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?

Yes blaming it on cats is a get out away from real issues

Well said

Brilliant!

I love cats, by the way. Am owned by 3 of the buggers, and always pet other cats when meeting them outside.

I just keep mine safely contained, because I quite like them being alive and in one piece. Baffled as to why that's unthinkable for other owners.

If you’re a cat owner, have you not spent time researching this yourself?

Only if they have toxoplasmosis in their system. Most don’t

Because for most cats trying to walk them on a lead would be cruelty

You really don’t know anything about cats do you?! I would suggest you go away and read about cat behaviour before starting threads about them

Cats behave completely differently from dogs. I mean, COMPLETELY. Dogs are pack animals. When you're out with a dog, you're part of its pack. It is always (or should be) paying attention to you and what you want and you to it.

Cats have their own agenda. The cat's in charge. It won't do what you want unless that's what it was already planning.

Honestly OP, you know NOTHING!

I love cats too. Just don’t particularly enjoy cleaning up after other people’s… Bur apparently that makes me a cat hater who would be happy to see them poisoned or run over!

Im not sure I'd be able to keep up with my cat to be honest. I find jumping fences and chasing next door's cat a bit much in my 60s.

That's not really what dogs do though. All of the dogs I've ever had would just sit around with their owner until they went out. Cats aren't pack animals.

Lots of assumptions being made here I see!

By law dogs have to be kept under control at all times when off the lead. A responsible dog owner with a well trained dog will have it under complete control on or off lead.

With the best will in the world, nobody really has their cat under control. It's pretty much the other way round if my two were anything to go by.

I was going to say the same thing.

Nuts thread of the week!

I've never stepped in a cat shit - they seem to bury it rather than curling out in the middle of a path - and I avoided eating it when pregnant.

Most cats will not tolerate walking on a lead. They are completely different to dogs. If they broke free it would be dangerous for them, having a lead stuck around their necks. They are territorial and don't want to go far from their homes on a 'walk'. Mine would be scared being beside the road and near other people. It's a ridiculous idea.

https://www.countryfile.com/animals/pets/should-you-walk-your-cat-on-a-lead

Not an assumption OP.

I hate to break it to you OP but the biggest hazard in a UK garden is bird poop. It carries over sixty diseases.

I think you should just stay indoors.

Mission accomplished 🤣

OK. So keep them inside then 😉

The biggest decimator of wildlife are humans.

LOL, OP has no answer, so is deflecting!
Why would a cat owner who is happy for their pet to go outside alone, be researching this?

This thread is funny. I was reading it while our cat sauntered in from the garden (he doesn’t really roam, just hangs about here or next door with their cats) and did a big stinky poo in the litter tray. He supervised me tidying up, had some snacks, then went back out. He’s always locked in overnight or while we’re at work, which feels like a good compromise in terms of allowing him to be out but trying to minimise risk.

I avoided eating it while pregnant.

You’ve cracked it. That’s where I’ve been going wrong.