AIBU to think cats should not roam unsupervised like dogs?

[estrogone]

AIBU to think that if you dont leave your dog to roam streets unsupervised, then you shouldn't let other pets (cats), for the same reasons.

It blows my mind that people let their cats out because their sleep is disrupted and I wonder why they think its OK, when its highly unlikely they would put Fido outside if he kept the family up.

To clarify, just let Fido just wander the streets.

Because cats need to roam. I have foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs, birds all living in my street, the odd few cats is not going to make a difference.

Cats roaming has been banned in some parts of Australia, so its certainly possible.

My cats are out at night because that is their natural hunting time, not because they keep me awake !

I'm curious, What prompted your post? Is it out of concern for our feline population?

What on earth makes you think disturbed sleep is the reason cats are let out?

🤣🤣🤣 This comparison comes up every time. Cats and dogs are different animals with different behaviours and different legal responsibilities. It’s really not the gotcha you think it is.

Dogs and cats are regulated by the same laws where I live.

So do dogs, that's why most owners walk them twice a day.

Is that due to cats being in danger?

Cats need to be able to go out

So do dogs. They get walked.

But why do they need to roam? Would you let your domesticated dog roam?

Dont you worry the cat will kill the hedgehog babies?

You can't really 'walk' cats like you can dogs. Some will go on a harness but many won't, mine won't.

Cats aren’t dogs so comparing the two just makes you look silly.

This is a funny thread!! Would you be the one volunteering to round up all the naughty wandering cats at night?

No but I do worry about roaming dogs killing people.

Cats dont kill people.

I do remember in the 70’s my parents used to “ let the dog out” - it used to roam around our village and come home when it felt like it !

Because cats are not dogs.

No just wildlife.

Oh ffs, cats are not dogs, they are very different species, with different needs, different ways of life.
(I personally don’t let my cats out at night, they go out during the day if they want.)

Humans kill wildlife too, give humans a curfew?

Wildlife kills wildlife, are you going to ban all wildlife as well?

Who says they NEED to roam? Is this not just an excuse to absent yourself from the irritating and painful parts of pet ownership.

Sod the wildlife or the risk to the cat.

Its the same just with different parameters

Are you suggesting people stick their cats on a lead and walk them? Is that your solution?

Because cats need to roam. I dont even own a cat so I not trying to get away from the painfully part of over ownership 🤣