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To think having an indoor cat is cruel?

696 replies

Catnope · 16/08/2024 14:31

I was looking after my mother’s cat last week - feeding him while she was on holiday and changing the litter tray - and I felt so incredibly sorry for the cat. It’s not the first time I’ve looked after him for her, and not the first time I’ve thought that.

What a shit life for the cat.

Of course I don’t like the idea of cats killing wildlife out there, but to be a prisoner indoors 100% of the time your whole life?!

It’s cruel. Right?! Just me?

Of course I was nothing but lovely to my mother and took good care of the cat. My mother doesn’t let him out because she fears he’ll get stolen or run over. She lives on a quiet and safe street, so I don’t think anyone will want to steal him. At this point, I also think he wouldn’t have a clue how to kill a bird.

OP posts:
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8
Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 13:30

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:19

Ok- you quote my post, pull out specific sentences to highlight and refer back to, and you do it more than once- but you aren’t talking about me…

Aside from the fact that your version of events above is far from accurate, no surprise.

This isn’t she said/she said- It’s there in black and white- anyone can go to the thread and see exactly what was said and by whom.

That’s great, let them then. Instead of consistently ignoring what I am ACTUALLY saying and repeating the same nonsense over and over again!

What I said on THIS thread is that I (yes me not you) will now run my dishwasher every night even though I (yes me not you) am able bodied with only two people in the household and I (yes me not you) don’t need to.

This was one of many examples of things I can do to suit myself rather than care about the well-being of anyone or anything else, and a change from my previous outlook, which was already evidenced elsewhere. It was not, in any way, about you. That part was resolved a long time ago. You can quote comments to your hearts content, but you were not mentioned.

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:24

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:14

Some people think it’s lazy and wasteful- depending on your family size, dishwasher size etc it possibly uses more power and water than you would use washing up by hand.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat added to which, some people don’t fully fill a dishwasher in the course of a day- some people think it’s selfish and wasteful to run a not full dishwasher.

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:19

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 13:13

Christ on a tiny little unicycle. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU!

Is that clear enough yet?

Aside from the fact that your version of events above is far from accurate, no surprise.

Ok- you quote my post, pull out specific sentences to highlight and refer back to, and you do it more than once- but you aren’t talking about me…

Aside from the fact that your version of events above is far from accurate, no surprise.

This isn’t she said/she said- It’s there in black and white- anyone can go to the thread and see exactly what was said and by whom.

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:14

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/08/2024 12:50

I'm not sure I dare ask this but what's wrong with running the dishwasher every night. I'm getting one soon and as I only have 4 decent plates, bowls etc. it'll be going on every night...

Some people think it’s lazy and wasteful- depending on your family size, dishwasher size etc it possibly uses more power and water than you would use washing up by hand.

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 13:13

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:10

Your post did have “like fuck” attitude, you even worded it like that or similar and made no reference to number of people etc.

That is untrue. You know full well what you said- you wrote it.

I explained my disability and the amount of care I require, the number of people in my house and how over worked and exhausted my carer is.

I explained the various ways that affects how we manage housework- dishwasher included.

Then I finished with “like fuck does she [my carer] care whether our clean clothes come off the dryer or out of a cupboard”.

Your response was to quote my explanation, including commenting on the number of people I said are in my house and to call me names, say I have a selfish attitude and assert that I only care about myself.

Christ on a tiny little unicycle. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU!

Is that clear enough yet?

Aside from the fact that your version of events above is far from accurate, no surprise.

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 13:11

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 19/08/2024 13:07

Thank you for your considered response.
I'll add 'snobbish', 'people like you', and 'very angry and aggressive' to the list of things I've been called so far on this thread by you and your sidekick.

I'm very disappointed nobody has called me sarcastic yet though. That would at least be accurate. 🤣

I can't help but notice that you and @Dreamskies really don't like people who disagree with you. Have you considered a course to help you with that?

Another cat picture for you to help you calm down. Hope the fact that he is outside doesn't send you into an apoplectic frenzy about how depressed and abused he must be.

.

Edited

The irony, eh? It’s not about people disagreeing, it’s the sheer lack of any care of the horrible impacts you have on people and animals.

The other irony of you making jokes about your cat not having killed anyone’s pet yet today “har har har” whilst continuously calling me names for making a comparison (whilst not putting anything in danger). Laughable really.

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:10

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 19/08/2024 13:07

Thank you for your considered response.
I'll add 'snobbish', 'people like you', and 'very angry and aggressive' to the list of things I've been called so far on this thread by you and your sidekick.

I'm very disappointed nobody has called me sarcastic yet though. That would at least be accurate. 🤣

I can't help but notice that you and @Dreamskies really don't like people who disagree with you. Have you considered a course to help you with that?

Another cat picture for you to help you calm down. Hope the fact that he is outside doesn't send you into an apoplectic frenzy about how depressed and abused he must be.

.

Edited

Awww he looks just like mine!

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 13:10

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 12:29

I wouldn’t know, it doesn’t tell me anything is deleted. Your post did have “like fuck” attitude, you even worded it like that or similar and made no reference to number of people etc. But this is done to death, I was taking about ME.
ME, ME, ME - which is my new attitude thanks to you! 😄 I don’t need to run mine every night, but I will do because it means I don’t need to empty loads of dishes every time!

It’s so liberating this new attitude of not caring what impact I have, so many new things to do! I’ve joined the gang now, “squad goals”! All of us out just “doin’ it for ourselves”! (And fuck everyone else, of course. Not to forget that bit!) 😃

Your post did have “like fuck” attitude, you even worded it like that or similar and made no reference to number of people etc.

That is untrue. You know full well what you said- you wrote it.

I explained my disability and the amount of care I require, the number of people in my house and how over worked and exhausted my carer is.

I explained the various ways that affects how we manage housework- dishwasher included.

Then I finished with “like fuck does she [my carer] care whether our clean clothes come off the dryer or out of a cupboard”.

Your response was to quote my explanation, including commenting on the number of people I said are in my house and to call me names, say I have a selfish attitude and assert that I only care about myself.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 19/08/2024 13:07

grapesstrawberriesplease · 19/08/2024 12:15

Ahhhh yes, the classic qualification bashing that is very prolific on Mumsnet! How very snobbish of you but then that’s hardly surprising is it. You have no real argument or studies or statistics to pull from so you resort to personal digs. The classic first line of defence from people like you ☺️ Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me. I’m glad you’re so comfortable in your choices, but you do seem very angry and aggressive so perhaps there’s some doubt going on in your mind??? I hope you can work through that!

Thank you for your considered response.
I'll add 'snobbish', 'people like you', and 'very angry and aggressive' to the list of things I've been called so far on this thread by you and your sidekick.

I'm very disappointed nobody has called me sarcastic yet though. That would at least be accurate. 🤣

I can't help but notice that you and @Dreamskies really don't like people who disagree with you. Have you considered a course to help you with that?

Another cat picture for you to help you calm down. Hope the fact that he is outside doesn't send you into an apoplectic frenzy about how depressed and abused he must be.

.

To think having an indoor cat is cruel?
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/08/2024 12:50

I'm not sure I dare ask this but what's wrong with running the dishwasher every night. I'm getting one soon and as I only have 4 decent plates, bowls etc. it'll be going on every night...

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 12:29

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 11:51

And I’ll say again that my comment was about a 2 person household re-washing clean dishes simply because they were too lazy to empty it,

If that were the case you wouldn’t have quoted my post and referenced what I had written before saying my fuck you attitude means I’m a selfish person who only cares about myself. I don’t remember all your posts- at least one aimed at me was deleted.

I wouldn’t know, it doesn’t tell me anything is deleted. Your post did have “like fuck” attitude, you even worded it like that or similar and made no reference to number of people etc. But this is done to death, I was taking about ME.
ME, ME, ME - which is my new attitude thanks to you! 😄 I don’t need to run mine every night, but I will do because it means I don’t need to empty loads of dishes every time!

It’s so liberating this new attitude of not caring what impact I have, so many new things to do! I’ve joined the gang now, “squad goals”! All of us out just “doin’ it for ourselves”! (And fuck everyone else, of course. Not to forget that bit!) 😃

grapesstrawberriesplease · 19/08/2024 12:15

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 18/08/2024 20:22

So from this thread I discover

  1. @Dreamskies is perfectly reasonable and anyone who lets their cat out is a 'selfish bastard' or 'an outdoor cat nutter'
  2. @grapesstrawberriesplease Knows more about cats than anyone else in the whole world, including my vet (who actually has some real qualifications) and many cat charities. Presumably this is because she has a certificate and therefore I am not worthy of an opinion
  3. I have discovered that I am an utterly selfish bastard who knows nothing about cats, presumably because I have the temerity to disagree with these two fonts of wisdom, oh, and also I would be the worst neighbour in the world

Well since you two have both been insulting to me throughout this thread I asked one of my cats what she thought about randos on the Internet telling her to stay inside.
She responded
'fuck that idea you stupid twats'
Please note - she is outside 🙀. She hasn't caught fire, been run over by a number 22 bus, been fed poison by an arsehole, she also hasn't been swept away by a passing golden eagle or used as fox cub food by a cunning little vixen. She hasn't even wiped out any bird species yet this evening or murdered anyone's house pet.

Thought it was time to lighten the thread
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Ahhhh yes, the classic qualification bashing that is very prolific on Mumsnet! How very snobbish of you but then that’s hardly surprising is it. You have no real argument or studies or statistics to pull from so you resort to personal digs. The classic first line of defence from people like you ☺️ Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me. I’m glad you’re so comfortable in your choices, but you do seem very angry and aggressive so perhaps there’s some doubt going on in your mind??? I hope you can work through that!

grapesstrawberriesplease · 19/08/2024 12:12

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 19/08/2024 07:47

Are you really too blinkered to recognise that you are the prime example of that behaviour on this thread?
But you're right because you have a certificate...

Except I’m not talking about my reality am I? I’m talking about the reality of hundreds and hundreds of cats and owners I’ve worked with over the years. You keep banging on about your cat and your experience of owning a cat - I am literally giving examples from a huuuuuge reference. That’s the key difference, but I suppose you’re too blinkered to see that 😂 you seem very upset by this, I suggest you chill out!

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 11:51

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 11:30

And I’ll say again that my comment was about a 2 person household re-washing clean dishes simply because they were too lazy to empty it, not about you whatsoever, who apparently has 5 people. And in my case, I’ve no need to run it every night, but I will do now because so what? There’s worse things happening so I should just make to most of it and do as much damage as possible ☺️

I’ll mitigate the risk though, I won’t speed up towards the gulls in the road, then they at least have half a chance, just not as much chance as if I showed them some respect and slowed down til they move. That means it’s all ok 😄

And I’ll say again that my comment was about a 2 person household re-washing clean dishes simply because they were too lazy to empty it,

If that were the case you wouldn’t have quoted my post and referenced what I had written before saying my fuck you attitude means I’m a selfish person who only cares about myself. I don’t remember all your posts- at least one aimed at me was deleted.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 19/08/2024 11:30

If it’s by choice then fine.

But I think it’s cruel if the cat wants to go out.

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 11:30

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 11:28

Daft of me to worry about the worlds finite resources, I think I’ll just run my dishwasher every single night 😉

God, not the disabled people are selfish to use a dishwasher so much again 🤦‍♀️ -

yes, you think I’m selfish to run my dishwasher once a day, and it means I only care about myself etc- I heard you the first few times you said it.

but as I tried to explain to you, when you are chronically ill and physically disabled sometimes you have to do things differently to able bodied people. I’d love to be able to wash up by hand and save resources, but it is physically impossible for me.

Bari in mind you will say I’m making excuses again, but as I also explained to you, there are 5 people in this house- the dishwasher is full by the end of the day. I’m not running a full cycle for 3 plates and a spoon.

I’ll repeat it again- I accept that my need to run a dishwasher daily causes damage to the planet.

And I’ll say again that my comment was about a 2 person household re-washing clean dishes simply because they were too lazy to empty it, not about you whatsoever, who apparently has 5 people. And in my case, I’ve no need to run it every night, but I will do now because so what? There’s worse things happening so I should just make to most of it and do as much damage as possible ☺️

I’ll mitigate the risk though, I won’t speed up towards the gulls in the road, then they at least have half a chance, just not as much chance as if I showed them some respect and slowed down til they move. That means it’s all ok 😄

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 11:28

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 11:13

@Sounreasonable I get it now, you’ve won me round! I can see now that I can go and do whatever I want, given there’s worse things in the world!

It is so inconvenient to slow down when there’s gulls in the road, I’ll just keep going and run them over, then I can get to where I’m going a whole two seconds quicker! Perhaps I could do a bit of target practice on the pigeons at the local park, it would certainly be good for me to improve my skills!

I need some help exercise as well, so I’ll get one of those e-bikes and a balaclava and ride round at high speeds causing a nuisance to everyone, but it’s beneficial to me health wise, so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Then I’ll finish it off with a weekly all night party. Doesn’t matter if it disturbs or upsets my neighbours as I’m enjoying myself and that’s all that matters. I mean, there’s kids working in mines and people travelling by plane, so it excuses any controllable problems that I might cause. Can’t believe I didn’t realise it sooner!

Daft of me to worry about the worlds finite resources, I think I’ll just run my dishwasher every single night 😉

Thanks so much for opening my eyes!

*disclaimer for those unable to detect sarcasm - I won’t be doing these things, nor do I condone them

Edited

Daft of me to worry about the worlds finite resources, I think I’ll just run my dishwasher every single night 😉

God, not the disabled people are selfish to use a dishwasher so much again 🤦‍♀️ -

yes, you think I’m selfish to run my dishwasher once a day, and it means I only care about myself etc- I heard you the first few times you said it.

but as I tried to explain to you, when you are chronically ill and physically disabled sometimes you have to do things differently to able bodied people. I’d love to be able to wash up by hand and save resources, but it is physically impossible for me.

Bari in mind you will say I’m making excuses again, but as I also explained to you, there are 5 people in this house- the dishwasher is full by the end of the day. I’m not running a full cycle for 3 plates and a spoon.

I’ll repeat it again- I accept that my need to run a dishwasher daily causes damage to the planet.

Hufflemuff · 19/08/2024 11:18

I agree. I think its very cruel!

Also they need a cat flap so they can come and go, then if they get into trouble with another animal they can run home safely. Yes you have the risk of cars, but that's life.

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 11:13

@Sounreasonable I get it now, you’ve won me round! I can see now that I can go and do whatever I want, given there’s worse things in the world!

It is so inconvenient to slow down when there’s gulls in the road, I’ll just keep going and run them over, then I can get to where I’m going a whole two seconds quicker! Perhaps I could do a bit of target practice on the pigeons at the local park, it would certainly be good for me to improve my skills!

I need some help exercise as well, so I’ll get one of those e-bikes and a balaclava and ride round at high speeds causing a nuisance to everyone, but it’s beneficial to me health wise, so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Then I’ll finish it off with a weekly all night party. Doesn’t matter if it disturbs or upsets my neighbours as I’m enjoying myself and that’s all that matters. I mean, there’s kids working in mines and people travelling by plane, so it excuses any controllable problems that I might cause. Can’t believe I didn’t realise it sooner!

Daft of me to worry about the worlds finite resources, I think I’ll just run my dishwasher every single night 😉

Thanks so much for opening my eyes!

*disclaimer for those unable to detect sarcasm - I won’t be doing these things, nor do I condone them

mbosnz · 19/08/2024 11:03

I have a cat that is only allowed to go outdoors under supervision. She's still managed to introduce us to neighbours in the next fricking cul de sac.

I'm afraid I think it's quite cruel to allow cats out to be run over, shot at, poisoned, and stolen. All things I have seen this year.

WalKat · 19/08/2024 10:51

I have one cat that likes going out and one that stays in because of breed and the fact he would almost certainly get run over or killed because he is so stupid and has no sense whatsoever.

i would say both are happy but the indoor one seems happier as he is always by our side… sometimes to the point of being annoying… but he is definitely a people cat!

to let him out would be cruel. He isn’t jealous of the other cat at all

ObelixtheGaul · 19/08/2024 10:51

To return to the OP's point:
Cats in doesn't have to be cruel but as @grapesstrawberriesplease said, it means you have to make some effort to ensure your cat is stimulated. That doesn't mean spending a bomb on fancy big wheels and massive cat trees necessarily, as many cat owners will tell you they bought this or that and cat ignored it.
It means paying some attention. Even if cat does go out, inside should still be somewhere they are happy to be if you want to see them at home occasionally.
Get to know your cat. Some want interactive play. One we had loved her completely unfancy bit of cork on an old shoelace dangling from a bit of bamboo cane. Tried that with our current cat and he looked at us with utter distain. He likes batting random things round the floor. If you get balls or felt mice, or even good old corks for this, get several, only have a couple out at a time, then periodically move the settee to get them out from under it.
If your cat is a climber, get them something to climb on. Again, doesn't have to be fancy, just sturdy. Fitting shelves to the wall for them can work. If they don't seem interested, tell them they aren't allowed on it. Some cats like to go where they know they shouldn't.
Make sure they can see out if they want to. If you have wide window ledges, leave an ornament free space for the cat to perch on. If not, put something by the window tall and sturdy enough.
Scratching posts or a mat you don't mind them clawing is a good idea. Neither of my cats ever went for the furniture, but our first had a thing for the bannister post, so we put old carpet round it for her.
I do think there's a sensible point to be made about how people perceived cat ownership. Our current cat was a rescue. He clearly wasn't feral, he had been owned at some point. At the time, we lived in a tourist place with seasonal workers and the lady at the rescue centre said it wasn't uncommon for seasonal workers to have cats and simply leave them behind at the end of the season. Far fewer people would even think of doing that with a dog.
Yes, cats are different in some ways to dogs. Domestic cats aren't pack animals. They genuinely don't require as much interaction and usually want it on their own terms. They sleep a LOT more. Harder to train, but it can be done. When comes to being stuck inside, most wouldn't think it's acceptable to leave a dog stuck inside with nothing to do in a tiny flat for eight hours a day. But with cats, because they do seem to need less interaction with us, and they sleep more, people think it's acceptable. It isn't, but that doesn't make 'outside' the only answer. They need a stimulating environment. They need space to charge up and down in, many (but not all) like access to high places, etc.
Dogs have toys. Cats like toys too, just not always the ones you buy for them. Doesn't mean they are content with nothing to play with at all.
You can give a cat a good indoor life. But it involves some thought. More thought than putting in a flap.
Bottom line, cats get bored indoors if you don't do anything to make indoors less boring.

FiddlyDiddlyDee · 19/08/2024 10:49

Wildlife aside there's too many strays living difficult lives out there for anyone to buy a cat. Cats would be a lot happier if people didn't buy them.

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 10:49

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 10:37

You don’t need to care about them at all, you just need to not kill them for absolutely no reason whatsoever. That’s all. Plus not cause constant issues for others.

But no, you’re right - we should never raise things like neighbour disputes, harm caused on a local level by antisocial behaviour, people’s disregard for the safety of their pets or wildlife, because kids work in mines and planes take off each day 😂 gawd, talk about reaching. Each issue must be addressed on its own. Not to say they’re not issues, but they’re also not excuses either.

No, the damage you do isn’t an excuse for the damage I do- but I’m not the one claiming to have “never hurt” things. You made that claim whilst causing harm to cats, birds, and your neighbours.

Ive owned the fact that by having had roaming cats I accepted some risk to them, and some death to wildlife. I mitigate those inevitabilities as far as I can, and I accept responsibility for the things I haven’t stopped.

You have a problem with my doing that- fair enough. You are very angry and hope a dog will kill my cat, I hear ya.

Dreamskies · 19/08/2024 10:37

Sounreasonable · 19/08/2024 10:33

Of course there’s going to be people like you and the others who don’t want to hear it, but that’s tough I’m afraid. The excuses for needless suffering are genuinely insane.

Im fine with hearing your opinion- I just think you are wrong.

I haven’t made any excuses about anything- from my literal first post I’ve said clearly that I care more about cats than wildlife. I care about wildlife up to a point, but the scales drop on the side of the cat. I really can’t make it any clearer.

. I’ve not harmed a cat, ever.

By your own logic you have.

you say we are responsible by proxy for all harm caused by roaming cats because we agree with or partake in the practice of owning outdoor cats.

So in the same vein, if you have been on a plane, in a car, used an internet server, used a coal/oil based fuel etc you have agreed with and partaken in a practice that harms ALL animals and you are responsible for that harm.

You don’t need to care about them at all, you just need to not kill them for absolutely no reason whatsoever. That’s all. Plus not cause constant issues for others.

But no, you’re right - we should never raise things like neighbour disputes, harm caused on a local level by antisocial behaviour, people’s disregard for the safety of their pets or wildlife, because kids work in mines and planes take off each day 😂 gawd, talk about reaching. Each issue must be addressed on its own. Not to say they’re not issues, but they’re also not excuses either.

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