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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why cats roaming is acceptable?

537 replies

PengAly · 16/12/2018 23:05

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 Confused

OP posts:
Dariosa · 17/12/2018 09:02

And anyway, the dog-fanatics on this thread are being stupid.

I’m sure you wouldn’t want your neighbour jumping across the fence into your garden following their cat, just in case it poos.

And keeping all cats inside is never going to happen - a) it’s cruel and b) there’s no way it would be politically possible.

So you’re just going to have to put up with it. There’s no fundamental difference between cat shit and fox shut just because one has an owner and the other doesn’t - you’re being ridiculous.

Dariosa · 17/12/2018 09:02

*shit

Yidette86 · 17/12/2018 09:07

Dariosa... That's terrible, I can sort of relate when we lived in a flat, the dog above would constantly bark and you could hear it run around and scratch doors etc

After numerous attempts to talk to the owner and involving the council we ended up reporting to the RSPCA because the owner was neglecting its needs, having a dog in a flat is something I don't really agree with but I'm sure it's doable as long as it's exercised regularly etc unfortunately there are some irresponsible dog owners that like the novelty of owning one but don't want the responsibility.

Our neighbour ended up being evicted for numerous antisocial behaviors and the dog was rehomed, hopefully to owners that actually were prepared to look after it properly and not inflict their laziness on others.

bruffin · 17/12/2018 09:09

I've known cats who have been house cats since being a kitten and they are happy as they don't know anything better

But mine was a rescue cat and when we tried to keep her in for the first 2 weeks as instructed , she used to launch herself out of an upstairs window. I think cats are naturally roamers and its cruel to keep them inside.
She has a corner of the garden where she buries her poo neatly and sits on the next door neighbours fence tormenting the dogs .
The RSPB say that cats only really catch diseased or injured birds that will die quickly anyway.

PoisonousSmurf · 17/12/2018 09:09

Dogs are dangerous, cats are not. Until you've had to stand at a bus stop in a rough area with out of control 'latch key' dogs on the loose getting into a pack around a fertile 'bitch' and growling and snapping at you, then a cat in the garden is nothing in comparison.
Birds shit everywhere by the way...

JaceLancs · 17/12/2018 09:12

I live in a fairly small close of houses in a rural area and 80% of the houses have at least one cat (I have 2) contrary to what many people have said mine shit in my garden mostly and bury it
Neighbours cats don’t enter as the fur would fly
They all go in the fields and woods so presumably sort out the turf wars there
Anyone who doesn’t have a cat is presumably fair game territory wise unless they have a dog in which case my cats would probably stay away
If you lived near me and had no pets and my cats caused you a problem - talk to me - spray water at them to deter them - or ask me to clean up

eliolip · 17/12/2018 09:14

I don't see the point in this thread. I don't know anybody who is okay with their cat shitting in other peoples gardens or ruining their gardens. Nobody is going to argue that a cat should be able to ruin your garden.

Cat owners don't get a " free pass " for their cats shitting everywhere, it's not like they're being walked to your garden and told to shit in it. They naturally roam, my cat has 3 litter trays but has probably has ruined a few peoples gardens, what am I meant to do?
If a cat is never outdoors then they wouldnt know they are supposed to roam
Keeping a cat inside to never explore the outside is so cruel. Mine will scratch at the door and cry all day if I don't let him outside. He loves to run around the garden and chase birds.

And if you didn't want this to turn into a dog V cat thread then probably best not to open your OP with i really dont understand how people like cats (seems like they are a tad selfish of a pet)

How is a cat selfish? People don't only want pets because they can dominate them and tell them what do.
I like my cat because we live alongside each other and he does his own thing.

Yidette86 · 17/12/2018 09:15

Bruffin I have to disagree... Our rescue cat doesn't know any difference and is very timid, as responsible owners and for it's own safety he's kept inside and he's perfectly happy, he lived inside a vets for a year so letting him go outside would have scared the living shit out of him so saying it's cruel is a bit absurd... Yours likes to go out, mine stays in... Declawing... Now that's cruel.

Hofuckingho · 17/12/2018 09:16

And dog bites can kill.... Your point Ho?

My response was to someone who claimed that cats don’t cause serious damage.

ErrolTheDragon · 17/12/2018 09:16

It’s called ‘the prey instinct.’ A cat’s nature is one of a ‘hunter’ so they like to stalk and ambush prey. Anything moving past their field of vision is likely to get pounced on.

Yes ... the cat which would sit purring on my knee indoors would on occasion treat me as prey outdoors, and he really would go for it. He never managed to look even slightly guilty about it either... I know we shouldn't anthropomorphise but at least dogs usually manage to look abashed if they do something bad, I've never known a cat who did.

eliolip · 17/12/2018 09:18

@ErrolTheDragon if my cat pounces on my toes when they move under the duvet and I say " ow" loud enough he will lower his head and look guilty, give me a nose boop and then leave the room. Definitely capable of feeling guilty if he's done something wrong.

Jas0510 · 17/12/2018 09:20

Why don't you just put a cat repellent in your garden?

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 09:20

Thank you to those PP who actually understand my point and offer some decent advise.

Unfortunately, many others on here like to make assumptions and miss the point entirely. How dare I suggest pet owners be responsible for their pets!? Its just going to be a losing argument. I'll await my Greyhound in Jan and then the cat problem should disappear.
For the record, let me reiterate...
I DO NOT hate cats.
I DO NOT think dogs are better.
I DO NOT think dogs should roam free... I was simply trying to state it seems unfair that cat owners put the responsibility of their pet on their neighbours with regards to cleaning up after them when there are so many laws in place regarding dog ownership and lets be honest Mumsnet have a different post each week about dog hating. I wasn't even cat hating on this thread- I was stating my annoyance at it being acceptable for cats to do as they please. Got to love Mumsnet and all the people who make up interpretations.

OP posts:
ginghamstarfish · 17/12/2018 09:21

Think this has been discussed many times OP! Cats may roam, but they're not the ones shitting all over the streets, running up to and jumping on people at the beach, in the park, on walks etc (and sometimes savaging/killing humans). I think you'll find that's DOGS.

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 09:23

Also should add, I think cats being kept indoors if for their safety too. I'd feel awful if I killed one with a car (easy enough to do when they sit underneath the car!) or if my dog were to attack whilst said cat was sin our garden.

OP posts:
Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 09:25

@ginghamstarfish not my point at all. But thanks for the unhelpful post about your dog hate Biscuit

OP posts:
LucheroTena · 17/12/2018 09:26

Mine go out but I have litter trays which they come back inside to poop in. Cats poo outside often because the owners won’t have litter trays. Most are happier doing their business in the safety and warmth of home.

Cats are territorial so like to stick to patrolling ‘their’ territory. They stick to walking along walls and hedges and like to be able to ‘escape’ to high places. So being walked on a lead like a dog goes against these natural behaviours and can be very stressful.

Some cats are happy indoors but most are healthier and happier with some freedom. It’s the way they are.

Some cats are wary but many are as affectionate as dogs, I’ve had dogs and cats and my cats are as friendly as my cocker spaniel was (ie super friendly and sociable).

bellinisurge · 17/12/2018 09:27

I keep my cat indoors for safety. She has every cat need catered for - climbing, scratching, hunting, hiding, warmth, great views for plotting, playing, being cool.

Branleuse · 17/12/2018 09:31

I think its not that people think its great, but they just accept thats what cats do, and pretty much everything that animals and people do is annoying to someone somewhere.

It just sounds like people saying "why do people just accept that horses slow cars down and shit in the road" "why do people just accept that dogs bark at the postman" Why do people accept that hamsters stay up all night going batshit in a squeaky wheel. "why do babies cry"

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 09:34

But I think the problem is more people actively complain about dogs displaying natural behaviour 9specially on MN) but I'm in the minority of those who complain about a cat pooping in my garden. If I were to post on here complaining about a dog doing something natural, such as barking, I'd have a lot of support and there would be channels for me to approach such as council ect. But I say that I don't like cats being allowed in my garden, digging up my plants and shitting. Or I don't like them sitting under my car as I may not realise they are there and I'm the one who is unreasonable? That's what I don't understand.

OP posts:
Ladymargarethall · 17/12/2018 09:36

Because cats are lovely clean animals and constantly wash themselves and smell of roses.
I worked with someone for over twenty years who constantly told us cats were clean animals, who bury their faeces, unlike dirty dogs.
She refused to accept that having some else's car bury it's faeces in your garden was unpleasant (or that ma y cats make no attempt to bury theirs).
Meanwhile my dog is, as I type, washing himself in the same fashion as a cat, and he does not walk on my work surfaces, or go and lie in my bed, or sofas, and because his f faeces are clearly visible in my garden I pick them up.
Oh dear. And breathe...

payperview · 17/12/2018 09:36

Because cats aren't violent like dogs. Dogs should never be out in public without a lead. No dog can be trusted. They are all capable of serious injury.

Surfskatefamily · 17/12/2018 09:43

I dont much like cats either. My oh pees in the garden (at night) which apparently marks his territory. Seems to work
We have a pet rabbit who has free reign of the garden so its mostly too keep bun safe.

Hofuckingho · 17/12/2018 09:44

Humans can become infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite through contact with infected animal faeces (poo). Cats are the main hosts. ...

Hofuckingho · 17/12/2018 09:46

Because cats aren't violent like dogs. Dogs should never be out in public without a lead. No dog can be trusted. They are all capable of serious injury

Cats are all capable of biting and scratching, which can cause blood poisoning and even death.