Are your cats indoor or outdoor?

[cassiesmom]

Cassie is strictly an inside gal. If I carry her, she will go out on the balcony, but that's it. My fur-nephew Milo is allowed on the screened-in porch, but he can't go all the way outside without his leash on. He likes the porch because he can see, hear and smell everything that's happening outside. He's not too keen on the leash concept though. Same thing with my best friend and her cat. Outdoors on the balcony only; for the yard at their summer home, she must have her leash on.

[carole]

Gosh this thread keeps getting brought up alot on this site, anyhow my cats are indoor/outdoor, 95 per cent of cats in NZ are all, i am not saying i totally agree with it, and after being on PT i have realised indoor with an outdoor protected area would be ideal, and what is on my wish list, but it is neither financially viable or practical where i live at the moment, i keep my cats strictly indoor at night times, and two of my cats practically live indoors during the day anyway.

I am at home all day to supervise the cats as much as humanely possible, i know it is not ideal and i do fear for them at times,many times, but i do my best to ensure their safety, i had looked into cat fencing some of my property but it was way out of my reach financially and i also needed my neighbours consent, and i did approach her but she was not too keen because it does not look that great,and even a small part of the section could not be fenced off, it just was impossible to do.

In nz they would think you totally nuts if you kept your cat indoors, and when i say i keep them in at night they still think i am a bit weird, but i donot care, they are the ones who need educating IMO.

However i do have to respectfully disagree with the average life span of an outdoor cat being only 2 years, mine are 12,8,6 and approx 4, the eight and Four year old living a dangerous existence before i adopted them,and i know many nz cats that are well into their senior years of 16 and more.

[columbine]

In. No fleas, disease, traffic, dogs, catfights, raccoon/porcupine/opossum fights, thieves, or crazies. Just safe food that doesn't bite or rot, clean water, toys, catnip, cuddles, and comfy places to snooze!

Love, Columbine

[Glacier]

Mine are indoor, but they have a large outdoor enclosure that is escape proof, dog proof, predator proof ect. Boots and Felicia use the enclosure the most. Puff and Ivy won't go in it at all. The others go out occasionally.

[sweetpatata6]

Oreo is indoor/outdoor. He's allowed inside if someone's home I answered other. Nothing to worry about seeing he's been an out door cat for 9 years

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

My boys are indoor only, but do have the option of going out on the balcony. They enjoy laying in the fresh air, sunbathing and watching the birds. So I put other, since my cats' only outdoor space is my balcony.

[Freedom]

4 are indoor only.

4 go out in the backyard, which is fenced in, only IF we are out watching them. This summmer, we've been so busy with all the dogs that the cats only got outside maybe 6 or 7 times.

We have coyotes in the neighborhood, along with all the other things columbine mentioned. Just in 2007, 15 cats and 4 dogs that I know of have gone missing, we think to the coyotoes. It's Nature. The coyotes were here first, so we have to live WITH them. Some people want them moved or even shot, but I disagree with that. They ARE gorgeous to see.

I also believe cats should be indoor only.

I get SO irritated when I look on craigslist and someone hasn't seen their outdoor cat for 3 or 4 days. What did they expect to happen? Geesh.

[catmandu]

COMPLETELY INDOORS AS TOO MANY BAD THINGS HAVE HAPENED TO THE PORCH CATS FOR ME TO TAKE A CHANCE THAT THE LESS STREET SAVY LUCKY FOUND CATS WOULD DO ALL THAT WELL OUTSIDE.

A NEW POUNCER ROCCALNO, SORRY ITS DARK BUT SHES SHY AND SKITTISH AS ALL GET OUT.

[KitCat]

Cocoa is an indoor cat with outdoor excursions. He is the reason we made the screened porch, and he's allowed out there all year in FL if we are around (we keep the door slightly opened so he can get to his food, water, and litter). He also is allowed in the fenced backyard. He has old injuries so he doesn't jump very high, and I kept a close eye on him for a year to make sure he wouldn't escape. I still check on him every 2 or 3 hours now, just to make sure. He's only allowed in the yard when it's light because the toxic frogs come out at night. I occasionally let him in the front yard under strict supervision, and if we go out of the yard, he wears a leash.

[moosmom]

I have 5 cats. They are ALL indoors. I do take MooShoo out for a stroll in the park behind our apt. in his Moo-Mobile. It's good exercise for me and he loves the fresh air and attention.

[Pawla]

I would NEVER let mine out! I suffered too many heartaches as a child because my grandfather wouldn't let them come inside, and they ended up dead. I always said that when I grew up they would be inside only. I get so upset when I see one on the road that has been hit. It especially bothers me if they have a collar on, because I know they belonged to someone. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't know where my baby was.

[slleipnir]

Mine stay in, but they have a window they can use to go outside into a little closed off area...not in the winter though. It's too cold to leave the window open.