To think cats shouldn’t be allowed out without owners

[DoBeDoBeDooo]

The other thread about cats vs dogs has made me realise I’m not alone in my feelings about cats being allowed to roam freely, kill wildlife, and crap all over the place.

Why is it one rule for dogs and another for cats? It’s doesn’t make any sense really, when you think about it.

Shouldn’t the same rules apply: cats can be walked on leads and owners must pick up after them or risk fines etc?

Strange as it may seem, cats and dogs are different animals, with different needs.

Oh this'll be good 🍿

Are they really though? Most dogs would arguably be a lot healthier and happier if they were allowed to roam freely too.

Some of them don’t have owners.

I checked with my cats and they both replied, in synch, "fuck you I won't do what you tell me".

Judging by what happens when dogs slip their leads in our not many dogs would be left alive.

Hillarious!

You're talking absolute rubbish.

Cats may kill wildlife (ours kills rats and mice). Dogs can and do kill people.

Far more dangerous animals and their poo is dangerous to humans.

Do you own dogs? Have you ever seen a cat??

Tell me you’ve never had a cat without saying you’ve never had a cat.

Totally different animals. Not sure how owners would follow their cat over fences and keeping them on leads is cruel… but their recall is terrible.

My question isn’t whether dogs should be allowed to roam freely. Obviously they shouldn’t.

But why should cats be allowed to shit everywhere, including my garden where my young children play?

They don’t just kill mice and rats. They kill millions of birds every year too.

wrong.

Having grown up in a country where dogs were left to roam free - you know what happens? Dogs form packs. Those packs then roam the streets and go quite ferral. They can become very dangerous.

Cats would never do this.

Dogs are happier when well trained, with strong boundaries.

Cats don't care what you think.

You're basically asking for all cats to be housecats who are walked on leads everyday? I think this is a ludicrous suggestion as cats need to be free roaming for their health and for pest control. I can assure you that cats are not as nasty as rats, the rat population would increase exponentially if cats weren't around.

Dog owners reading this thread with their dog being their shadow and hating it when we go to the loo without them 😂 my dog doesn’t want to be free to roam. She would like to be attached to my side.

Unfortunately there s a lot of truth in the saying "Dogs have owners, cats have staff." Cats are far less trainable and yes, their recall is terrible.

Where I live, the law is the same for cats and dogs. Leads required any time the animal is not contained on your private property or in a designated off lead area.

I used to live in a port city.

The trend for cats being kept in has, in my observation, corresponded to a noticeable increase in rats in the city.

Before I moved into the countryside, I rather wish people in my neighbourhood would leave their cats out. Or even that little ratting dogs were still allowed to wander.

I don’t own dogs or cats.

Cat poo is also a risk to humans, especially pregnant women and children.

Completely agree OP. All pet owners should take responsibility for their animals, and that includes ensuring that your pet doesn’t cause issues for other people or wildlife.

Catios exist. People need to use them, unless they live on a farm.

Like I said, my question isn’t about dogs. I don’t think any pets should be allowed to roam freely.

Yabvvvu

Dogs are dangerous to humans.

Cats are not.

Oh and cats are actually useful mousers. They generally keep pests down. See Larry the cat at downing street etc.

I also think it shouldn't be one rule for dogs and another for cats. Which is why I think keeping cats indoors is cruel.

Have you ever tried putting a harness on a cat? Come and show me on my Maine Coon, it’s ok, I’m first aid trained.

mine is actually an indoor cat, which no doubt will bring out the ‘that’s cruel’ brigade, but was a rescue and had been an indoor cat so knows no different.

Cat poo is also a risk to humans, especially pregnant women and children.

It is a fraction of the risk dogs pose. You can practise good hygiene and avoid cat poo

If a dog attacks a person it can kill it. There were at least 10 deaths in 2024 where dogs killed people, and countless more severe injuries.