AIBU to think cats should not roam unsupervised like dogs?

My local Facebook page is full of posts about lost cats (at least one a day) or cats who have been killed or badly injured on the roads (at least one a week), and I know it’s the same in other urban areas. Both types of post are quite upsetting to read, let alone to write. I don’t understand why anyone seeing those posts would want to let their cat outside.

That literally doesn’t say anything close to the average lifespan of a pet cat being 2 years.

I remember some dogs roaming too. They weren't pets.

No I think it’s that the lack of convenience for the owners makes them treat other pets in ways that aren’t great.

Plenty of animals bred to be pets have miserable lives in too small cages (hamsters, gerbils, rabbits come to mind. But I’m sure someone will be along to tell me their hamster loves its cage from pets at home). They can’t be let out because it’s not safe and if they managed to survive, they won’t come home. So people keep buying these badly bred animals so their children can be mildly entertained by a pet in its cage. The question shouldn’t be why is it acceptable to have cats as pets and let them roam, it should be why is it acceptable to have these other pets when they generally cant be allowed to live in the way that would be best for them (I’m sure some people have their rabbits in a big enough enclosure. But I doubt it’s that many)

Cats can take care of themselves and will come home. So the best thing for them is also achievable for the owners.

I’m really not an animal person, I’ll happily eat meat etc. But I can’t bear small pets sold as “good for children” kept in tiny cages so a child can be mildly entertained for a bit.

I can't answer for the pp, but I was also a child of the 60s and 70s and remembering free roaming dogs. Central Southern England. Not rural.

That is not what that study shows.

My dad used to knock on the neighbours door to let the dog out to play in the 50’s and that was in a city.

as pp said, dogs and kids would be let out in the morning and be home for tea!

Eh? I haven't read the whole report but it says near the beginning: "Of 2444 cats recruited into the ‘Bristol Cats’ study, at least 362 died before reaching the age of 9 years." I'm not sure how that can mean that the average cat life span is 2.

Where though? I was also a kid then and we never let our dogs roam. Not did anyone else in my experience. Were you rural?

Our cat died last year (old age). He was a come and go as you please kinda cat. He would sunbathe in the garden whilst the blackbirds pecked around near him and a Robin even landed on him. The only bird he ever chased was a pigeon who was flapping around annoying the other birds. Didn't catch it just chased it away. He just couldn't be bothered to hunt! We've had 5 cats in 40 years (several at one time and one who we knew we wouldn't have for long as he was terminal when we adopted him) and only one of them was a hunter. Not all cats are the same and I'd be in ICU if I'd tried to put a harness on any of the cats we've had living with us!

I agree.

I love cats so don’t agree due to hating them. But the amount of posts that come up on the local Facebook groups daily about missing cats, cats being hit by cars, cats being poisoned I don’t know why anyone lets them out and I think it’s really irresponsible pet ownership. I have a friend whose parents are on their fourth cat because their previous 3 have been killed on the same road! It’s insane.

Cats can be happy as indoor pets as long as they are kept enriched. If you can’t keep one entertained then maybe you shouldn’t have one.

You can buy Cattery’s, outdoor play pens and cat proof your gardens to begin with.

I have had 6 cats over the years, all have lived to at least 12-14 years, none of which have been killed by cars. A small sample perhaps. But of all the cats I’ve ever known it’s been well over 2 years, don’t know where you got that from !

You shouldn't be exercising coercive control over a dog, either.

its not nonsense pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12033825/

I’m really not a pet person, and don’t particularly like cats or dogs, so I have no skin in this game.

But are you under the impression that people let cats roam because of convenience? Every single cat owner with a roaming cat is just lazy? Have you met cat owners?

Cats are not trainable like dogs. They are completely different animals. I can’t believe I’m having to explain this to an adult.

it’s like insisting a pet rabbit or parrot or mouse can be trained to do what dogs can do.

dogs are pack animals. They are companion pets. Cats are not.

Ah so if you were imprisoned but with some nice flowers and treats in there you wouldn’t mind?

The average cat lifespan is about 2

Oh give over, you have just made that up! 😂

I do think it's an interesting question.

If we as a society generally accept that it's not on to let domestic animals wander at will, and we also accept that cats need to roam, the next question has to be "are cats unsuitable as domestic pets?" Unless of course you're lucky enough to have large amounts of land.

My chickens would quite happily roam into my neighbours garden if I let them.

Rabbits have a range up to 200m from their home burrow.

The less said about horses the better!

So why only cats?

Enrich their environment. Make them safe and happy.

I was a kid in the 60s and 70s and many dogs did indeed roam the streets during the day and come back for their tea (bit like kids).

This is nonsense. A quick google will tell you that.

No it's because of the danger cats pose to wildlife, birds etc

Would you rather live til your 60 and have a fun, happy fulfilled life or til your 80 but every day is miserable and you can’t leave your house or do anything that makes you happy?