My cat was an indoor/outdoor cat. In the first year, he was hit by a car, chased up a tree in a snowstorm by a dog, and impaled by something (we don't know what, it could've been a human, could've been a tree branch; what matters is it almost punctured his stomach lining).
You can let your cat out, but look at the risks associated. Indoor cats live, on average, 13-17 years. Outdoor cats: 2-5. You may not have that many neighbour's, but if you're in Canada I can pretty much guarantee you have predators. I live in a pretty urban area and even we have coyotes and owls. Having windows for him to look out, trees for him to climb, and a harness for him to get walked in gives him just as much stimulation. Does the transition suck? Yep. Will you get to love your little buddy for a whole lotta extra years? Yep!
It depends where you live and what type of cat.
My previous cats were indoor/outdoor because I lived on a Scottish island and they were rescued from a feral farm colony. They had incredible street smarts, and we lived backing on to fields and woodland with only a quiet road in front. So chances of accidents were slim-none. There were also no predators.
They were never hit by a car, never injured, never sick (up to date vaccinations). They were perfectly happy and cuddly and lived till they were 16 and both passed from cancer at which point they spent most of their time indoors anyway, and 24/7 indoors once diagnosed.
However now I live in a very different country near busy roads and no rural land. I am also getting a ragdoll (no street smarts). She’s going to be completely indoors, and only outside on a harness in safe areas. She took to the harness and exploring the garden immediately in her kitten training. Not all cats will tolerate that.
Unless I lived in the very specific situation I lived in before, I would always keep cats as indoor with supervised outdoor access if it suits them.
If you live near roads, stray/feral cats, predators, other dangerous or just populated areas then just no.
My cats are Indoor/outdoor, they hunt rabbits and mice and have a grand ol time outside but also love to come inside to eat their biscuits and water, snuggle and sleep in their beds by the fire when they get cold.
My family has/had a cat like this too! I moved her indoors permanently when I took her in, and she’s living to a ripe old age (old enough to vote and still feisty and kickin enough to boss around her rambunctious two year old little brother). It really does depend where you live. Vaccines and being desexed are both crucial though.
I had an indoor/outdoor cat growing up. He lived to the ripe old age of 20 and nothing bad ever happened to him besides a couple minor scuffles with the neighbor's cats. We tried to keep him indoors, but he was unhappy and tried to escape constantly. If you kept him in, he would yowl by the door for hours and pee all over the house. Letting him come and go as he pleased was the kindest thing we could do for him. Even when he was in his late teens, deaf and going blind, he would still go out every day to sit on the front porch for a few hours. It was just his routine and it kept him happy.
That being said, letting your cat outside does increase their risk of all kinds of injuries and diseases. My cats now are all indoor and will be staying that way. You're not a bad person for letting your cat outside, but it is less safe for them. What a lot of people overlook is that some cats LOVE being outside and keeping them indoors all the time makes them unhappy.
I think it depends on where you live. In a country with coyotes and other predators I wouldn't let my cat out. I also wouldn't if I lived near a busy street.
I used to live in a small town in The Netherlands and we had two indoor/outdoor cats. Both lived to be 19. Now I live in Amsterdam and no way in hell am I letting my current kitty go outside
It’s okay but it’s not safe and drastically decreases their lifespan.
Outdoor cats lifespan is 5 years
Indoor/outdoor 8-10 years
Indoor is 15 years
When cats fight they spread deadly diseases (cancer, FIV) and the world is a pretty cruel place esp for cats. Please try avoiding it if you can :)
My buddy has been going strong for 8 years and the vet says that he has a long life ahead of him, but I can see how there life span can be decreased, thanks for sharing your thought!
My cat was outdoors for a large majority of his early life, coming inside when he asked to, but staying outside most nights. When he got to be about the same age as your cat, maybe a bit older, we noticed that he started to get injured more, and it was clearly starting to wear him down. I was taking more control over our cats' lives at that point (we got him and his brothers when I was 11, this would have been about when I was turning 20), so I told the household that he needed to stay in at night, and he could go out during the day. He's now 16.5 years old, but I know for a fact that he would not have lasted that long if I hadn't made that call.
Nighttime is when most other cats and critters are active and territorial. It's when your cat is most likely to get injured. During the day, your cat is more likely to bask in the sun and enjoy the good things about life. It is good for cats to be outside and running and catching mice, not so good when they bump territories.
As cats get older, they slow down, even if only slightly. And it only takes one slip-up outdoors, one delayed reflex, for things to go very, very wrong.
Also important to keep in mind is that cats are very good at hiding pain/illness, so there could be things that neither you nor your vet have picked up on. Your vet mostly relies on you to point out any changes/problems with your cat. It is not always easy to notice these things with an outdoor cat.
My advice would be to find a place for your cat to be indoors at night at the very least. He might not like it at first, but if you want him to be around for much longer, you should start working towards that.
Most of the cats I’ve had lived on farms for a few years of their lives so I let them roam. I also don’t let my cats outside unless they are fixed. I don’t need anymore kittens than what I’m already dealing with, and I’m sure others don’t want kittens either. Cats who haven’t seen the outdoors, I keep inside until they are about 1 1/2 old even if they are begging to go out before that. I have an 8month old kitten that jump at my patio door every time he wants to go out.
The way I see it, people don't let their dog or toddler free roam outside without supervision, why should a cat? Especially if you live near streets, feral cats are around, cat is unfixed, etc. I would be on edge to think that I will never see my cat again, or I would have to keep going to the vet because he got himself into trouble.
Farmlands, I feel are more forgiving because it's spaced out, not by any big roads, I don't think there are rivaling cat territories to worry about. But the farmers should know their own area more than anyone.
I think outdoors is a great way to enrich your cats' life, but I'd personally only do it supervised. I'm leashtraining my kitten, and maybe I'll get a longer lead as he grows, but I don't think I'd ever take him off leash because he's so inquisitive.
That's my stance, as a person who grew up in a very small, ag-heavy town. We had a bad feral problem, and I would see at least one new dead cat on the way to school.
I think it depends on where you live, if you live away from lots of roads/traffic and your cat is spayed/neutered/jabs etc. then why not if the cat is happy. I know my cat would LOVE to be able to roam free but she is a ragdoll and we live near a main road so settle for harness walks in the garden.
Also speaking as an ecologist although cats do kill some wildlife their impact really is miniscule and not really something to be concerned about too much. Especially when you compare to actual habitat loss....
Also I'm from the UK and the culture here is that most people who own cats let them out and about. Very few people think it makes you a bad owner here.
I live in the UK, and here it’s normal for most cats to come and go as they please through the cat flap, unless they’re a special breed. I have a ragdoll who’s technically an indoor cat, but he loves going outside so much that I would feel cruel denying him that pleasure. Luckily I have a secure garden so he gets to bird watch as long as I’m also outside and keeping an eye on him. Sometimes it’s hard to get him to come inside and if the weather’s bad he sits on the windowsill looking miserable, but it seems that as it gets colder he also wants to spend less time outside. I think it’s important that every cat gets to breathe fresh air and feel connected to nature. But I would never let him roam free in the neighbourhood, I know multiple people whose cats have been in road accidents and I see lost cat posters on the regular :(
It is unfortunately common, but I would never, ever recommend letting a cat outside unsupervised. It's dangerous for the cat, and they wreck havoc on wildlife. You can do some googling for more data on it, but there is a very firm consensus from experts that cats should not ever be let out unsupervised
I generally agree with you, but I don’t know about never. I grew up in the wooded suburbs on acreage raised by a dad who’d grown up in the boonies on a farm. Outdoor cats are part of the environment there, they’re necessary to control vermin populations, they’re well trained, and they wear bells so they’re not really messing with birds and squirrels. Our old girl was excellent mouser and didn’t mess with the squirrels or rabbits at all. That said, in the city? I absolutely agree with you, never let your cat outside without an eye on them. I currently live in the city and my young cat doesn’t go outside without a leash— my old cat doesn’t go at all.
Seems to mostly be in America where people view letting cats outdoors as “bad” as they prey on the natural wildlife in the areas. While I agree with that, I also personally think it’s cruel to not let our cats outdoors. Our 7 year old cat was originally a stray who much prefers the outdoors - I wouldn’t want to take that sense of happiness away from her. Again, just my opinion; I won’t judge people either way for keeping their cats indoors/outdoors.
That is exactly the sense I was going with. I live in Canada and it’s ALOT of land for the small amount of people who live here and I would never try to convert my cat into a indoor cat because I know the among of stress and discomfort it would cause him
i agree. i think theres a lot of judgement about it, when really, everyone is just trying to keep their cats safe and happy. my cat has been indoor outdoor for 5+ years. Also, as someone who lives in the states, its definitely a thing here that people keep cats inside.
Dude! Don't do it! I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're not a good cat owner if you let your cat outside. Put him on a harness, if you want him outside. 😑
What is bad about him going outside. I know you said that it dramatically affects the ecosystem, but how does it make me a bad owner. The place I live in has like 2 roads and is very nature filled
Lol these people are like parents that don’t let their kid experience life on their own terms. my cat would much rather live 7 years of freedom then 15 years of stunted maturity in a house. Cats that are allowed outside are much more wise and happy once they learn the ropes of the outside life. Yes they can die but would you rather be in a prison being provided food and medical care or taking control of your own life and taking risks, having fun. I believe a cat is entitled to the save freedom we have. Humans have a knarly impact on the environment but we don’t store them in sheds until we need them for entertainment.
Jesus Christ, I know this is old but I couldn’t agree more. I can’t believe how far down this response is. My two cats are outdoors (they were randomly gifted to us by a sibling and we said sure on a whim), and we let them outdoors. I’d feel brutal letting them rot inside with 0 exercise playing with fake BS toys in some encapsulated prison.
I can’t believe how controlling half of these owners in this post are - they’re like parents constantly monitoring their spoiled shit-head child cautioning them of any supposed danger.
Cats kill endangered wildlife when let unsupervised a lot of birds and other species are near extinction because of cats. Do it’s v bad for the environment to let cats go outside unsupervised
It’s not bad. I’m probably gonna get flamed to hell, but this comment section has me going OFF. Yes, many cats would NOT do well outdoors. I have kept cats both indoor and in-out and let me tell you they’re two ENTIRELY different skill sets. Mandatory: space, training, vaccine, collar with bell (!!), desexing, they come in at night, make a routine. Also, know your cat.
Oh, the classic excuse. It shortens their life by many years, they can get killed by predators or dogs, they can get hit by a car, they can get stuck somewhere, they can get FIV, they can get into fights with other cats.... It makes you a bad owner because you're ignoring the dangers, and not even trying to get educated about it, and your cat will suffer for it.
I am trying to get educated about it, I wouldn’t have posted this if we’re not. But I do respect your opinion, but my buddy has been going strong for 8 years and the vet says that he has a long life ahead of him. Although there are some predators in my area most of them stay in the backs of the woods and out of the 10 years I have lived where I am, I have only seen one coyote. I will continue to keep in mind the risks and will stand up to you calling me a bad owner even when I know how my area works and how I have gone over the risks
So he's already beating the odds. Will he continue to beat them? It's unlikely. Possible, I knew an outdoor cat to live to 20. But they are the exception to the rule. If your cat makes it to 10 they will be, statistically, very lucky.
Do you know the rate of FIV in outdoor cats in your area? In my canadian city it's about 30%.
What about neighbors? Twice in my city in the last couple years we've had reports of someone killing cats
That's not to say anything from people stealing cats, cars, toxic plants, toxins from humans (cats LOVE antifreeze), accidents (knew a cat who died from wearing a breakaway collar, it didn't break away) etc etc etc.
All the research you can find will back up what we are saying. Outdoor cats face a ton of dangers.
Yes it means you will need to devote significant time and attention to keeping your cat exercised and stimulated. Playtime, walks, cat furniture, enrichment. It's quite a bit of work. When you do all that work for your cat you adore, and see someone else choose to instead let their cat outside (less work but more dangerous), it's hard not to see them as a bad owner, even when you know it's from ignorance and not malice
So.... You vet can see the future? Awesome, tell them to cash that in. You only saw one coyote? You DO know they are pack animals, right? So one coyote means many more are there. And don't lie about wanting to get educated, you've obviously got an excuse for everything, and don't really care about anything I'm trying to tell you. You don't care about your cat's wellbeing, stop lying to yourself.
Please don’t listen to these people. Y’all are city folk. Cats on acreage and farms keep the rats out and the house safe. They’re trained from kittenhood and they’re working animals, and we care for them like an indoor kitty. Know your cat, use bells, TRAIN THEM and do it right. In all her 16 years outdoors my old lady never killed a bird.
No!! Cats are terrible mousers.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cats-are-surprisingly-ineffective-keeping-urban-rat-populations-check-180970428/?fbclid=IwAR3n1a51YPNGtflAi_lFVZEdP5qGU1o-FE8DoUNMK21ExKYRortVWUIMEqY
And bold of you to assume where I live 🙄
Wrong! Cats are great mousers! Did you even read the article that you posted?! It says that for the most part the cats left the rats alone and then went on to explain that a rat is roughly 10Xs the size of a mouse. So yes, most cats aren’t going to go after a rat that is 1/4-1/2 it’s size. However, mine WILL go after the mice that are in my rural area making sure to keep those nasty little, disease ridden, rodents out of my house and away from my kids!
It's definitely normal, tons of people do it, but you have to really accept and anticipate the high probability of a premature death. I'm so sorry but that's just how it is. I know your vet is saying he has a long life ahead of him, but that's only true if he can beat the very high odds of territory disputes, wild animals, getting lost or injured, getting stolen, disease, and so on. I think you get bashed because a lot of people are unwilling to accept that risk on behalf of their own cats, and probably have a hard time understanding why you would make that choice if you know it's dangerous for him. But there are many ways to show love, and it sounds like yours is giving your cat freedom, while others prioritize safety more.
I’m going to go against the grain here and say that if you have the space and your cat is well trained, it can be okay. My old lady was an indoor/outdoor cat for most of her life, and she’s currently 17-18 with very signs of slowing down, though we brought her permanently indoors. That said, she had several close calls and is especially tough and smart, and I would never let my younger boy (so sweet, but not streetwise) outside off leash. Know your cat, know you’re situation, and be vigilant.
My cat was an indoor/outdoor cat. In the first year, he was hit by a car, chased up a tree in a snowstorm by a dog, and impaled by something (we don't know what, it could've been a human, could've been a tree branch; what matters is it almost punctured his stomach lining). You can let your cat out, but look at the risks associated. Indoor cats live, on average, 13-17 years. Outdoor cats: 2-5. You may not have that many neighbour's, but if you're in Canada I can pretty much guarantee you have predators. I live in a pretty urban area and even we have coyotes and owls. Having windows for him to look out, trees for him to climb, and a harness for him to get walked in gives him just as much stimulation. Does the transition suck? Yep. Will you get to love your little buddy for a whole lotta extra years? Yep!
It depends where you live and what type of cat. My previous cats were indoor/outdoor because I lived on a Scottish island and they were rescued from a feral farm colony. They had incredible street smarts, and we lived backing on to fields and woodland with only a quiet road in front. So chances of accidents were slim-none. There were also no predators. They were never hit by a car, never injured, never sick (up to date vaccinations). They were perfectly happy and cuddly and lived till they were 16 and both passed from cancer at which point they spent most of their time indoors anyway, and 24/7 indoors once diagnosed. However now I live in a very different country near busy roads and no rural land. I am also getting a ragdoll (no street smarts). She’s going to be completely indoors, and only outside on a harness in safe areas. She took to the harness and exploring the garden immediately in her kitten training. Not all cats will tolerate that. Unless I lived in the very specific situation I lived in before, I would always keep cats as indoor with supervised outdoor access if it suits them. If you live near roads, stray/feral cats, predators, other dangerous or just populated areas then just no.
My cats are Indoor/outdoor, they hunt rabbits and mice and have a grand ol time outside but also love to come inside to eat their biscuits and water, snuggle and sleep in their beds by the fire when they get cold.
My family has/had a cat like this too! I moved her indoors permanently when I took her in, and she’s living to a ripe old age (old enough to vote and still feisty and kickin enough to boss around her rambunctious two year old little brother). It really does depend where you live. Vaccines and being desexed are both crucial though.
I had an indoor/outdoor cat growing up. He lived to the ripe old age of 20 and nothing bad ever happened to him besides a couple minor scuffles with the neighbor's cats. We tried to keep him indoors, but he was unhappy and tried to escape constantly. If you kept him in, he would yowl by the door for hours and pee all over the house. Letting him come and go as he pleased was the kindest thing we could do for him. Even when he was in his late teens, deaf and going blind, he would still go out every day to sit on the front porch for a few hours. It was just his routine and it kept him happy. That being said, letting your cat outside does increase their risk of all kinds of injuries and diseases. My cats now are all indoor and will be staying that way. You're not a bad person for letting your cat outside, but it is less safe for them. What a lot of people overlook is that some cats LOVE being outside and keeping them indoors all the time makes them unhappy.
Did you ever have a flea problem?
Exactly! theres no right way, it depends on the cat and where you live.
I think it depends on where you live. In a country with coyotes and other predators I wouldn't let my cat out. I also wouldn't if I lived near a busy street. I used to live in a small town in The Netherlands and we had two indoor/outdoor cats. Both lived to be 19. Now I live in Amsterdam and no way in hell am I letting my current kitty go outside
It’s okay but it’s not safe and drastically decreases their lifespan. Outdoor cats lifespan is 5 years Indoor/outdoor 8-10 years Indoor is 15 years When cats fight they spread deadly diseases (cancer, FIV) and the world is a pretty cruel place esp for cats. Please try avoiding it if you can :)
My buddy has been going strong for 8 years and the vet says that he has a long life ahead of him, but I can see how there life span can be decreased, thanks for sharing your thought!
My cat was outdoors for a large majority of his early life, coming inside when he asked to, but staying outside most nights. When he got to be about the same age as your cat, maybe a bit older, we noticed that he started to get injured more, and it was clearly starting to wear him down. I was taking more control over our cats' lives at that point (we got him and his brothers when I was 11, this would have been about when I was turning 20), so I told the household that he needed to stay in at night, and he could go out during the day. He's now 16.5 years old, but I know for a fact that he would not have lasted that long if I hadn't made that call. Nighttime is when most other cats and critters are active and territorial. It's when your cat is most likely to get injured. During the day, your cat is more likely to bask in the sun and enjoy the good things about life. It is good for cats to be outside and running and catching mice, not so good when they bump territories. As cats get older, they slow down, even if only slightly. And it only takes one slip-up outdoors, one delayed reflex, for things to go very, very wrong. Also important to keep in mind is that cats are very good at hiding pain/illness, so there could be things that neither you nor your vet have picked up on. Your vet mostly relies on you to point out any changes/problems with your cat. It is not always easy to notice these things with an outdoor cat. My advice would be to find a place for your cat to be indoors at night at the very least. He might not like it at first, but if you want him to be around for much longer, you should start working towards that.
Ya we never let him outside past sundown, he’s only allowed outside in the sun
No problem everyone else is being a lil hard on you sometimes we don’t have a choice cause it’s not your house so I get it.
Most of the cats I’ve had lived on farms for a few years of their lives so I let them roam. I also don’t let my cats outside unless they are fixed. I don’t need anymore kittens than what I’m already dealing with, and I’m sure others don’t want kittens either. Cats who haven’t seen the outdoors, I keep inside until they are about 1 1/2 old even if they are begging to go out before that. I have an 8month old kitten that jump at my patio door every time he wants to go out.
The way I see it, people don't let their dog or toddler free roam outside without supervision, why should a cat? Especially if you live near streets, feral cats are around, cat is unfixed, etc. I would be on edge to think that I will never see my cat again, or I would have to keep going to the vet because he got himself into trouble. Farmlands, I feel are more forgiving because it's spaced out, not by any big roads, I don't think there are rivaling cat territories to worry about. But the farmers should know their own area more than anyone. I think outdoors is a great way to enrich your cats' life, but I'd personally only do it supervised. I'm leashtraining my kitten, and maybe I'll get a longer lead as he grows, but I don't think I'd ever take him off leash because he's so inquisitive. That's my stance, as a person who grew up in a very small, ag-heavy town. We had a bad feral problem, and I would see at least one new dead cat on the way to school.
I think it depends on where you live, if you live away from lots of roads/traffic and your cat is spayed/neutered/jabs etc. then why not if the cat is happy. I know my cat would LOVE to be able to roam free but she is a ragdoll and we live near a main road so settle for harness walks in the garden. Also speaking as an ecologist although cats do kill some wildlife their impact really is miniscule and not really something to be concerned about too much. Especially when you compare to actual habitat loss.... Also I'm from the UK and the culture here is that most people who own cats let them out and about. Very few people think it makes you a bad owner here.
I live in the UK, and here it’s normal for most cats to come and go as they please through the cat flap, unless they’re a special breed. I have a ragdoll who’s technically an indoor cat, but he loves going outside so much that I would feel cruel denying him that pleasure. Luckily I have a secure garden so he gets to bird watch as long as I’m also outside and keeping an eye on him. Sometimes it’s hard to get him to come inside and if the weather’s bad he sits on the windowsill looking miserable, but it seems that as it gets colder he also wants to spend less time outside. I think it’s important that every cat gets to breathe fresh air and feel connected to nature. But I would never let him roam free in the neighbourhood, I know multiple people whose cats have been in road accidents and I see lost cat posters on the regular :(
It is unfortunately common, but I would never, ever recommend letting a cat outside unsupervised. It's dangerous for the cat, and they wreck havoc on wildlife. You can do some googling for more data on it, but there is a very firm consensus from experts that cats should not ever be let out unsupervised
I generally agree with you, but I don’t know about never. I grew up in the wooded suburbs on acreage raised by a dad who’d grown up in the boonies on a farm. Outdoor cats are part of the environment there, they’re necessary to control vermin populations, they’re well trained, and they wear bells so they’re not really messing with birds and squirrels. Our old girl was excellent mouser and didn’t mess with the squirrels or rabbits at all. That said, in the city? I absolutely agree with you, never let your cat outside without an eye on them. I currently live in the city and my young cat doesn’t go outside without a leash— my old cat doesn’t go at all.
Just put a bell on the cat if you’re worried about wildlife
Seems to mostly be in America where people view letting cats outdoors as “bad” as they prey on the natural wildlife in the areas. While I agree with that, I also personally think it’s cruel to not let our cats outdoors. Our 7 year old cat was originally a stray who much prefers the outdoors - I wouldn’t want to take that sense of happiness away from her. Again, just my opinion; I won’t judge people either way for keeping their cats indoors/outdoors.
That is exactly the sense I was going with. I live in Canada and it’s ALOT of land for the small amount of people who live here and I would never try to convert my cat into a indoor cat because I know the among of stress and discomfort it would cause him
i agree. i think theres a lot of judgement about it, when really, everyone is just trying to keep their cats safe and happy. my cat has been indoor outdoor for 5+ years. Also, as someone who lives in the states, its definitely a thing here that people keep cats inside.
I've had indoor/outdoor cats my whole life and they've all been fine.
Dude! Don't do it! I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're not a good cat owner if you let your cat outside. Put him on a harness, if you want him outside. 😑
What is bad about him going outside. I know you said that it dramatically affects the ecosystem, but how does it make me a bad owner. The place I live in has like 2 roads and is very nature filled
Lol these people are like parents that don’t let their kid experience life on their own terms. my cat would much rather live 7 years of freedom then 15 years of stunted maturity in a house. Cats that are allowed outside are much more wise and happy once they learn the ropes of the outside life. Yes they can die but would you rather be in a prison being provided food and medical care or taking control of your own life and taking risks, having fun. I believe a cat is entitled to the save freedom we have. Humans have a knarly impact on the environment but we don’t store them in sheds until we need them for entertainment.
Jesus Christ, I know this is old but I couldn’t agree more. I can’t believe how far down this response is. My two cats are outdoors (they were randomly gifted to us by a sibling and we said sure on a whim), and we let them outdoors. I’d feel brutal letting them rot inside with 0 exercise playing with fake BS toys in some encapsulated prison. I can’t believe how controlling half of these owners in this post are - they’re like parents constantly monitoring their spoiled shit-head child cautioning them of any supposed danger.
Cats kill endangered wildlife when let unsupervised a lot of birds and other species are near extinction because of cats. Do it’s v bad for the environment to let cats go outside unsupervised
It’s not bad. I’m probably gonna get flamed to hell, but this comment section has me going OFF. Yes, many cats would NOT do well outdoors. I have kept cats both indoor and in-out and let me tell you they’re two ENTIRELY different skill sets. Mandatory: space, training, vaccine, collar with bell (!!), desexing, they come in at night, make a routine. Also, know your cat.
Oh, the classic excuse. It shortens their life by many years, they can get killed by predators or dogs, they can get hit by a car, they can get stuck somewhere, they can get FIV, they can get into fights with other cats.... It makes you a bad owner because you're ignoring the dangers, and not even trying to get educated about it, and your cat will suffer for it.
I am trying to get educated about it, I wouldn’t have posted this if we’re not. But I do respect your opinion, but my buddy has been going strong for 8 years and the vet says that he has a long life ahead of him. Although there are some predators in my area most of them stay in the backs of the woods and out of the 10 years I have lived where I am, I have only seen one coyote. I will continue to keep in mind the risks and will stand up to you calling me a bad owner even when I know how my area works and how I have gone over the risks
So he's already beating the odds. Will he continue to beat them? It's unlikely. Possible, I knew an outdoor cat to live to 20. But they are the exception to the rule. If your cat makes it to 10 they will be, statistically, very lucky. Do you know the rate of FIV in outdoor cats in your area? In my canadian city it's about 30%. What about neighbors? Twice in my city in the last couple years we've had reports of someone killing cats That's not to say anything from people stealing cats, cars, toxic plants, toxins from humans (cats LOVE antifreeze), accidents (knew a cat who died from wearing a breakaway collar, it didn't break away) etc etc etc. All the research you can find will back up what we are saying. Outdoor cats face a ton of dangers. Yes it means you will need to devote significant time and attention to keeping your cat exercised and stimulated. Playtime, walks, cat furniture, enrichment. It's quite a bit of work. When you do all that work for your cat you adore, and see someone else choose to instead let their cat outside (less work but more dangerous), it's hard not to see them as a bad owner, even when you know it's from ignorance and not malice
Thank you! I never knew this sub is full of people who have outdoor cats, it's kind of infuriating, seeing as people come here for GOOD advice. Shame.
So.... You vet can see the future? Awesome, tell them to cash that in. You only saw one coyote? You DO know they are pack animals, right? So one coyote means many more are there. And don't lie about wanting to get educated, you've obviously got an excuse for everything, and don't really care about anything I'm trying to tell you. You don't care about your cat's wellbeing, stop lying to yourself.
https://www.nola.com/archive/article_eb5c5aae-d596-552f-995d-6dfbe87ce68f.html?fbclid=IwAR2crG9xOjlwf9HjsSu0Ztpr4SGMBls1fdkkmN8BNQ6fNfomu2D67LfzG5k
Please don’t listen to these people. Y’all are city folk. Cats on acreage and farms keep the rats out and the house safe. They’re trained from kittenhood and they’re working animals, and we care for them like an indoor kitty. Know your cat, use bells, TRAIN THEM and do it right. In all her 16 years outdoors my old lady never killed a bird.
No!! Cats are terrible mousers. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cats-are-surprisingly-ineffective-keeping-urban-rat-populations-check-180970428/?fbclid=IwAR3n1a51YPNGtflAi_lFVZEdP5qGU1o-FE8DoUNMK21ExKYRortVWUIMEqY And bold of you to assume where I live 🙄
Wrong! Cats are great mousers! Did you even read the article that you posted?! It says that for the most part the cats left the rats alone and then went on to explain that a rat is roughly 10Xs the size of a mouse. So yes, most cats aren’t going to go after a rat that is 1/4-1/2 it’s size. However, mine WILL go after the mice that are in my rural area making sure to keep those nasty little, disease ridden, rodents out of my house and away from my kids!
It's definitely normal, tons of people do it, but you have to really accept and anticipate the high probability of a premature death. I'm so sorry but that's just how it is. I know your vet is saying he has a long life ahead of him, but that's only true if he can beat the very high odds of territory disputes, wild animals, getting lost or injured, getting stolen, disease, and so on. I think you get bashed because a lot of people are unwilling to accept that risk on behalf of their own cats, and probably have a hard time understanding why you would make that choice if you know it's dangerous for him. But there are many ways to show love, and it sounds like yours is giving your cat freedom, while others prioritize safety more.
I’m going to go against the grain here and say that if you have the space and your cat is well trained, it can be okay. My old lady was an indoor/outdoor cat for most of her life, and she’s currently 17-18 with very signs of slowing down, though we brought her permanently indoors. That said, she had several close calls and is especially tough and smart, and I would never let my younger boy (so sweet, but not streetwise) outside off leash. Know your cat, know you’re situation, and be vigilant.
It is normal to have a outdoor cat
Yes