General Discussion

mike_c

(37,113 posts)

73. maybe you should investigate personally and reach your own conclusions....

Mon Mar 30, 2015, 05:59 PM

Mar 2015

Seriously, I don't rely on anyone to tell me what cats want. I live with a bunch of cats. I have a pet door. Those who want to stay inside do so-- a couple rarely ever go out and never leave the front yard when they do, as far as I can tell. Those who like to spend time outdoors do so. I don't ask anyone whether they're better off indoors or out. I leave that decision to the cats. They seem like the best experts to consult on what cats want and need, don't you think?

BTW, in nearly 20 years in my rural northern california neighborhood, I have never lost a pet to predators or to traffic. The greatest danger to my cats over the years has likely been neighborhood dogs off leash, but no losses or injuries at all. And I've cared for LOTS of cats in that time.

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Name one major environmental AND pet welfare organization that supports keeping pet cats outdoors [View all] CreekDog Mar 2015 OP

Ask a cat allforone Mar 2015 #1

Ah, you don't have an answer CreekDog Mar 2015 #2

Like I said open your door and watch allforone Mar 2015 #7

My dog tries to eat tons of shit that would kill her RedCappedBandit Mar 2015 #11

Post removed Post removed Mar 2015 #15

I had a cat that would recycle.. Feron Mar 2015 #87

I didn't ask what you endorse CreekDog Mar 2015 #13

Experts on cats allforone Mar 2015 #17

i'd settle for some expertise on DU CreekDog Mar 2015 #20

Wow, and that post got hidden Politicalboi Mar 2015 #25

Do you believe in the theory of evolution? el_bryanto Mar 2015 #28

It's not natural for cats to be in the US. ZombieHorde Mar 2015 #56

That is exactly correct. eom JEB Mar 2015 #111

they damage our ecosystem when the are left inside too! snooper2 Mar 2015 #145

Funny video. nt ZombieHorde Mar 2015 #147

I agree. Chemisse Mar 2015 #81

Why was that post hidden? 840high Mar 2015 #106

i have an indoor cat. one day she went outside when i entered. Liberal_in_LA Mar 2015 #22

One of my rescued cats had been an outdoor cat Warpy Mar 2015 #80

yep. They are fine with an indoor life as long as they have access to a window Liberal_in_LA Mar 2015 #90

Yep. They need to look out and see life out there without wanting to experience it physically. BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #176

Fleas and ticks love cats.. yuiyoshida Mar 2015 #118

The only thing to do about fleas is nuke them from orbit Warpy Mar 2015 #119

I adopted a cat who had been abandoned in winter. hifiguy Mar 2015 #148

Cats often realize the natural life is overrated Warpy Mar 2015 #149

I think Max's theory was simple. hifiguy Mar 2015 #151

Cats are intelligent creatures! Of course Max knew the score! eom BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #177

Been there, done that and you're wrong. smokey nj Mar 2015 #37

Treating our pets well means allowing them to run out and get killed? kcr Mar 2015 #76

I will, if it ever comes home. TheCowsCameHome Mar 2015 #16

Ask our neighborhood coyotes. hunter Mar 2015 #103

The NAFC Orrex Mar 2015 #3

. CreekDog Mar 2015 #5

+1, I replied before scrolling down to see yours. hunter Mar 2015 #107

I saw a coyote warning sign posted in a residential area R B Garr Apr 2015 #175

The coyotes around here are invisible most of the time. hunter Apr 2015 #182

It's time for the annual argument already? ScreamingMeemie Mar 2015 #4

Next up Santa Claus... ileus Mar 2015 #39

I've got a Ninja Cat Bettie Mar 2015 #72

Bella runs to hang out on the waterfall by the pool, and she likes me to chase her ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #171

Yeah, I have one that THINKS she wants to go out Bettie Apr 2015 #181

Alley Cat, Neighborhood Cats, ASPCA, USHS all support feral cats and TNR. sinkingfeeling Mar 2015 #6

No, the ASPCA recommends keeping pet cats indoors CreekDog Mar 2015 #8

You didn't specify 'pet cats'. sinkingfeeling Mar 2015 #9

updated! CreekDog Mar 2015 #12

In what sense does one "keep" a feral cat? lumberjack_jeff Mar 2015 #84

I have two that were feral when I adopted them. My other two were also rescues, but never feral. nt tblue37 Mar 2015 #91

ASPCA: "Keep your cats indoors" CreekDog Mar 2015 #10

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/stray-and-feral-cats sinkingfeeling Mar 2015 #19

I don't know the back story. pipoman Mar 2015 #14

You could save a shitload of time and money sharp_stick Mar 2015 #18

yeah, that works in a house, not so much in 3000 square feet of pipoman Mar 2015 #42

what are you attempting to poison? CreekDog Mar 2015 #88

You mean 'what are you poisoning'? pipoman Mar 2015 #93

People who live in town haven't a clue about Jim Beard Mar 2015 #121

I keep some bar bait in a feed room and a couple old refrigerators pipoman Mar 2015 #122

Im actually kind of horrified at your post riderinthestorm Mar 2015 #26

I've not one time brought a cat onto this farm...in 12 years pipoman Mar 2015 #32

Neither have I, in 30 + years. You can and should be doing better riderinthestorm Mar 2015 #92

well..probably 80% of the 80% are eaten by coyotes pipoman Mar 2015 #96

The coyotes at my farm come within 10 feet of the barns riderinthestorm Mar 2015 #161

I have farm cats too. cwydro Mar 2015 #152

how are you acquiring these cats? CreekDog Mar 2015 #30

they just show up...people drop off litters on the road every summer pipoman Mar 2015 #36

So you're using these cats for your own benefit (rodent control) CreekDog Mar 2015 #43

see post 32 above...maybe I should just shoot them? what the hell am pipoman Mar 2015 #55

Wow, your post just reeks with compassion doesn't it? hamsterjill Mar 2015 #58

They've been around for generations pipoman Mar 2015 #67

Thank you for at least agreeing to leave them alone and not harm them. hamsterjill Mar 2015 #136

I don't know where I have stated anything else... pipoman Mar 2015 #141

My issue was with your post # 55 hamsterjill Mar 2015 #143

Yeah, that was a response to #43...that poster is full of pipoman Mar 2015 #144

Great. hamsterjill Mar 2015 #146

He feeds the, uses flea control. Better 840high Mar 2015 #108

Lots of cats get left in our neck of the woods, also. Inkfreak Mar 2015 #62

He feeds them. morningfog Mar 2015 #65

I'm glad I'm a dog person get the red out Mar 2015 #21

Oh yeah? Do you like pit bulls? pintobean Mar 2015 #23

I have a preference get the red out Mar 2015 #41

That an ES? XemaSab Mar 2015 #89

Border Collie get the red out Mar 2015 #124

You might google English Shepherd XemaSab Mar 2015 #162

They are lovely dogs! get the red out Apr 2015 #183

I have an ES about that size XemaSab Apr 2015 #184

Yes get the red out Apr 2015 #188

I am a dog person and love pitbulls. RebelOne Mar 2015 #59

Do you like wiener dogs? Major Hogwash Mar 2015 #74

I like all dogs pintobean Mar 2015 #77

All of our buddies are indoors. Glassunion Mar 2015 #24

I've always kept my cats indoors pretty much, Blue_In_AK Mar 2015 #27

I tried just this with my cat Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #29

The American Coyote Society? KamaAina Mar 2015 #31

I live in a residential neighborhood and coyotes come for the cats Major Nikon Mar 2015 #95

Or Animal Control should try to chase away the coyotes KamaAina Mar 2015 #101

Um, wut? XemaSab Mar 2015 #102

If they're preying on pets, they're a nuisance! KamaAina Mar 2015 #116

So you propose killing a native species XemaSab Mar 2015 #123

Who said anything about killing? KamaAina Mar 2015 #138

Where do you propose to release them XemaSab Mar 2015 #163

If they must behave like ALF, KamaAina Apr 2015 #170

One of my neighbors complained the city won't do anything about them Major Nikon Mar 2015 #115

Back in the 1980's I became friends with an old Sac and Fox pipoman Mar 2015 #135

My old beloved kitty loved going outside. ileus Mar 2015 #33

I've always kept my cats indoors at night too. Chemisse Mar 2015 #82

All of my barn kitties are in overnight. I purposefully do this riderinthestorm Mar 2015 #98

The Goathouse Refuge here in NC makes adoptions for indoor, outdoor, or indoor/outdoor mnhtnbb Mar 2015 #34

I dunno, but it wouldn't matter one way or another. Inkfreak Mar 2015 #35

Aw, he is beautiful! sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #40

Thanks! He brings a lot of joy to our house. Inkfreak Mar 2015 #45

Orange tabbies are the best kitties. Cleita Mar 2015 #54

Couldn't agree more! Inkfreak Mar 2015 #64

Fun Fact: Ginger/orange cats are usually toms. Divernan Mar 2015 #128

One of mine was a tom and the other a girl. Cleita Mar 2015 #142

Actually . . . . Divernan Mar 2015 #154

I almost didn't mention either for that reason, but we Cleita Mar 2015 #157

Wow! A male Calico. That's very rare. Calicos are always female but now I read there ARE male Calico BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #179

He looks awesome CreekDog Mar 2015 #104

I would agree with you. Inkfreak Apr 2015 #178

Interesting that some cats JEB Mar 2015 #114

Mr. Butters is one Boss kitty! R B Garr Apr 2015 #174

Our animals, dog and cats, go in and out whenever they please, through the doggie door. sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #38

yes, but who should i listen to? CreekDog Mar 2015 #44

I htink the point is that people who let their cats out aren't telling you anything... brooklynite Mar 2015 #50

You should listen to whoever you want to listen to. I was just over at the barn again sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #51

I should listen to whomever I want to listen to? CreekDog Mar 2015 #53

Yes, you should listen to those who are right. So, since you asked, listen to me. sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #61

maybe you should investigate personally and reach your own conclusions.... mike_c Mar 2015 #73

Listen to yourself. 840high Mar 2015 #109

Why should I? brooklynite Mar 2015 #46

The reason you won't is because you can't. CreekDog Mar 2015 #48

The reason I won't is because I don't need to... brooklynite Mar 2015 #49

the thread isn't to talk about your pet care, it's to talk about recommendations based on: CreekDog Mar 2015 #52

"a cat door for when the staff aren't available" foo_bar Mar 2015 #97

Fuckinay! tabasco Mar 2015 #47

Outdoor house cats should be rounded up as an environmental menace. ZombieHorde Mar 2015 #57

I have three indoor pet cats. tammywammy Mar 2015 #70

Yes, my point was for people to raise any new cats they acquire to be indoor cats CreekDog Mar 2015 #71

I agree, pets indoors. tammywammy Mar 2015 #79

What about roaming semi-feral dog packs? Those too right? Rex Mar 2015 #160

Any introduced species, other than humans, that is proven to be harmful to the enviroment ZombieHorde Apr 2015 #164

LOL! flvegan Apr 2015 #166

I don't like to see cats outside. Especially cats that have dyed. BlueJazz Mar 2015 #60

That was funny Redford Mar 2015 #94

Thank you. BlueJazz Mar 2015 #99

Couldn't agree more...what an affront to the proud feline psyche! Surya Gayatri Mar 2015 #127

My cat does his... one_voice Mar 2015 #63

This message was self-deleted by its author Inkfreak Mar 2015 #66

The Organization of Homeowners that Thinks Kitties Should Have Access to Nature, that's who Hekate Mar 2015 #68

It sounds great until.. Feron Mar 2015 #86

I live in the city now and there are tons of ferals/strays Marrah_G Apr 2015 #168

Cats may make this decision for you. Little buggers Pathwalker Mar 2015 #69

+1 HuckleB Mar 2015 #85

my two are indoor only shanti Mar 2015 #75

you know who else wants to keep cats indoors? dogs. foo_bar Mar 2015 #78

The "Eff the Starlings Benevolent League". n/t lumberjack_jeff Mar 2015 #83

I promise to keep our agreement on something a secret CreekDog Mar 2015 #105

My cat likes being indoors in the winter and outside the rest of the year. B Calm Mar 2015 #100

It is against the law to kill songbirds, JEB Mar 2015 #110

Mine likes to go outside Aerows Mar 2015 #112

All of mine are strays - they go 840high Mar 2015 #113

I have heard of a Woman in Los Angeles... yuiyoshida Mar 2015 #117

The RSPCA says that you can do either, BUT explicitly recommends against keeping a cat indoors if it LeftishBrit Mar 2015 #120

And the Cats Protection League says roughly the same muriel_volestrangler Mar 2015 #126

My cat, a kitten of stray cats, is solely kept indoors. NutmegYankee Mar 2015 #125

Post removed Post removed Mar 2015 #129

Could Not Disagree More (nt) ProfessorGAC Mar 2015 #131

Well, at least we found the limits to which you disagree Android3.14 Mar 2015 #137

Did You Bother To Read Your Own Post? ProfessorGAC Mar 2015 #139

Well, let's look at my post again Android3.14 Mar 2015 #140

RE: "no ethical cat owner would confine their cat if he or she lived out in the country. " Bonx Mar 2015 #153

Freedom = injury and early death,so no thanks bettyellen Mar 2015 #133

My cat LWolf Mar 2015 #130

Our back yard in the states is enclosed by a very tall privacy fence. Puglover Mar 2015 #132

Why? dumbcat Mar 2015 #134

I've never met a cat that did not pine for the fields. Rex Mar 2015 #150

I never met a Beagle that didn't either CreekDog Mar 2015 #155

Cats and dogs are not the same at all. Cats rely on predatory instinct and dogs rely on belly rubs. Rex Mar 2015 #156

and the topic of the thread is not why cats and dogs are different CreekDog Mar 2015 #158

Then why did you bring up a dog in your last reply? Rex Mar 2015 #159

Why? flvegan Apr 2015 #165

the environmental organizations know a lot about the environment, that's the point CreekDog Apr 2015 #167

So, as well as the RSPCA for pet welfare, you can have the RSPB for environmental muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #169

Anything from the western hemisphere? XemaSab Apr 2015 #173

Do cats behave differently west of an arbitrary meridian? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #180

The birds do XemaSab Apr 2015 #185

I've never seen a humane argument made about the animals that die for the cat food XemaSab Apr 2015 #172

What is your alternative approach to feeding a cat? brooklynite Apr 2015 #186

My alternative approach XemaSab Apr 2015 #187