Should cats be kept inside or allowed to roam?

Hogi · 09/05/2023 08:22

I don't know if there's a right answer as such. Some people believe even if the cat has a shortened life they are better outside.

I don't agree and have indoor cats who are happy enough.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's not your fault.

Nannyfannybanny · 09/05/2023 08:28

Am sorry for your loss,it wasn't your fault 😞. I know some people who live in flats keep their cats in,I imagine if they have always been indoors, they're used to it. We had a cat knocked down and killed, Christmas Eve one year,we lived on the outskirts of a village,near fields. He had 12 lovely years roaming. I've never managed to make a cat stay indoors even after moving,they found a way to get out, bathroom window open a crack first floor for this one!

Kendodd · 09/05/2023 08:34

Sorry about your cat.
I think they should be free to roam.

mephi · 09/05/2023 08:36

I'm sorry that has happened. It happened to us. It's so distressing. Our cat was 1 so was curious and didn't have good road sense. In the past we had always had cats who wandered. Now we have a catio attached to our back door area and suddenly I feel very different when I see cats wandering - they look vulnerable. I guess it depends where you live but we had a road that was quiet vs busy at different times in the day near us and that was why I think our cat couldn't judge it. I would never let a cat wander now. It wasn't your fault. But I think many roads and the pace of life for many people has changed and that affects road safety. Our cats are happy. They can climb, they get sun and a bit of outdoor space, watch birds and occasionally are lucky enough that a tiny mouse or vole comes in. They chase moths in the light at night.i It's not ideal but seems the best option to me if you have a little outdoor space to do that. I know that's not possible if you are in a flat but it's one idea for the future perhaps.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 09/05/2023 08:37

I’m sorry, we lost our Bengal the same way and it hurt so much.

I think cat proofing is the way ahead, there’s some good systems out there of rollers for fence tops. Countries like Australia and the USA are ahead of us on this.

One day I’ll buy a house with a garden I can cat proof straightaway & have a rescue Bengal.

Current cat is indoor only but she’s scared if house flies and although she used to go out at her old house shows no inclination to go out here.

CoronationQuiche · 09/05/2023 08:37

I’m so sorry for your loss. I feel they have the right to roam. I have lost cats to car accidents and that hasn’t changed my opinion.

jannier · 09/05/2023 08:37

Would you keep a bird in a cage ? Cats naturally roam over a very wide territory several blocks even researchers were surprised how far they went why engage an animal it's like keeping an elephant in a cage?

lljkk · 09/05/2023 08:39

Most cats are much happier being allowed outside. I would always vote for quality > quantity. Sorry for your loss. Most pet cats do not die because of something that only happened because they were roaming outside.

AnnaMagnani · 09/05/2023 08:41

I lost a cat very young on the road - but that cat was blissfully happy all her life and was killed instantly.

I don't believe cats value their lives in terms of how long they live, just that they get to enjoy doing cat things.

I look at the experience of my elderly cats and honestly it was miserable.

Now I have 2 cats who are outside in the day. One does upwards of 4km a day, I can't replicate that stimulation at home. The other does little more than sit on the patio but has serious mental health problems if she doesn't get that.

Beamur · 09/05/2023 08:44

It depends on the cat and where you live. Some cats live happy indoor lives that would make a different cat anxious and unhappy.

RedHelenB · 09/05/2023 08:46

Rainyrunway · 09/05/2023 08:21

I've always thought it's cruel to keep a cat indoors all the time unless there's a health reason but my gorgeous friendly sweet Siamese got hit by a car yesterday and didn't survive. Now I'm thinking it's my fault. I shouldn't have let him out. Is there consensus? Should cats be allowed to go out? If we get another cat one day what should I do? And should I try and keep his companion cat who has always been allowed out indoors now to keep her safe? I just don't know

Cats need to roam. Keeping them indoors is cruel imo, just like keeping a dog indoors. Really sorry to hear about your cat.

Kendodd · 09/05/2023 08:49

Beamur · 09/05/2023 08:44

It depends on the cat and where you live. Some cats live happy indoor lives that would make a different cat anxious and unhappy.

That's true. But a cat who didn't want to go outside, just wouldn't go outside, it would make it's own choice.

SD1978 · 09/05/2023 08:49

I'm sorry for your loss. There's no simple answer to this- pro roamers think it's cruel to not let your cat out wherever it wants, and there is sometimes very unfortunate accidents. Non roamed supporters are concerned about effects on wildlife, and a feral population with no responsible owners who don't neuter. No other pet has the 'right' to be out unsupervised, dogs have to be under control when in public but cats don't. Ultimately though, as hard as it is, it's not your fault you lost your boy. I hope you're doing ok.

Muu · 09/05/2023 08:50

I think it depends on where you live but sometimes there isn’t a right answer.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 09/05/2023 08:52

I think it depends on the cat.

If the cat is happy to stay in then it’s fair enough to keep them in, many cats would be utterly miserable being indoors though.
in those circumstances I think a shorter happier life is better - my current cat is seriously miserable when they have to stay in even for a couple of days if needed. She’d have a miserable life as an indoor so I feel it’s better for her to have the risk, plus reward, of an outdoor life.

My previous cat was very happy indoors. He didn’t really bother going out even when given the opportunity so keeping him indoors all the time would have been fine.

Biscuitandacuppa · 09/05/2023 08:58

I have 3 cats and they all have access to outside. 1 cat barely moves out of the garden she is a homebody. The other two are far happier being able to roam. But we live on a quiet side street next to a park, if I lived on a busy street I would consider carefully whether it would be fair to have a cat as you cannot guarantee they would be happy indoors.

Original poster

Rainyrunway · 09/05/2023 09:00

See that's the thing. We live on a super quiet road. It's unmade, full of portholes, like a farm track and it doesn't really get any through traffic. Cars that come down tend to drive around 5ish mph. And in 1 direction that's all there is for almost half a mile But he went further than I thought he did. Towards the busier area.To a much busier road. That's where he got hit

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 09/05/2023 09:04

I also live on a very quiet road. Cat still managed to get hit.

Now the roaming cat crosses the busy B road multiple times a day. I try not to think about it and remember he is living his best life.

If he couldn't climb trees, mark his territory, have fights and sunbathe I don't think he'd feel his life was worth livng.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 09/05/2023 09:05

So sorry about your beautiful boy.

I struggle with this too because every time one of mine is slightly late coming home (they have their routine) the worry is ridiculous. But whenever I do have to keep them locked in for some reason, their distress is obvious. It wouldn't be right for me to deny them outside access just to make myself feel better.

My advice is to adopt older cats. They're all different obviously, but the majority of mine have lost interest in roaming by the age of about 6-8 and from then on don't venture out of the garden.

ringsaglitter · 09/05/2023 09:10

I'm so sorry for your loss. Honestly, don't blame yourself. You were giving your cat a good life.

First time I had a cat my partner said we couldn't let it out and I thought it was cruel - where I live it's more common to keep them indoors. Turns out that cats - depending on their breed and personality - can be quite happy to live indoors.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/05/2023 09:18

I've got Persians, they really aren't clever enough to ho out into the big wide world. Plus they'd get nicked. One of them would go to anyone, as she's so friendly. They like to potter round my encoded garden. But aren't bothered if they go out or not.

DidyouNO · 09/05/2023 09:20

Im so sorry you've lost your cat, you e done nothing different to millions of other cat owners and no one will ever agree as to which way is 'right'
After my husband losing several cats to cars in the past he'd never have more, he met me and I wanted cats so we got a kitten and now have 6. They're all house cats, all have enriched lives and aren't interested in going outside even when the doors or windows are open. I wouldn't do it to a cat that's used to going outside although I've never really understood the 'letting cats roam'. They are domesticated,so they're used to a house, can't be taught road sense yet we let them out to dice with death on a daily basis.

holaholiday · 09/05/2023 09:24

we had numerous cats as a child and the only one that ever got run over was a male (he was neutered) who liked to explore, so you might prefer to have female cats in future. Our current cat absolutely loves being out in the garden with us and i think it restricts their lives to be kept in. I understand why people with posh expensive cats may want to keep them in but if you don't live on a main road i think cats should be allowed out...bird lovers will disagree! We have family abroad who keep their 3 cats indoors as they are white and would be seen as easy prey ,so it can work with the right approach (however 1 is on prozac so that tells you something!), you have to invest in the environment & level of stimulation that a cat needs. Watch "My Cat From Hell" it's a usa programme and invariably is indoor cats!

AnnaMagnani · 09/05/2023 09:27

A friend had 2 rescue Persians which had always been house cats. As she wasn't worried about their value, with them being rescues and living somewhere v quiet she decided to leave the door open and let them decide.

The girl wasn't interested at all but the boy turned out to be an explorer and even an effective hunter, despite the fluff.

Spiderywriting · 09/05/2023 09:28

My cat has FIV he cannot go outside. He was
adopted by us as an indoor cat. He has a very happy life with lots of interaction and toys and lives in our flat (which is bigger than many houses).

I think flat cats are perfectly happy to be honest.