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Indoor/Outdoor Cat Debate
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Anyone?
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I can't read all of it because I have to get some work done that it due tomorrow but I will say that I am always torn about this with my kitties. I have tried to keep them in but I feel so bad when they cry at the window to get out and look so depressed. But our special little Hannah went out two months ago and we have not seen her since. We had had her for over 6yrs.
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The day that I let her out, I remember hesitating and thinking that I should not let her out.
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We sure do miss her.
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Very good article. Seemed unbiased for either side and had a lot of good points about how indoor is safer in some environments and in/out is safe in other environments. I personally keep my cats indoors. But we have never lived somewhere it was safe to let them out.
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Gaah. What a long looking article.
In the city my cats are indoor. If we lived in the country they'd probably be indoor/outdoor.
In the city my cats are indoor. If we lived in the country they'd probably be indoor/outdoor.
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I will say I used to be a strict Indoor Cat ONLY person. Then I adopted this giant tomcat from the shelter who'd been a stray. While he was regaining his strength immediately after adopting him, he was content in the house. He was emaciated and limping from muscle degeneration. Once he picked up weight and built his muscles back up, the protests began. He wanted OUT. He was getting out no matter what our opinions on the matter were. A few times he managed to sneak his way out and was out and over the fence before we could chase him down.
Then we were on to his game and made sure he was nowhere near the door when it was opened. So he began his protest in earnest. OH he was mad. He started peeing on things, and worse, chewing up cords. Electric cords, phone cords, computer cables, everything. We lived in a busy neighborhood, we just could not feel safe letting him out. Then it happens we moved, and we now live in a very quiet subdivision with minimal traffic.
Now we let him out. Every night at 10pm he goes outside. He stays in the yard mostly, or over at the neighbors house with their dog. I'm sure he wanders. I know we take a risk of him getting catnapped, injured, or worse. I know this, and while it makes me nervous, I let him roam anyhow. I know he could be eating birds or being a nuisance in the neighbors' yards. I don't like it, I won't pretend otherwise, and I only wish we lived somewhere in the country where he could have a barn to hunt in and no one to bother. But the situation is what it is. The cat NEEDS outside time. He needs it like he needs oxygen. I've never had a cat that needed it like that. I've never let my cats outside. This cat I do. I take full responsibility for my decision. I will not forgive myself if something happens to him. But I can not change his nature. He was a street cat before he came to live with me. I can only hope for the best.
Then we were on to his game and made sure he was nowhere near the door when it was opened. So he began his protest in earnest. OH he was mad. He started peeing on things, and worse, chewing up cords. Electric cords, phone cords, computer cables, everything. We lived in a busy neighborhood, we just could not feel safe letting him out. Then it happens we moved, and we now live in a very quiet subdivision with minimal traffic.
Now we let him out. Every night at 10pm he goes outside. He stays in the yard mostly, or over at the neighbors house with their dog. I'm sure he wanders. I know we take a risk of him getting catnapped, injured, or worse. I know this, and while it makes me nervous, I let him roam anyhow. I know he could be eating birds or being a nuisance in the neighbors' yards. I don't like it, I won't pretend otherwise, and I only wish we lived somewhere in the country where he could have a barn to hunt in and no one to bother. But the situation is what it is. The cat NEEDS outside time. He needs it like he needs oxygen. I've never had a cat that needed it like that. I've never let my cats outside. This cat I do. I take full responsibility for my decision. I will not forgive myself if something happens to him. But I can not change his nature. He was a street cat before he came to live with me. I can only hope for the best.
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We've adopted all our cats as kittens (two of them were stray kittens), and we make a point of never letting them out. It was a struggle with one of our stray kittens--he still makes an attempt to dash out of the door a few times a year. His first year we experienced a few escape attempts, but were able to chase him down pretty quickly. They don't show any sustained urge to be outdoor cats, though, and they seem to thrive as outdoor cats.
My (personal) reasons for not allowing outdoor time (EVER):
1. Safety. Friends of mine lost their very dear pet to an automobile, and it was so sad. I'd never forgive myself.
2. Environmental reasons. My MS is in ecology, and I've read studies on the impact of housecats/feral cats on wild bird and threatened animal populations. It's appalling, and it's so needless.
3. Cost reasons. I don't want to worry about vaccines, heartworm, worms, poisons, etc. My cats stay healthy when they're indoors.
4. My cats are gloriously happy. Indoors.
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My (personal) reasons for not allowing outdoor time (EVER):
1. Safety. Friends of mine lost their very dear pet to an automobile, and it was so sad. I'd never forgive myself.
2. Environmental reasons. My MS is in ecology, and I've read studies on the impact of housecats/feral cats on wild bird and threatened animal populations. It's appalling, and it's so needless.
3. Cost reasons. I don't want to worry about vaccines, heartworm, worms, poisons, etc. My cats stay healthy when they're indoors.
4. My cats are gloriously happy. Indoors.
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Went back and read the article...it seemed to "try" to give a balanced perspective, but in reality it seemed very pro-outdoor cat. It talked A LOT about the problems indoor cats can experience, and pooh-poohed the problems that outdoor cats can experience or cause.
This part made me laugh:
Indoor hazards may be less obvious but they do exist, for example: household chemicals, human medications, eating dangerous objects (elastic bands, needle-and-thread), pull-string blinds, electrical wires, crush injuries from toppled items such as stepladders, caught in slammed doors.
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Any toddler-proofed home (and pet-proofed on top of that) has taken care of these things. The occasional "oops, I left a rubber band on the counter" moment seems so minor compared to "oops, the neighbor left out some antifreeze." And I'm sorry, but I'm willing to bet that outdoor cats are MUCH more likely to die by automobile than indoor cats are by toppled household items.
Quote: There are those who argue that any access to outdoors, whether on a leash or in an enclosure, is irresponsible as it exposes cats to risk of infection. Others view this as owner paranoia. It is up to each owner to determine what risks are acceptable. A cat has no concept of its own longevity; it doesn't plan for the future as do humans. Some owners decide that the cat is happier and has a more enriched life with some degree of outdoor access. Others wish to protect their cats from all perceived hazards at all costs. Each must choose the lifestyle appropriate to their cat's enjoyment and their local circumstances.
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I also don't buy the idea that cat's don't care/plan about the future, and therefore they might prefer to live a more exciting/fulfilling life including outdoor time rather than have a long life indoors. My kids (not the same as cats, but just to compare) might have really exciting lives if they got into motorcycling, but I'm certainly not going to encourage that as a hobby. Part of loving something or someone is looking after them and their safety. I want my cats to live nice, long lives. I want them to be fulfilled and interested and happy. I don't see how they need the outdoors to have that. I don't think keeping them indoors is "protecting cats from all perceived hazards at all costs."
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This part made me laugh:
Indoor hazards may be less obvious but they do exist, for example: household chemicals, human medications, eating dangerous objects (elastic bands, needle-and-thread), pull-string blinds, electrical wires, crush injuries from toppled items such as stepladders, caught in slammed doors.
----
Any toddler-proofed home (and pet-proofed on top of that) has taken care of these things. The occasional "oops, I left a rubber band on the counter" moment seems so minor compared to "oops, the neighbor left out some antifreeze." And I'm sorry, but I'm willing to bet that outdoor cats are MUCH more likely to die by automobile than indoor cats are by toppled household items.
Quote: There are those who argue that any access to outdoors, whether on a leash or in an enclosure, is irresponsible as it exposes cats to risk of infection. Others view this as owner paranoia. It is up to each owner to determine what risks are acceptable. A cat has no concept of its own longevity; it doesn't plan for the future as do humans. Some owners decide that the cat is happier and has a more enriched life with some degree of outdoor access. Others wish to protect their cats from all perceived hazards at all costs. Each must choose the lifestyle appropriate to their cat's enjoyment and their local circumstances.
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I also don't buy the idea that cat's don't care/plan about the future, and therefore they might prefer to live a more exciting/fulfilling life including outdoor time rather than have a long life indoors. My kids (not the same as cats, but just to compare) might have really exciting lives if they got into motorcycling, but I'm certainly not going to encourage that as a hobby. Part of loving something or someone is looking after them and their safety. I want my cats to live nice, long lives. I want them to be fulfilled and interested and happy. I don't see how they need the outdoors to have that. I don't think keeping them indoors is "protecting cats from all perceived hazards at all costs."
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Thanks, everyone!
I think for me, reading the article was another of those moments where I realized how ethnocentric/"only-my-view-is-right" I have been in this matter thus far. Now, while my cats are indoor-only and I plan on keeping it that way, I see the other side. I never dreamed it might be a cultural issue, either, so I'll keep that in mind from now on.
Now when I'm in the backyard and the kitties are staring at me through the window, I have pangs of doubt-- am I depriving them of a rich life?
I think for me, reading the article was another of those moments where I realized how ethnocentric/"only-my-view-is-right" I have been in this matter thus far. Now, while my cats are indoor-only and I plan on keeping it that way, I see the other side. I never dreamed it might be a cultural issue, either, so I'll keep that in mind from now on.
Now when I'm in the backyard and the kitties are staring at me through the window, I have pangs of doubt-- am I depriving them of a rich life?
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I agree. It was pretty one-sided . . .but it was an interesting side to me!
Originally Posted by RedOakMomma  Went back and read the article...it seemed to "try" to give a balanced perspective, but in reality it seemed very pro-outdoor cat. It talked A LOT about the problems indoor cats can experience, and pooh-poohed the problems that outdoor cats can experience or cause. |
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There's no one-size-fits-all reality in any situation-- living creatures are unique! It sounds like you are APing your cat!
Originally Posted by TheDivineMissE The cat NEEDS outside time. He needs it like he needs oxygen. I've never had a cat that needed it like that. I've never let my cats outside. This cat I do. I take full responsibility for my decision. I will not forgive myself if something happens to him. But I can not change his nature. He was a street cat before he came to live with me. I can only hope for the best. |
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Another cat owner who would ideally have an indoor cat. Ours was half-feral when we adopted her and just prefers the outside. At least we know she's not pooping in people's yards most of the time, because she uses her little box in the garage. We had her as an indoor cat for a time and she was box-trained, but she really goes very crazy when she's trapped indoors for more than a day or two.
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Heehee...I wonder if he'd let me wear him in a Mei Tai. I'm seriously gonna try it.
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Originally Posted by Mizelenius There's no one-size-fits-all reality in any situation-- living creatures are unique! It sounds like you are APing your cat! |
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Haha! I'd love to see a pic if it works!
Originally Posted by TheDivineMissE Heehee...I wonder if he'd let me wear him in a Mei Tai. I'm seriously gonna try it.
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I didn't read the article.
It seems to me that if an animal can not be happy living as a domestic pet (that is, in the house, or outside only with supervision), then it does not qualify as a pet. An animal that "needs" to roam free is not a pet.
Most communities have leash laws which apply to cats as well as dogs. Letting a cat roam free in such a community is as illegal (and as much of a nuisance) as letting a dog roam free.
It seems to me that if an animal can not be happy living as a domestic pet (that is, in the house, or outside only with supervision), then it does not qualify as a pet. An animal that "needs" to roam free is not a pet.
Most communities have leash laws which apply to cats as well as dogs. Letting a cat roam free in such a community is as illegal (and as much of a nuisance) as letting a dog roam free.
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i want to buy a cat for my husband. he wants a siamese cat, i was thinking for christmas...does anyone know if they make good indoor cats?
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I had a cat hit on the road outside my house last week, the woman who found it (she didn't hit it) came to my door to see if it was my cat and since I have a black cat I thought maybe it was mine, though he is indoor only - it wasn't but I was really glad he was indoor only.
My friend in WA state had behavioral problems with her cats peeing everywhere and started keeping them in the garage and letting them outside (previously indoor only) and within a few months her male cat failed to come home.
Just my personal experiences, but I'd rather not have my cat outside because of them. Also, our female cat has only 3 legs and I don't think she'd be safe outside anyway. And I really don't want cats bringing ticks and other things inside.
My friend in WA state had behavioral problems with her cats peeing everywhere and started keeping them in the garage and letting them outside (previously indoor only) and within a few months her male cat failed to come home.
Just my personal experiences, but I'd rather not have my cat outside because of them. Also, our female cat has only 3 legs and I don't think she'd be safe outside anyway. And I really don't want cats bringing ticks and other things inside.
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But when we buy a house someday, I do hope to put a cat fence up so my babies can come outside with me once in awhile. That's more for me than them. Half of my cats are terrified of being outside. I have had WAY too many animals killed by raccoons or hit by cars to be pro-outdoor cats. The world has changed and it's really just not safe, IMO.
Originally Posted by RedOakMomma We've adopted all our cats as kittens (two of them were stray kittens), and we make a point of never letting them out. It was a struggle with one of our stray kittens--he still makes an attempt to dash out of the door a few times a year. His first year we experienced a few escape attempts, but were able to chase him down pretty quickly. They don't show any sustained urge to be outdoor cats, though, and they seem to thrive as outdoor cats. My (personal) reasons for not allowing outdoor time (EVER): 1. Safety. Friends of mine lost their very dear pet to an automobile, and it was so sad. I'd never forgive myself. 2. Environmental reasons. My MS is in ecology, and I've read studies on the impact of housecats/feral cats on wild bird and threatened animal populations. It's appalling, and it's so needless. 3. Cost reasons. I don't want to worry about vaccines, heartworm, worms, poisons, etc. My cats stay healthy when they're indoors. 4. My cats are gloriously happy. Indoors.
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But when we buy a house someday, I do hope to put a cat fence up so my babies can come outside with me once in awhile. That's more for me than them. Half of my cats are terrified of being outside. I have had WAY too many animals killed by raccoons or hit by cars to be pro-outdoor cats. The world has changed and it's really just not safe, IMO.
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Yes, they do. And they can be very irritable and one-person cats, so best to get one young if you have young children. They can be great with the proper treatment.
Originally Posted by Glamgurl36 i want to buy a cat for my husband. he wants a siamese cat, i was thinking for christmas...does anyone know if they make good indoor cats? |
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Siamese tend to be athletic, outgoing, friendly, very people oriented cats and they make great pets. And, every siamese pet owner I have has them indoors. I've actually never met someone who had a pedigreed cat who they let outdoors.
I think part of it is because people spend $$$ to get their purebreds and are more likely to want to "protect them".
At least that is the sentement from several of our neighbors...one of which had her cat hit by a car two doors down from her house (I was there, it was horrific to see that cat suffer it was very much alive still, with a blown pupil and paralyzed on one side)...seemed to just gloss over the fact that she'd lost her cat and say..."I'll just get another kitten (almost excitedly
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Originally Posted by Glamgurl36 i want to buy a cat for my husband. he wants a siamese cat, i was thinking for christmas...does anyone know if they make good indoor cats? |
I think part of it is because people spend $$$ to get their purebreds and are more likely to want to "protect them".
At least that is the sentement from several of our neighbors...one of which had her cat hit by a car two doors down from her house (I was there, it was horrific to see that cat suffer it was very much alive still, with a blown pupil and paralyzed on one side)...seemed to just gloss over the fact that she'd lost her cat and say..."I'll just get another kitten (almost excitedly
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