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Original poster

pedigree cats - why can't they go outside?

27 replies

geekgrrl · 16/02/2007 17:15

I'm probably being really dense here, hope someone can explain.

I'm allergic to cats but would most likely be fine with a Siberian cat, as they produce much less dander than your average pussycat. I've looked at a few breeders' websites, but they all state that you shouldn't even bother contacting them if you're going to let the cat go out unsupervised (speaking as someone who had cats for over 20 years, HTF do you 'supervise' a cat outside?!).
Now, we live in the countryside down a private lane, nowhere near the main road. It's cat heaven here. What would be so bad about letting an outdoor breed like the Siberian go outside? They're not overbred so are very hardy and apparently excellent hunters - would be a shame to only have it hunt toy mice indoors...

OP posts:

nailpolish · 16/02/2007 17:17

i had a ragdoll cat and the vet advised me to keep her indoors

i just thought "how and why?" i thought it ws cruel

she went outside fine

the only reason i could think of was incase she got pinched

but she was chipped

hth

Oati · 16/02/2007 17:22

funny you should mention a ragdoll, nailpolish - my friend has one and he spends much of his time lying around the house, although he does go out sometimes, I don't think he's be too fed up if he stayed in.

Other breeds however, love the great outdoors - we had Bengals and they were absolutely desperate to go out, no way could we keep them in unless they lived in a cage.

I think it definitely depends on the breed as to how happy they are to live inside.

Oati · 16/02/2007 17:23

expatinscotland has house-cats BTW

Pixel · 16/02/2007 17:23

I just assumed it was because they cost a fortune and people can easily steal them.

Original poster

geekgrrl · 16/02/2007 17:24

ours neighbours breed ragdolls (bit of a kitty mill TBH ) - they're gorgeous cats.

OP posts:

Pixel · 16/02/2007 17:24

Doh! lots of people posted while I was answering the phone!

Neroli · 16/02/2007 17:24

We have a Norwegian Forest Cat, I noticed that a lot of breeders said the bit about outside. The one we used didn't mention it and she happily potters in and out all the time. She was chipped when she came to us.

Original poster

geekgrrl · 16/02/2007 17:25

so would I just lie to the breeder then? There's no way I'd keep a cat indoors where we are.

OP posts:

nailpolish · 16/02/2007 17:26

i miss my cat
she was bright cream and used to 'hide' in the bushes - or so she thought. she was like a beacon. the birds saw her a mile off

and her blue eyes

she was so beautiful

edam · 16/02/2007 17:26

I think breeders can be very strange. Unless you live in a flat, it's unkind to keep your cat indoors. Not what they were designed for.

OttergavebirthonValentines · 16/02/2007 17:27

of course they can - why ever not?

nailpolish · 16/02/2007 17:27

oh where ar you geekgrrl? i d love another

Oati · 16/02/2007 17:27

geekgirl - have just re-read your OP - I can't see "hardy, excellent hunters" being happy to live indoors - my Bengals were also "excellent hunters" and battered my cat flap open one night to get out and strut their stuff

Original poster

geekgrrl · 16/02/2007 17:29

np, near Harrogate
iota, that's what I think...
LOL at a Norwegian Forest cat expected to stay indoors! The name says it all, surely?!

OP posts:

nailpolish · 16/02/2007 17:30

oh thanks geekgrrl

Harrogate is lovely btw

Oati · 16/02/2007 17:31

my Bengal cross ( nephew of original Bengals) came for a walk to the playground with us today

Neroli · 16/02/2007 17:33

She lives up to her name, never happier than up a tree ! For the price you have to pay for them I personally would have no qualms in saying whatever I needed to at the time. Sounds like you are in the perfect place for a cat geekgrrl.

Mellowma · 16/02/2007 17:33

Message withdrawn

Mellowma · 16/02/2007 17:37

Message withdrawn

nappyaddict · 16/02/2007 17:43

i'd be afraid of it getting stolen.

Indith · 16/02/2007 17:44

My old pampered pedigree went out! H was a terrible fighter though and though he usually won his non existent inbred immune system turned every scratch into an abcess.

nappyaddict · 16/02/2007 17:46

so if you get a cat chipped and it goes missing can you track it down?

Pixel · 16/02/2007 18:46

Only if its handed in to a vet or rescue place and they scan it. We had our kitten done last week and he got a little tag for his collar that says "identichip scan me".

Eeek · 16/02/2007 18:58

my siameses go out - I didn't fancy having to keep all windows and doors shut to stop them getting out by themselves. My opposite neighbour has siameses who never go out. they put grilles over the windows in summer so they get some air but the cats can't get out. Both lots seem equally happy. Mind, I have a heated cat basket so they never move all winter long

Eeek · 16/02/2007 19:00

it's worth checking the chip every so often - ask the vet at their annual injections. We found that the chips both cats got when they were kittens had moved, and moved far enough that they probably wouldn't have been picked up if scanned. WE had to have them re-done.

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