House Cats

[Rynoah]

Not quite. Our cat, HP, is the biggest, most loving sweetheart you'll ever meet. He's the complete opposite of the stereotypical "no-love" cat. In fact, all of our cats are very affectionate.

They're all indoor/outdoor cats, and they're the happiest cats we've ever had (all others were strictly outdoors and were never spayed/neutered; it was terrible). They've all got differing degrees of preference: Galadriel loves to be indoors and spends most of the day there, especially during bad weather; HP is a pleasant mix between, because he'll come in when you call and he loves it to death, but he won't ask to come in and loves to be outside too; Odysseus loves the outdoors and spends most of his time there, even though I hate having him out at night (which he's been doing lately. We've lost almost all of our outdoor cats during the night, due to coyotes, other cats, neighbor dogs (my personal pet peeve), and even cruel humans (we found one cat's pelt on the side of the road a few days after he'd disappeared; it had been expertly skinned off).

So my view would be: bring them in, at least at night. So many things can happen to your cat during the late hours, when they and other predators are most active.

 

[KathyM]

I guess you've got to really have a thing about cats, I just can't imagine wanting to spend time playing with a cat, cats are just things that lie around the house till it's time to go out. Not something you actually have to interact with. They only love you when you're feeding them anyway or when they're cold, then they want to come sit on you. And, you sit there for four straight hours almost wetting your pants so you don't interupt the priviledge of being sat on and poked with 20 needle claws as it makes it's self comfortable on you. Cats do that "I am better then you" thing all the time, they almost get you to believe it. It takes a good dog to cure you.

Damn, this is why I have a dog

I have both a dog and three cats, and I have to disagree. No cats aren't for everyone (obviously reading your post they're not for you!). But they're not "just things that lie around the house" or "not something you actually have to interact with" - they're living, breathing creatures that need our care and attention just as much as any dog. Anyone who doesn't see that, or agrees with your sentiments, shouldn't have one, easy as that.

Like I said, I have both cats and a dog, and I'd not be happy without either. If there ever comes a time when I can only have one, it'll be a cat.

 

[Bloo]

You're absolutely right Kathy ! And that's why I couldn't vote in that Dog/Cat thread for my favourite - because I jus don't have one. And if I could have a dog right now, I would. My cat is one of the most interactive animals I know or have ever known !

And as for those needle claws, I simply keep them nicely manicured ! He's a very obliging chap having them done and just about puts them forward one at a time - because he knows he gets his favourite treats afterwards ! (very cunning of me).

But Suzie, I think you meant a lot of that jokingly

 

[KathyM]

Oh yeah, I know she did, just me picking for a point *lol*. I love me cats, noone's dissin' em

 

[Nina]

My cats are "house" cats for three reasons

One - I live on the second and thrid floor and there is no way for them to be able to get out to the otuside world

Two - I live on a very busy road with numerous emergency vehicles going past each day and the little girl as beautiful as she is, she really doesn't have much between her ears and would want to go and look to see what they were resulting in a flat cat.

Three - They are pedigree Persians and in the area that I live in they would last all of about 5 five mintues before some charming person would take them. I know I could put collars on them/micro chip them etc but that is only any good if they are found. I am not saying that pedigrees shouldn't go out and if I lived on a quiet road, had fields behind me, nicer area (!) then I would be happier about letting them out but not where I am at them moment.

Just because they are indoor cats doesn't mean that they are not happy cats and they have plenty of toys and things that they kill and bring to me. I get at least one green and blue fluffy mouse a week!

 

[splashluff]

My Mom's cat stays inside, she's very happy, purry, and plays plenty with her toys, the dogs, & she gets at least half an hour every day outside with us. We do not let her out of the backyard, though. I don't feel that in any urban/suburban area anyone can safely allow their cats to roam If it isn't ok for dogs, why is ok for cats? If people insist on allowing their cats outdoors, by all means, spend time outside watching your cat in your yard, build an outdoor enclosure, etc... I see way too many cats dead on the side of the road, and hear way too much about neighborhood dogs killing cats that stray into other yards. It pvsses me off SO much when I'm walking my dog with cats running right up to us! Luckily, my pup has high herding drive but not high prey drive. However, nearly all of the cats in my neighborhood are very friendly, and would saunter right up to a Husky with high drive. It's completely dangerous, and sooo unfair to dog owners/neighbors, to allow your cats to wander the streets, wander into other yards, pee in neighbors sandboxes (we had to get a locking cover for the sandbox, because it attracted every outdoor cat around ) & breed prolifically if they aren't altered. I won't even go into all of the horrible parasites that most outdoor cats have... the majority of people don't realize/care that MOST outdoor cats have worms, parasites, disease, injuries, etc.

 

[digitalemotion]

I have 3 cats and they are all house cats. The youngest has never been outside, my 2 older ones have when i lived in a place that had a secure garden and was away from the main road. I live in a first floor maisonette so have loads of room for them to run around and they have tonnes of toys to play with aswell as a big scrathing post/ activity center that i spray with catnip everyday for them. My oldest cat cant go out unless its in a secure garden as he is brain damaged and has no sense of danger and with my outside space being a shared courtyard where there are 3 dogs its just not safe. I do however have a cat harness and i take them out for a sniff and a scamper in the flower beds often which they are totaly content with and they also sit with me on the doorstep and nosy around.... in short my house cats are happy and content and affectionate

 

[BWBettas]

my cat was a rescue and she is terrified of going outside. My mum will let her out in ghe morning, but when i get u and wal through the kitchen i can hear sammy screeching to be let in... i ttry and make sure my mum never lets her out becaudse cats go after sammy because she is defenceless... she weighs around 1.5 stone and has done since we rescued her, therefore she cannot run very fast at all... i don@t want to get into any argument, i just want to do what's best for my cat

Bret

P.S this is her, i think she is happy enough

 

[grahamsokel]

I have had 2 cats killed on the road,a siamese stolen from the garden and an old white cat who was 19 killed by a stray Jack russel terrier when she was sitting on our doorstep but because she was deaf she didnt hear the dog coming till it was too late.

Mia our 6 month old has never been out as she was not spayed but now she has been done she will not go out.We have the door open for the dogs to go in and out but she will not go past the door

 

[Captain Retardo]

Okay this is a long thread so I admit I only read the first page of it but I had to reply

Also i know it is old, but I would still like to bring it up

This is what I have to say:

So you can maybe understand why I choose to keep my cats safe, healthy and happy - what others do with their cats is completely up to them. I just find it funny (haha) that people would suggest people who keep their cats indoors are neglecting them (or their happiness), when really in my case I'm protecting them. They're happy, healthy and will hopefully live much longer lives than their predecessors here. There's nothing missing from their lives.

Cats are meant to be outdoors, just because your cat dosen't say hes having a bad time dosen't mean he's having a good time, do you think he is happy sleeping for 12 hours a day and wandering at home doing nothing? In nature they would hunt during that time, mark territory, and explore, and read scent marking by other cats. So unless you can give them those needs I don't think you should have a cat at all! Its like saying You have a 10 gallon tank, but you really want an Oscar, so even though you can't care for the oscar, you still get him, just because you want him.

My cat has area to explore, at least 1 acre, more if he goes into more peoples yards that I know of (if he does, then he has a huge area to explore!), I never get worried about him, even though only a couple days ago I heard him fighting another cat and I heard the growling and snarling and it sounded terrible, but I knew it was natural, I try to give him the most natural life he can get while still taking care of his health and feeding him on days of unsuccesfull hunts (which I admit is actually unnatural)

Let me ask you one thing, would you think a 2 year old human would be happy in a small room his whole life? (cats have an average intellegence of a 2 year old human) Knowing how explorative 2 year olds are

Cats need a lot of area, and frankly if you cant give them a relatively safe area to explore on his own, then I think you shouldn't own cats!

There, I said it, sorry if some one else did, but its late and im sorry that I didn't read all the posts

Edit- I read some of the above posts, how do you know your cat is happy? for gods sake, if it is dangerous to have a cat in your area then don't get one at all!

Also, I have happily had my cat for almost 10 years, and nothing has happened to him (except a few fights with the neighbors cat) Our whole backyard is really big and completely wild, and we live next to a semi-largely used road, my cat has never got hit by a car, I have also seen fox in my backyard, which I think are dangerous to cats) I live in the suburbs outside a really large city.

Look people, cats are meant to have a natural life, they are not like people and wont have a good time cooped up in some house.

You all think a better life is a longer one...a better life is a good one! not a necessarily a long one.

FOR GODS SAKE CATS AREN'T HUMANS!!! Cats try to stay away from humans! I have never seen my cat go near a road at all, he always stays in wild areas

If Cats were meant to live in homes they would have beer bellys and would be able to digest potato chips and soda.

I think it depends on where you live. If you're in a city or highly populated area with a fair amount of road traffic nearby, lots of other outdoor cats and dogs and other dangers, then maybe unsupervised outdoor time isn't the best idea. However, if you live out in the country like I do, I honestly believe there's nothing better for a cat, and anyone who thinks otherwise simply hasn't seen a cat in the real outdoors! Playing in the sun, lying in the cool grass, sitting under the bird feeder irritating the birds... our cats would rather be outside than inside playing with me most of the time, for sure, there's just no competition . Our cats like some indoor time too, but if they never got to go outside they'd go batty. I did lose a cat to coyotes about two years ago and I literally cried for days, I was heartbroken, but I'd never switch to keeping them inside 24/7 just because of that... Little Cat (as was his name) wouldn't have wanted that, he'd have been miserable. Now we just make sure the cats are inside at night.

I'm moving to an apartment in the city in a few months and I will be getting a kitten when I do, and it will be a housecat because I will no longer be living in an area where it is safe for it to be let outside. It's unfortunate, but I can't imagine living life without a cat, and as long as it has never been outside it won't know what it's missing anyway, I suppose

I agree with everything you said, except the last statement, why make your cat miserable just so you can have a pet. (miserable one at that, if you move to the big city dont get a cat) also When we got our cat the person at the place said not to let him outside because he has never seen the outside, we let our cat outside anyways, he knows how to live naturally! even if hes never seen the wild when he was a baby. now he stops at our house once every other day and stays at our house for one day then stays outside for 2 -4 . one time he was gone for 2 weeks straight, our family was worried until one day he showed up perfectly fine.

I guess you've got to really have a thing about cats, I just can't imagine wanting to spend time playing with a cat, cats are just things that lie around the house till it's time to go out. Not something you actually have to interact with. They only love you when you're feeding them anyway or when they're cold, then they want to come sit on you. And, you sit there for four straight hours almost wetting your pants so you don't interupt the priviledge of being sat on and poked with 20 needle claws as it makes it's self comfortable on you. Cats do that "I am better then you" thing all the time, they almost get you to believe it. It takes a good dog to cure you.

Damn, this is why I have a dog

I find it that dogs do the laying around thing and only like you when you feed them! You are completely wrong, probably heard that from some idiot friend who is only a dog-lover and never had a cat.

Ya dogs are so much better than cats! They actaully pee on the carpet, and leave huge terds on your lawn. and are only active when you walk towards the kitchen! (for the more slower people out there, I was being sarcastic)



THIS TOPIC GOT ME RILED UP

 

[K.J.]

I have a 4-year-old cat and a 4-month-old kitten. Now the first one, although being an ordinary tabby, was a local showcat. (LOCAL, note that!) She's outdoors as well, except for at night, and still she manages to get best of show frequently. So, I'm going to respond to some of these posts.

I guess you've got to really have a thing about cats, I just can't imagine wanting to spend time playing with a cat, cats are just things that lie around the house till it's time to go out. Not something you actually have to interact with. They only love you when you're feeding them anyway or when they're cold, then they want to come sit on you. And, you sit there for four straight hours almost wetting your pants so you don't interupt the priviledge of being sat on and poked with 20 needle claws as it makes it's self comfortable on you. Cats do that "I am better then you" thing all the time, they almost get you to believe it. It takes a good dog to cure you.

Damn, this is why I have a dog

I beg to differ. Personally, I prefer kittens by far - puppies are always clinging to you (my kitten does too, but she's not nearly as annoying as puppies. ) and barking. Plus, you have to train them. It's enjoyable to watch ypu cat pounce greedily on a toy mouse. Although I'm sure you have to have your opinion, that's mine.

If a cat is happy and stimulated at home, with regular play sessions, then why would it need to go out? How is it neglectful to keep healthy cats indoors to remain healthy and safe? I understand many people don't have the time or inclination to ensure their cat is mentally stimulated and exercised indoors, and that it's "easier" to just chuck them out to sort themselves out, but there's no inbuilt need for a cat to be outdoors.

We don't let our dogs roam the streets alone, pooing in gardens, fighting with other potentially diseased animals and causing car crashes/getting hit so why is it seen as necessary with cats?

In my opinion, a cat can not be completely stimulated while in the house. It will never get to feel the feeling of a real kill, and aside from that, eating it - a hard plastic toy mouse just can not compare, I'm sorry. Of course, some cats don't even like to be let out. Say a Maine Coon - it would actually be neglectful to have it be confined indoors because it loves to roam, and keeping it shut up could really 'darken' it's spirits. Perhaps cats that actually prefer to be kept inside, although this is a rare case, should be. My kitten will meow pitifully if I don't let her outside on her halter.

And about the dogs.. I do let my dog roam, although not on busy streets. (See at the bottom the atmosphere of where I live) although she tends to poo in the ditches.

If you have an injured cat that has some disability to go outside alone, don't let it. Although really, just put a darn halter and leash on and follow it around, so it can at least move around outside... If you have a perfectly healthy cat though I believe it's not right to keep it inside unless it feels no need to go outside.

Okay, anyway, where I live - it's basically a closely would cul-de-sac. We have trees bordering our 2-acre lot and a street that usually doesn't have too many cars passing per day, about 3 a day, but they all know about our animals and will stop or go slow. In fact, most of the neighbors even stop to pet our dog. I think that you live in some busy place with cars passing all day, you shouldn't let your cat out unsupervisef. But if you have a suitable place, why not? Although, then again... if you get a cat that constantly yearns to go outside but you live in an apartment in, say, new york.. perhaps you just shouldn't get one? If I cat feels that needy to go outside it would be best to give it to someone or an animal shelter that could instead of making it confined, because no matter how many toy mice you give it it won't feel fulfilled. Cat's feel a natural sense to go outside. Cats, in reality, are very much similar to bobcats or lions. If you locked a lion up would it feel happy? No. None the less, they do it in the zoo, and that, in my opinion, is comparative TO a cat being locked in a house. Perhaps not as extreme, but a lion feels a need to hunt even if it is fed dead meat, same as cats.

Now, I let my cats in at night but normally they spend all the day outside. I believe this is good for them. My 4-year-old cat seems to come home with minor injuries she inflicts on herself from licking too much, but barely ever. My dog has never come home with one. So, it's unlikely for a cat to get hurt unless you have a busy road.

I realize many people won't agree with what I said, but it's my opinion and you don't need to agree. Everyone has their opinions, that's just mine.

 

[Captain Retardo]

I agree K.J. Other than your lion statement though (Everybody, please read what I have posted on this whole comment). I actually volunteer at a large zoo where I educate people about animals. And one of our major messages is conservation and teaching people how animals help people in everyday life, the zoo is not for entertainment. You'll be amazed at the impact you have and the impact animals have on you.

The zoo is not just for entertainment, it is for conservation, notice that most of the signs have conservation messages on them. The zoo keeps animals so that people will be more inspired to save that animal such as the lion, which is threatened, most animals at the zoo are endangered or threatened, and its not just for entertainment. Also most of the endangered and threatened animals at the zoo are bred and kept in captivity so that incase the animal goes extinct they have animals in zoo which they would hopefully be able to teach how to live in the wild and they would release it. A very good point is the Tiger with only about 4000-5000 individuals left throughout Asia and in very fragmeneted habibtats dont be suprised if the tiger goes extinct in 10 years if nothing changes, and the lion in 20 -40 years. This is the path for most animals because of human growth. and the zoo tries to teach people to conserve these animals so hopefully they can survive in the wild. and so that people will help donate money to make National parks bigger so they can hold more animals and ensure a bigger genetic breeding pool so that the animals are healthy. animals need a lot of space and they need it away from humans.

 

[RandomWiktor]

As a wildlife rehabilitator, the overwhelming majority of my patients - and my fatalities - are wild animals mauled by people's cats. They are an unnatural (only meaning domesticated, don't get your panties in a bunch), invasive predator that harms wildlife, outcompetes native predators, and does a whole mess of destruction. I wish people who want to let their cats out would do it the responsible way and build a damned cat enclosure, just like people with dogs build fences and kennels. Wild animals have no where else to go but the outdoors; I despise the fact that their home is constantly encroached upon by felines who have the prey drive and killing efficieny of a wild predator, but the robust health and lack of competition of a pet. It is a deadly, dangerous combination that has resulted in countless wild animals being senselessly killed - and even entire species of songbirds being decimated in much of their range - just so people can see how "cute" it is to watch their kitty hunt. (And yet they have the effrontery to get miffed when a coyote - a wild, native predator - picks off their cat.)
Meh. I guess I'm not a fan of introduced species, especially ones that have had such a horrific impact on native wildlife. I'd much rather see bobcats, mountain lions, and native felines out there on the hunt, but we've ruined all of their habitats for the most part. And no, don't even say that cats fill their niche - killing robins for fun is hardly hunting mountain goats and hares for survival, thank you very much.
That said, I do love cats and think they deserve outdoor time... from the safety of a securely built enclosure (that is not to say I'm against indoor cats if you can't build an enclosure; with proper interaction, NO cat should be bored). It prevents the cat from harming wildlife, and prevents the cat from being lost, mauled, hit by cars, picked up as strays, etc. It also helps cut down on the communicable feline diseases running RAMPANT amongst outdoor cats, some of which can not be vaccinated against. My cat is FIP+ because his previous owner felt the need to let him and his mom run around loose; because of this, he may loose his life in a terribly way at a young age. I do not even let him in an outdoor enclosure as he is highly contageous, and many people around us let their cats roam. They might not be considerate enough to protect their own cats' health, but I won't be the one responsible for giving their animals something deadly.

side note - does anyone see the paradox of people talking about what is "natural" for a domesticated animal, animals which by definition are un-natural? And I find it VERY funny that fishkeepers - who often take wild animals from their habitat to stick them in a glass cube with species they'd never encounter in nature then feed them processed foods under flourescent lights - are worried about natural.

 

[Captain Retardo]

How could you give and indoor cat enough interaction? please tell me.

So I think it boils down to this after reading the last comment: If you have hours and countless hours with plenty of ideas also, then an indoor cat, but I believe nobody has that time. And outdoor cats should have a large fence around a good-sized piece of land. Otherwise you shouldn't have a cat.

Although I would like to argue with you RandomWiktor: Cats never kill for fun, they are not murderers, they are killers and always eat their prey, and they only kill up to 5% of their prey, that is the most they ever kill because that is the safe range for the species of prey to survive so cats can kill them some more. Also, how is it domestic cats fault for the habitat destruction of North American cats. Habitat is destryoed because people move in on it, native cats try to stay away from people you'll never see a bobcat in the suburbs or the cities, I can hardly see how my cat is killing some bobcat that is miles and miles away.

But fish never see the wild, while cats do when they look out the window, and when they see a rabbit run away from them they have instincts to go and catch it.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Cats never kill for fun, they are not murderers, they are killers and always eat their prey, and they only kill up to 5% of their prey, that is the most they ever kill because that is the safe range for the species of prey to survive so cats can kill them some more.

First of all, if you think cats always eat their prey, please - do tell how I seem to end up with so many injured cat caught animals on a ******* daily basis because they drag mauled animals into their owners homes and yards and leave them when they get bored with them? And how many times have those of you with cats had them bring you their completely uneaten victims? Cats kill because they have a strong instinctive prey drive to kill, but because they are typically well fed pets, they OFTEN do not eat what they kill. Arguing to the contrary is simply misinformation.
Also, they only kill up to 5% of their prey? That seems contrary to your previous statement about them killing all of their prey. Are you saying they what, just stalk and or injure the rest? Cats don't even have natural "prey" populations in north america, because they aren't native. I really fail to see how a domesticated animal can precisely kill only a specific percentage of their prey "to survive" when they aren't killing and eating to survive (w/the exception of ferals). That percentage may be true of wild cats, but we're talking about a fully domesticated, well fed pet that just happens to be let outdoors.

Also, how is it domestic cats fault for the habitat destruction of North American cats. Habitat is destryoed because people move in on it, native cats try to stay away from people you'll never see a bobcat in the suburbs or the cities, I can hardly see how my cat is killing some bobcat that is miles and miles away.

I didn't say cats destroyed habitat. I said we've destroyed the habitat. It's just a pity, because I'd rather see our native wildlife out there hunting, instead of everything paved over and filled with a bunch of domesticated non-native species. It was just a side comment.

But fish never see the wild, while cats do when they look out the window, and when they see a rabbit run away from them they have instincts to go and catch it.

A MASSIVE percentage of tropical fish, and basically all marine fish, are wild caught. Never get to see the wild? Hah! They were taken from the wild for our amusement, often at a great cost to the species' population and the native habitat's biodiversity. And unlike cats, a domesticated animal, they weren't bred to be suited for a captive lifestyle, which is why so many die before reaching the store, in the store, and of stupid, preventable illnesses in our homes. Yet you have the gall to say cats are more deserving of a "natural" life? If you're into animals living natural lives, fishkeeping really isn't the right hobby.

edit: Since you asked about keeping cats entertained indoors, its called behavioral enrichment - the same thing you do for indoor rodents, birds, fish, etc. It helps the most, I think, to have another cat for companionship so they can wrestle, stalk one another, etc. You can also offer toys, edible plants, climbing/scratching posts, visual stimulation by letting them see the outdoors or protected indoor animals, attention in the form of play and stroking, hiding food items to encourage searching and foraging, audible stimulus, hiding spaces and walkways... the list goes on. Or, you could just build a proper enclosure so the cat can run and stretch its legs in a safe outdoor environment. Its funny, people always care SO much about their cat getting to be outdoors, but once you suggest something that would protect their cat's wellbeing and our wildlife, but takes money and effort to construct, they suddenly get cold feet and say its demanding too much.

Ok. I'm done. I just wanted to correct the inaccuracy about cats eating everything they kill, but I got all angry and tangent-like. Easy on this topic, eh?

Please watch your language!