Are your cats indoor or outdoor cats?
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
United States
24 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
27 Jan 07
My cat is an indoor cat. He is taken out on a leash and harness to my back yard during warm weather for 'play time,' but I stay right with him. My husband made a window perch for him in our den on which he enjoys sitting to watch the birds. Our first cat was killed outdoors and I said then, never again!
3 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Yes heaven, you are right. I had to pick her up and take her to the vet to hear him say he wouldn't be able to save her. I had listened to all the people who convinced me that cats were "meant to be outdoor animals," "they love to hunt mice and birds and need to do that" and so on. I had her for 7 years before she was run over. My current cat is 9 years old. He is honestly like a child in so many ways! Thanks for the thread (and the 'best response!) I enjoy being able to share my memories of her!
1 person likes this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I'm sorry about your first cat. The same thing happened to us and we had to learn our lesson the hard way. I will NEVER again allow my cat to be an outdoor cat. When you watch one that you love die because of it, then it makes things so much different and you realize what a mistake it was but it's too late.
1 person likes this
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Well, I grew up in the county up north, and we had Barn cats.. it's a little different than outdoor cats in that, there are a ton of them, you don't really give them shots or anything, because there are simply too many. I know all we did was put food and water out for them, and in the winter we would put hay/straw and some blankets in our shed for them. We didn't really go and get a cat, we just found one, and fed it.. and then the numbers grew. I think at one time we must have had 20 of them or so.
3 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Barn cats are a little different - I think they are like feral cats, more wild and not meant to be inside. They are used for killing the mice on the farm and are in all sense "working cats". I hate to think of them like that and my heart breaks when they die as well but there are just some cats that are strictly outdoor cats and not pets. I do not have a problem with that. Plus they live on a farm and really have no reason to go off anywhere else.
Thanks for your opinion and post!
1 person likes this
@MrsPrincessPunk (18)
• United States
26 Jan 07
My cat is only an indoor cat. When we first got him, we were living in apts so that wasn't an option. But we've moved into a house and still keep him inside because the neighbors next door have 2 HUGE dogs that aren't nice. That and I fear my cat would do something stupid like play in the street!!
3 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
It's smart that you are keeping him inside - especially if there are big mean dogs next door. Cats like to explore and often do not know where good and bad places are. I'm glad you keep him indoors.
1 person likes this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
That's too bad they the old owners trained the cat to be outside. It is also a danger to your inside cats because outside cats are exposed to alot more germs and diseases and if they come inside around your indoor cats, they can pass it to them. I hope you keep them all updated on their shots. I'm glad your other 4 are indoor cats. That was a smart decision.
Thanks for sharing!
@lilypie (79)
• United States
27 Jan 07
My cat used to love to go outside but since she is older she stays in most of the time and I am glad.
Every once in awhile she meows at the door to go out she likes to roll in the grass and then comes right back in :)
She has done this for 10 years, I think she is marking the yard but I'm not sure?
3 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
We take our cat into the backyard with us in the summer and let her explore while we watch. She loves to lay on the grass and roll around too. I think it just feel good on their fur. I love to watch her chase bugs - it's too funny.
1 person likes this
@aarongriffin81 (83)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I have 2 Cats, strickly indoor. We sometimes adopt an outdoor cat that comes looking for food and we feed it and sometimes have to even tame it. We dont bring in the adopted cats for a couple reasons. First, It may be our neigbors cat and it would be wrong to take it, and Second, Our indoor cats would be very upset to see another cat around. But I always watch for strays outside to take care of.
3 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I also look for cats to feed outside. Some cats are feral cats and will never be inside cats with a family. They are too wild. I feel sorry for them but I try to leave food and pray they are o.k.
Thank you for sharing!
@Sm00tH (2037)
• Belgium
25 Jan 07
i have 2 cats, one of them is mostly indoor, except during summer when my backdoor is open, then she comes out to lay down in the shadow, but when the door is closed she can't go out, she doesn't fit in the cat door lol she's too fat to get through. The other 1 is mostly inside but a couple of times a day she goes out for a fresh nose and mostly comes back after 15 minutes, during summer she's mostly gone inspecting the gardens for about 2 hours.
3 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
That is too funny about her being too fat. I'm glad your cats are mostly indoors but I bet they have alot of fun playing in the garden!
1 person likes this
@cloud_kicker_32 (4635)
• United States
27 Jan 07
hey there! I have indoor and outdoor cats..Dude is 14 yrs old..hes orange and white,,.and a black cat his name is Stormy,they are wonderful cats!althoug my Dude,,he has a weird friendship with the raccoons in town lol.,they just lay next toeach other and sleep on the back porch..lol..they have accepted us humans here i guess and they live under my home..but they are potty trained to go outside..even on the coldest nights they go out and right back in when theer done..summertime..i hardly see them..lol..they love the outdoors and i have no traffic to worry about,,and the coyotes are gone..so no worries..and they are just the best kids ever ! lol..well after my son of course!! lol
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Sounds like you really love your cats, that is awesome!
I wish I knew how to potty train my Zoe because I hate the litter box!
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
27 Jan 07
We have five cats. Four of them are outdoor
indoor cats. One has absolutely no interest
of the outside.
I imagine the environment you live in is the
cause of your fear. I hope a human isn't to
blame for your feelings. ‹(°¿°)›
2 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
It's not just humans that I fear for my cat.. it's all the cars, the neighborhood kids who do not care about someone elses pet, the coyotes that sometimes come down into our area, poison, diseases, germs - there are alot of reasons why my cat will not be outdoor.
Mainly it was having to see a cat that I loved very much, who was an outdoor cat because I didn't educate myself about the subject, and came home one day with his face half hanging off and looking at me to help him and I couldn't. We had to put him to sleep and it was the hardest thing I've had to do in a long time. He didn't deserve to die in such pain and it was all my fault because I allowed him to be outside. I am the human, it's so easy for human's to decide if their cat will be inside or not. I think that if you are not able to care for a cat inside or you do not want the added cleaning or whatever - that is fine, just don't get a cat at all because it's not fair to them.
So yes, humans but also my own personal experience too.
@mariver101 (162)
• Indonesia
27 Jan 07
i have 4 cats. 2 male and 2 female.And they all an indoor cat. Can you believe that?
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Wow I bet its fun at your house! :)
I'm guessing they are all fixed or else there is alot of fighting going on when you're not home! *hah*
I'm glad to hear they are indoor!
1 person likes this
@shobasvk (787)
• Malaysia
26 Jan 07
Few years back i have a friend who really allow stray cat to stay indoor or outdoor sometimes..It's really disgusting when the first time i saw her cat was walking along the dirty drain side and then step into the house everywhere without been cleaned or washed up and also not leaving her bed too.That cat doesn't look dirty but it still carries all the germs and bacteria which can bring us ilness.When i ask her about that,she never take it seriously!
2 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
26 Jan 07
That is so sad. I feel sorry for those cats. Living outdoors has so many dangers and added germs.
1 person likes this
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
27 Jan 07
We have one indoor cat. She stays inside all the time unless she sneaks out when we let the dogs back in. She has only done that a couple times, though. One time she got out when my husband let the dogs in and he didn't notice. Well, I went to the front door to check the mail, and there she was, sitting on the front step meowing and waiting to come in. I was very glad that she hadn't run away or been attacked or something. We live in a 4plex and either way she went from back yard to front, she had to pass dogs that didn't know her. She is one brave cat, though!
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Cats are funny.. mine wants out but when we take her out with us, she runs to the door to get back in! She can't make up her mind.
I'm glad your cat is an indoor cat. She sounds like a pretty brave cat, that's for sure!
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Since I've moved and adopted cats, I haven't allowed ANY of my cats outdoors. It's just not safe. There is way too much traffic and other hazards, and I wouldn't be able to do any work, just worrying about my cats. No, my cats stay indoors at all times, except if I have to take them out to the vet or whatever.
3 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I agree, it is very unsafe for cats to be outdoors for long periods of time away from their owners. I'm glad you keep them inside - thank you!
1 person likes this
@hottie0728 (1732)
• United States
27 Jan 07
My cats back home are both. They love indoors and outdoors.
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Ohh I hope they never get hurt and I hope you live in a non-busy area where they can play outside without being in danger.
Thanks for sharing.
@badkat83 (1620)
• United States
27 Jan 07
When I was younger I let all my cats outside and they all disappeared. So now they never go outside. I live on a crazy road and I think all my other ones were hit by a car. I have one cat that wants to go outside, it is hard as everytime you go out or in you have to watch so he doesn't go outside.
2 people like this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
25 Jan 07
My cats have always been indoor cats only, except for the few times that they were able to sneak outside. I have them declawed to save my arms and furniture. I agree that being outdoors is not safe for them, and it's putting them at risk. They may love to explore and "hunt", but domestic cats are better suited for the house. I have window shelves for my cat so that he can get up next to the open window in the summertime and watch and hear the squirrels and chipmunks, but that's as close to nature as I'll let him get.
2 people like this
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I'm glad your cats are indoors. I'm not in favor of declawing but that's a whole other subject :) We also have a window shelf for our cat - she loves it! No chipmunks here, just birds in a bird bath outside her window. She goes crazy for those birds and sometimes tries to catch them through the glass. Silly cat!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
28 Jan 07
Gee heaven I almost feel guilty. My kitten is in and out. His dad is a feral cat his mum a tame feral cat so he loves to be outdoors. He's such a crazy lil guy sometimes and he follows me and Lucy the dog all the time. He can be very loving and affectionate but quite wild too. He plays with Lucy and a friends' dog as well. He plays with the goat. Anyone can come up to him to give him a cuddle. He loves exploring and climbing trees, and catching bugs and watching birds. There's not much traffic where we live fortunately. However I sell fuel when required (maybe 4 times a day) and he follows me when I go. That's a worry. He is inside at night with me. He has the same germs I do because we live and eat in the same place. My pets are my friends and I care deeply about them. I find it hard to like people who don't like animals.
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Ohh MsTickle - Don't feel guilty. I'm just very passionate about cats being inside. I live in the city and it is very dangerous here for a cat to be roaming around. My cat is also very much a little princess and when she has accidently gotten out the front door when we're going in or out - she just stands there confused and then scratches like crazy to get back inside where it's safe. *lol*
She would not be able to survive in the wild. I imagine farm cats are a bit different.
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Good choice - I thank you and your cat must thank you too!
1 person likes this
