To ask why cats roaming is acceptable?

[PengAly]

Just want to hear opinions on this. Firstly i should be honest, i am a dog person, 100% love dogs and i really dont understand how people like cats (seems like they are a tad selfish of a pet) but i am an animal lover so obviously wish no harm to any cat and will play with one given the opportunity. This is JUST my opinion. But back to my original question...

Why does it seem universally accepted that cats can roam on other peoples properties and poop in the garden- even digging up flowers?! Now Im certain mainy people would get up in arms if a dog on a lead stepped one paw on their front garden or god forbid came within 3 feet of them or their child(I've seen many dog hating threads on MN) yet cat owners get a free pass for their cats doing as they please?

Im honestly not trying to start an argument i just dont understand it

Because cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt and they haven’t forgotten.
Dogs have owners & cats have staff.
Humanity has tamed the wolf but the lion will not be tamed!

Because cats roaming is a natural behaviour.

It used to be that cats were classed as wild animals, but thays a changed with Animal Welfare etc laws.

Cats, unlike other animals don't cause serious injuries and property damage.

Because it's the law.

And cats are gods.

YABU to call cats selfish, they can give alot of affection.

I love dogs but they can turn on their owners at any time (see story about 1 month baby mauled to death). When was the last time a cat mauled anyone to death?

Cats are free spirits. I think that's how it's phrased in the law. Dogs have to be under control, cats don't...

I'm with you OP.

I find it odd that someone can buy and own something that causes such a disgusting mess in other people's gardens. It's like cat owners have it both ways - it's a domesticated animal so they can own it, but they need to be able to roam free. It's wither domestic or not and if it needs to roam off a lead and hunt then it's not a pet in my view.

I've read on here an argument that it's just the same as a fox or other wild animal pooing in my garden but to me that's a crazy argument - a particular cat wouldn't have pooed in my garden if it's owner hadn't bought it - it's not wildlife

Cats aren't dogs. You wouldn't treat a hamster the same way you treat a dog and you can't treat a cat the same way you treat a dog.

Cats love to roam and they should be left to do that.

This cats v dogs like/dislike is pathetic.

I wish they had to stay indoors and could be walked like a dog is, the local wildlife would certainly benefit from it. I’d rather see birds enjoying my garden than the multiple shitting cats in the area.

You can't compare completely different animals. They demonstrate completely different behaviours. You wouldn't expect a dog to wander along fences and climb trees anymore than you would expect a cat to roll over on command and beg for treats.

But surely you cant think its ok for cats to ruin other peoples gardens??? Also cats can scratch and bite so not sure why people are saying the cannot cause injuries

You may as well ask why we think it is acceptable to keep animals in cages in our children's bedrooms, or why we think it's fun and normal to walk around with a nearly-wolf on a string.

Dogs have leads and cats can’t. Different species.

100% agree! The amount of cat shit I have to regularly clean up from my garden is unbelievable and makes me so mad

I'm not so much comparing the two but asking WHY cat owners think their cat ruining peoples gardens and roaming on other peoples property is ok?

People misunderstand cats. Mine are the most affectionate little darlings (cuddling you in bed, licking you, booping their heads against you, winding around your legs, jumping into your arms to be held, running down the stairs to greet you etc. Whereas I know a lot of nippy, aggressive dogs. And you never hear tragic stories of cats attacking kids and killing them, do you? Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. But people who think cats are worse / more horrible as pets just don’t understand animals.

As to roaming - the short answer is, because there is very little way of stopping them except keeping them indoors and for lots of cats that’s contrary to their nature. You can discourage them from entering your garden though - google for ideas.

Yes, they are “free to roam” but cat owners can (and should) be held responsible for any significant harm or damage caused by their cat.

We have 5 cats and have always asked our neighbours to tell us if any of them are a nuisance or cause damage. We’re more than happy to make good any damage or clean up any mess caused by the animals we’ve chosen to have.

I've never seen a story about a cat attacking anybody ever. Whereas I've seen some hideous stories about dog inflicted injuries. Especially on children.

I've never known a cat cause damage in a garden. Dogs, on the other hand...

Agree that it is silly to compare completely different species. Cats do what they want but they are harmless to humans and universally loved/worshipped/respected.

Animals are naturally outdoors. Having houses and gardens are man made. You can just single out cats. What about foxes, badgers, birds etc?

I've often wondered this too.

I'm allergic to cats and have 3 locals who insist on sneaking into the house of the DC's are playing on the garden with the door open and we also have to do a "sweep" for shit everyday too because of them.

If you want a pet great but you can keep/pick up it's shit just as dog owners are expected to! If you can't do that then don't complain when the thing gets sprayed with my water gun...

Because cats are cats and can't be trained in the same way as dogs.

Wild dogs like to roam, how come we teach dogs not to do it, but not cats?

Presumably you could just keep a cat in your house and not let them out and they wouldn’t know they were supposed to go out?

We cage birds and rats and guinea pigs. We did take the lion, he’s in the Zoo. Why are cats the only animals we let roam free?

I’ll admit I’m not a fan of cats. If I have my patio doors or windows wide open in summer, the neighbours cats come in which scares the crap out of DD. But I really am curious why we “keep” all other animals and it’s terrible if they escape but not cats.

Our three cats stay in the house.

Anyone who says cats are selfish and have staff has clearly not met ours. This is Biggie (aka Mr. Bigglesworth, ginger tom) and Gatsby (grey tabby) on Daddy's lap. Biggie is smiling. He loves attention and practically worships Daddy. Gatsby is sleeping. He loves people. He was rejected by his mother and hand-reared. He promptly decided I'm his mum. I get lots of snuggles. Our Jayda doesn't appear in this picture. She is more reserved but will ask for attention periodically.

I think people going on about a dog "turning at any point" has been done to death and id rather not start that pointless debate...

Its nice to hear some owners are considerate about their cats but unfortunately majority dont appear to be and am unable to plant flowers because of the neighbours cats! We are also getting a dog soon so worried about potential accidents happening in our garden if the cat comes when dog is out....