To really not understand why people are OK with cats

[Duvetstay]

Full disclosure, I'm allergic to cats and also very much a dog person but I really don't understand how it's acceptable for cats to go round decimating local wildlife and crapping in gardens.

I've lost count of how many times I've had to pick cat poo off the lawn and my daughter came in yesterday with cat sick all over her feet as a local moggie had vommed on our patio. I'm sick of it. It's a health hazard and you shouldn't have to wear a hazmat suit to go in your own garden.

We have tadpoles outside which are about to froglet and I've just seen a fat cat with its head in the water. I'm fuming, a few of the tadpoles are injured and this is the same cat I had to get off a terrified bird last week.

I'm not remotely sentimental about nature, if a hungry creature kills another then that's how life works. However I cannot understand how people can let these cats out knowing that they're injuring animals for no reason and causing health hazards to other people in their own home.

I couldn't take my dog for a shit in your garden so why can your cat do that in mine? They're not even natural predators as they just trot home to get their whiskers.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND!

Cats don't really smell but their food does which can then make rooms/houses smell.
Dogs absolutely stink as does the house, owner, car everything. Not for me.

Well cats are quieter than dogs for a start. At the weekend it was like Battersea here with nasty yapping little rats. My cat doesn't roll on dead animals or in crap either. He also doesn't crap in the middle of the path or by someone's gate.

@Tootletum that’s horrible and frustrating if you know anybody due a decent haircut or know somebody with a dog who needs a trim, laying down batches of hair can help deter feral cats (less likely to work against owned cats from what I understand) - my Grandparents did this a lot and it worked against stray cats and foxes (grew up in a village practically in the middle of nowhere with a lot of stray cats). There are some types of flowering plants that can deter cats too but it’s not always efficient and would cost you money.

I don't particularly like dog poo, whether it be on the ground or slung in bags and discarded, nor do I like dogs jumping up on me or running over me on a picnic when I am feeding my baby. However I wouldn't dream of dictating to anyone else whether they should own one or not. Probably far more posts on here about anti-social neighbours than cats.

What a load of shit. So many posts on here explaining all the way in which cats are nasty and mean how the fcuk would that make them "better than people" what shite.

People can be far nastier than cats. I've met some pretty nasty people in my time, cats don't even come close.

My cat doesn't roll on dead animals or in crap either. He also doesn't crap in the middle of the path or by someone's gate.

No, just in their flower beds or on their lawn.

@NaviSprite unfortunately I think they are all pet cats. We've tried the deterrent granules, no effect. I think next step is a motion triggered sprinkler, but I'm not sure how well that will work given the garden is front and back. Maybe we should just get a dog!

I wish I had cats coming to vomit on my patio or crap on my lawn. Seriously.

I see these threads and wonder why it doesn't happen to me, despite my lack of dogs and willingness to invest in dreamies to reward any felines who might venture in.

Because I don't have cats, I have bastard rats who like to scurry across my garden, shit in my shed, drag rubbish out of the bins and if I'm especially lucky get into the roof space and scurry around keeping me up at night.

I've taken to asking cat owners to save used litter so I can distribute it around the edges of my property.

@Tootletum A dog would work! If you want one that is, if you’re not completely put off cats by now, having a male cat can help too - unless one of the ones currently being a PITA is a bullying Tomcat like in my case, but having my two males has stopped the other neighbourhood poopers from using my garden as a giant litter tray, so it’s mostly been a success . When I first moved here I clocked a good ten or so cats who just roamed into my garden and used it as a toilet as they pleased... it was summer and the smell... 🤢🤢 anyways now it’s just the one problem cat to contend with!

I hate the idea of my cats stopping a child from being able to freely play in their own gardens, that’s why I have offered on every occasion I can to sort it for my neighbours if mine ever get problematic (I’m usually de-pooping my garden anyway for my twins).

Thanks @navisprite I would love to get a cat myself as I like both dogs and cats, but DH is allergic! I just found another website that suggested if cats find urine from others they are deterred. Maybe I should rethink stopping my boys from taking a leak in the garden

Some cat owners are simply not able to be understood.

For example we're rescuing a dog post lockdown. My neighbours (usually very reasonable people) keep having very loud "private" conversations as to how they object because their cat likes my garden.

Bonkers

Gonna be honest, haven't read the thread but I agree with OP, cats should be kept indoors, dogs arnt allowed free roam outside, neither are horses, goats, pigs, chickens, etc

'Every year, cats in the Netherlands are estimated to kill about 140 million animals. According to the lawyers’ research, cats are a risk to 367 endangered species. And the issue is just the fact that cats hunt birds and other small animals, they also spread diseases. Moreover, they pose a threat to wild cats, as mating with them can cause some species to disappear. '

I know that's not England but I'm not googling more than a couple mins.

According to the lawyers’ research, cats are a risk to 367 endangered species. And the issue is just the fact that cats hunt birds and other small animals, they also spread diseases.

Words like pot, kettle, black spring to mind!

Its widely documented humans present a much bigger risk to endangered species and the environment!! As for spreading diseases - what’s that global pandemic all about, from eating bats; not to mention the other diseases from eating chimpanzees, keeping animals in the wrong proximity, etc?

Right, so you agree that we should keep cats inside just like we as humans should stop being aa big threat to endangered animals :) glad to see you agree /s

Because cats are better than people especially those who hate cats
What a load of shit. So many posts on here explaining all the way in which cats are nasty and mean how the fcuk would that make them "better than people" what shite.

Difference of opinion, that's all. (Although plenty of people are nasty and mean too)

No, I don’t agree with keeping cats inside. In a natural environment, they would live in an ecological balance. We have interfered with that.

Imo, we should concentrate on changing our own behaviour first. It’s hypocritical, complaining about animals doing, what we do on a far bigger scale!

Imo, we should concentrate on changing our own behaviour first.

maybe by starting not to have pets that have a great negative effect on the environment?

My cat chooses to live inside.
I got her as an abandoned Rescue cat - I have a lovely garden but she runs away from the door every time I try to let her out.
In fact she appears to be terrified of the outside. She's terrified of most things actually.
So I respect her wishes & keep her in.
She runs up & downstairs & chases her toys round for exercise.
She has a very clean litter tray.
Happily she's slowly increasing in confidence & after 2 years she will lie next to me but won't let me pick her up or sit on my lap yet.

Rescue animals are challenging but very rewarding. I would never get a pet from a breeder.

maybe by starting not to have pets that have a great negative effect on the environment?

Do they?

maybe by starting not to have pets that have a great negative effect on the environment?

Aren't cows worse?

Shoot the fuckers.

maybe by starting not to have pets that have a great negative effect on the environment?

Or maybe pick something that will actually make a significant difference to the environment.

I've always had cats. They're all different, but equally wonderful in my eyes. My oldest girl is an amazing comforter. Anyone cries in this house, she's by their side, patting them. Even if I'm a bit down, she'll sense it and stay by me until I feel better.
They're funny too.
I'm so sorry you don't know the joy of being a cat parent. You're truly missing out.

Much prefer an animal that buries it’s shit than one who does it all over the pavement and the owners don’t pick it up

Same here Henny, our oldest male senses my anxiety attacks before I do, he’ll quickly jump up, start kneading (and he’s so good not to hurt with claws) purring away and giving him a fuss and a cuddle tends to curtail the attacks more often than not! He’s the same with DH who used to suffer with them horribly.