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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:
VeggyGravy · 17/12/2018 11:16

@VeggyGravy but people don't keep squirrels and foxes as pets do they? So that comparison makes no sense. Those animals ARE wild animals, cats have been household pets for decades so shouldn't they be given the same standard as other household pets?

The fact that people decided to let cats sleep in their houses, has funny enough not made a difference to a cat's instincts. feral cats live happily outside too.

knittedmouse · 17/12/2018 11:17

Op you have very simplistic thinking regarding this issue. It's a shame that people are so disconnected from nature and animals now. You fail to understand the difference because you fail to understand nature.

MiaowMix · 17/12/2018 11:17

Just seen latest post and I give up. @PengAly if you can't understand why dogs and cats don't behave the same then your critical faculties are too severely lacking for anyone to try and explain it to you
🤦🏼‍♀️

MiaowMix · 17/12/2018 11:18

@agedknees you sound LOVELY Hmm

PirateWeasel · 17/12/2018 11:20

I don't think it's that cat owners think it's ok for their cats to trash other people's gardens, it's just that they can't stop them! Unless you have indoor cats and never let them outside which is frankly cruel unless there's danger to the cat. You can't train cats to behave a certain way. I know there are things on the market that you can buy to deter cats like high pitched noises or weird smells. No idea they work though, have you tried those?

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 11:22

@MiaowMix that is why I am asking! Happy to learn more about this bond. I am basing it off the behaviours I have witnessed of cats. Same way many people on here are claiming all dogs are violent and a noise problem..

What I don't understand is people likening cats to wild animals but then saying they are pets. I think it makes no sense for them to be both

OP posts:
ethelfleda · 17/12/2018 11:26

We’ve all got to co-exist on this earth - whether or not people do things to piss you off.

bruffin · 17/12/2018 11:28

I think it makes no sense for them to be both
Why doesnt make sense. Cats have adapted to have the best of both worlds. They were kept for their hunting instinct to get rid of rats and mice. They dont have the pack instinct dogs have so dont need a leader to look up to .

MarthaArthur · 17/12/2018 11:29

I agree op but for a different reason. I think roaming cat owners in cities are selfish and horrid. Where i live theres always a dead cat smushed on the roads. Why allow your cat to roam when you live by loads of busy roads where theres a 50/50 chance of it being killed or badly injured.

minkies11 · 17/12/2018 11:29

Certainly haven't changed my tune PengAly. Still think you are simply shit-stirring. Just don't believe things are quite as black and white re: cats and dogs. But you probably know that and are enjoying the fuss.

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 11:31

@MiaowMix seriously? I have said COUNTLESS times I am not suggested dogs and cats are the same. I am simply pointing out that ANY PET shouldn't be allowed to crap in other people's gardens...Why is that so hard for you to understand???

OP posts:
Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 11:34

No actually. I just cant comprehend why you seem to think I should be ok with cats trying to come into my house or messing up my garden? I never once said cats and dogs are the same, all I pointed out was that dog owners are held responsible AND accountable for their dog's actions but cat owners are not. Bird, hamster, rabbit, ect are all possible pets. Again, their owners should be responsible and accountable for them too.

OP posts:
MiaowMix · 17/12/2018 11:35

@PirateWeasel has it.
@PengAly you seem to fail to understand two things: that cats don't do things out of malice (eg shitting in neighbours' gardens), and that it's difficult to train cats per se.
Ascribing human attributes to any animal is misguided and wrong.
Cats also are generally happier when going outside, and quite simply, owners can't really control how they behave, however domesticated cats are.
But equally cats are the most affectionate and loving creatures, and form incredible bonds with people.
It's your use of words like "selfish" when describing cats which is just so misguided.
I do actually feel sorry for anyone who doesn't feel the love from cats. Cats are amazing. 😻

VeggyGravy · 17/12/2018 11:36

What I don't understand is people likening cats to wild animals but then saying they are pets. I think it makes no sense for them to be both

I am simply pointing out that ANY PET shouldn't be allowed to crap in other people's gardens...Why is that so hard for you to understand???

Why is it so hard for you to understand that it's up to you to cat proof your garden. And fox proof it. And whatever else is likely shitting in your garden. I can' physically keep a ct out of someone else's garden.

I can't take a cat out for a walk, because it's a cat. I don't begrudge dog owners for being able to do this Confused because I'm not insane

If I did take a cat out for a walk beside my cat i'd risk being attacked by dogs, as would the cat. You see, maybe people shouldn't be allowed to keep very large violent animals on bits of string?

m00rfarm · 17/12/2018 11:36

I live in POrtugal. If I leave my terrace doors open, a neighbouring cat comes in, pisses in cupboards, pisses on the curtains, pisses on clothes - pretty much anything that it can get close to, it pisses on. And if I try to shoo it out of the house, it tries to attack me. I don't mind people having cats, but this cat clearly does not behave like this in the house of its owner - so why should I have to put up with it. Oh - it also pissed on a brand new (expensive) suitcase which had to be trashed and on a new duvet, our door mat, our garden furniture cushions ...

PumpkinKitty82 · 17/12/2018 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SylviaAndSydney · 17/12/2018 11:37

I hate seeing cats stalking my bird table, but I’d never let the dog out first to get rid of them, you’d be a complete arsehole if it attacked and killed the cat.
That said, I was lying on the couch in the kitchen a few weeks ago, back door open, just closing my eyes for 5 minutes. I had the weird sense of something starting at me, opened my eyes and a black cat was at the side of the couch. He jumped as I did and ran outside, but my Shih Tzu was sitting in the opposite corner, looking alarmed Grin

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 11:38

Ascribing human attributes to any animal is misguided and wrong

So by this logic you think dogs should roam free? I certainly don't think that at all but according to your views training any animal is wrong. Certainly, putting a dog on a lead and dictating where it goes and being in control of when it pisses and shits is not a "normal" thing for the animal.

OP posts:
m00rfarm · 17/12/2018 11:38

Oops - posted too soon. It is unreasonable to live in a hot climate and not be allowed to open your terrace doors. In the end I had to pay to put a trellis up which now means I cannot lower the window shutters. However, I left the front door open for 20 seconds whilst i walked to the car last week, and the cat shot in when I was not looking - when I came back in (and it was literally 20 seconds) it was pissing on a bag of clothes in the hallway. Have spoken to the owner who says it is not her problem.

DandelionsAreNotLions · 17/12/2018 11:40

I've had cats all my life all with different personalities but all affectionate and well behaved.
There is middle ground between letting them roam shitting everywhere (neglectful) and keeping them locked in ( cruel)

P was only allowed out after her shit. She got used to that and would come in to use her litter tray .
M now let's us know when needs a plop and get my shoes on , take her out for a walk and clean up the shit.

Free roaming day and night is not good for the cat or your neighbourly relations.

Squirells fuck up my seedlings and garden more than any other creature. Luckily the big Toms round here chase them off. We are in an urban area and some streets round here have a revolting rat issue.

Rats! Maybe the occasional feral pooping cat could be thanked for their assistance in keeping human towns from being overrun by the filthy things.

LordPickle · 17/12/2018 11:40

I haven't RTFT but I completely agree with your OP. No one would stand for dogs continuously pooping in their garden but we're all supposed to smile and clean up some random cat's shit. It makes no sense. I don't have a cat, but every morning I'm cleaning up massive piles of shit from my garden so my toddler can play outside. Angry

MarthaArthur · 17/12/2018 11:40

I agree cats should be kept indoors for their own safety and the safety of small mammals and birds. The vole and shrew numbers decline massively due to cats killing them for sport. And i actually love cats they are beautiful but they are also domestic. Like dogs. They are domestic cats that have been bred down for centuries. They are not mini tigers.

agedknees · 17/12/2018 11:41

Miaowmix- I’m sure the wild blue tits, great tits, Siskins, robins and various other wild birds think I’m lovely for feeding them/saving them from the cats claws thank you.

Original poster
PengAly · 17/12/2018 11:42

I cant believe some of the names I'm being called on here! I am basing my opinions of cats of the experiences I have had, not my fault I've only had negative ones! Plenty of people say the dislike dogs (on this thread too) for assumptions based on their PERSONAL experience and that's not wrong . The debate about house cats is not black and white, lots of owners keep cats in the house for their own safety and that does not make them cruel. In fact a few PP have even admitted they do

OP posts:
Monkeynuts18 · 17/12/2018 11:42

Actually I know what you mean OP. I like all animals but a couple of our neighbours have cats that regularly shit on our lawn and patio. I’m pregnant atm so clearing up cat poo is a real pain (that said, I’m not sure how common toxoplasmosis really is, but the NHS guidelines are what they are). We also have a bird feeder and they stalk the birds that come to eat. I read a concerning article the other day about how the prevalence of domestic cat-keeping is a major contributing factor to the decline in wild birdlife.

I don’t really know whether there’s a solution - I wouldn’t advocate keeping the poor creatures housebound, that would be awful - but we’re strongly considering getting something to discourage the cats from coming to our garden.

I don’t have a dog but I think I get what you mean - people are often hysterical about dogs, but dogs - when responsibly owned - are much more biddable, laid back and predictable creatures than cats. But obviously the flip side of that is that they can be pretty dangerous animals when not responsibly owned.