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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Worried my cats will be attacked by dogs

57 replies

patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 11:05

We recently moved into a house with a lovely back garden which backs on to a field frequented by dog walkers. Most dogs are off leash. We previously lived in a flat and our two cats have been (up until now) indoors only and very happy. They're 1yr old and 2yr old for context.

We have a small run for them so they have limited access to outdoors but recently, when I've been hanging washing out etc I've let them have a play around the garden under supervision. Probably a big mistake because now, the 2yo especially doesn't want to be in the run, but outside in the garden instead - and exploring beyond, i.e. in the field :(

I'm not sure what to do. It's not sustainable to always strictly supervise them in the garden - they're under the fence into the field quickly and up our tree etc. Although we're willing to stick with it...

This is probably a ridiculous question but how likely is it that they will be attacked by dogs if I let them have free roam? I'm really worried about it because I'd be devastated if we lost one, or if one was hurt :( Are they at a disadvantage because they've been indoor up until now i.e. so lack street smarts?

Feel like I've opened a pandora's box by letting them taste freedom.

For info, our garden isn't easy to cat proof - it's big, and has various trees around the border... Also, they're neutered, vaccinated, chipped, and have safety collars and id tags.

Any advice would be appreciated...

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 19/03/2015 11:13

I honestly don't know what to tell you. Dog attacks are a very frequent occurrence. I certainly can't say it's unlikely to happen. On the other hand it's very difficult to confine cats, especially if they have such a wonderful playground around them.

I'm afraid I have no advice (other than cat-proofing the garden, which you've ruled out).

chockbic · 19/03/2015 11:17

I would be inclined to let them have their freedom.

I'm sure they will figure out to keep away from the dogs.

Good luck.

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 11:26

It's chewing me up at the moment trying to work out what's best to do... and I know there are no easy answers - kerb their freedom and keep them safe - or let them out to play and risk their safety. Sigh :(

OP posts:
chockbic · 19/03/2015 11:28

If it's any help, we had a doggy neighbour. One day he came into our garden and our two girls chased him away!

They are tougher and smarter than you think.

thecatneuterer · 19/03/2015 11:44

They may be tough and smart. But unfortunately we see the results of dog attacks weekly - and they're the lucky ones. The vast majority, which are killed, aren't brought into us.

I also witnessed one of my own cats being attacked just outside my house. Thankfully all the neighbours rushed out to help rescue him - but even with ten people joining in it was still touch and go, and he nearly lost his leg as a result. (I can also say that it was one of the two most traumatic incidents of my life - and the other one was also cat-related :) ).

That doesn't mean that I think you should curb their freedom. As I said, I really don't know.

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 11:47

:(

I think we'll just stick with supervision, as much of a pain as it is. And maybe extend their run...

I wont' ask what the other incident was TCN :(

I'm not cut out for pet ownership, I'm too much of a worrier!!

OP posts:
Hakluyt · 19/03/2015 11:51

Let them out.

If they want freedom, it would be cruel to keep them in. The worry is part of having pets, particularly cats, I am afraid.

Generally, cats are faster and more agile than dogs and can climb trees.

thecatneuterer · 19/03/2015 13:27

As an aside when a similar subject came up in the Chat topic once I mentioned the witnessing the attack as being one of the most traumatic incidents of my life and my god was I slated! 'You can't have had anything really bad happen in your life then' etc etc. The comments were really nasty!

At least on here I can say it and people understand:)

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 15:00

Were you TCN?

That's ridiculous. You can get some really nasty views on here.

And really, how is it not obvious that witnessing a near fatal attack on a beloved pet is going to be VERY traumatic?!

Yes, I can think of other equally/more(??) traumatic things but really, it doesn't negate what you experienced as 'one of' the most traumatic events in your life.

People can be real d*cks.

OP posts:
Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 15:15

Also, just to add my on personal point of view, if I witnessed what you did, I'd be scarred for life! And anyone who tells me that means 'you can't have had anything really bad happen in your life then' can go jump because if they knew me, they'd know that is utter crap :/

OP posts:
shovetheholly · 19/03/2015 15:16

I think I would be tempted to let them roam. I know that dogs can attack cats, but young kitties are more agile and able than you might think. I am on a road that is very popular with dog walkers, and my two have never had any problems. I would be more worried about traffic, to be honest.

In some ways, it's the misjudgements they make that are more terrifying - they do have a way of getting themselves into trouble! The nine lives thing is very true (some could do with more!). However, they also get an enormous amount of pleasure from being able to sniff and play outdoors, again especially when they are young. (As I type this, I am watching a new kitten on the block. It clearly hasn't been outside much and it's clawing its way up my fence in a most ungainly manner, and clearly loving it).

It's a bit like children - you do have to let go, even though everything screams at you to protect!

shovetheholly · 19/03/2015 15:17

thecatneuterer Flowers. That sounds horrendous!

NeedABumChange · 19/03/2015 15:23

Let them out. Far better a great free life with the risk of it being cut short, than a life confined and unnatural.

Also I've seen one of my cats take on a big chunky terrier and she won. Both my cats will also chase foxes out of the garden and they are the wimpy cats of the street.

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 15:26

shovetheholly I was thinking that re the children thing last night :)

I'm ttc at the moment, and was thinking, I hope I'm not like this as a parent, wanting to wrap dc's up in cotton wool all the time. Until then though, my cats are the sole receivers of all my maternal love :o and that's perhaps the reason they're so precious to me.

DP is the same though, he is struggling with this issue as much as me. We'll work something out!

OP posts:
shovetheholly · 19/03/2015 15:35

Patience - I know exactly what you mean!

I think there is a link between the emotional rollercoaster of ttc and how you feel about the cats and wanting to protect them.

I have also been ttc, but sadly found out recently that I can't have children. I've had three rounds of surgery since Christmas, and in January one of my two cats was diagnosed with lymphoma. I'm about to make the decision to put him down, and I am so completely bereft and heartbroken about it. It feels like the loss of the ability to have children and the loss of my cat are absolutely entwined. But I know that I have to let go.

This is a sad story, but what I'm trying to say is that you, too, will be able to let go when you need to as a parent, and your future children will grow up to be strong and independent and wonderful people. Smile

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 16:02

shovetheholly I'm really sorry to hear what you're going through at the moment :( words don't cut it really. Sometimes, life is just sh*t.

Having the courage to make a horrible decision based on what's best for your boy is something to be proud of though. We can only do our best for them.

My ttc journey isn't much fun either - won't bore you with the details leading up to it but (sadly, for me) I didn't get the opportunity to start ttc until early last year (by which point I was 36) despite wanting a child for years. I got pg quite quickly though, but miscarried. I got pregnant again in October, but miscarried again at Christmas :( I'm 37 now and really feeling the pressure, but can only try my best.

I hope you're getting lots of love and support at the moment. Thinking of you x

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 19/03/2015 16:13

We have a field at the back of our estate, dog owners walk their dogs off lead there but we've never seen our cat go over there. He can see it from the windowsill so he knows it's there.

His nemesis the B&W thug goes over the fence though (and brings back mice for his owners, he must love them more than ASBO cat loves me).

Is there a peak time for dog walking you could keep them in during?. Which breeds are walked?.

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 16:30

Fluffy our field is literally at the bottom of our garden so no hope of the fluffmonsters avoiding it.

There does seem to be a peak time - 5-7pm ish but to be honest it's rarely empty. Loads of different breeds. A few GSD's, some big hunting/hound type dogs, boxers, then a usual array of JRTs, small cross-breeds etc. I haven't seen many lurchers or bull breeds...

The 5-7 slot is good for us while we're letting them out under supervision though - a) cos we don't get in from work until then and b) because it's still light. This will get easier with lighter nights I guess :)

I have toyed with the idea of early mornings but my concern is if I couldn't get them back in, I'd be late for work...

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 19/03/2015 16:54

Do the cats watch the dogs? How would they get back into the garden if a dog chases them?.

Is it too pfc to put a trellis the other side of the fence?.

Original poster
patienceisvirtuous · 19/03/2015 17:47

Yeah they watch the dogs and two doors along has two big hounds often in the garden barking so the cats are wary-ish BUT getting more confident and curious. Our 2yo cat ran towards two alsations who had spotted her!! Poor DP never moved so fast lol.

The cats can get back in the garden over or under the fence (there's a small gap under the gate) - it isn't a high fence but high enough to keep dogs out.

We could look into a trellis. I'm all for being pfc :) not that they're my first - she was an indoor oldie so no stress there!

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 19/03/2015 18:43

Alsatians aren't so bad, they want to play.

Terriers & huskies are more of a risk.

Dizzyfatbird · 19/03/2015 18:45

We have cats and a dog, try not to worry the cats rule the dog, he's terrified, they are more likely to get one over on the dogs! They're faster an get up trees and take no prisoners

girliefriend · 19/03/2015 19:34

I had my dads dog (JRT) to stay once and the first time I left the house with him he was attacked by two cats Shock

Poor thing is still terrified of cats to this day, just saying Wink

FWIW I think all cats should be allowed the freedom to wander, I personally could never keep a cat in. Its a risk but for the sake of the cat a risk worth taking imo.

AngelBlue12 · 19/03/2015 19:37

We have had 3 cats killed by dogs, one shot by a gamekeeper and 2 run over by cars. I will never let any of our cats out again, We have 3 at the moment and they get on fine being indoor cats :)

orangeyellowgreen · 19/03/2015 20:40

Cats tend to keep to the edges of any big space so your cats will be able to get under or over the fence or up a tree, if they do venture into the field. Also, having never met dogs, they will be scared and keep away from them.
It would be such a shame to keep them in when you have a big garden for them to enjoy.