05-16-2015 at 12:15 PM

My neighbor has cats that she has had for a long time, and I think that they are fine staying outside because I've never seen them on another street. EVER.<br /> Their garage door is open 8-10 inches, so they move about freely. Yes, my neighbors have had raccoons, possums and a few snakes in her garage at times, but overall, the system that they run is fine.<br /> This is not to say that I would've let my past cats out, as they do not stay in one area. My cat Sassy got thrown outside because she knocked over another large cup of water in the living room for the millionth time, and she was gone for about a week. My late cat Simba (my stepdads cat) once they moved a street over into our new house, would escape and go back to his old house. The homeowners would call my stepdad, and he would go get Simba.<br /> <br /> I feel that there are cats meant to be outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats, and ones that live inside. It really depends on the cat. (I'm sorry that cats are killers, but we are too.)

05-7-2015 at 2:15 PM

I would love to let my cats outside, but after someone poisoned two of my previous ones, and both died within hours of being outside, I now refuse to let the remaining two outside. <br /> <br /> We attempted leash walking, both just flopped over and refused to get up.<br /> <br /> They're both kept sane by regular changing of their indoor environment, plenty of hidey spaces and things to climb.

08-30-2014 at 2:36 PM

Where I live, there are virtually no indoor only cats. The cats here are healthy, happy and normally live to an old age. Keeping indoor only cats is considered cruel. I live in a village in England and there isn't any wildlife that can kill the cats or any endangered species for the cats to kill. Most of these cats have to stay indoors at night though.

03-14-2014 at 12:54 PM

Cats do not "need" to be able to roam.<br /> <br /> There are more dangers than cars out there. There are kids who like to torture animals, especially people friendly pets. There are wild animals out there willing to kill and eat your precious pet. There are other cats roaming at large who will get in a fight with your cat. Those cats are likely to be harboring diseases such as feline leukemia, which are transmitted when these animals get into fights, leading to a long painful downward spiral towards death that you wouldn't even notice... because your cat is outdoors all the time.<br /> There are people who will find your pet to be a nuisance - pooping in their yards, peeing on the grass and killing it, killing the birds in their yard that they like to watch. Those kind of people SHOOT cats. And you know what? It was running at large - so there's nothing you can even do about it.<br /> On top of all that, there's the chance someone will just pick up your precious kitty and take it home for themselves to keep as a pet. It was roaming around on its own, obviously no one cared enough about it to keep it safe indoors.<br /> <br /> Then, THEN there's the issue of cats decimating wild bird populations. Cats are NOT native predators - they don't kill to eat. They kill for fun. Many endangered bird species are endangered because of cats being allowed to roam. Heck, I'm pretty sure I remember there being at least one bird species extinction due to cats being allowed to hunt.<br /> <br /> If you want your cat to roam, put a harness on it and go walking with it. If you think it "needs" to be outdoors, make an outdoor cat run, so your cat AND the local wildlife will be safe.

02-22-2014 at 1:05 PM

My best friend has lots of cats and they go outdoors. In around 5 years, only 1 cat has died, due to being hit by a car. I used to have a cat and he was an outdoor cat. We took him in because he was a stray and we never had any problems. Cats need to be able to roam.

05-28-2012 at 5:05 PM

I personally do not agree with outdoor cats. Not only is it dangerous for the cat itself, but as stated prior to my post, the wildlife. Cat runs are always a great option. I see no logical reason why a cat should be let outdoors.<br /> <br /> I hate when my cat gets outside. We live on a very busy street, and he could easily be hit by a car. Not to mention flees, ticks, poisonous plants, and a whole lot more!<br /> <br /> Also, if your cat adores going outside, considering taking it for on leash walks if he/she allows it.

05-28-2012 at 3:56 PM

I know what you meant, and I told you about the "outdoor cats" that have hissed and swatted me while I fed them.<br /> <br /> My cats want to be all over me 24/7. If they hear my voice, they all wake up out of a dead sleep, circle my legs and scream at me.. even when they aren't hungry.<br /> My cats are obsessed, so that generalization is incorrect as well.

05-28-2012 at 2:05 PM

Clayton, I maybe didn't articulate clearly enough what I meant with outdoor cats. I meant cats that have a home and that are let to go outside. Then they have not been reported to act aggressively indoors. Apologies for being un-clear :)<br /> <br /> And yes, as you have noticed, it is really rare to an indoor-cat act aggressively. It has only recently been brought to attention with masses. There has been no research about it, all I've heard is from the mouths of a few 100%-indoor cat-owners.<br /> <br /> I can believe that when a cat is outdoors, it wants to be alone and not to bring too much attention to themselves (except when they want the attention) Though, there may be some variation for how the cats are treated when at homes. Early socialization for each cat is important for it to trust humans. And once they have been treated badly, they are wary.

05-27-2012 at 10:14 AM

<i>"there has been discussion on various cat-forums about indoor cats having personality and aggressivity problems."</i><br /> You are incorrect to assume this. Out of the three cats I have, two of them have NEVER bit, slapped, scratched, hissed, etc out of anger. EVER. One of them is 13 years old, the other is 1. They are entirely indoor cats.<br /> The other cat will only bite or slap someone if he is being taunted and that is the ONLY TIME. He is indoor as well and is 13 years old.<br /> <br /> Outdoor cats? I've had cats hiss and slap me while I'm feeding them to read their collar tag and find their home. Feral cats are too scared to come close, but when I catch them in my trap they hiss and scream and spit and swat

05-27-2012 at 6:05 AM

I have an interesting point to add to this discussion, glad to find this here.<br /> <br /> In Finland, there has been discussion on various cat-forums about indoor cats having personality and aggressivity problems. The owners have tried everything to keep their cats happy and safe, but the cats attack their owners. And when they attack, they're really going far with it. It isn't the usual playing cat that just nibbles and kicks a little bit, they're really trying to harm their owner.<br /> <br /> No outdoor cat has reported to act like this (at least no-one has written so), so one thing that can be assumed, is that the cat just can't be a cat if it can't hunt. The cat is a perfect predator and has always been. They have been companion pets for relatively really short while. The cats were originally pest hunters and I think that it is still deeply in their genes.<br /> <br /> I have a cat and we live in a suburb (I think). She can roam freely outside and she usually stays on our yard and in the nearby forest. My cat has no problem with being aggressive, though he got into 2 cat-fights before she had the surgery. Maybe her own area has shrunken after that?

05-23-2012 at 11:33 AM

The only time my cats get outside is if they are on a leash or in the big dog cage on the porch with me

05-23-2012 at 11:04 AM

Mine WANT to be outside too(they use to be indoor outdoor when I lived with my mom)! They get some supervised time out on my balcony on my days off.

05-22-2012 at 10:34 PM

BUT TIGERRRR.<br /> My cat WANTS to be outside!! :(<br /> <br /> my dad once started up his car and didn't know there was a cat in there... needless it say it ran down the street missing half of a vital organ. No idea how it even got that far.

05-22-2012 at 8:30 PM

I understand completely. Accidents happen. Exactly why I said I would have an indoor cat. I understand what you're saying, accidents happen, all the time. However, i do, also, understand why people would let their cat roam. Not that I would. I think cats should be indoors....but i wouldn't freak out on someone for having an outdoor cat either. idk, I don't really know how to explain how i feel about outdoor cats, personally i think they SHOULD be indoors but if someone chooses to have an outdoor cat, so be it. (it's their choice) I'm not trying to sound like a bad pet owner or anything. Sorry if im coming off as that.

05-22-2012 at 8:09 PM

Just because you didn't see it happen doesn't mean it wont. No cat's aren't stupid but they also don't understand the dangers of human technology or bad humans for that matter. Volunteer at an emergency vet clinic and you'll see the dangers. My clinic isn't even an "emergency" clinic and i see it all the time!

05-22-2012 at 4:34 PM

I understand that accidents can happen. I guess my opinon is based on how I've never seen anthing bad happen to the cats that were alowed oudoors where i use to live. (And there were a ton of cats roaming there)<br /> And I'm not saying, your cat (or any other cat) should be outdoors anyway. I just wanted to state that cats aren't that stupid (usually), they can and will find their way home (well obvioulsy unless something like that happend )<br /> <br /> I'm sorry it's my opinion. I dont mean to sound like an aweful person for saying that, but its just what I believe.

05-22-2012 at 2:15 PM

These 3 pictures are from two different cats who were allowed to outdoors.<br /> <br /> <a href=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/Tigerjody/Cats/Work/Lrear.jpg>X-ray 1</a><br /> <a href=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/Tigerjody/Cats/Work/Lfront.jpg>X-ray #2 same cat</a><br /> <br /> <a href=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/Tigerjody/Cats/Work/120203_0000.jpg>VERY GRAPHIC</a> cat #2<br /> <br /> Cat #1 lost her back leg and had to wear a splint on her front (both the same side) for 6 weeks.<br /> <br /> Cat #2, that hole is where her arm USE to be. we had to go in and remove the remining 1" of her Humerus, clean it up and hope we got all the infection out<br /> <br /> Both cats were the result of being outdoors and finding a nice warm engine to sleep on...<br /> <br /> We also recently put a kitten down who was attacked by a dog. IDK how many Hit By Car kitties we get along with many other problems...<br /> <br /> Now explain to me how "cats are very independent creatures, they can and will find their way home." helped those cats?

05-21-2012 at 9:09 PM

@Clayton: I agree, yes, a cat could get into a bit of trouble. Like i'm not saying I would want my cat (if i had one) to get out, but i just realise that it's not the end of the world if a cat gets out. because people here usually keep there dogs indoors anyway. Also as I said before cats are very independent creatures, they can and will find their way home. <br /> <br /> But yeah, I wouldn't willingly let my cat out to roam (again, If i had one). I understand that it is a pain for other people and a cat could get into trouble.

05-21-2012 at 8:50 PM

I would freak out if my cats got outdoors, because they won't hesitate to chase squirrels and the squirrels around here get mange an awful lot. Not to mention, my male won't hesitate to attack wild animals and he could get diseases.<br /> <br /> Plus, if someone's dog escapes.. my cat has no possible chance at "defending himself" against a dog that wants to play with a cat like a ragdoll. Just being realistic here.

05-21-2012 at 7:51 PM

Well, I think letting a cat roam is "fine" (for the cat and owner anyway) even though there are some good reasons to keep your cat indoors. I mean, if I had a cat it would be an indoor cat but if he/she somehow got out I wouldn't freak out about it bacuase I understand that cats aren't "helpless" animals, and they can find their way home. <br /> <br /> Back when I was younger I would always see cats (and sometimes dog, oh no) running around without an owner, they never got lost or hurt (that I know of). what I'm trying to say is, cats are very independent animals, if they are given some freedoms (like roaming the neighborhood) they could probebly handle it.<br /> ----------<br /> However I realise the downside to outdoor cats. Like first off, I like to know where my pets are, I want to know they are safe. Also what whould the neighbors think? Well, trust me, I know.....cuz when i was younger [as i said] cats roamed all around the neighborhood. Cat's whould constantly be in our yards. And half the time the cats would dig up the gardens and kill our fish!!! And this was when i was really little, I still remember, we had outdooor like pond fish and this cat would always come around and kill our fish, I was heartbroken.....they dug up my mom's flowers and plus my mom was allergic, that's not good considering she couldn't get the cats out when they were ruining her flowers. <br /> <br /> Also, as a little kid with unknown cats roaming around, i got scared a few times. This one time at my friends house me and my friend realised this cat we've never seen before in her yard.....we were so freaked out, what if he was rabbid, what if he bit us, etc. We didn't know what to do because if we ran he would have chased us (and definatly caught us). <br /> <br /> Plus I even get hissed at by a cat in my yard....it's like it's my yard cat, you don't tell me to get out of my yard... =.= <br /> <br /> Some people.. i don't understand. don't they realise what their cat could be doing to other people, their pets, and their yards? <br /> <br /> So people should just keep their cat indoors.