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Can/should I occassionally let my cats out?

mcavjame said:
Really?

Before I knew better, our first cat was let out. We were forever trying to rid him of fleas.

He came home once and had obviously been in a fight. His ear was torn and he had a bite on his back. For a week I had to squeeze pus out of the bite and pill him with antibiotics.

He was an avid mouser and would often leave the carcass at the front door. When he died, he had been missing for a few days and I finally tracked him down by his smell. He was only 5. Cats should live well beyond 15.
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Our Vet gives our cats an injection once a year so they can't get fleas

Obviously cats catch animals, its in their nature, their natural born hunters, not humans, its cruel to keep them inside all the time and stop them being natural, its almost imprisonment. How would you feel if you were kept inside your whole life?
They leave mice and small animals at the front door as a sign of respect, its a present for you for looking after them and feeding them.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Yes, it's a cat prison over here. We also torture them, but only a little.
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Cats are independent and territorial creatures that like to hunt. Let them.

Anything else is depriving them of something that they are instinctualy obliged to do. Which by my reckoning is not in the cats best interest (even if it is in the owners best interest).
 
dejo said:
In my society we do not apply the same rules to pets as we do to children. For example, I can leave my dog locked inside a kennel for hours on end while I'm away from the house. Try doing the same with a child and see what happens if someone finds out.
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I agree. The moral of this story is... never let anybody find out that you keep your kid in a cage.

thinbluebrine said:
In the words of Linda La Hughs "Blimey! If I could do that I never go out!"
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:D
 
thinbluebrine said:
How do you stop one going from going out?!
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Some just don't. One of the cats I look after likes to stay inside whilst its sibling prefers to stay outside (out first thing, in before bed). Needless to say the cat that goes out is generally healthier and weighs less.

IJ Reilly said:
Have you ever seen a cat hit by a car? That should give any cat-lover reason to reconsider allowing their pet to roam around outdoors. Domestic felines are not wild animals. They don't need to evade cars, coyotes or other cats to live happy lives. They also won't be happier if they catch feline distemper or feline leukemia, and neither will you.
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So that's grounds to keep an animal locked inside, the small chance that something might happen to them? Seems a bit cruel. None of my girlfriends 8 cats ever ran away, got injured, caught anything contagious or came to harm from going outside. The spent most of their lives outdoors, though now they're old they tend to stay indoors infront of the fire. Which is fair enough after an active life.
 
I think the answers here can all be summed thus:

It depends.

It depends on what sort of home you have, what sort of yard, what sort of area surrounds your yard, what sort of other animals / diseases etc are common in your area.

I would talk to the local humane society and a local vet who treats cats. You might well get different answers, but ask them to give reasons for their answers.

The local vet will be familiar with the area and with any specific dangers. And s/he will also be able to advise you about your specific cat after seeing it, observing its temperament, hearing how it's been raised.

And finally it all comes down to what your gut tells you, once you've heard and digested all the info. It sounds like you're truly interested in finding out what's best for your pets. :)
 
Cromulent said:
All I am saying is that if you let them out (and honestly I have never heard of anyone who did not let their cats out) then generally they are pretty safe. Occasionally a cat does get hit by a car or attacked by an animal, but then that happens to humans too and you wouldn't keep a kid locked up in the house because he might be hit by a car would you?
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Not an apt comparison. You can teach a kid that cars are dangerous. You cannot teach that to a cat. They car curious by nature, and prone to getting themselves in trouble.

We've lived in our house for nearly 4 years. We've had 2 cats killed by neighborhood dogs, and 1 cat attacked 2 times by the same dog. Now, we try our best to keep all our cats in. 1 comes and goes as he pleases (he really needs to be let out to be happy), 1 who goes out very rarely, and 2 that never go out.
 
Cromulent said:
Cats are independent and territorial creatures that like to hunt. Let them.

Anything else is depriving them of something that they are instinctualy obliged to do. Which by my reckoning is not in the cats best interest (even if it is in the owners best interest).
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What you are calling natural and instinctual is really just an arbitrary distinction made humans. Natural and instinctual behavior for a cat is feral. Trust me, you don't want to own a cat in its natural feral state. The cats we keep as pets are domesticated animals not wild animals. You might as well say that domesticated dogs should be allowed to run in packs, since that is their instinctual behavior.

FWIW, we've had both indoor/outdoor cats and indoor cats. The one we allowed to come and go never hunted. He was quite timid, didn't cross streets, and would tree at any threat. The two littermates we adopted 14 years ago were allowed to go outdoors for a year or so, until one of them was nearly run over by a car (while I watched) and was chewed on twice by other cats and got massive infections under his skin. That was enough -- we converted them to indoor cats.

We also know plenty of people who have a steady stream of new cats, because all of them eventually get eaten by coyotes. They usually last about five years. Hey, but until they get torn to shreds they've had a great life. Right?

We have a large house, we work at home, and our cats have our undivided attention whenever they want it. Maybe you're a kitty psychologist and can tell me that they're unhappy. But I've never seen any sign of it.
 
és: said:
Maybe this is a cultural thing.
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I'm seeing this as well. And anyone who is anyone that has owned a cat knows damn well who is the master and who is the servant.... And just in case you don't know, the master is always the cat...

But for anyone who thinks that cats are in prison. This one will always make me laugh....

The Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!



The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!



There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...
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And a few more for laughs link
 
We had 2 or 3 (can't remember) cats that never been out that flee at the first open door, never to be seen again, I know at least one was okay to go out. We had 2 others that were always going out, my favourite pets by far, that died by falling in our pool outside.

Now we have 2 others, they are still alive. They occasionally get worms once or twice a year. Like someone said, during summer they often go out to come back only to eat and taking a nap but during winter they are a lot more present.

We live in Canada. Around us it's pretty much just forest. Personally I have no problem letting my cats outs. They will get sick sometimes, yes. They will get in fights, yes. But not once their life outside has been life-threatening. They're not stupid. They will try to dodge a coming car after all.
 
jonbravo77 said:
I'm seeing this as well.
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It might be, in part, but lots of Americans allow their cats to roam. We've got four or five that frequent our yard, a constantly changing parade really since in this part of the country at least, you're really just writing your cat's death warrant by keeping them out. They're probably going to last only a few years until they become coyote snacks. Many cat owners are in denial about this. Rather than visualize their pets being dismembered alive, they talk about how they just didn't come home one day, and were probably adopted by someone else.
 
IJ Reilly said:
It might be, in part, but lots of Americans allow their cats to roam. We've got four or five that frequent our yard, a constantly changing parade really since in this part of the country at least, you're really just writing your cat's death warrant by keeping them out. They're probably going to last only a few years until they become coyote snacks. Many cat owners are in denial about this. Rather than visualize their pets being dismembered alive, they talk about how they just didn't come home one day, and were probably adopted by someone else.
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I was talking more of a US/UK difference. And I know all to well about people letting cats roam. Like I said in earlier posts I have a bout 6 cats that frequent my yard. One was defiantly someone's pet before it got out.
 
Wow, I've really learnt something about America today. Your cats are wimps and you worry too much

Like other people have said, in the UK it seems the norm for a cat to be allowed out.

At my real 'home' (in the country), it was common for our cats to spend the night out hunting. Even in Barnet now I see a lot of cats around. I've never heard a cat fight while I've been in London either. In my experience cats vs dogs has always resulted in the dog running away, one of our (completely blind) cats even managed to take on a fox and win.

There's a difference between a cat being domesticated and a cat being imprisoned.

Keep it vaccinated and get it neutered and there' won't be any problems with fleas/illnesses/babies.
 
Unless you live where there is an obvious danger i.e. a busy road let the poor souls out! Keep them vaccinated and neutered and let 'em roam. My cats are free; they roam our few acres and a bit further but they're always around with a quick call. Once, I saw my two only 2 metres away from a fox and neither showed any fear. They love climbing trees and going for walks with us. They're happy up to about 3/4 of a kilometre away from the house and then they want to head home. But one thing is clear .. they love their freedom. Snow, sunshine or monsoon they're out in all weathers.:)
 
I have never let my cats out. It's far too dangerous, and there are far too many people who hate cats for no good reason. My siamese actually never even goes near the front door. She's quite content inside.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I don't think you have actually.
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For all you and he knows, some of those cats could be strays. I'm not the first person to suggest in this thread that it seems the Americans are more protective of their cats. But it could also be to do with where the people in question live within their respective countries. Aside from dogs/foxes/cars cats have no real predators in this country. People in quiet American countryside probably have no qualms with letting their cats out if there are no dangerous animals.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Maybe you're a kitty psychologist and can tell me that they're unhappy. But I've never seen any sign of it.
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Agreed. As long as I play with them, talk to them, let them sit on my lap, and keep them fed and watered (oh, and clean the cat box), they're happy.
 
SpookTheHamster said:
For all you and he knows, some of those cats could be strays. I'm not the first person to suggest in this thread that it seems the Americans are more protective of their cats. But it could also be to do with where the people in question live within their respective countries. Aside from dogs/foxes/cars cats have no real predators in this country. People in quiet American countryside probably have no qualms with letting their cats out if there are no dangerous animals.
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The cats that come into our yard? Most of them belong to neighbors -- one in particular who also has a large dog. Their cats don't stay in their yard for obvious reasons.

You can suggest that Americans are more protective of their cats, but I don't think this is necessarily true. In fact as I've said, many cat owners around here convince themselves that when their cats disappear, that they've been adopted by someone else. In reality, they are far more likely to have been eaten by coyotes, which are an aggressive and intelligent predator found throughout the US, especially in the West, and are increasingly invading urban areas. We've also started to see mountain lions in town recently. We can take an educated guess what they are after.
 
I just feel that cats should be allowed the choice at least to go outside, many people forget that animals can get depressed as well, try keeping a dog inside its whole life. I'd rather not be an animal Josef Fritzel.
 
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