Are your cats indoor or outdoor?

[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.

[critter crazy]

Both my cats are indoor only cats(well till the dogs let them out ) Mocha used to go out with me for walks around the property, but our vet suggested she be a strictly indoor cat, because of her health issues.

[kittycats_delight]

All 5 of mine are 100% indoor only. We have had an escape by Bella (remember she was feral for almost the first year of her life and is inside not quit 6 months yet), and one escape by Vixen (brother in law left the door open and she went for a stroll around the yard and couldn't get back in cause the guy upstairs closed the door. she waited on the step to scamper inside when i got home as fast as she could go )Vega is terrified of outdoors and phoenix couldn't care less. Little mr frost is becoming interested but we shall nip that in the bud. He is going to be neutered on monday.

[Medusa]

My cats are all indoor, safer that way. Perfect world, they'd be indoor/outdoor. When I was growing up, our cats came in during the day and went out at night. They also died young. The average life span of an indoor cat is 17 years, an outdoor cat, 2 years. So, I keep my fur posse in and safe but I still wish I could let them out.

[G535]

Indoors only.

Who cares if some neighbors think I'm crazy, at least my cat is safe.

[jennielynn1970]

Cocoa is an indoor cat with outdoor excursions.... He's only allowed in the yard when it's light because the toxic frogs come out at night.

TOXIC FROGS?! Holy cow!!!

[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.

[Tora Oni]

Uh I put outdoor on accident, because Stormy is and indoor cat with outdoor privlage. He was an outdoor cat when we found him and we haven't had any problems with dogs and other cats which he will freely chase the cats off his territory. Having a dog thats allowed out and a Cat thats already use to being allowed out it wouldn't matter if I didn't want him out because I don't make the rules of the house, even if he is my cat.

[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.

[Logan]

Please don't attack me, but I'm going to be honest. I chose "other" on the poll.

Butter was a stray, an adult stray, when he showed up at my house, almost 7 years ago. Butter comes and goes at will. He sticks close to home and we now require him to stay indoors at night because there have been coyote incidents where at least 3 cats have been killed. He's done pretty well with his new restrictions, though, and doesn't beg to go outdoors until around 6 am or so. He has full use of his claws and teeth, and believe me, they are quite dangerous!! I have been his victim many, many times.

I guess we could have forced Butter to be an indoor only cat, but he would not have been happy, nor would I have been. We reached a mutual agreement, long ago, where he and I decided to take the risk and let him have his freedom when he wants it. And he hasn't abused it at all. We've moved once, and he adjusted beautifully.

Mimi, Butter's "sister", who left us last year at age 17, was also an indoor/outdoor kitty. One thing I learned is that it is hard to "un do" the going outdoors thing, once they have experienced it. Mimi became an indoor/outdoor kitty when I was pregnant and married to my ex husband. I think Mimi moved 7 times in her life, and she handled it beautifully. We were lucky.

I know that no cat rescue group would adopt to me since my cats have historically come and gone at will. I have been lucky. These two chose to stick close to home, lounge on the deck with the dogs, and not venture far at all. But I also know that every time Butter walks out the door, there is a risk. I hope it is minimal. We don't have stray dogs in our neighborhood. There are no other outdoor cats that I know of. And I know that our Butter enjoys his time outdoors, but he really does prefer to be indoors with us, especially in the winter time.

I applaud all of you who have succeeded in having indoor only cats. I don't know that I ever would have one to stay inside all the time since there are many days when our doors are open for the dogs to come and go. I guess that is one reason why we haven't added another cat to our home since Mimi's death. I know what needs to happen, but I don't know that I can provide the safe home environment that a cat would need to be indoor only, at this point.

By the way, I have a sassy boy, Butter, right beside me as I type. He is feisty, but he is precious.

Logan

[orangemm]

Since we have had our boys, their feet have never touched outside dirt (or concrete, etc). They were abandoned as kittens, so they lead a very spoiled (and safe) life!

We took in a cat years ago who was used to being outside a lot; we had him neutered hoping it would "calm" him down, made sure he was healthy and had his shots. He kept trying to escape. It was awful trying to keep him in and I was so scared because our neighborhood had a lot of traffic.

Sure enough, one day he managed to escape and I couldn't find him until the next day. Someone had hit him in our alley and he was lying by the back hedge. I remember crying for hours; I wanted to give him a good life and he ended up getting killed.

My guys will NEVER go out.