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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think letting a cat go outside is NOT "Cruel" or "Abusive"?

238 replies

SneakyGremlins · 17/02/2018 11:56

Confused

Had a heated debate polite discussion with an American last night about cats. Said American - and their friends - think cats should be permanently kept indoors, and it's cruel and animal abuse to let them go outside because, I quote, "There's bears, snakes, wolves and coyotes, people putting down poisoned food, cars and all sorts of dangers".

I snappily politely pointed out that America does not equal the world, and while I concluded that cars are indeed a danger for pets, Living IN ENGLAND I have yet to see any coyotes or bears or wolves. Hmm I've never come across poisoned food either - although again this does happen rarely, I admit.

I also pointed out that cats can get depressed/stressed being cooped up inside all day, which was met with "You just need to play with them all day, then they won't be bored! It's cruel and heartless to make a cat go outside into the dangerous wilderness!" Hmm

AIBU to think that it is not a bad thing to let a cat go outside?

OP posts:
steff13 · 17/02/2018 12:24

Indoor cats live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats.
www.petplace.com/article/cats/pet-health/the-great-debate-indoor-cats-versus-outdoor-cats/

SpadesOfGlory · 17/02/2018 12:25

I think some cats have no desire to go outside so it's fine to keep them in. However I know my cat is miles more content and happy if he gets outside for a run about most of the day, and then come back in for a snooze. Keeping him inside has felt cruel when it was necessary (after he was neutered) as he sat at the door looking forlorn and meowing.

Pastaagain78 · 17/02/2018 12:25

I would love a cat, I had cats growing up. However, we live on a very busy main road and it would be too dangerous. I couldn’t keep a cat in, so not cat for me. Unless I find a rescue cat that has to be kept in due to its history.

Tink2007 · 17/02/2018 12:25

We have four cats. All of which are indoor and have no interest in going outside.

I wouldn’t let them do so in my area either.

mimibunz · 17/02/2018 12:27

I have lived in both America and the UK, and there are cultural differences in play on this subject. In America it’s actually safer to keep your cats indoors. In the UK I wouldn’t dream of it.

lovetheway · 17/02/2018 12:30

My cats love sitting on the patio or on the garage roof, when it's sunny. Omar likes to have a little patrol of the back gardens twice a day. They don't go far.

I have had inside cats and they were really neurotic. It's not natural for them.

Steeley113 · 17/02/2018 12:32

Cats can be very destructive (much like dogs) if not stimulated enough or get enough physical activity. Mine were all indoor cats until we moved somewhere rural enough to let them out. The difference was amazing in 2 of them, and my furniture was very thankful! (Yes they did have scratching posts etc. They just preferred the sofa Hmm) .

As for local wildlife, mine have only ever caught the odd common field mouse and odd black bird. I’m not worried they’re catching any kind of rare, soon to be extinct creatures in the rural midlands Grin

isawahatonce · 17/02/2018 12:32

YANBU. My cat, by choice, stays in most of the time, but he'd be miserable if he wasn't allowed out at all. Not much of a life cooped up inside all day, every day. A cat is a living animal, not an ornament.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 17/02/2018 12:33

It is a well-known fact that cats, being predatory, keep down the numbers of wolves, bears and coyotes etc.

The fact that we don't have these vermin in the UKis evidence of this.

Lovemusic33 · 17/02/2018 12:34

My cat lives in and out (comes and goes as he pleases), I couldn’t have a cat that lived indoors, the smell of dirt boxes makes me feel sick, cats should be outside.

crunchymint · 17/02/2018 12:34

Americans routinely declaw cats to stop them damaging furniture.

Kinderlosigkeit · 17/02/2018 12:35

I'm American, and I think those people are crazy. I never knew anyone who never let their cats out when I was growing up. They're pieces of furniture.

Kismett · 17/02/2018 12:35

I don't think there's a one fits all rule. I have an indoor cat and he's quite content inside. There are dangers outside but there's also the danger of a cat being unhappy inside. So you have to see what's right for your cat and your environment, and adjust accordingly.

liviadrusilla · 17/02/2018 12:35

I've got two bengals. One is a kitten, and we're debating when/if to let her out. We live on a quiet street and thought it was very safe, but last year adult cat was hit by a car (and thankfully made a full recovery) and separately our other cat (11 months old) was killed by another Sad. Ideally we'd cat proof the garden, but we probably won't be here for ever and it's so expensive. Currently we are accompanying adult cat out and watching her climb trees and run around and then she's happy to come back in with us.

BertramTheWalrus · 17/02/2018 12:37

I had a cat that spent its whole life indoors, poor thing. I would never do that again. All living beings want freedom, cats are no exception.
I agree about the damage cats do to the bird population. There are far too many cats on this planet!

BertrandRussell · 17/02/2018 12:37

I think keeping them in is cruel. If you won’t let them out, don:t have them.

Kismett · 17/02/2018 12:38

Livia could you leash train them, especially if they are young? I think Bengals are quite active and might especially benefit from being outside. There may be more inexpensive ways of kitty proofing the garden, or at least a section of it.

crunchymint · 17/02/2018 12:38

In fairness I have an American face book friend who has an indoor cat. But she routinely posts photos of bears just outside her house, or talks of hearing wolves in the evening howling nearby.

Rachie1973 · 17/02/2018 12:39

lol Our cats were put out at night and let back indoors in the morning. No cat flaps etc. That's just how we did it.

Original poster
SneakyGremlins · 17/02/2018 12:40

It is a well-known fact that cats, being predatory, keep down the numbers of wolves, bears and coyotes etc.

GrinGrinGrin

OP posts:
Shadow666 · 17/02/2018 12:41

I think it’s illegal to let cats out at night in Australia. Or did I dream that?

Davros · 17/02/2018 12:42

My 10 year old Bengal was an indoor cat for the first two years because DD and DH were scared of her getting stolen/harmed/lost. I got fed up with not being able to open the back door in the summer without removing her first so let her out and she's been fine. I think it might have helped make her uninterested in killing, she's never caught anything, and fostered her great attachment to humans (but she doesn't like other cats!). We live in Zone 2 London but the roads are actually very quiet but she's only allowed out the back and hasn't worked out how to get round the terrace of houses to the front.

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 17/02/2018 12:42

My cat has always been able to go out. We chose our apartment because it would allow him that freedom. He’s a happy, healthy 16 year old. He does hunt, but the neighbours are happy that he has put an end to the local mouse problem.

saladdays66 · 17/02/2018 12:42

Some Americans have odd ideas about cats. Some people have their cats declawed... the height of cruelty imho.

Most cats like the option of going outside.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 17/02/2018 12:42

I'll just leave a picture of my chap here... Grin

To think letting a cat go outside is NOT "Cruel" or "Abusive"?