Indoor vs Outdoor cat

Fair enough - I was just saying that you can't compare indoor cats with dogs, as dogs aren't kept inside the way that indoor cats are - they still go out for walks, into the garden etc.

My cat isn't locked inside 24/7 but the poster decided to tell me my cat is desperate to get outside. Hes that desperate to go outside that hes currently curled up inbetween my legs fast asleep.

Just because cats can roam doesnt mean they should. They kill wildlife, which I won't allow. Is it cruel to keep dogs inside? Im sure if you didn't lock them in they would be outside doing dog things too.

Dogs aren't locked up inside 24/7 the way indoor cats are. If someone didn't walk their dog then yes, they would be being cruel.

I have two outdoor cats, both pedigrees who I've had from when they were kittens. I'd intended for them to be indoor only and the house looks like a cat soft play centre: cat trees, cat walls, hidey holes and toys everywhere. Both are played with multiple times a day and we rotate toys to keep things fresh and interesting.

However, BoyCat made it very clear from 4 months old onwards that he had no intention of being a indoor cat. We harness trained him and took him on twice-daily walks in our back garden, then let him free roam once he was neutered at 6 months. He's kept in overnight from when it gets dark to after breakfast but he spends most of the day outside.

GirlCat is more of a homebody. She likes to poke around the garden but spends most of the time napping in different spots around the house. She rarely goes out for long periods unless we're in the garden.

Both cats have trackers so I can see where they spend their outside time. Neither ever cross the road at the front of the house. If they did then I'd consider cat-proofing our garden but they seem to be perfectly happy at the back.

As a PP has said, rescues will have cats who need to be indoor only. They might be FIV positive, have only ever been indoor cats or might be blind or have a disability that makes it unsafe for them to go outside. A good rescue will be able to match you with the right cat(s) for your circumstances.

Well, that's another thing - is it kind to breed cats who are incapable of behaving like cats and who need to be kept inside our homes for their own safety?

Karl politely disagrees with the fact that he'd have a more interesting life as an indoor only cat.

And just to confirm I rescued the bird unharmed and released it. He normally only gets mice, voles and shrews.

Ragdoll is an indoor cat breed - breeders tell you to keep the cat inside or at best get a catio. It’s very different from an outdoor breed being kept inside. It seems cruel to keep birds in cages but let a budgie outside and they won’t last long.

Desperate to get outside? You dont know me or my cat to pass any judgement. He is watching a pigeon sat on the roof/fence, not trying to escape. He goes outside with me and takes himself back in of his own free will. The only interest he has in going outside is to eat some grass.

Just because cats can roam doesnt mean they should. They kill wildlife, which I won't allow. Is it cruel to keep dogs inside? Im sure if you didn't lock them in they would be outside doing dog things too.

I think you can mimimise risk in terms of outdoor access - we don’t have a cat flap so our cat needs someone in to let him in and out, and he’s always kept in overnight. Mostly he just hangs out in our garden/next door. In bad weather he chooses not to go out, and we spend a lot more time playing with him on those days to make sure he’s not bored. Our previous cat was similar in terms of not roaming, but she didn’t care about the weather and would happily sit under a bush in torrential rain!

Honestly i think it depends on the cat. I have doors and windows open in the summer and they ignore it. Both are 12 and 13 now, and pretty chilled.

I had a cat (given to us by a friend as her landlord wouldn’t let her keep him) who died of old age at 18. We live on a main road and it never caused a problem. We DID have a problem trying to get another one because we live on a main road. I hope you manage to get one but if you go to charities or rescue centres they’ll turn you down.

I think having a catio makes it just about ok to not let cats roam outside. It’s not ideal but at least you are showing some concern for your cat’s emotional wellbeing.

I have 2 indoor cats, i would never have an outdoor cat. Every week a cat goes missing or is ran over.

We have a large house and have put alot of money into creating a catio and making the house a good space for them. Never had any issues.

That’s a different scenario though to someone getting a cat with the expectation that they aren’t going to allow them to ever go outside because they live on a busy road or whatever.

If a cat chooses not to go outside that is still their personal choice unlike people not allowing cats the choice to go outside ever.

Why not look for a youngish (1 to 4 ish) adult cat (or a pair who are bonded) from a rescue that were kept as house cats.

It would be be irresponsible for them to be rehomed with outdoor access anyway. You'd be able to know if they were good with kids and they wouldn't be so old that you'd expect them to pop their clogs any time soon

Our cat flap is open 24hrs - female cat chooses to stay indoors but this is typical of ragdoll breed.

Get a female ragdoll cat. The breed is an indoor cat. We have a male / female - the male wanted to go outside so vet said let him. The female can go outside too but prefers to stay indoor hanging out with people. Very docile animals which is why they are indoor cats as not road savvy. My daughter would pop the female in her toy pram and push her around - cat happy to just sit there.

They’re not all desperate to get outside! I’m not forcing mine out when he doesn’t want to

We have a chatty little tuxedo fellow who lives near us - he always runs out to meet me in the morning for an ear scratch. I think his and my life would be sadder if he wasn't allowed out.

We live on a very busy road and my cat has been just fine. She’s not dumb enough to go into the road! We actually moved from one end of the road to the other end of the same road, it’s probably not quite so busy at the end we’re at now, but that just means the cars go faster! She stays well away.

I’ve had local cats run in front of my car twice (not sure if the same cat both times but I don’t think so) and they were just lucky that I was able to stop in time. That was round the corner where it is much quieter. I think they are lulled into a false sense of security because it is quieter so they ventured out.

And actually when I was a child our family cat was hit by a car, and that was a quiet suburban side street.

But anyway … my girl would hate to be an indoor cat! I know if she’d never known any different then it might be okay. But I think it seems a bit cruel and unnatural.

In my heart I don’t think that people who live on busy main roads should get cats as the risk is too high and I think it’s unkind to confine them to living inside their whole lives. My sister has a Cattio for her cats in the garden which could be a compromise solution for you @sunshineandkindle though they aren’t cheap.

Poor thing is desperate to get outside. Keeping a cat locked up indoors is cruel.

It's cruel. I would get a different pet or get a cat when you life in a different location. Cats aren't indoor pets.

@FloraPostIt ‘adequate worship’ 😂

Get a litter robot. Best money you’ll spend. Consider reg dolls breeds, they’re calm and verbally well suited to indoor life.