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Default Feb 04, 2021 at 06:22 PM
  #1
I've been told I'm cruel for keeping my cats indoors. Talking to a coworker today confirmed my stance. I keep the cats inside because we have all kinds of critters around here that would find a nice, well fed kitty a yummy delight. My coworker lost her cat to her neighbor's pit bull. The dog got hold of the cat and killed it. I told my coworker if it had been one of my babies I would have gone all redneck, white trash crazy with the neighbor.

I don't think my cats lack for anything staying inside. They have two cat trees to play on. Countless cat toys. They certainly get plenty of exercise chasing one another around the house. Since I'm working from home half the time they sure get plenty of cuddle time with mom.

Personally I believe it would be irresponsible to let them outside. They could get hit by a car. They could end up some critters dinner. They could be in a fight with feral kitties.
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Default Feb 04, 2021 at 06:32 PM
  #2
I’m so with you. It’s my cat decision to stay inside. He’s a rescue cat and his first 5-6 years are unknown to me but he avoids open doors to the outside. Zero interest in the big bad world of urban terror. There’s cars, there’s dogs, there’s eagle s and kids. He is terrified of kids. He certainly seems to thrive indoors. He’s 16 -17 years old now and wouldn’t be able to fend for himself out there. Besides there’s snow and cold right now.

Nope I think it is in cats best interest to stay inside

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Default Feb 06, 2021 at 10:27 AM
  #3
Cars?

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Default Feb 06, 2021 at 05:46 PM
  #4
Yep Pachy, hit by cars. I lived in the boonies, but we do have paved roads and cars. I see kitties turned into road pizza frequently. Neighbors next to me fly up and down their drive.
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Default Feb 06, 2021 at 06:18 PM
  #5
Pachyderm meant the typo in the title (must admit it made me lol, though the topic isn’t really that funny). I don’t have any cats now but I’m on your side. We were very lucky with ours, and didn’t lose any to accidents outside the house, but I’ve had several friends lose cats to being run over.
Is it really cruel to try and prevent cats dying in violent ways?
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Default Feb 06, 2021 at 10:41 PM
  #6
Oh DUH!!! I didn't see the typo in the title.
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Default Feb 07, 2021 at 08:25 PM
  #7
Over the decades I have owned many cats, all for life, and each one beloved. Now I share my home with 5 cats. All of my cats have been entirely, without exception, indoors. To me allowing a cat to roam outside is like putting a toddler out-of-doors and saying, Have a good day, kid! See ya later! And walking away.

In other words, anything can happen to that innocent, vulnerable little being.

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Default Feb 07, 2021 at 08:33 PM
  #8
Terrible, terrible things happen to outdoor cats where I live - and yet, locals are so thick as to get another cat and yet another cat, let them all outside to suffer the same fate And spout some BS about it being "tHe CirCle oF liFe"

I'm definitely on team indoor kitty.
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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 01:01 AM
  #9
My neighbors leave large canisters of food out for feral cats, but don't spay or neuter any of them. They can reproduce every 60 days, so there are about 30 or more cats that feed next door. We had to get the underside of our deck fenced to the tune of $1700 because the odor of cat urine became so strong from the cats living under our deck. It got to the point that we could no longer sit out there. The cat food also attracted raccoons and skunks, which also took up residence under our deck. We have problems gardening since ther's so much cat poop in our garden. In case you can't tell, I could scream...

It's not fair to let cats proliferate outside...lows tonight are supposed to be below zero. Plus, I"ve learned to detest cats over the years this has been going on. I would never do anything to harm an animal, but I'd be lying if I said the thought of doing something drastic didn't cross my mind from time to time. We've talked to them repeatedly, & animal control won't get involved unless we trap them, take them in to be sterilized, & then release them where we trapped them...a fairly fruitless solution given the fact the problem is so far out of control at this point.

OK...so I vented. It's s good thing to keep your animals inside, or on a lead & closely monitored. It's responsible & considerate...not only in regards to neighbors, but for the safety & comfort of the cats.
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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 07:07 AM
  #10
Funny story about my cats and the outside world. If I leave the front door propped open they will walk right to the edge of the doorsill and crane their heads outside. Then they get all wide eyed. I swear they are thinking "there be monsters out there!"

That's everyone except Miette. She is my curious one. She's into everything inside and more than willing to explore the outside world.
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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 07:12 AM
  #11
Same here. Beyond keeping the cats safe, it's better for bird life too. We have a lot of birds behind the house, so mine love to sit in the back window and watch the show.

buddha1too - yuck. Where we used to live, the neighbors had 7 cats in a tiny house, so they would send them outside all day, making them everyone else's problem. They would crap and pee in my planters and get in fights on the roof at 3 AM. It was horrible. It's one of the many things I do not miss about living there.
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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 09:53 AM
  #12
The problems with cats outside are our doing, not theirs. Outdoors is natural for them. It is only because of us that we have to protect them. So I feel bad for having to do things to or for them that conflict with their natures.

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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 12:12 PM
  #13
Pachy, cats are not only predators, they are also prey. Raptors carrying off kittens or coyotes killing cats has nothing to do with humans. Their being preyed on might be a part of the natural life cycle, but I chose to protect them.
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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 12:14 PM
  #14
Rechu, birds outside the window is like TV for kitties.
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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 01:01 PM
  #15
Indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats. Cats that live outside live on average 2-5 years. Indoor cats on average live over 10 years. My guy is 15-7 years old. Healthy and happy he has no desire to go outside. He’s like liz’s cat. He’ll look but he doesn’t go out. Study after study has proven this!

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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 01:54 PM
  #16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nammu View Post
My guy is 15-7 years old. Healthy and happy he has no desire to go outside.
But that is not true of all cats.

The one I have now will spend a short time outdoors (under my supervision) but voluntarily comes back in. In my experience that is unusual.

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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 10:57 PM
  #17
Some cats do well outside and some don't. My baby wouldn't go outside, she's had many opportunities to and runs away from the open door. I wouldn't want her to go out anyway, I'd worry she'd get hit or get got by another animal, or any other misfortune. I love my baby and she seems plenty happy about being inside.

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Default Feb 08, 2021 at 11:20 PM
  #18
Interesting thread, LL.

Yes, where I live my buddha kitty would be gourmet cooking to a coyote or a weasel or end up getting into a scrap with a raccoon or some other wild beast. We have cougars and bears too though I've yet to see them.

I get very angry with my cat sometimes but I could never throw her out no matter what. All of the neighborhood cats plus six chickens have become prey to nasty predators. That's why my baby never goes outside and if she sneaks out (only once in a blue moon) a dinner bell with a bowl of food brings her right back in.
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