"Indoor cat"

[ilovesouthlondon]

Is it cruel to keep a cat indoors and never let it out? Opinions please!

Some cats can very happily. My cat purposefully pushes cups and glasses off tables (slowly whilst looking you in the eye) if hes kept in for longer than 3 days.

I know a few people who have indoor cats,and I always feel sorry for them. My three cats go in and out all day,cats usually have their own little territories to wander around in. I live off road, so don't have to worry to much. Today, one of my cats was sitting on the shed roof, another was sitting on the tree branch,of an apple tree, and the other was sitting in a cardboard box in my shed, as I had left the door open earlier.

Not cruel
It saves out cats life
We live on a main road, locals bait feral cats but the poison dont discriminate on who eats it, the ferals attack the domestic and pass on disease, saves the local wildlife. Now if you let your cat out into that environment, your a shit/lazy owner. In parts of aus you can be fined if your cat is out at night

Our 5 month old is indoors only, we had to sign a contract with the rescue that we would not let her out, in fact, there is a clause in there that if she is ever picked up roaming the rescue can take her back

we take her out on a harness, both in our garden and to the park

she loves the garden, but is still quite scared at the park, will see how she goes as she grows

We have a rescue cat, she arrived as an indoor cat. Initially I did think that if the door was open she might go out but she never has. She will sit with us if we're in the garden but doesn't seem interested in going out alone. In fact, she'll sit next to an open window sunning herself but make no attempt to go out. I think she had such a horrible life before she's decided outside is not a safe place to be.

My cat is essentially an indoor cat. He maybe goes out once a fortnight. He never asks to go, and when he goes out he usually just sits on a bin and then miaows to come in ten minutes later.

My parents’ cat goes outside, he would absolutely hate being kept in.

The only thing I judge is people who live near busy roads and then let their cats out. I cannot understand it.

I grew up with outdoor cats who came and went as they pleased, and that seemed very important to them. I was an adult before I even knew there were such things as indoor-only cats and it really weirded me out (still does to an extent). But I know friends who have them, the cats seem happy and in a city I can understand it more, so I don't judge.

@SmokedDuck but again, there's a difference between a domestic pet and a wild animal.

I get what you're saying that cats don't think about living a long life, but equally I it's not going to be nice for them to be left for dead at the side of the road, but as they don't understand the dangers, it's up to their owners to decide what's best for them.

A comparison to truly wild animals again doesn't really work, because humans aren't choosing to try and live with bobcats in their living room!

As a cat owner. I don't want them to be scared by a passing dog, or hit by a car and potentially left for dead (as you don't have to stop if you hit a cat) on the side of a road. I'd rather they didn't get in fights or potentially get trapped in someone's shed or van only to end up miles away from home.

Other people accept those risks but for me I could never get a pet and then put it in danger every day.

I think if you don't let your cats roam free you need to walk them like a dog. The need more exercise and stimulus than they can generally get inside.

Depends on so many things:

• does the cat have health issue that mean they should stay indoors?
• do you live in a dangerous area (main roads/rivers/)
• do you live in a country where coyotes/dangerous animals are a threat?
• does the cat want to go outside?
• if they are indoor cats, are you going to regulalry play and engage with them?
• what are the neighbours like - there are postcodes near me where ects advise keeping them as indoor cats due to poisonings etc

Indoor cats live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats, but they do require a larger home, with slot of toys, play time etc

And as above, lead training is helpful.

I personally think its cruel unless you live near a main road. Mine go outside but I try to keep them in overnight. I love to see them exploring & enjoying their garden. Theres been quite a few articles stating that cats allowed access to the outdoors are less likely to develop boredom related/behavioural issues & are less likely to be overweight.
If I was a cat I wouldn't like to be cooped up indoors. Harnesses are always an option to let them explore under supervision & they take to it surprisingly well in a lot of cases.

My last cat chose to be an indoor cat. She just never liked going outside until the day she died, when she went out and sat in the sun for a little while.

It completely depends on the cat. I had a british blue and he was completely happy to be a house cat (and probably would have got himself killed within minutes if he'd ever been allowed out!). My friend got a kitten hoping it could be a house cat and he was literally climbing the walls to get out and there was no way on earth he'd have been happy to be kept inside.

Not at all. I’ve 2 house cats that live very wonderful lives. The way I see it, a dog cannot wander the streets so why should a cat? There’s too many dangers out there for me, they’re my cats and my responsibility to keep them safe. I see cats out in the cold and rain and feel bad for the poor sods. I feel happy knowing they’re safe and warm at home.

Our 6 month old kitten goes out a little. I was afraid of losing him, but he's in and out in 5 minutes! Quicker still on a wet day.

I had a rescue who was terrified of outdoors. Specifically grass, birds, other cats and rain. Used to freak out. She stayed in even though she had a cat flap and a garden. I tried.

It’s not cruel. It only might be if a lifetime outdoor cat suddenly becomes and indoor cat (but even they get over it after a while). My ex was a vet and he said the first thing asked when people register cats was if they were an indoor or outdoor cat and that the responses were about 50/50. It’s perfectly fine to keep a cat indoors as long as they have a moderate amount of space, stuff to keep them occupied and interested. Furthermore, so many types of cats are suited to being indoor cats. It’s simply not advisable to let them out. There are many cats that are old, disabled, too small, too meek, extra lazy or sleepy, nervous, anxious, like the warm etc.

In other countries such as America, the vast majority of cats are indoor cats. In this country we let pet cats roam around which isn’t as common in other countries.

Also, neither of my cats have much of a brain. It would be like letting two toddlers go wondering around the woods by themselves.

I love cats and we had a very much adored family cat growing up. I think even cats that have been 'designed' to be indoor change once they discover the 'outside'. A friend had a precious pedigree who was never allowed out, it was always trying to escape, I felt sorry for it.

My father got a rescue cat three years ago who was very nervous and initially terrified of the garden, even though he was encouraged to go out. One sunny day he ventured outside and has never looked back, he has changed from being a very shy, silent cat to one much happier, friendlier and now an excellent mouser! Having said that, another aspect to consider re inside/outside cats is the damage they do to wildlife - they are such efficient predators that it is decimating some species. I don't think I could get another one for this reason.

I have a giant Maine Coon who we keep inside. He's not very agile or street smart and I would be beside myself with worry that he'd be hit by a car or stolen as he's quite striking due to his size. The breeder had us sign a contract to keep him inside. We have toys and scratch posts and platforms for him in the house. We will probably try to put a harness on him in the spring to let him out in the garden with us (supervised). He's not shown too much interest in getting outside (only a year old though).

I'm in the US where it's considered reprehensible to let a cat roam. And rightly so.

I'm from a big city in Canada and this is pretty much the same there. We had a few rescues and you aren't allowed to leave the shelter without agreeing to keep it inside.

Personally I don't think it's fair. I know in some countries there's more risk to them from wild animals. But in the UK its not an issue. Yes there's a risk form cars but it's not huge and for me the risk vs how much it brings to their life is worth that trade off.

Another vote for up to the cat. I’ve had a rescue cat who would sit by the open back door but make no move to any further. He was an indoor cat by choice. I would never force a cat to be indoors only though.

Judging by the number of posts on my local Facebook page about missing cats or dead cats at the side of the road, I would turn your question on its head and ask Is it cruel to let your cat out to roam free at the risk of it getting lost/injured/stolen/killed?