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Is your cat neutered?? Typically a neutered cat will not spray.

Katie

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Never have a cat put down because of behavioral issues.
Even if you've exhausted all avenues, there are still rescuers out there that excell is fixing problem cats.

I do not believe there are any behavioral issues that cannot be fixed, but sometimes, they take a very special person to fix them.

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Many, many years ago we put down our 14 year old neutered cat who began spraying when I married my husband and moved in. He sprayed my clothes that were hanging on a rack, shoes belonging to man who was working in our house, patio furniture cushions.... it was always something different.

Back then I don't remember if they made Feliway or prescribed drugs but we were at our wits end. I don't apoligize for what we did -- we did the best we could at the time to cure a behavior that is Very difficult to stop.

I think it was more humane to put him down (he lived 14 years after all) then to give him away (that would have traumatized him). 14 year old cats that spray are not very adoptable and it is not fair to "dump" this problem on someone else. To make matters worse, he was not a very friendly cat and did not like strangers. Anyhow, it was a very unfortunate situation that I hope to never have to go through again!

As for having only one cat -- I personally think it is ideal if you are not away from home a lot. I think when you two cats (especially at the same time) they tend to bond to eachother and not the humans in the family. I also think you reduce the chances of spraying in males if they are only pets. This is just my opinion and I am not a vet!

My ex's 16 year old girl developed incontinence, we did not put her down, as she was otherwise healthy and happy.

We invested in a very large 3 story cat condo cat cage for her.
We kept pee pads on the floor and perches in it, wrapped it on three sides with disposable shower curtains, and kept it sitting on plastic carpet protectors.
She loved it.

She was out daily for food, cuddle time and playing and was in her condo when she couldn't be supervised or when she chose to go in there.
Her favorite part was that she could continue her favorite hobby of harassing the other cats without worrying about reprisal.

off original topic but:

Don't they make a kitty type diaper for issues like incontinence and spraying? I swear I've seen them for dogs...

IMO, it would be sad to take the life of a beloved baby on account of peeing issues... although I would NOT allow peeing all over my house... I would have done something like what Arlyn said. That's a better life than death!

Nope, never pts because of behavior problems, it is very unfair to the cat. I've seen our shelter work with the peers, sprayers and poopers and many times succeed.
As for a neutered cat not spraying..well, it depends on the cat. Ussually if he was a "late neuter" (over 6 mos old) he could. That said I've never had neutered males or females spray..until our current cats. Of 5 cats, 3 are ocassional sprayers. One is a former feral that was neutered when he was 8 mos. He's OK but when stressed he'll spray. Ditto with a declawed 7 year old female. The worst is Gerard, a 1 yr old that was neutered when he was 6 mos. Right age, correct? Wrong. He'll spray willy-nilly. We say he plays tomcat roaming b/c ussually he yowls like a tom and paces through the house, stopping for vertical surfaces ..he's healthy , have them checked every so often.
Sometimes he'll chase the others and try to mount them, I guess he has an alpha personality, mounting others is to stablish dominance in the group as I know. Only Margaret, one of the females, has told him in clear terms to stay away, the others either run away or let themselves be trashed around. Luckly he's found a match in Jerome who wrestles lots with him and that seems to distract him. Jerome won't allow G to mount him ( a boy has his dignity after all )
I must make something clear, he's an outdoor/ indoor kitty as is Clovis, the ff, I wonder if that fact gave them roamers ways.. Jerome will be going out in an enclosure in a while, as well as Madam, the declawed one but thats another story

Sure, you can let your cat go outside, just don't expect him/her to be around all that long. We only had our last cat for 2 1/2 years before she was hit by a car. And we don't even live near a busy road. We recently adopted two black kittens (or devils as I like to call them ) and I have no plans to let them outside....EVER! I'd like to have them more than just a couple of years.