Where do you stand on outdoor cats?

Question

Lliam · Accepted Answer

My wife and I have had indoor/outdoor cats, as well as cats that we've always kept indoors.
It depends on the cat.

We got our first cat when I rescued her moments from certain death from the middle of a busy highway. The vet said she was about 5 weeks old. We were living in an apartment in SoCal at the time and didn't want anything to happen to her, so we kept her indoors. We moved three times with her. And even once we moved into our own home in a rural area, she remained out house kitty. She lived to be almost exactly 22 years old. She was our little girl.

Once we were living in our home, we adopted older cats from a shelter, two at a time. When they passed away, we got two more. They were all indoor/outdoor cats.

With our indoor/outdoor cats, we let them out in the morning after their breakfast, and let them back in in the early evening at their dinner time. When outdoors, they were good at eating mice and voles in the garden. That's what we got them for. They were all sweet kitties.

We now have two cats. We got Coco when she was around 5 years old from some people who were moving. We always used to let her out in the morning and bring her in at night. I don't think she was ever much of a mouser, but she liked going out.

This last January, we discovered that she had gone completely blind, so we now keep her indoors. She's around 18 years old now and is a very sweet girl.

Our other cat is a 2 year old, very fluffy, part Maine Coon who we got when he was about 6 weeks old. We keep him indoors because foxtails and burrs get caught in his fur.

Losalt · Accepted Answer

It's definitely location specific.
But in my country we generally consider it essentially animal abuse to not let cats out.
But we don't have any real dangers for them other then them fighting each other.
And the only predators out there able to kill them tends to stay far away from human settlements and therefore the cats territories.

Our speed limits are also far lower then in most countries.
And our drivers are excellent (we have far fewer people dying on our roads then any other country that's not a microstate)

In the US or Australia or something like that I don't think it's a good idea to let your cat out however.
And even in my country I'd hesitate to let a cat out right next to a busy highway.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I believe people should let their cats outside. I’ve had two cats in my lifetime and the first left me with a bad experience of having an outdoor cat mainly due to my neighbourhood/surrounding area. People steal cats here a lot. Also it can be dangerous, there’s a number of foxes and strays around. That first cat got stolen :(
My second cat I let outside a bit more sparingly. It’s like a 70/30 split, (70 inside) but I have plenty of space inside for her, and let her go outside to play around in the grass and plants and explore the rooftops. She always comes back in less than 45 minutes anyway, but I get a bit protective and sometimes will watch her to make sure I can still see her or know the direction she went. So really it’s just up to preference, I believe both types of cats can be happy.

Curiosity2006 · Accepted Answer

Should a cat wishes to go outside, it's their right as living beings! They aren't dumb, should there be danger near them they could run back home. Elseways it would be a prison for them and they'll hate their lives! (Speaking from firsthand experience XP)

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

There have been three cats mauled to death since the start of the month in my neighborhood. Cats should be outside as much as your two-year-old. Both lack the ability to survive for long.

Plus cats F up the bird population which keeps the mosquitos in check.

Travis_Skyles · Answer

I'm very protective of my cats so I definitely don't let them out of the house. Luckily my cat cleo hates the outside. Her sister on the other hand, was captured from the outside as a kitten so she yearns for the freedom of the outside.

Bricealan · Answer

I have picked up the crushed remains of cats reported "missing' by persons in my neighborhood. My brother has lost three cats over time because of them being indoor/outdoor pets.

One of my pets (cat) escaped from the house, and when he came home, he was injured with a 'perforated' ear that was full of infection, and had to be 'drained at the vet.

I suppose that answers your question from my POV.

Berethor · Answer

Didn't let my cat outside, before she died of old age.

SawerBrown · Answer

My cats are purebred ragdolls and they're an indoor cat and would never defend themselves and be destroyed if I let them outside.

provokeesmokee · Answer

Cats disrupt ecosystems. They're the #1 predator of birds in urban environments. Plus, it's dangerous out there. If they're Barn or farm cats, I get it. But pet cats should be housecats.

WhitneySnow · Answer

I never let my cats outside but that’s because they’re Siamese they’re meant to be indoor cats

SnowedIn · Answer

I selected "should".  As long as they're up to being outside. Totally fine.

Dargil · Answer

Presently I have 12 cats on three generations. None live in my house. But I have an excellent, safe yard and garden for them. Our garden is mostly in pots and cats often sleep in the pots. Safe, cool, high ground.

Samantha_17 · Answer

Cats are meant to live indoors. The humans have trained them to live that way - for centuries. They're domestic animals.

comekitty · Answer

I have a cat and he's an indoor boy 🩵 If I go outside in the yard, he'll follow me around but doesn't meander away and when I go in he follows me right back inside.

exitseven · Answer

I used to let my cats outside but I always brought them in at night.

Alli39 · Answer

Depends on the cat, the household, and the location. If it's safe to let the cat out then it's fine.

DaBiggestBird · Answer

Fan Dabby Dozy, Pretzel became an outdoor Kitty recently and she still sticks around a lot.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

In the city? Almost impossible unless your garden is fenced in. In the village, absolutely possible, all the cats I have seen there are outdoor cats.

Pudsmucker · Answer

We have a cat that enjoys being outside. She loves climbing the trees climbing the trees chasing birds squirrels and rabbits. When she comes in the house she doesn't touch my furniture she knows that it's taboo for her to claw the furniture.

msc545 · Answer

People thta let their cats outside don't care about the cats and should not have any. Outside is NOT SAFE for cats.

9214xs · Answer

Cats should be kept indoors. Lets them live longer lives and also protects wildlife from them.

richardcory · Answer

Depends on the location. Some places are OK for outdoor cats, others are extremely dangerous

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I put one heel on the head and the other on the chest.

LiamJHayden · Answer

It depends upon where one lives. Where I live, she'd probably look at the beach as her own gigantic litter box, so she stays inside.

Wise4myage · Answer

I'm ok with letting cats outside as long as they are spayed. But I keep my cat inside because we live in the country.

eagle1951 · Answer

what i hate are the feral cats, i make sure they have food and water all year long

collie22 · Answer

Outside Cats don't last long around here cause of coyote

Anonymous · Answer

I would be way too sacred to do that for any cat i might own. I am worried that they wouldn't return because something happened to them.

maria34mari · Answer

People should visit park with their cats sometimes. Other vise dangerous :/

riverrat3 · Answer

I have never stood on a cat

Agape93 · Answer

Fine by me. Barn cats are a thing for a reason

OddBeMe · Answer

I don’t stand on any cats you horrible biatch!

LavLavLuv · Answer

Voted B

Where do you stand on outdoor cats?

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Is it common for people to let your cat roam outside where you live?

Where do you stand on outdoor cats?

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Is it common for people to let your cat roam outside where you live?

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