Kitties: Inside, outside, or both?

[Guaranteed]

Poll question: Kitties: Inside, outside, or both?

I'm not wanting to start a flame war in this cat-obsessed forum, but this issue has been a source of tension between my girlfriend and me. We came to the conclusion long ago that all four of our current cats would be inside cats (they've just been that way all their lives, except for Luther, my Siamese boy, who spent much of his kittenhood on the streets), but we do discuss getting another cat every once in awhile, and it always starts an argument.

But, myself, I grew up with inside/outside hybrid cats, no cat boxes in the house (except when we had kittens). My parents were of the philosophy that not only are cats much easier to deal with when they're not in the house all the time, smelling and tearing up the place, but they're also happier outside. They have more things to play with and hunt. Interesting things to smell, other cats to meet or fight. My boy cats, at least, don't seem very happy being stuck in the house. They're bored and they start fights with the two girls. I just think cats are much happier when they get to spend as much time as they like outside.

On the other hand, cats aren't nearly as safe when they're outside, which is my girlfriend's main concern. They're exposed to other (sometimes much more powerful) animals, diseases, and cars, of course. She loves our cats (her two girls, mainly, of course) very much, and just doesn't want to see them get hurt. She gets very attached. And then there's the weather- here in Illinois it can get extremely cold. I've never said that the cats couldn't ever come inside, though, and they let you know when they want to.

So, what're your thoughts on this issue? Cats should be kept:

[ramapo]

1. It's a dangerous world

Our two cats have spent 10 years indoors. I initially felt they were missing out on the excitement of being out. On the other hand, I don't worry about them running away, getting crushed by a car, attacked by a dog or other animal, getting sick, or the like.

Outdoor cats have a shorter life expectancy.

Our kitties are a bit lazy but love sitting at the door, watching the world. I equate it to watching TV. The one or two times they got out the door were like they were dropped on an alien planet. They didn't know what to do and I quickly scooped them up.

[Guaranteed]

4. Hee hee that's exactly what my girlfriend and I call it

When they look out the window (which they are doing constantly) we say they're "watching their shows."

[Poiuyt]

2. Ask your vet

In my city, there's an ordinance against any unleashed pets. Even if there weren't, I'd keep mine inside because I don't like feline leukemia. Your GF's indoor cats would become susceptible to leukemia if you have other cats that go outside.

[WilliamPitt]

3. I had a lot of cats growing up

Each and every one of them was an inside-outside combination.

Each and every singl;e one of them got Feline Leukemia out there and died, some riddled with tumors.

Boomer is an inside cat. Period.

[Guaranteed]

5. Most of mine died one way or another, too.

But they seemed happier (until they got sick).

Some of them lived longer than others.

[Bertha Venation]

6. Keeping a cat indoors is best for the cat's health and not necessarily

"smelly" or "destructive."

The only reason we don't bring in the strays we care for is that we already have six -- and two of those are of the "can't say no, no way, we've bonded" variety.

AFAIC there is no question. Indoor is best.

Indoor cats do not smell the place up if they're spayed & neutered, and if the humans keep up on the litter boxes and keep the feeding area clean.

Indoor cats will not destroy furniture or carpets or anything if they are well-trained. And how does one train a cat not to scratch? Don't laugh, it's possible: with good scratching posts or other scratching-devices and a few good squirt bottles placed strategically. If you squirt a cat with water while saying forcefully "NO!" or "GET DOWN!" the cat will quickly learn what the words mean, and you can quit squirting. (2q1q <= Daddy the Cat says hello) Plus, if you keep your cats' claws trimmed -- a simple procedure -- if they do have a bad-kitty moment & scratch something, it won't harm it nearly as much.

It's true: cats prefer to be outside for the smells and the stimulation. But given enough indoor stimulation, your cats won't miss the outdoors. Give them shelves that affix to the windowsills so they'll have a comfortable place to lounge and watch the birds & critters. Open the windows when practical so they can get the smells. Get them catnip. Get them toys -- trial & error will tell you which toys they like. And get them feathers affixed to sticks -- or even a household feather duster! -- and play with your cats. They love to be played with.

Good luck on your decision.

[LynneSin]

7. I could toss both of my cats out my front door...

and they'd be back inside before I slammed the door shut. They've lived the harsh life of the real world beyond the walls of my home. They have no desire to go back out there.

(mind you, I've never tossed my cats out but once Abbott came running up to the door when it was opened, looked out both ways and ran back in under the sofa. He knows better)

[SharonAnn]

10. My big Siamese boy got out accidentally the other day when I

was watering the potted plants outside. I didn't see him and came back in, closing the door behind me.

He sat there and meowed at the top of his lungs for about 2-3 minutes before I figured out where he was. Fortunately, Siamese are loud and demanding when they want your attention. When I opened the door he marched in and gave me a very disgusted look.

I'd say he definitely prefers to be indoors.

[Dookus]

8. I do indoor/outdoor

My first cat lived indoors entirely with me when I lived in SF. He was insane. Truly, truly and insane cat. Nobody knew why I kept him, but I loved him anyway.

I moved to a place where he could go outside, and his personality changed overnight. He became a normal cat at the age of 4 or 5. He lived to be 16, when I had him put down because of cancers.

My other deceased girl lived to be 16, and I had her put down because of a pancreatic tumor.

I know it's riskier, but my cats all have their shots, and they really love being out in the yard, chasing bugs, or each other.

[demgrrrll]

9. My backyard is surrounded by high fences, my cats do go out but

they tend to stay right on the deck, sun themselves and
come back in. They do not go into other yards. My Manx would go insane if she could not get outside for a bit. Squidford would probably be OK as a window/indoor cat.

[mdmc]

11. I live in a city, but my cat lives with my parents, so she gets to go

out.

She has got hurt a few times (a squirrel and a dog), but I think that the risk is ok.

I wouldn't let her out if she lived with me.

[Radical Activist]

12. Always keeping them indoors is mean and gross

Its a dangerous world for humans and children too but are you going to keep them couped up their entire lives? Animals are meant to be outside! Its healthier for the cat. It also keeps the house from being completely covered with fur and cat spit. Just try keeping two or more cats indoors at all times and see how many people with allergies want to visit your house!

[Mr.Green93]

19. tell that to the dead birds

[LynneSin]

22. I would agree but....

...where I live, it is not safe for cats to be outside. I have taken Abbott out on his leash but even he is starting to hate going out there.

There are feral cats in the area and who knows what diseases they have
There are pit bulls in the neighborhood (there seems to be alot of them) and I don't trust their owners


It's an apartment complex and there is no reason why these cats need to be outside. I'm switching them to Nutro's new indoor only cat food. My cats are fine, they are happier indoors

[WillParkinson]

23. It is NOT healthier for the cat!

That is so not true.

It is MUCH healthier for a cat to be an indoor only cat. They are less likely to develop diseases or get infections.

As someone said, "Ask your vet."

[SoCalDem]

13. If you want to make sure they live past 4 or 5 years,

you will keep them safe and happy..INSIDE..

If they are "just" an animal that you feed, then inside outside is better than NO inside, but rest assured, that when the day comes that you realize he/she "ran away"...they did not..

Something killed them..

a car.. a dog..a virulent disease, a weirdo kid..antifreeze left out, a wacky animal hater who likes to poison animals.. an animal control person who took them to the pound, where they were probably euthanized..

you know.. THAT kind of stuff..

If it's no biggie, and you can just adopt a "new" one.. then it probably makes no difference..

This is not meant to cast aspersions against anyone.. Lots of outdoor cats probably do just fine...but I could NEVER EVER handle not being able to count noses at any given time...

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

14. Inside/Outside

If you live in the country (outside of town), I would let them go out doors whenever they want. We always let our cats go outside and have the run of the neighborhood. I think they are happier that way. Frankly, I wouldn't have a pet if I had to keep them inside. My cats lived a long time (like 10 years). You have to let the cats live their lives. Don't be over protective of them.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

16. BTW

I lived in Maine. It also gets very cold there in the winter. The cats did just fine. They come inside if they don't want to be outside anymore. If for some reason no one was around when they wanted to come back inside, they'd go in the garage. We never forced them to be outside. They still wanted to go outside in the winter, just not for as long. Maybe it would be a good idea to have an outdoor shelter for them for winter if for some reason no one is around to let them in.

[jukes]

15. incredible danger out there

feral animals, dogs, parasites, cars. if you insist on taking your cat outdiors, @ least be responsible enough to leash train him & accompanpy him.

i built a large screened in porch, troofed w/ lexan, under a large spanish oak. i feed mourning doves,finches, woodpeckers, cardianls, squirrels & cipmunks. plenty of entertainment.

cats defecate. shd you be reponsible for cleaning, or your neighbors?

[bookfreak]

17. Definitely inside!

When cats go outside they are at a great risk. There are diseases like feline AIDS and leukemia. There are cars, other animals and cruel people. There are weather conditions and accidents...so much can happen.

My first kitty, an indoor/outdoor cat, went out one night and never came back. I was eight at the time and it broke my heart. On more than one occasion I've seen dead cats on the roads or sides of the roads. Just the other night as I was driving to work I saw a cat darting about on the road, back and forth repeatedly. I just fretted wondering what would happen to the poor dear if someone came by and didn't see it in time or was cruel enough to purposely hit it.


The cat my roomie has now has always been an indoor cat. He looks out the window and if you hold the door open he will poke his nose out. However he will not venture outside....I think the "outside world" is something that he is curious about but a bit to fearful of. Perhaps it is just "too big" for him.

Her previous cat was primarily an indoor cat who on occasion was taken outdoors for short periods of time on "supervised" outings. She developed a liking for the outdoors and subsequently would try to dart out the door anytime it was open. Once she escaped out a loose window screen of our former fourth-floor apartment onto the roof of the adjoining building, which was three stories high. She then jumped from there to the ground and caused permanent damage to her hips. Perhaps if she'd never been taken out, she too would have been satisfied with the "great indoors" and avoided this trauma.

[flamingyouth]

18. I have 3, one is in/out, the other two are in only

Papa is from the mean streets of Gig Harbor, and he just needs to be out, checking out his turf, meeting his friends, etc. Before he comes in for the night, he always walks the perimeter of the property for me. I feel "so much more secure" :eyes: knowing that Papa the cat (see the DU pet gallery) is looking out for me! :D

[marigold20]

20. Our previous two cats were inside-outside

and they lived to be 14 and 18. Our current two cats are inside only and they seem to be ok. The female does want out and we can't just stroll in the door. We need to be hunched over with a purse or shopping bag in front, like a bullfighter, ready to catch her. I'd love to let her out but our small city is really rigid about animals. I've rarely seen a loose cat and a loose dog is even rarer.

[Bridget Burke]

21. Inside is safer.

I inherited two declawed cats, so they had to remain inside. Yes, the litter box must be cleaned. Yes, cat hair needs to be picked up (although there's less if you brush them--& they love to be brushed).

It's good to have more than one, so they can keep each other company. They have no problem staying amused--besides, they're cats--their favorite hobby is napping.