Letting cats free Roam outside

[BostonBanker]

I don't have cats because I can't let them outside.

I am very mixed on the subject of outdoor cats. I dislike the fact that their life expectancy declines so much and the fact that cats are often destructive to other peoples' property since they rarely stay within the confines of their own property, but I also dislike the thought of having a cat and never letting it out to prowl, explore and hunt.

This. I'll likely never own a cat again, because the idea of an indoor only cat doesn't appeal to me at all, and having cats allowed outdoors is so clearly a no-no now. Our cat growing up was an indoor/outdoor cat. He went in and out as he pleased (often several times a night, to the annoyance of my mother). At one point he went missing for a couple of days; he showed up again a bit ragged looking, but otherwise fine. There was never another day we didn't see him in and out regularly. He was a spectacular hunter, regularly caught birds and rodents, and once was sighted going after a fox. I can't imagine providing an indoor only cat with the level of stimulation cats get outdoors.

I've never met an indoor only cat whose personality I really loved (with the caveat that I've known far, far fewer indoor only cats than indoor/outdoor). They are always a bit off. The barn cats and indoor/outdoor cats I've known are the coolest by far.

But I couldn't have a cat allowed outdoors in this day and age, so I solve the problem by just not having cats.

 

[skittledoo]

I have no issue with barn cats honestly. They are outside with a job to do and that's to keep the barns clear of mice and critters.

When I was growing up we had indoor only cats, outdoor only cats and indoor/outdoor cats. We had quite a few cats and my parents chose whether they were indoor or outdoor individually based on the cat. One of my outdoor cats lived into his 20's and my sister just euthanized him recently. We had a couple cats disappear. We had a cat killed by a neighbor's dog on our own property. Still we had some cats that stayed outdoors and all of our neighbors were fine with it. Depends on where you live too though and whether the people around you are fine with your cats running around. It never was a taboo thing when I was growing up so the idea that outside cats are a no-no is still pretty foreign to me. I prefer my cats indoors personally, but we have an indoor/outdoor cat that lives here too (landlord's) and he hasn't caused any issues. If anything he helps keep the mice population down somewhat.

 

[Dekka]

I get that cats could be happier outside. Quest would just LOVE it and would likely be so happy if I just kicked her out unsupervised. That doesn't make it the best option.

So many studies have been done on cats. Feral and hungry or well fed and pampered.. makes no difference to the drive to hunt and kill prey. Some farmers swear that well fed cats do a better job at hunting vermin as they are fitter and healthier. Domestic cats are one of the few creatures that kill even when satiated.

I remember one study I was reading and they kept releasing a mouse in a room with a cat. After the cat killed another was released.. it was found that cats get all excited to kill even when they have a kill and will do this to exhaustion.

They are significant issue to wildlife in ontario. (as well as else where)

A recent breakthrough study conducted by the University of Georgia and National Geographic offers a stunning in-depth look into the lives and behaviors of domestic cats. Researchers attached individual micro video cameras to sixty outdoor house cats in Athens, Georgia, whereby scientists were able to visually examine the lives of these study cats throughout the four seasons. Staggeringly, the report revealed these cats averaged roughly one kill for every 17 hours spent outside, which translates into 2.1 kills per week. Of these kills, only 25 percent made it back to the home. This astonishing discovery challenges previous mortality rates of birds and animals by outdoor house cats that were formerly estimated at around one billion per year. Now experts agree that outdoor cats kill up to 4 billion animals a year

 

[speedydogs]

This. I'll likely never own a cat again, because the idea of an indoor only cat doesn't appeal to me at all, and having cats allowed outdoors is so clearly a no-no now.

I feel this way too. As much as I love cats, probably the only cats I'd consider owning are seniors that would be content to laze around inside all day. Our current cat is indoor/outdoor, because that's just how things were done at the time we adopted him, and it would be cruel to start confining him now. Besides, he's almost twenty - if he was younger I would feel differently, but at his age he's not much of a threat to himself or wildlife, since all he does is sunbathe on the deck.

If we did get another cat (which I don't foresee happening), it would be indoor-only. I'm sure most cats are happier being indoor/outdoor, but there definitely risks involved and it doesn't feel responsible to me anymore. Plus, a single cat can kill an astounding amount of wildlife - they are an invasive species and can be very harmful to local ecosystems. Just look at places like Hawaii, where populations of loose and feral cats have done a huge amount of damage to endemic species.

I also think it's a weird double standard - it's very frowned upon to let your dogs run loose, so why is it fine to do the same with your cats?

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I don't know that I would have a cat that I let outside. I grew up with indoor/outdoor cats but we also had a few cats that just...never came home. I also know that some of our cats just wouldn't have been happy if they were stuck inside. So I'm torn. I think if I had a cat now I would keep it only inside. But do I mind that people let their cats outside? No. I grew up doing that and I have known many barn cats. I think it's fine. But I probably wouldn't do it.

 

[Romy]

After Smellycat is gone, whether someone is crazy enough to take her or she dies of old age (she'll probably break a Guinness record for longevity with my luck) I don't plan to get another cat unless it's one from a breeder. Some day I'd like a bengal or two. It sounds horrible, but I wouldn't want to let a cat I paid several hundred dollars for outside unsupervised, in addition to it possibly bothering neighbors and stuff. With a bengal I'd be pretty worried about someone stealing it.

I also despise litter boxes though, so that will never happen unless I buy my own house and have a setup like my old neighbor had with the giant screened in room and secret passageway to the garage where the litter boxes were kept in a tool shed, AWAY from the house.

 

[sassafras]

Guys, I'm not talking about cats who are a little annoying or seem "sad" or door dash.

I'm talking about cats that overgroom themselves to the point of harming or mutilating themselves. Cats that have serious barrier frustration and displacement aggression to other household residents (human and otherwise). Cats that develop pica, or DESTROY things, break through screens, or develop inappropriate elimination that can't be solved any other way. (All of these without other causes after being worked up, that is.)

Are they most cats out there? No. But if I had one of those cats, I'd let them outdoors where they might be physically at more risk instead of watch them unravel mentally before my eyes.

 

[joce]

Around here cats get eaten by coyotes. I'd rather put them to sleep vs letting them outside. I also get insanely upset with the neighbors who let them out because now we have coyotes who will not leave and they threaten my animals. It all started with a neighbor who had a ton of outdoor cats. We never had an issue with the coyotes till then.

My brothers cat used to try to run out and got out a few times. She acted miserable. But she is just fine as an indoor cat now. They adjust. Dogs don't like crates and my horses don't like trailers but we train them to deal with it.

If a cats is attacking people I'm not letting it out I am seeing if it has a tumor and if not putting it down. I wouldn't accept it in a dog or a cat.

This is why I keep hearing people paying thousands for bengals and other breeds and they act nuts. It's the breed. They require some mental stimulation. I am doubtful any of the last several generations have been outside to make them want out, theyjust want something to do.

 

[sassafras]

I grow weary of people comparing cats and dogs in terms of behavior. Their behavior is completely different.

 

[Grab]

I have indoor cats (and always have). My grandparents briefly had indoor/outdoor cats when I was very young, but they stopped after a few were wounded. I just see too many abscesses, diseases, and injuries/death in my line of work to feel comfortable about it with my OWN cats. I also dodge hitting cats on a daily basis because my neighborhood is a loose cat haven apparently.

Everyone has to choose what to do with their own cats is up to them, provided they're aware of and are ok with the risks.

I think the closest I'd come is to have an enclosed outdoor area.

Honestly, though, my cats are not interested in the outdoors. And that includes the two persians who were (separately) found outdoors.

 

[Oko]

I grow weary of people comparing cats and dogs in terms of behavior. Their behavior is completely different.

This.

We had indoor/outdoor cats when we lived in a small town, up until 3 were 13 years old. Now they're all indoor because we have a busy road in front of the house. Occasionally the old guys (now 16) are let outside, because they just sit right out back in the sunshine. I probably won't have cats of my own when I move out, too much worry.

 

[Romy]

Guys, I'm not talking about cats who are a little annoying or seem "sad" or door dash.

I'm talking about cats that overgroom themselves to the point of harming or mutilating themselves. Cats that have serious barrier frustration and displacement aggression to other household residents (human and otherwise). Cats that develop pica, or DESTROY things, break through screens, or develop inappropriate elimination that can't be solved any other way. (All of these without other causes after being worked up, that is.)

Are they most cats out there? No. But if I had one of those cats, I'd let them outdoors where they might be physically at more risk instead of watch them unravel mentally before my eyes.

This is Smellycat. To a T.

It's really sad, because she does have nice points. But she the product of:

Mom got pregnant by either dad or brother

Had kittens.

One of her inbred sons from the second litter got her pregnant again

Had Kittens. Smellycat was born.

I am SO SO HAPPY she's spayed. Ugh. There are definitely some mental/emotional problems there, and I blame them solely on being so horribly inbred because we got her as a tiny kitten and raised her with tons of love and socialization and tried for YEARS to make her an indoor cat.

She's also convinced me to get a cat from a breeder next time around. Unless some local soldier gets deployed and we randomly end up with a nice, well mannered adult.

 

[Greenmagick]

I've had cats my entire life, even when I didnt have dogs. No, they are not dogs BUT they are not so very different in terms of training, setting up rules and guidelines, etc. I did start letting my one cat out for a bit keeping a close eye on him as he just slept on the front porch and garden...til the one day he didnt. He was gone for three days and I will never put myself through that again. I read too much about cats being denied if they werent allowed outside, that it was unfair to not let them out, etc. Yeah, I disagree. It took a couple weeks for him to get used to not being able to go outside again, but now he is fine.

Personality? I can tell you my cats have great personalities. Fiona is more "cat" in general (still great personality but more independent) but Odin, he he awesome. Friendly, fun, outgoing, etc. Sure, if someone takes a cat, sticks it inside and does nothing with it...probably not going to be a happy cat...same if you did it to a dog.

For the cats that really do freak about not being let outside....build a safe enclosure, or a cat proof fence, or train them to a leash and collar.

 

[Kat09Tails]

My thoughts are unless you can keep them in your yard, don't come crying to me when it gets eaten by a coyote, gets FIV, flattened by a car, ripped up by another cat or raccoon, killed by a dog, or eaten by birds of prey. If it's outdoors and unconfined imo you are a negligent owner.

How unwelcome are outdoor cats at my home? I trap them and turn them into the shelter. I used to let the collared ones go but I treat them now no better than a well dressed feral. No, I don't have to tolerate your outdoor cat on my property even if they're not harming anyone. Because you don't come to my house to clean up their crap out of my garden or the spraying on my car, clean up the mess of dead bird parts by my feeder, or listen to the cats fighting with raccoons and other cats outside my home. They are not a natural part of the ecosystem, they're an invasive pest.

 

[Laurelin]

Those cat enclosures are pretty darn cool.

 

[LauraLeigh]

I wish I'd never posted this, maybe it's my stress load lately.... Maybe it's just having lost all of my pets INSIDE my home, but being called a negligent owner for my choice, with Nuts and Minnie at least, who lived to 8 without injury until 6 weeks ago, actually has me in tears.... I'm not usually that sensitive...

 

[Linds]

I wish I'd never posted this, maybe it's my stress load lately.... Maybe it's just having lost all of my pets INSIDE my home, but being called a negligent owner for my choice, with Nuts and Minnie at least, who lived to 8 without injury until 6 weeks ago, actually has me in tears.... I'm not usually that sensitive...

I think there is some awful judgmental and rather harsh sweeping statements being made in this thread. And I know I personally would be hesitant to make/say those same things about most controversial things I feel strongly about because things aren't typically that simple.

But I know I personally understand exactly where you are coming from and the dilemma you face. I hope you find a solution that you and your cat are happy with.

 

[ACooper]

My thoughts are unless you can keep them in your yard, don't come crying to me when it gets eaten by a coyote, gets FIV, flattened by a car, ripped up by another cat or raccoon, killed by a dog, or eaten by birds of prey. If it's outdoors and unconfined imo you are a negligent owner.

How unwelcome are outdoor cats at my home? I trap them and turn them into the shelter. I used to let the collared ones go but I treat them now no better than a well dressed feral. No, I don't have to tolerate your outdoor cat on my property even if they're not harming anyone. Because you don't come to my house to clean up their crap out of my garden or the spraying on my car, clean up the mess of dead bird parts by my feeder, or listen to the cats fighting with raccoons and other cats outside my home. They are not a natural part of the ecosystem, they're an invasive pest.

I have to agree with the above. Sorry LauraLeigh, I'm not trying to add to your stress.........it's just right now, we are dealing with neighbors who won't keep their cats out of our yard.

They have destroyed our lawn furniture cushions (hundreds of dollars) they have peed all over an area rug (hundreds more dollars) which I ultimately threw out because..........ya, cat pee! They crap all over our yard (hazardous in some cases!) destroy the bird population that was once a joy here, it's just horrendous to deal with.

I am pretty much to the point of catch and turn into the shelter....if the shelter can/will even accept them this time of year. I have two other neighbors who are to the point of setting out poison

If you have a cat that truly needs to be outdoors....or if you just want to enrich their lives (cause hey, who doesn't want a change of scenery) then provide them with an outdoor space which contains them, keeps them safe, and the neighbor hood safe from them as well.

 

[LauraLeigh]

I get that, when you have neighbors...

I don't... The two I do have know my cats and I know the barn cats, they had absolutely no issues...

 

[ACooper]

Honestly, as a kid, I mainly grew up in the boonies. Our cats were allowed in and out by their choosing. There was only 1 neighbor for miles, we knew the risks to the cats and accepted that.

Out in the country (IMO) isn't exactly the same rules to live by in town..........and if I lived in the country right now, I imagine I'd have a cat or two that could come and go as they pleased.

*shrugs*

But people in town, PLEASE consider your fellow man (and woman!!)