Discussion Topic: Indoors Or Out?

[stang1]

Indoors...

My family owned a cat when we I was young and he was adorable. We'd had him from a kitten for about 6 years and he was always out and about as we lived in a small, quiet village. Sadly, someone decided to poison him and we never found out who it was and why they'd done it.
Where I used to live, I owned 6 cats who were out and about all the time. We lost 2 of them within 6 months of each other after they were knocked down by cars.
Our cat Willow, is about 8 years old and is very much an indoor cat. The road we live on isn't necessarily busy but there are the occassional boy racers who like to drive like maniacs. Our next door neighbour also owns several cats who are always fighting with other neighbourhood moggies. Because of these reasons, we decided to keep Willow as an indoor cat.
She will venture into the back garden now and again but never wanders far, she will also come in the house when I do.

 

[Morquinn]

can completely appreciate that. I dont view any other persons cat as any different to the squirrels, birds, foxes, hedgehogs, frogs and any number of other animals that come into my garden though so it doesnt bother me, just another animal passing through.

Wild animals are acts of nature and shouldn't be put into the same category as someones pet (which in most cases pets are considered property) Someones cat digging in the garden to use as the bathroom, is destroying someones personal property. If a person were to come into someones yard and dig up their garden, wouldnt that be considered vandalism?

Why should cats be different then dogs... shouldnt people still be held accountable for what damage their pet does to someones property? Whether a dog comes in and attacks another dog, reprecussions arise from that.. because the dog who is meant to be in the yard, is the persons property, the dog which is not on the leash is disobeying the law. I think the reason cats arent heard of that often, is because people dont think of it the same way.

The first animal I ever hit with my car was an orange cat, which died. I felt extremely bad for the cat, and cried over it, but got angry with the owner and how it could've been prevented.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

two words: pellet gun. just pump it *very slightly* and aim for the rear flank. you may want to test it with a bag of flour or something first to make sure you won't break the skin.

You would hurt an animal for doing what comes natrually?

yep. you don't let your dog pee on the sofa, do you? a slight pop with a pellet gun is very effective at training cats not to kill birds for sport. i would put effort into not wounding or killing the cat, but i'm not opposed to a slight sting to the rear end.

starving cats raid garbage. roaming house cats stalk the bird feeders. there's no denying that cats kill for sport. is there a particular reason that you support the decimation of our natural wildlife?

 

[catxx]

i don't think shooting at a cat is going to stop it killing birds. it might stop them killing birds at that particular feeder or garden, but it'll just find somewhere else. they're smart animals.

the only way i'd have an indoors cat is if it was an exceptionally large house and i was there all the time.

as it is my cat that lives with my dad in a reasonably small house, she's used to outdoors, she's 8 years old and stuck in her ways now. she knows to yowl at the door or march through the cat flap. my dad works long hours (8am-8pm usually), if she was stuck inside on her own the furniture would be COMPLETELY destroyed, rather than just slightly destroyed at the moment. (and i'd never declaw a cat). i've always had outdoors/indoors cats, and i wouldn't have it any other way. yes i have lost one to a busy road, but the other was extremely streetwise and lived to the grand old age of 14 in south london. they will kill wildlife yes, my cat now prefers mice to birds though, easier to catch. she's been taunted by a neurotic female blackbird lately though, the longest alarm call so far has gone on 3 hours, with it bouncing about in front of her nose. the bird is dicing with death there heh.

 

[Lynda B]

Why should cats be different then dogs... shouldnt people still be held accountable for what damage their pet does to someones property? Whether a dog comes in and attacks another dog, reprecussions arise from that.. because the dog who is meant to be in the yard, is the persons property, the dog which is not on the leash is disobeying the law. I think the reason cats arent heard of that often, is because people dont think of it the same way.

Bingo! Even the animal control officer told me, much to my dismay, that there are no laws about cats trespassing. However, he said if the cat destroyed my plants, I could go after the neighbor to be reimbursed for the cost of the plants. He's cool, though. He went next door and talked to the neighbor about the cat and I haven't seen that particular cat back in my garden.

Now..... 2 cats to go.....

Still brings up the point though.... why do people think there's a difference between letting cats roam and letting dogs roam.... both species can cause damage, both species are in danger of being hurt or killed or hurting or killing another animal, both are a general nuisance left to roam... I just don't get it.

 

[lljdma06]

All the cats that I have ever had have been indoor animals and will always be. I will not let them outside for several reasons. One, we live near a canal where there are snapping turtles and alligators. Two, there are other animals like raccoons and possums that can spread disease to animals, in addition to poisonous exotic amphibians (toads). Three, we also have an exotic reptile problem, namely escape boas who'd love to eat a cat. Four, we have a huge feral cat population in my neighborhood which often harbor disease. Five, I live near a heavily traveled intersection and I see a cat carcass about once a week, which is pretty bad. Six, dog fighting is a problem in Miami and small pets (small dogs and cats) are often stolen to bait the dogs. Would you let your cat out in this battle zone? But why should I then deny myself the pleasure owning a cat? My cats have no desire to be outside, they hate the outside. They are satisfied watching the world through my windows. They are not over-weight, and they are active and happy. The kittens I currently have don't know any different and are content and safe inside. They play with each other and seem very happy lazing about in my climate-controlled, air-conditioned, dust-free, not rain-soaked, happy house where they are fed good food, and are cuddled and played with. Wads of paper, fish tanks, bird cages, rambuctious pomeranians, and dog toys provide hours of entertainment, that is for the 6 hours or so that they are awake anyways. It's like a freaking amusement park in my house, and I haven't added the cat gym yet. That'll come within the year. So, why would I put my cats outside and mess up other people's yards for? It isn't fair to my neighbors' yards. They already have to deal with feral cats stinking up their yards with holes filled with urine and poop. I have to deal with that too. I don't even take my own dogs out unless under lead. Another added benefit, no bloody fleas and ticks to deal with either! Who wants that? No absesces (sp) to pop from a fighting wound, no cuts to mend, no smelly cat coming in from the rain, no worrying where your cat is, etc. I think the list is certainly long enough.

That's fine that some of you let your cats out, and more power to you, you're probably better than I. But it's not for me.

llj

 

[Zafirah]

Another thing:

Cat's live expectancy for outdoors: 3 to 5 years
Cat's life expectancy for indoors: 16+ years

Now, tell me why i would only want my cat to live 5 years, when he could just as easily spend his long 16+ years in a safe and secure house.

 

[OohFeeshy]

^People are always quoting those figures, but where are they from and what are they based on? Out of every single person I've known with cats that are allowed outside, every cat has lived to well over 16.

 

[Lynda B]

Life expectancy in cats depends on many things, but the most important factor is whether he is an indoor-only cat or an outdoor cat. Life expectancy varies significantly between the two.

Indoor cats generally live from 12-18 years of age. Many may live to be in their early 20s. The oldest reported cat was 28 years old at the time of death.

Outdoor cats generally live to be around four to five years of age. Their deaths are typically due to traumas such as being hit by a car or dog attacks. Outdoor cats are also more susceptible to several deadly viruses that are spread by fighting or prolonged intimate contact with an infected cat.

http/www.petplace.com/cats/life-expectan...cats/page1.aspx

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Cats allowed outdoors: 3.5 years

Cats kept only indoors: 17.5 years

http/purrfectcatshelter.org:8080/l-expectancy.html

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For cats, the main differential in life expectancy is whether they're indoor or outdoor cats. Outdoor cats generally live to be four or five years of age. They are more likely to catch viruses or to suffer some kind of trauma. Indoor cats, on the other hand, can be expected to live 12 to 18 years.

http/www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-life-e...ncy-of-pets.htm

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Shall I continue?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Anyone can make up statistics, what I meant was who gathered the data and where from? It certainly doesn't seem very true-to-life.

 

[Lynda B]

I know that you're young, and I know that you like to butt heads, but there are many pet/cat sites, who have done their research, I'm sure, who are offering this information and, even after offering you some of the information from these sites, still, you want to believe it's false information. Think what you will. You're certainly entitled to your opinion. But fact is fact.

Knowledge can't enter a closed mind.

 

[l.michelle]

Although I am pretty much 100% for indoor cats, unless outside in a harness or in a secure backyard, I agree with OohFeeshy, those statistics would only be based on one type of neighbourhood. The statistics would change as the outside factors change. For instance, in the city more cats would be hit ont he road than in a rural area. I think that saying life expectancies depend on where you are living, and may not match up with those. Where I used to live in my old neighbourhood, our next door neighbour had outdoor cats and one n particular lived till about 18 or so.

Also, not to offend you, but Lynda_B, it sounds a little condescending saying to OohFeeshy "I know that you're young..." age really shouldn't be a factor with a person's opinion.

 

[Lynda B]

In a situation like this, I believe life experience matters, thus the reference to her age. Many responses she's given in this forum have a biting edge to them. And believe me, at the ripe old age of 16, I probably thought I knew it all, too. But I sure as hell didn't. And I don't pretend to know now. But I've been involved in animal rescue for the last 15 years and I have no reason to doubt those figures. I've seen it first-hand. These people know what they're talking about.

I never said I doubted that she had friends who've had outdoor cats who lived to a lovely old age. I'm sure it happens in every neighborhood.

 

[l.michelle]

I'm only saying it sounded condescending, you yourself have sounded biting and harsh to other people in other threads, so don't point a finger at her.

Everyone with the indoor/outdoor discussion has different opinions and all have good reasons pro and con. I suppose it boils down to personal opinion, and where you live

 

[Lynda B]

I didn't mean to sound condescending and I'm sorry that you took it that way. I speak the truth and I speak from the heart. Always do. I don't sugar coat anything and I don't kiss ass. I would've spoken the same way to anyone else here who had quite obviously closed off their mind to accepting information about the topic. I was responding only to her.

I appreciate your opinion and you have a right to it, as I have a right to mine.