Is your cat an inside cat or out? My Fuzzy cat is a outside cat. He loves showing his wild side, bringing home dead birds and mice is another story though :rolleyes:..
I'd like to see how many cats are outside compared to inside. :)
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Is your cat an inside cat or out? My Fuzzy cat is a outside cat. He loves showing his wild side, bringing home dead birds and mice is another story though :rolleyes:..
I'd like to see how many cats are outside compared to inside. :)
My baby is indoor ONLY.
Why?
To keep her safe from cars, dogs, other cats, getting lost and disease. So that she can live a longer, healthier, happier life.
My 3 are also indoor only. :)
My three are indoor ONLY, unless they are wearing a leash and I'm outside with them. It just isn't safe enough to let cats roam outside.
Luna is also kept indoors. I've seen to many lose their lives in the streets... Too many dangers out there.
Kirsten
Inside ONLY!!! I've lost to many cats as a kid to the traffic, and I don't want to loose any more:mad: !My house is large enough for playing!!:D
as i found out there is quite a debate on whether u should keep your cats indoors or both, as i mentioned here in nz its almost unheard of keeping cats indoors only except for show cats and breeders, in fact alot of people would consider it cruel to do so, however i know those who do keep them indoors may consider it cruel to let them out.
It is certainly quite different in our country to the big u.s. of A.
I can personally see benefits to both points of view, but yes my cats will be in and out, it has been a hard decision fo me to make with my new cat lexie, and i hope i dont live to regret it, but it is almost impractical to do otherwise in aoetearoa.
Its a personal thing, and at least inside they are away from many dangers, but i do worry about the danger of fire if kept inside permanently.
Anyhow i dont believe either of us are wrong to keep them indoors only or in and out, u must do what u want and think is right for your pet, we all love them dearly and do what we think is for the best cheers carole:)
Both mine are inside/outside cats. (Well Milly will be when she has finished her shots)
It's also an English thing too. Although the more I think about it, the safer inside cats must be. If George stays outside for hours (which he is doing with the nice weather) I do worry about him. But George doesn't go far just to the front or back garden, wherever the sun is, Milly will probually go further a field and could cross a road or two. (That's worrying)Quote:
Originally posted by Carole...as i mentioned here in nz its almost unheard of keeping cats indoors only except for show cats and breeders, in fact alot of people would consider it cruel to do so, however i know those who do keep them indoors may consider it cruel to let them out.
George really enjoys the garden and Milly is acting like a POW as she can't leave the house for two more weeks (Not finished her shots yet) Milly runs to any open door and headbutts the cat flap trying to get outside. George was also very unhappy when we first adopted him and he had to stay inside for several weeks. But they were both strays used to being outside when we adopted them.
I don't think our inside/outside cats would be happy being indoors all the time.
Though if you kept them inside from being kittens, I bet they would be just as happy being indoors. (and taking outdoor walks on leases)
Good points Carole and PayItFoward! I'm in NZ now, and it is nearly unheard of to keep your cat indoors. It's seen as cruel and taking cats away from their natural habitat.
Having come from the States, I was alarmed that there were so many cats outside without collars. I thought they were strays, but Sam assured me that was simply the way things were done here. I even had a cat that followed me around university, which was excellent.:) I called her Buttercup and she often walked me to my religious studies classes. Since I lived across the street from uni, she spent a couple of nights and days with Sam and me. ;)
But now that Sam and I are moving back to the States, I will be making Boo an indoor only. We will have to see how leashing goes, as Boo is generally snippy and bitey with all things dangly. But I will not let him outside in the States because it is not a cat-loving country like NZ. I don't trust the number of crazy people that find torturing animals (especially cats) humourous and I know that because of the way US cities are developed, there is more harm traffic-wise.
I can see both sides of the argument, but I think in an ideal world, cats would thrive in an indoor/outdoor environment and be allowed to do so without the constant threat of being killed by crazies or cars. It's ideal for the cats in that they have adequate stimulation and exercise. The cats in the States are HUGE compared to the cats here.
INDOOR ONLY
why?
cars
bad people
wildlife with rabies
strays with FIP, FeLV, FIV and other transmittable diseases
pesticides on peoples lawns
antifreeze and other automotive products
tick, fleas and other parasites with the possibility of even more disease
dogs
extremes in temperature
skunks
pollution (could get into poisons in people's garbage)
getting injured and not being able to make it home
need I go on?
One day I read a statistics that said cats in Germany that go out have an average lifespan of 2 years.
I live in a suburban neighborhood and most of our neighbors have outdoor cats. We have seen so many that died by a car accident or just vanished. There was even an article in the newspaper (in a very serious one) that black cats vanish and are stolen by satanists:eek: :mad:
So F+T are indoor only. They have a balcony with a net around and in summer when we have lots of flowers there I'll post some pictures of them on the balcony:)
Indoor only- always have been and always will be
12 year old Naomi is allowed loose in the garden with me.
Ember & Mystery are allowed out in a harness on a flexi-leash.
Indy will be introduced to the harness and flexi this coming summer and Asia will have to wait until she is big enough for a harness.
No one is allowed out unattended. Coyotes, hawks, owls, fox and fishercats are a huge threat in my area.
INDOORS ONLY- they do have shorter lives if they're outdoors all the time. There's a lot of dangers out there, cars, other animals, diseases, people.........and a lot of other things too. I'll never let mine go out without me there and tehm on a leash.
Sally lives indoors ONLY, except if she is out on a walk with her harness on.
It would be hard to have a dog and cat, and have them go outside at different times. Plus, there are many dangers.
My friend has three cats, all outdoors. I am suprised she still keeps them outdoors because:
One got hit by a car
Two have gone to the hospital after getting in fights with other cats
One got stuck under the porch
And that's just the three they have. Their other kitten was killed by a car at a young age.
After hearing of all these accidents, I will never let my cats outdoors.
To add onto that, we live near the woods, and there are many thingsd that could be hazarous out there; ticks, diseases, possums, etc.
I dont agree the have shorter lives if kept outdoors and in :).. my cat is 11 years old and has been an outside cat his whole life. :)..Quote:
INDOORS ONLY- they do have shorter lives if they're outdoors all the time. There's a lot of dangers out there, cars, other animals, diseases, people.........and a lot of other things too. I'll never let mine go out without me there and tehm on a leash.
My street is a safe one though. lotsa other cats, my cat is the boss of the street though. My street has hardly any cars and ppl watch for cats and dogs, and mosty kids because that is mostly what runs our street lol.. the speed limit on my street is 20 km..
My kitty comes home every day to eat and sleep and when it is stormy out. He loves commi home to his nice confy bed after a fun days play :).. he just crashes with my mom and takes up all the covers lol.
"Inside ONLY!!! I've lost to many cats as a kid to the traffic, and I don't want to loose any more !My house is large enough for playing!!"
EXACTLY the same thing here. When I was younger, and not really able to make any rules haha, my parents always wanted the cats indoor/outdoor, cause thats just how they always did it, and theres no litter box to clean, and they stay healthy with all the exercise, and they just love it outside, which is true. But! We've had 3 cats disapear, and 2 cats hit by a car, one killed, the other (Felicity) is still with us, THANKFULLY, but after a 5 hour surgery, and quite a few problems (she has an EXTREMELY sensitive digestive system, and throws up often, and her tail used to be held straight up, but now it kinda curls funny over her back). So once we moved into the house we are in now, 2 Novembers ago, we kept them indoor for a while, like we always do when we move, so they can get used to the new house and stuff, and not get lost when we let them outside again. So since we had to get a litterbox for that, I finally just decided/was able to con my parents into letting me, keep them indoor only. And even though we've had the number of loses we've had, my parents still think they should be indoor/outdoor... *sigh* Luckily Im in charge of the kitties now, and what I say goes with them! But our backyard is fully fenced, 6 feet, so I let them out (always supervised) as often as I can, cause they love to explore, and smell the smells. :) Felicity is declawed (also a decision I didnt make :mad: ) so I dont worry about her climbing out, and Felix is too skittish, so I know he'd never even want to leave our backyard. I dont think he ever did when he was an outdoor cat at our old house! Our backyard was huge there too so he didnt really need to leave it. lol
Anyhoo.. thats just my experience! The way I see it is its better safe than sorry. I mean, if you think its just not gonna happen to your cat, well, it IS highly possible! I mean, just look at how many of us on PT have had it happen to us! And we arent even the majority ya know? Tons of cats are killed by cars, disease, other animals, etc by being outdoor cats all over the world, its just a fact. I mean, is it even worth the chance??? This is your beloved kitty's life you're gambling with, ya know? They have outdoor enclousers you can buy for them, or you can build them yourself. You can get a cat door and have it lead out to the outdoor enclosure so they can still go potty outside, and play outside, but still be safe. I mean, its just not something that should be questioned, in my opinion anyway. :) :rolleyes:
But as I said, I have been in the situation where my parents were in charge and I didnt think I had any say. But back then I wasnt fully aware of the arguements for indoor only. No one was telling me, ya know? And I dont think I ever associated us losing 4 cats to them being outdoor! lol I guess I thought it was just they way things were, ya know? So, if any of you are in that situation, fight back! lol Tell your parents you dont think the life of your beloved pet is something worth gambling with, and please please can s/he stay indoors from now on?? :D And be sure to promise (and followthrough! lol!!) that you'll clean the litterbox. Because s/he's worth is right?!?! Thats what I thought! :D hehe
When my old kitty, Ichiro, came to live with us he was indoor/outdoor. He was a stray that just showed up at our house once and never left (we tried to find his home, but no one claimed him), but we were happy to have him :D (even though my mom is EXTREMELY alergic to cats). She was constantly taking alergy pills :rolleyes: But we just fell in love with the sweet kitty. Since he was so accoustomed to being outside we let him out whenever he pleased. Unfortunatly, after only 9 months of living with us he was hit by a car and killed just a few house down the street. And our street is NOT at all a busy road. :( It was very sad, I wish I would've kept him indoor, but he just loved going out so much... :( If I ever got another cat it would be indoor only.
I had a cat for about a day that was an indoor cat her name was Tiger she was Declawed, she couldent defend her self against my dog so we had to give her back to the previouse owners, it was sad :(..
That is your opinion. Everything you read says that indoor kitties live longer lives. You and the people with older outdoor kitties are lucky. If you could bottle that and sell, you would make alot of money.Quote:
Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
I dont agree the have shorter lives if kept outdoors and in :).. my cat is 11 years old and has been an outside cat his whole life. :)..
.
My Kylie is INDOORS, except for the occasionally sneaking outside with I am propping the door open to carry stuff in.
it has nothing to do with opinion. it is just fact.Quote:
That is your opinion.
Indoor only and will always be that way. I live on a second floor so they are allowed on the balcony with me when it is nice out, but they are never allowed downstairs. I've seen a few of my neighbors cats hit and killed by cars and thought, " Poor baby, if only you were kept inside". Then to see the City truck come by and just throw the cat in the back of their truck is just too heartbreaking.
My oldest brother's cat was an outdoor cat because he and his wife felt that it was natural for them to be outside. Their cat was hit and killed by a car when he was only 3 years old. They have another cat now and keep him indoors as they do not want to go through another traumatic experience like the first one.
Jenluckenbach, your list as to why your kitty should stay inside, is right on.
I agree with all that Jen posted as for reasons. I also have to add that it just plain isn't fair to your neighbors for your cats to be running loose outside. They often will use flower beds as litter boxes...can eat harmful outdoor plants, get into cat fights in the middle of the night or early morning or break the hearts of those of us who keep our cats indoors and are worrying if that cat is a stray or someone's pet that just seems to like your place better. Besides it breaks my heart everytime I see a dead cat on the road. It is bad enough having to deal with the dead wildlife. Why should those of us who care also have to deal with dead pets.
Denyce
Oh...my four are INDOORS ONLY except with close supervision and only 1 or 2 at a time.
I feel guilty posting this after reading everybodies replies but Marigold is an inside/outside come & go as she wants to kind of kitty. When we first adopted her, we had in mind that she would be indoors only, and for the first 3 or 4 months she was content with that. However she soon became very antsy and it became obvious to us that she wanted to be free. She would sit at the window/doors and meow so pitifully, and even quit eating. Soon after that, she started peeing everywhere in the house. We had her vet-checked to make sure it was nothing medical, and we made the decision that she could come & go as she pleased. It has made a big difference in her personality, and she loves to run & play, and climb trees. She a happy little girl now, and I think that that's important, too.
You know what, that isnt a problem here, because we have a HUGE hill in the back like a mountain kinda, all the cats use that :). And noone cares if a cat was in their yard because everyone on our street owns at least one cat :).Quote:
I agree with all that Jen posted as for reasons. I also have to add that it just plain isn't fair to your neighbors for your cats to be running loose outside. They often will use flower beds as litter boxes...
Exactly what I was going to say, but take out three and put in five for me. :)Quote:
Originally posted by Nomilynn
My three are indoor ONLY, unless they are wearing a leash and I'm outside with them. It just isn't safe enough to let cats roam outside.
to Jen and the others, your points are valid for keeping cats inside, i have no argument with that, but i just want to say we donot have rabies in nz, antifreeze does not appear to be a problem here and many of the other things u mentioned, of course u do run the risk of cat fights, traffic and the possibility of cruelty.
but as soledad has reinforced my points it is seen as cruel here in nz to take the cat out of its natural habitat.
Most people in general donot mind their gardens being used by the cats for litter boxes or shoo them away anyhow, i think in apartment buildings keeping a cat inside is practical even in nz.
But we have large sections alot of us fully fenced and not the kinda of traffic u have over there,
As i have said before nz is a very cat loving country, u get your monster people here too just the same, they are everywhere.
As for picking up diseases well i keep my cats vaccinated so the chances are not very high.
I am a very responsible cat owner , i want u all to be assured of that, and whether we differ on our opinions i respect your reasons to keep your pussycats indoors, if it works for you then great.
If i lived in usa i think i would have to rethink indoor outdoor from what u folks have said, kinda scares me to think its that bad there, your pussycats arent even safe.
However i c there are some indoor/outdoor cat owners there too, i am sure they have weighed up the pros and cons.
:)
I tried to post this much earlier but my computer messed up! :O Anyhoo.. here it is..
"it has nothing to do with opinion. it is just fact."
maybe in your case it is a fact, but the truth is, the FACT is, statistics have proven, and the arguments on both sides also prove, that indoor cats are safer, and because of that have a longer life, and your cat has just been lucky. I was trying to find some specific statistics online, and I couldnt, but I found this very interesting article. It was written by a woman who originally felt outdoor was best for her cats, and depending on your situation, and your cats, outdoor vs. indoor is a personal decision. Which it really is, however you cannot deny the fact that there are a lot of risks involved in allowing your cat free rein outdoors. (And as I said in my previous post, *personally* I feel that no matter how small the risk may be, its not one worth taking when it comes to my pets). But anyhoo!! dont mean to preach.. :O And anyway, since one of her cats got FIV from being outdoor, she changed her opinion, and wrote a revised article. So, here it is!:
http://cats.about.com/library/weekly/aa102400a.htm
My favourite part of it was this:
"I don't believe in statements beginning with, "If you love your cat, you'll..." We humans feel different degrees of love for our cats and express our love in different ways, and my stance on the indoor-outdoor issue is not "proof" one way or another of loving my cat more than the next guy.
However, I do believe in personal responsibility for our decisions, and ultimately, our wrong decisions may cost us the loss of a very good friend and family member."
I just found another site listing pros and cons, and it has these statistics:
"Inside Cats:
have a life span of 12 - 20 years
Outside Cats:
have a life span of only 1 - 5 years"
I dont know where they got the lifespan statistics, but I assume they didnt make them up! lol
at this site I also found this:
Causes of rural cat mortality (Illinois, Warner 1985) were: Vehicles 37%
Disease 24
Humans 11
Dogs 10
Winter Storms 6
Machinery 4
Farm Chemicals 4
Livestock 1
"Old Age" 1
So anyhoo.. just wanted to share those
Quote:
Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
I dont agree the have shorter lives if kept outdoors and in :).. my cat is 11 years old and has been an outside cat his whole life. :)..
I don't know why you think its a fact when there are statistics everywhere backing up that indoor only cats live longer.Quote:
it has nothing to do with opinion. it is just fact.
Its no one's opinion that indoor only cats have longer lifespans, there have been studies to prove it true. Of course there will be exceptions to the rule, there always is. As Staci said, you are lucky that your cat is one of the exceptions.
(Whoops, sorry Veegan, I just said the same thing you already did. I'm tired and didn't read all the posts before i posted :o )
All of those except old age could have been prevented :( I know accidents do happen, but simply keeping cats indoors would have prevented most all of those things.Quote:
Originally posted by veegan
Causes of rural cat mortality (Illinois, Warner 1985) were: Vehicles 37%
Disease 24
Humans 11
Dogs 10
Winter Storms 6
Machinery 4
Farm Chemicals 4
Livestock 1
"Old Age" 1
Definately indoor ONLY!
This is because mainly of the reasons that Jen gave but also because the wildlife of Australia are being decimated by irresponsible cat (and dog) owners.
Bastet also has a full set of claws - declawing - except for severe cases of trauma to the feet - is banned in Australia - It is considered highly inhumane. I wonder if humans would like their first knuckle removed then have to walk on them....
She also goes outside only on a leash and only with me.
My parents' last 2 indoor/outdoor cats show the extremes that can be found. The last cat they owned, Hamlet, lived to be 14 so being both inside AND out did him no harm. And except for the occasional dead bird or baby bunny, HE did no harm.
BUT!!!
Ernie actually killed the neighbor's PET pigeons before we realized that het was leaving the yard. AND he dissappeared with no trace after only 3 years. We do not even know what fate befell him.:(
WOW!! I see from the comments that there will never be a consensus of opinion here!! That is as it should be, but I vote for "indoor" only and my three TUX beauties seem to be very happy with that state of affairs.
It is true that the average outdoor cat lives an average of 2 years. As for indoor kitties, well, with all the advances in veterinary medicine and nourishment, they can live for 20 years or more. It seems like a "no brainer" to me, but I know that many people feel that a cat is not a "real cat" or living a "real cat's" life, if it does not feel the grass under its little padded feet. Those people are definitely entitled to their opinion, but I remain steadfast to my viewpoint which is strictly indoor.
Just my humble opinion from
Deborah in Montreal, proud owner of Prima (almost 16 years), Picasso, (6 years) and Piano (one year) :):rolleyes:
Growing up, my cats were always indoor/outdoor (whenever they pleased) but then again, we were always in suburbs or in the country. They lived to ripe old ages of 18, 16 and 13 (she's still alive). But once I moved out and got my own 2 cats, they are and always will be indoor kitties. They were born to be outdoor cats (born in a barn, lived there until 6-8 weeks old) but I have lived in an apartment and being on the 4th floor, going outside other than the balcony was not an option. Now that I have moved and am in a house, I don't let them out still because they've grown up not knowing the dangers outside, plus we don't really have a yard with 2 busy streets near and big dogs loose, I wouldn't dream of letting them out now.
I think its mostly personal preference and neither one of them are 'creul'... just like some people can't live in the confines of the city, some cats can't live strictly indoors (and vice versa).
I do think it's unsafe to raise a kitten indoors then later let them out, especially if it trusts everyone and other animals.
JMO
- Carole
wrong again.Quote:
Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
it has nothing to do with opinion. it is just fact.
As Aly and Veegan stated you and the others who have outdoor kitties are just lucky. My neighbors just lost a 12 year old indoor/outdoor cat to pneumonia. They were lucky but they lost 2 dogs to antifreeze under the age of 5.
The fact of the matter is as Veegan stated indoor cats live longer. I am not saying b/c your cat is outdoor or indoor/outdoor that you love them less, so don't go accusing me of that either.
My 12 year old cousin, has a dozen or so outdoor kitties and she loves them with all her little heart and if one of the kittens dies she holds it so it dies in her arms.
Whatever works for you. You aren't going to be able to acclimate him indoors now, and you certainly aren't going to take anyone's advice, which is par for the course.
This is apparently almost as hot of a topic as declawing, and people feel very very strongly about that, so please Don't start that topic just to start it.
thats a very interesting article you posted, we could go on and on about this debate.
It just is not practical here in nz, and is not done, thats my point, again its a personal decision and some people here also do choose the indoor option but its not common.
There are of course dangers, i agree and nz has them too, but we certainly donot have a lot of the ones jen mentioned.
I really find the statistics that indoor live a lot longer garbage, as i said i grew up on a farm and our cats lived to ripe old ages, and even the ones in town also, however its not always the case.
I am sorry if you differ with my opinion, but i cannot bear the thought of my cats never enjoying the beautiful days here in nz, amongst the trees in my garden, chasing butterflies etc, by the way i do keep my cats in at night, and i think that is where the real danger lies.
No one however has addressed my real concern if they are indoor and there is a fire how do they get out?
I know u will probably say the risk of that happening is far less than something outdoors and u are probably right, but it can and does happen.:)
Do you have a cat door that the cats can go in and out by themselves?Quote:
Originally posted by carole
.
No one however has addressed my real concern if they are indoor and there is a fire how do they get out?
If yes) I hope they can find it in a fire
if no) then the problem STILL exists.
I worry about this, but I can't run my life thinking EVERYDAY that this is going to be the day they die in a fire. Fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds or small mammals that are kept as pets in cages and dogs and cats who do not have their own doors are also at risk.
I am glad that NZ is so safe, But we here in the USA just cannot understand what we have never seen.
And the statistics that show the life span differences will, of course, not apply to each and every cat who ever lived.
Just for the record, I do not get angry at those who choioe to let their cats outside (oh yea, until I see a dead cat on the road) I just feel sad for them.
My cats are and always will be ... INDOOR ONLY.
I totally agree with Jen's reasons..
I want my cats to live long, healthy, happy lives, and I feel the only way I can do this, is to keep them inside, and If I ever DO get the room to let them out, that would ONLY be considered with them on a leash and me RIGHT there watching where they sniff...
people are cruel, and I will do what I can to prevent their cruelty from coming to my babies.
There are too many more dangers outside to warrant me letting my babies go out there. They will just have to be happy with a screen window / screened in porch.
I used to live in the country and we had a barn, with barn cats that came with it... I don't think any but ONE was seen around more than 2 yrs max.. and the one that was seen, was because she got used to us, and we took her inside, where she happily adjusted to life as an indoor baby!
but its just my opinions on the matter.