To think it’s cruel to keep cats indoors?

[awomensworkisneverdone]

I have two cats.. two females both 12 years old and both intelligent,affectionate and lovejy.
I couldn’t imagine confining them to just the house or garden.. now I know there are exotic breeds of cat that cost a lot of money and they are supposed to be kept in, but I can’t help think this is cruel! Cats are naturally inquisitive and have natural predator instinct they kind of come and go as they please and are intelligent animals. Someone educate me please. Is an indoor cat deprived? Do they have the same instinct as a cat who has a choice to explore? What would happen if they did accidentally leave the house? Do they use a litter tray or go in the garden? Has anyone ever had an indoor cat and then they decided to let it out? Me and my other half have discussed getting a more exotic breed when our two girls have gone.. but face having to keep it inside but I don’t think I can do that..

In the USA shelters won't allow people to adopt a cat if they intend to allow it outside. They consider cats roaming outdoors to be cruelty. I don't really understand either extreme views, tbh.

We have two cats and one prefers outdoors far more than the other. We just let them get on with it really.

Hunt? This is my cat. He couldn't catch a cold yes he's a weirdo

My cat watched a mouse saunter past the other day and did diddly squat.

Years of breeding the natural instinct out of the cat to suit the humans is all that is.

They may not chase mice but that instinct is certainly there believe me.
Have you ever seen cat toys? They are used exactly for this reason.

I get that but he would rather be inside with me and a piece of ribbon. His view seems to be he has done outside and no more thank you

Years of breeding the natural instinct out of the cat to suit the humans is all that is.

I'd be surprised by that given, as I said up thread, she was a stray from a feral family.

She won't play with cat toys either, she just wants to lie in my arms like a baby and purr.

Ridiculous creature, but I assure you she is nonetheless a cat.

freezer - I think I have the male version of your cat! Mine managed to survive 4 years as a stray so he's pretty tough but now he just wants kisses and to be brushed

Cats with outdoor access benefit from more opportunities to exhibit natural behaviours like climbing, exploring, roaming their territory and communicating with other cats in the area.
Keeping your cat as a house cat will help keep them away from busy roads, but some indoor environments can become predictable and boring, leading to stress, inactivity and obesity.
It can be particularly hard for cats to cope with living indoors if they have lots of energy, love to explore and have previously been allowed time outdoors.
However for some cats, for example those with a disability or medical problem, living indoors could be a better option, and they may feel more comfortable.

Bear in mind that indoor cats require lots more of your time and effort to be happy and healthy.

.... that is rspca website..
I think it’s down to choice. It’s less cruel to give your cat a choice rather than decide to deny all access to out door life. Such as a cat flap ?

The RSPCA can fuck right off tbh, they don't give a stuff about animals.

How on earth did you figure that out? Do you know how many animals they rescued from abuse and neglect every year? You should be lucky we have such a charity!

My cat is nearly 5 and the only time she goes out of the house is to have vaccinations and other visits to the vet. I'm currently sat here with the window open and she is not bothered to venture out. She is a housecat, she climbs, has 3 scratch posts, she chases things, she loves to sit on the windowsill and watch the birds. We've had conversations with the veterinary nurse who says she has house cats and likewise the vet.

How on earth did you figure that out?

Used to work for them.

Local charities and shelters do WAY more for animals than the RSPCA do. They put many healthy animals down and there are also many thousands of cases of clear cruelty they deem not worth bothering with.

Each time my cats have been to the vets they have praised them being indoor cats and have gone on to say they also have indoor cats.

Some people prefer to keep them in, some don’t. It’s a moot point really.

None of mine give a fig about the outdoors, cat toys, cat nip or the like. The only thing they care about is which bed they will snooze on or who has a lap available.

My mums cat HATES outside, even the back garden. She will only go out if someone else is out there stood next to her, and even then she runs back indoors

www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/cats-responsible-for-driving-many-species-to-extinction/

63 species driven to extinction by cats, keep your invasive species inside.

Mine was a rescue kitten and I think being born feral in December, put her off the Big Outdoors!

How ridiculous to say people keep pedigree (or other) cats in for their own selfish reasons. My cats are indoors only, it’s expensive cat proofing my garden, buying loads of activity toys, fitting lots of climbing places and it’s hard work making sure to entertain and exercise them. They are kept in because the average life span of an indoor cat is OVER 4 TIMES LONGER than that of a free roaming cat. Why get a pet to put it outside and expose it to cars, being attacked by other animals, being attacked by cruel people, catching parasites, diseases and illnesses, getting lost, getting stolen. I could go on and on. I think it’s irresponsible to leave a cat free roaming!

Cats, by nature, are outdoors creatures. They love to hunt, prowl, roam and explore. A cat laying in the sun is a happy cat.
I would not keep a cat if I had to keep it inside , for whatever reason.
My old girl is a pedigree and has managed to avoid nearby roads.
Now she’s old she rarely leaves the garden, probably as she knows her own limits!

At least indoor cats don’t deposit foul smelling faeces in neighbours gardens.

My cat has no disease my cat has not been involved in road accidents my cat has not been attacked. But I can assure you my cat won’t be bored and confined.. it has a CHOICE. As an animal a mammal it has the right to exercise. To socialise if it wants with its own species. It gets sunlight naturally. And as for being run over.. you could get run over? Yes? I think il have to agree to disagree on this.

You can't teach a cat to cross a road safely. I would feel so awful and neglectful if one of my cats was injured or killed in a road accident. Yes, ideally cats should be allowed outside and that's great if you live in open countryside but there's no way I'd risk it if I lived near roads, which I do so ours are indoors. I think it depends on the animal too, if you have a cat who will happily bat butterflies within the garden walls great but a more adventurous one could easily end up in trouble.

I'm so glad you posted this. It is EXTREMELY cruel to keep a cat indoors. There is no such thing as an 'indoor cat' just an imprisoned one! YANBU if you want a cat, let it go outside. And it's such bullshit all these people saying "it wouldn't survive". IT'S A CAT!! There are cats in the wild, they're built for going outside. They have a lot of energy that needs to be let off and they should be allowed to explore. They actually get depressed when they're forced to stay inside. At least give them the choice. It should be mandatory to have a cat flap if you have cats.