Are your cats inside, outside or both?
By SxyFlGrl315
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
United States
February 14, 2007 10:34am CST
There is always the debate on whether a cat should be able to live outside or if it should be kept in at all times.
I am the proud owner of 4 cats and they are all inside/outside cats meaning they come and go as they'd like. I make sure all my cats are up to date on their shots and are all spayed or neutered. I make sure we are not helping the over population problem with domesticated animals.
There are many dangers of allowing cats to go outside and I am aware of all of them. My cats just do not like to be wholed up inside all day. They are miserable if I don't let them out. Beyond that, I also have 4 dogs so it's pretty much impossible to keep the cats in when they would try to dart outside anytime we let a dog in or out.
I make sure to bring my cats inside at night or anytime the weather is too hot, cold, stormy but for the most part during the day my cats roam outside in my fenced in yard.
How do you feel about this topic?
If you have strictly inside cats, do they ever try to escape outside?
16 people like this
43 responses
@kerjostalit (196)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I have a strictly indoor cat and since he has never been allowed outside he never tries to go outside. He is actually afraid of it and if he ever did ecape, he would probably freeze in terror on the porch! I would never let my cat go outside because I had a friend with an outside cat and we watched animal control come and pick up his body after a car ran over him. Most people don't have to watch that, they just think their cat ran away or something. I wish my friends never had to see that, but if your cats go outside in a city environment there are just too many dangers. I would probably think differently if I lived in the country, where there wasn't very much traffic though.
2 people like this
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Yes, that is one of the many dangers. I have witnessed one of my neighbors cats (that I fed) get hit by a car as it follwed me to the circle K down the street.
I live in a cul-d-sac so not tons of traffic though there are busy streets within a distance.
Last August I lost one of my cats because someone that lives in a retirement mobile home park directly behind my housing development traps cats apparently in an attempt to get rid of the ferals in their neighborhood. She trapped one of my babies and by the time I got down to animal control, he had been euthanized. I will never forgive myself for that.
I agree there are A LOT of dangers but it is just impossible for me to keep mine inside. Our dogs go out the doggy door and the cats follow. If I did try to keep them inside, my dad would let them out.
3 people like this
@kerjostalit (196)
• United States
14 Feb 07
thats horrible that they don't come and get the body! Nobody should have to see the animals lying there. I'm so glad I live in a place where they do take care of that. They actually don't want anyone else doing it in case the animal might have been sick. I'm also so sorry to hear about them uthenizing your cat. That is a practice I am strongly against. I think it is ridiculous that thousands of perfectly healthy animals are killed each year by the shelters. I hope that one day there can be a better solution to the over population problem.
2 people like this
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Yeah.. It is ridiculous. Our local animal control is a joke. I've called numerous times on a dog that someone down the street from me used to keep chained day in day out through storms, freezes, summer, hurricanes, etc. Me & a friend even went to try and rescue it during a hurricane. The owners just yelled at us. In the end nothing was EVER done and I filed atleast 5 complaints myself not to mention ones from my friends.
Animal control said the dog had food and water so it was okay.
Yeah, the whole euthanasia issue is sad. I was beyond upset especially condsidering the fact that my cat was neutered AND microchipped... not the typical feral eh? They claimed they scanned and didnt find a chip... I dont believe that for one second.
2 people like this
@2aronic (18)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I have 2 cats and they stay indoors. I think the young one would sneak out if given the chance. The older one, thankfully, doesn't care. I'm glad because he was declawed when he was young (which I would never suggest that anyone do to a cat!)
They stay in a large room during the day. In the evening, I let them out into the main house to play with our 2 dogs and get their petting and attention while we watch TV. Then when it is time to go to bed, we look like a parade going back to their room, where they get a couple special cat treats.
1 person likes this
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
14 Feb 07
aw :) that's awesome they have their own rooM!
I'd also never get a cat declawed incase they accidently get outside one day, they need theri claws for defense.
I do clip my cats nails though.
@italianbella8686 (87)
• United States
15 Feb 07
umm i completely disagree with you... i have 3 cats who are not allowed outside at all ... nor do they want to go outside.. they were all rescued from shelters so we didnt have any of them as kittens, as well i have 4 big dogs. they all get along fine and play sleep etc.. by letting ur cats outside then can catch different kinds of diseases, bugs. fleas.. etc.. it is a bad idea/. cats are indoor animals.. dogs are outdoor and indoor.
1 person likes this
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
and I disagree with you. What makes you say cats are indoor animals only? I see cats everywhere (both homeless and domesticated) and they coexist with nature fine.
I'm not saying you are wrong by any way for keeping your cats inside, all the power to you but you can't just make a statement without valid facts to back it up.
I've grown up my whole life with indoor/outdoor cats. They'd be absolutely MISERABLE if they were kept in at all times. I'd rather give my cats a happy and content life while thye ARE alive instead of a miserable one with them meowing at the door or window just aching to go outside and bathe in the sun.
As I've said all of mine are outdoor/in and not a one has any fleas. THey are all up to date on their shots and sterilized.
If dogs are outdoor indoor they can also catch fleas and ticks and bring them IN to your cat. It's the same thing.
@casper65 (38)
• United States
15 Feb 07
wow pets are good but just cant imagine that your are abel to take care of 4 cats & 4 dogs.I have a cat 2 years old it is a inside outside cat.I think every animal would like to be out in the open for some time.Initially we used to be scared thinking whether it would come back but slowly
it has got used to this routine.The trips are short but not for days.
1 person likes this
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
It's really not that hard. They are as follows
1. Andy - Lab 7 years
2. Tanner - Chihuahua 1.5 years
3. Paris - Chihuahua 1.5 years
4. Chico - Chihuahua 6 months
5. Precious - Cat 14 years
6. Friskie - Cat - 12 years
7. Ashes - Cat 6 years
8. Chloe - Cat 1.5 years
Granted they ARE expensive but they all require the same care.
They are ALL up to date on their full annuals and are all sterilized.
I do have to vacuum every day but thats a small price to pay for hte love and companionship they provide.
@naferterri (71)
• Philippines
15 Feb 07
well, first of all, cats are living things not ornamental objects and toys. they have their own lives,own instincts and own way of living. these cute animals even if they are domesticated i say, are best to be sometimes left alone to their nature as felines. as such therefore, they treat every piece of yard as part of their own 'wildlife'. outdoors is even a greater opportunity for them to develop their nature as they learn and experience from a new, different, much less controlled environment compared to their owners' homes. as pet owners, i don't think we have the right to stop them from being what they really are and are born with. yes, we love to take care of them and doesn't want them to get into trouble, however, allowing them outdoors for hours a day can make them happier and healthier. they are just like us, there are times we don't want to get of our house or get stuck and bored inside. so, wouldn't you also feel happy if you see them that way?
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
this is an excellent response. It's true. I think their happiness is partially the reason my cats have always lived so long.
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
15 Feb 07
I have a cat named Moose and I certainly keep him in the house all the time and he has never once tried to get out. I used to let my cats out but had a cat hit by a car and have never let any out since. I was thinking about getting a cat harness and taking him out for walks.don't know how he would react though
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
i think that depends on the cat and if he's been introduced to the harness. I've seen many people take their cats out and about with them, just like a dog.
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
14 Feb 07
I have 5 cats, and they basically do whatever the fancy takes them! I have a cat flap in the back door, and they just wander in and out when they want to. My two oldest boys don't go out much now they are old. They prefer to be indoors, and sleep all day, and just go outside to do their "business" in the garden, and then come in again. My two youngest boys like to be out a lot though, and one of them (Henry) hardly ever comes in apart from to eat, unless it is raining hard, or snowing. I have one girl cat, Lily, and she is terrified of the outside world, so she really doesn't go out at all. Sometimes she will follow me into the garden if I am hanging washing or something,but otherwise she prefes it inside. I think it is because she was a stray who was dumped as a tiny kitten just a few weeks old, and having found a home, she is scared to go out in case she loses it:-(( They are all happy in their own way though!
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
aw, Lily sounds just precious :)
I also have an older girl, and she actually prefers to bathe in the sun the majority of the day and she comes in at night to eat and sleep!
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
15 Feb 07
I have three female cats and they are indoor cats. They all young, under three years old. I live in the Midwest and wouldn't want them going out in the cold winters here. Also with so much disease and stray animals I would be afraid they would get hurt. They have never been and they don't seem to want to go out. They do like to sit in front of the patio door and look out, but that is far as they go.
@richardjames (166)
•
14 Feb 07
Our two cats go as they please but stay in at night. I think it's cruel to keep cats locked in as their nature impels them to roam around to some degree. They're not as placid as dogs although I wouldn't shut a dog in either.
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I dont think it's wrong or right either way because it truely does depend on how the cat was brought up.... If it has never been outside it wont tend to want to go outside... My most recent kitten I had planned on keeping strictly inside and she was fine with that until that one day she escaped... There was no holding her back after that. lol
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
14 Feb 07
Mine are inside only cats. They always seemed content that way and i guess look out of the window is outside enough for them, because even with the door open they never tried to go out.
I don't think there is a right or wrong decision here and it probably depends on the cats, if they seem to want to go out, then as long as precautions are taken like you did ( shots, spayed etc) then it's ok too.
1 person likes this
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
15 Feb 07
agreed. some cats are totally content inside. :) mine? not so much. they HOWL at the door.
@dbcraff (162)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I use to have an inside outside cat it was poisoned. So when I got these 2 new cats I decided they would have to stay in especially since we haven't moved and still live in the same nieghborhood. If I wasn't afraid they would be poisoned I would love to have inside outside cats. It cuts down on the litter box odor.
1 person likes this
@Chele2k2 (241)
•
14 Feb 07
Our cat is a indoor/outdoor cat but I always make sure that she is in at night before we all go to bed. She does enjoy going out often, although there are times when it is not such an enjoyable outting for her and she normally makes a beeline for the livingroom window. There are other times when she chooses to stay in and not brave the big outdoors because it's too cold, too windy, too wet, too hot or if it is too busy with people outside, she'll sit at the window for a few minutes staring outside then come and snuggle up on the sofa for some home comforts.
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Atleast she knows when not to go out. :) My cats dont care! LOL! If its raining they just run and hide under something.
@gotbot (46)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I have three cats and they are all indoor cats. An exception is that one of them goes out back for very short periods of time but doesn't wander much. One reason for this is that are declawed in the front, so don't have means to protect themselves outside. Another is that we live in Phoenix and valley fever is a real danger to animals outside. Finally, we hate the idea of them not coming back or getting hit by a car. They are 9, 10 and 11 years old and have adapted to indoor life just fine. They are all still active and very loving.
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
15 Feb 07
What is Valley Fever? :(
Very good idea to keep them in since they are declawed.
@Winterpast (5)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I am very please to see that you make sure that the cats (and the dogs?) are spayed/neutered and that they are inside at night or anytime the weather is bad.
However, as I grew up saying tearful goodbye's to my outside dogs and cats I now keep my four cats inside. However, they do have access to a large screened in area so they can lay in the sun, chatter at the birds, eat grass, roll in dirt and all those fun outside things cats do. And yes, even with the large screened area, I have one "escape artist" who tries very hard to get out the front door (I think she's just stubborn, though, doing it for kicks!).
My only concern would be for any enemies of cats; other dogs, other cats, cars, hawks, coyotes, etc. Of course, that depends on where you live. I'm in the mountains so we have predators that you may not.
I'd say, if the cats hang out in the yard and don't roam, they are living a pretty wonderful life and have you to thank for it.
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Oh yes, I am a VERY strong believer in spay/neuter. I volunteer and serve on the board of directors for my local SPCA so I witness so many homeless animals come into the shelter daily that it makes you want to cry.
It sounds like your cats have a nice little haven. I WISH i had a huge screened in area. That would work out perfectly!
I don't live near any mountains, Im actually in central Florida so their main danger would be stray dogs. Thankfully most of the time they stay in our FENCED back yard.
@loujac3 (1188)
• United States
15 Feb 07
This is a tough debate. I have a cat that I took in as a stray. She was underfed and she adopted my daughter. Today she is an inside cat and only allowed outside on a harness. If she goes to my daughter's house then she is allowed outside. In my complex there are many cats and most of them are very aggressive. One actually chased my cat into the brambles and she could not come home for two days. Therefore, she is now an inside cat. We also have to worry about coyotes and raccoons in my neighborhood.
Inside cats live longer on the average and face less problems medically.
Yes, she tries to escape to the outside every now and then. All I have to do to get her back in is to let my dog out and he corrals her back in. My dog and cat really do love each other.
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
That is scary. If you have agressive cats nearby it is a good idea to keep them indoors.
I must disagree about your statement about longevity of life though.
As I said in the response above and a few others, my four cats that I have currently are 14, 12, 6, and 1.5.
The two that are 14 and 12 I have had since they were young... One was probably a year when we brought her in as a stray, the other was just 8 weeks old when I adopted her.
THey've been inside/out their entire life and we've never had any major health scares *knock on wood*.
@pebbles_cubbie (3789)
• United States
15 Feb 07
i have 2 kittens. they are mainly inside now that i live in an apartment. otherwise they'd get in the street. i used to live in a house and i'd take them outside for a little while every few days. now that they are inside cats they do try to escape and one of them did a few months ago. she came back though. i would've been really upset if she didn't come back.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
15 Feb 07
My cat, Moomin, is very much an indoor/outdoor cat. She tends to be outside most of the day and at home asleep on my bed at night. Cats need a lot of space to explore, it is very hard to keep them within a designated area. In some ways I feel it is a litle bit cruel to keep cats shut inside all the time, they need their space.
@SxyFlGrl315 (306)
• United States
16 Feb 07
I'd just like to thank everyone that has responded thus far.
I was impressed with all answers. Unfortunately I did not have time to respond to each and every one of them but I did respond to a bulk of them.
I honestly was happy with all answers as I was sure I'd get bashed for letting my cats out, I was impressed that everyone had their own opinion and let others have theirs.
I would like to add that many said inside cats live longer and I must disagree. I responded to a few of those replies but I wanted everyone to see, I think it truly depends on teh care the cats receive.
Of my four cats 2 of them have lived quite a long life thus far (14 and 12). THey have always been inside/out and they've are both the epitome of health.
:)
PS - SPay and neuter ALL pets!
@uchicha (39)
• Philippines
15 Feb 07
Honestly speaking i dont like cat because of their smell that bring in their body.But if i have or given a pet cat, well im trying my best that i gave my care to my pet,i will take a bath my pet everyday so that it will not bring a bad odor in my house,and especially i will not allow my cat to go outside my house,or roaming everywhere outside in my house.Because if you allow your cat to anywhere there's a tendency that your pet cat bring any germ that your cat got it outside.Be aware of everything happen!
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
15 Feb 07
My cat's a 50/50 outsider..He goes out most days when I'm going to work,but has the occasional night in when he feels like it..I may get around to a catflap for him,cos he changes his mind whether he wants to be in or out about 5 times an evening..Before he came along,I'd never had a cat,and had the impression cats didn't like getting wet,or cold...I'm in Ireland,rain is a fact of life here!-He'll go out in all weather conditions from rain to storm to snow from the warm house..and then He'll come back wet and wanting hugs...My GF's cat (now passed away) was a house cat through and through..
