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nadine_mn

(3,702 posts)

58. Our cat was a stray who is now an indoor cat

Tue Aug 7, 2012, 02:47 AM

Aug 2012

He showed up on a dark and stormy night way back when we rented an old house on 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Iowa. We let him out during the day and he killed mice and rabbits for sure (found part of a rabbit stuck in a hole he made in the screen porch..lovely sight).

When we moved to Minnesota 12 yrs ago and lived near roads with actual traffic he became an inside kitty only. He did not like it at first, as evidenced by the Scout-butt shaped holes in all of our screen windows on both floors of the rental house. He could get out but not back in so he would cry by the front door...once he started jumping at the bedroom window...I didn't have my glasses on so I thought a bat was attacking the window and screamed bloody murder.

He is now just over 13 and content to peek out side or take a few steps out supervised, but he is used to his lavish life of luxury...plus the occasional mouse sneaks in for his amusement.

I could never have an outdoor cat now...every time I see a dead cat on the side of the road I just get choked up...it could have easily been my Scout one of the times he escaped.

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House cats kill more critters than thought - researchers use cameras to track the slaughter [View all] Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 OP

Mew warrior1 Aug 2012 #1

lol. so cute, yet so deadly Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #2

They are the most deadly predators per pound on the planet... Kalidurga Aug 2012 #4

I've watched cats watch birds and it amazes me how close they can get without Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #8

Last weekend we had a huge mama racoon and four babies in the back yard.. snooper2 Aug 2012 #92

Yeah my dog, the missing twin of Odie, chases birds too Sheepshank Aug 2012 #125

I lived with a cat who could make his meow sound like a bird chirp. no_hypocrisy Aug 2012 #127

Yes. That is why we agreed with them about domestication. aquart Aug 2012 #15

LOL!!!! n/t Inuca Aug 2012 #76

Haha! Let's hope you can come to agreeable terms. Chemisse Aug 2012 #152

+1. My sister took in a three-legged stray who regularly brought home leftovers gkhouston Aug 2012 #38

I had a kitty who lost a paw and she remained the dominant cat in the house. TeamPooka Aug 2012 #142

if they looked like toads, we wouldn't put up with their behavior 0rganism Aug 2012 #55

So . . . Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #3

I think the point is to keep them inside? Kalidurga Aug 2012 #5

Or make them wear bells. Fawke Em Aug 2012 #9

Cats are really good at finding scapegoats (or would that be scapemutts?) for coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #98

One of my rescue cats was getting into trouble, so we decided to bell him, and put a 1monster Aug 2012 #114

I wondered if anyone would say "bell" JNelson6563 Aug 2012 #135

Six cats inside? Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #17

Put bells on their collars, then. Fawke Em Aug 2012 #22

Did you want to volunteer for that one? Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #27

So you have cats that are so feral you can't even put a collar on them? XemaSab Aug 2012 #41

I don't have a collar for my rescue cat FunkyLeprechaun Aug 2012 #43

yah.. I've had a problem with collars Voice for Peace Aug 2012 #66

Some cats just keep losing them pstokely Aug 2012 #159

Oh stop it. Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #52

"Now y'all stop hatin' on my kitties if you don't mind!" Yeah! Bertha Venation Aug 2012 #121

If someone's rottweilers had gone wild, formed a pack, and were running around killing deer XemaSab Aug 2012 #139

But I know that shelters are overcrowded. Bertha Venation Aug 2012 #141

Hey that's a bit off. I think s/he's allowing the cats to have their freedoms. vaberella Aug 2012 #100

Indeed, catching, spaying, releasing feral cats is such a bad thing to do. Should instead keep them uppityperson Aug 2012 #106

Putting aside the topic of cats who kill for a moment, Bertha Venation Aug 2012 #123

Dang, I didn't think the sarcasm icon was needed. uppityperson Aug 2012 #138

My bad. Bertha Venation Aug 2012 #140

I suppose it's often easier to find LanternWaste Aug 2012 #95

Collars on cats can be extremely dangerous for the cats. I've had many cats over the years (we 1monster Aug 2012 #115

Do they also have their toilet habits figured out? Doremus Aug 2012 #28

We used to have hella feral cats around here XemaSab Aug 2012 #42

new meaning to kitty litter loli phabay Aug 2012 #70

The Kittehs were just checking their P-Mail formercia Aug 2012 #103

Nine cats here, indoor only. n/t kurtzapril4 Aug 2012 #44

my Mom at one point had 16. All indoor. Maine-ah Aug 2012 #78

I have EIGHT cats inside. Zoeisright Aug 2012 #129

no, keep them inside, particularly if you care about song birds Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #6

Interesting that you don't see a third alternative. Doremus Aug 2012 #16

Outdoor cats live an average of three to five years. Zoeisright Aug 2012 #132

Explaining in part what I've heard called "the dead zone" around human habitations bhikkhu Aug 2012 #7

I had an outside cat as a child. one day we saw him running across a street further Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #13

What your cat heard: "blah, blah" (thereby demonstrating why coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #99

I had a Shetland Sheep Dog at one time. She tried, but was unable to herd the cats... 1monster Aug 2012 #117

We feed the birds. We feed the cats. Squirrels, raccoons and possums tag along. aquart Aug 2012 #18

Two years is the average for ferals. Your area sounds a lot tougher for them. aquart Aug 2012 #24

Or some from a more sheltered area move in LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #53

It's probably too late for a cat-licensing program to work. NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #10

Doesn't surprise me a bit.. Fumesucker Aug 2012 #11

Tell me you don't use running water. aquart Aug 2012 #20

A friend had a cat that somehow got into into a pan of used motor oil.. Fumesucker Aug 2012 #23

Yes. Levitate. And fly. Seen it. aquart Aug 2012 #26

We use a hand shower spinbaby Aug 2012 #63

Oh yes. LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #50

My wife and I call it 'walking on water' and almost fall down on the coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #101

You just need thick elbow length gloves. Warren Stupidity Aug 2012 #71

If a bathing program for kittens is started very early (before being completely weaned) the cats 1monster Aug 2012 #118

Good for housecats. A cat or two and a good ratting terrier, and you won't have ANY crap in your MADem Aug 2012 #12

Or you could just clean your house. Doremus Aug 2012 #19

If you live in a shack in the woods, you're always going to see a few critters. nt MADem Aug 2012 #62

Our whole neighborhood was overrun with marsh rats. My husband put up a bird feeder 1monster Aug 2012 #124

Keep Your Kittehs Indoors! AnnieBW Aug 2012 #14

....... Edweird Aug 2012 #21

ROFL! Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #29

That is in my top 10 Kalidurga Aug 2012 #31

My Ren is a 1-cat killing machine. AtomicKitten Aug 2012 #25

Are you sure Ren doesn't kills birds? the point of the article is that cats kill more Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #32

He hunts critters in the garage. AtomicKitten Aug 2012 #34

HOUSE cats don't have access to prey to kill it, except perhaps kestrel91316 Aug 2012 #30

Not true. toddwv Aug 2012 #59

True, that. My knick-knacks can also attest to it. kestrel91316 Aug 2012 #119

I have met a few that prey upon human feet and ankles. GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #163

I think the biggest probem is not domestic cats, but feral cats that are allowed to live and breed demosincebirth Aug 2012 #33

Well, so much for that sweet, innocent face: freshwest Aug 2012 #35

A cat my husband had brought in a squirrel once. AllyCat Aug 2012 #47

Oh, yes, he brought in squirrels, field mice, rats, birds, lizards and a mole once. freshwest Aug 2012 #49

Mine brought in a snake Aerows Aug 2012 #65

I saved a pond frog last night. Stepped out my B Calm Aug 2012 #36

You think your cats have forgotten and forgiven you???? :) - n/t coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #102

They'll get over it! I enjoy listening B Calm Aug 2012 #107

My kitty pretended to sleep then a guest let Budgie out of the cage and upon flyover flamingdem Aug 2012 #37

We just discovered a hawk nest overlooking our back yard. Loudly Aug 2012 #39

Only if he/she is a kitten Le Taz Hot Aug 2012 #40

Cats that are allowed to roam outside SheilaT Aug 2012 #45

Gee, I wonder where they picked up that behavior? Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2012 #46

I tried to get my cats interested in palmetto bugs in my Miami home, but they could care less NBachers Aug 2012 #48

Waaaaaaaah! Cats kill other animals!!!!! Daemonaquila Aug 2012 #51

Yes, the ecosystem of northern Africa and Europe. GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #83

Bobcats, lynx, cougars are not native to North America? uppityperson Aug 2012 #108

They are not housecats. GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #116

Maine Coons are native to this continent LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #158

No. They are a breed of domestic house cat. GoCubsGo Aug 2012 #162

wrong. Gato Moteado Aug 2012 #120

Why the hate for cats? octothorpe Aug 2012 #154

That's just effed up. TDale313 Aug 2012 #155

This message was self-deleted by its author OneTenthofOnePercent Aug 2012 #160

actually one of the outlaying suburbs in my area takes strays spays or neuters them azurnoir Aug 2012 #54

Is this true?! Behind the Aegis Aug 2012 #56

Oh, my. Sniper kitteh all grown up Hatchling Aug 2012 #148

The UK is way ahead of this study Mojorabbit Aug 2012 #57

Our cat was a stray who is now an indoor cat nadine_mn Aug 2012 #58

I love cats! rDigital Aug 2012 #60

My two are strictly indoor cats only Raine Aug 2012 #61

We have three cats... KansDem Aug 2012 #64

Yes, but is the gender difference really due to biology? Warren DeMontague Aug 2012 #67

omg for the complete win loli phabay Aug 2012 #72

LMFAO trotsky Aug 2012 #79

Well done! Lone_Star_Dem Aug 2012 #104

+1 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #111

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #122

Oh, come on. Warren DeMontague Aug 2012 #134

Well, I did. 2ndAmForComputers Aug 2012 #149

Why, you...you...you... LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #153

That's gotta be a DUzy!!! opiate69 Aug 2012 #156

I think they're on vacation this week. Warren DeMontague Aug 2012 #157

Sweet Mr Dixon Aug 2012 #68

lol yup plus my pet coyote needs to eat as well ;) loli phabay Aug 2012 #74

Sweet, we haven't had one of these flamewars in a while. n/t flvegan Aug 2012 #69

I own two strictly indoor cats.. Upton Aug 2012 #73

Proposal a few years back... Jeff In Milwaukee Aug 2012 #75

Awww, she just wants to be close to her pride. What's really spooky to me is how I'll be coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #105

Its not hard to know what your cats are thinking when that happens.... Volaris Aug 2012 #131

Comforting thought. I swear sometimes I see the wheels coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #137

That's why my beasties not only Ride Inside, they LIVE inside catbyte Aug 2012 #77

My cats are rescued feral cats. Atman Aug 2012 #80

HOLY CRAP! The cardinal just tried to attack my cat! Atman Aug 2012 #86

So now instead of "blaming it on the dog" it's the cat's fault auburngrad82 Aug 2012 #81

If they're outdoors, they're not "house cats" joeybee12 Aug 2012 #82

I am surprised chipmunks are not extinct in my area lapislzi Aug 2012 #84

This "Cats are Bad" craze has come up before. It will go the way of hula hoops and poodle skirts. slackmaster Aug 2012 #85

When it comes to indoor cats, BarbaRosa Aug 2012 #87

Our kitties only kill mice and maybe bugs Marrah_G Aug 2012 #88

I think this is something people indulge in so they can pretend humans building in animal Bluenorthwest Aug 2012 #89

Coyotes love cats. They're smarter, too. eom Bigmack Aug 2012 #90

my feline overlords are indoors only Sylvarose Aug 2012 #91

My cat is not aloud outdoors. She remains inside. And I tell you: we no longer have any problems Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2012 #93

My cat is aloud inside and outside.. snooper2 Aug 2012 #94

LOL. We call tuna 'cat cocaine' in my household and our cat always coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #109

That's what I get for failing to proofread!! You got me!! You got me good!!!!! :) Liberal_Stalwart71 Aug 2012 #112

My cats are true 'house cats' and stay indoors. They do enjoy going after WI_DEM Aug 2012 #96

Thanks for posting. Really cool thread - n/t coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #97

Thanks for reading. Liberal_in_LA Aug 2012 #133

People and cats live in different places, situations. Interesting study. uppityperson Aug 2012 #110

My kitty babies live in the house. The only critters they have killed are GreenPartyVoter Aug 2012 #113

We have foxes, which also kill critters, so my furry-home-companion never leaves the house. patrice Aug 2012 #126

Save a critter!!! Broderick Aug 2012 #128

My kitty is indoors only, and too lazy to even murder an insect. Butterbean Aug 2012 #130

Methinks you got cheated when the cat gods\goddesses dispensed their coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #136

She's a white persian, hence the attitude. ;) Butterbean Aug 2012 #144

Ah, feline royalty.That explains a lot. I'll bet she's a beautiful cat :) - n/t coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #145

Another reason to hate cats! N-t Logical Aug 2012 #143

Bad, bad putty cats. lonestarnot Aug 2012 #146

eating and drinking things they found rad51 Aug 2012 #147

My old cat. 17, just lays around the house Blue_In_AK Aug 2012 #150

Sometimes it's just better to not know. Chemisse Aug 2012 #151

We've known this for years. Grandpa shoots 'em on sight... OneTenthofOnePercent Aug 2012 #161