That depends on the cat and the setting. Some cats don't have a problem
staying inside all the time, IF they have enough toys and activities to
keep them occupied, and maybe one or more playmates.

If the cat lives in an environment that's safe for cats (no busy streets
nearby, no large carnovires in the area, etc) then letting cats outside is
ok. Even in a safe environment, though, outdoor kitties have a
statistically shorter lifespan then indoor cats.

A safe compromise, though, is letting cats have access to a controlled
outdoor environment. In my case, I've got a small fenced yard that I've
rendered cat-proof. The cats get to spend several hours every day outside
in the yard, and they love it. If we didn't have a good, safe yard,
though, I wouldn't dream of letting them outside. We've got careless
idiots driving at high speed down our street, we sometimes see parge dogs
running free, and coyotes and bobcats aren't unknown in our area.

Not at all - my cat loves staring out the window, but she also loves
staring at nothing in particular.

When I lived in Arizona, most of the outdoor cats I saw were dead.  I
think my kitty is much happier alive.

With the cats I've had the ones that I took in that were strays or feral cats
did not, or I should say would not go outside, they had a deep dislike of the
great outdoors
Darryl

No, it's not cruel when you consider things like slit ears, aggressive dogs,
or road kill. Would you really rather  have a prisoner or go shovel your cat
off the asphalt?

This is a religious issue, and the message can therefore be considered
a troll.

Cats that are raised indoors seldom even want to go outside, and if
they do, they seldom like it.  On the other hand, cats that are raised
outdoors, often want to get inside and often like it when they do, but
they do go back out.  Cats that were raised into middle age indoors,
and then given access to the outside may adapt to being indoor/outdoor
cats, but it can take months ore even years for full adaption and
during the early phases of adaptation, the cat is likely to go out
only when her human is outside, and to protest the whole time she's
out.

no crueler than my not living at Trump Towers, or having a Mercedes.  Not an
accurate simile since there is no danger in my living in trump towers where
as there are too many dangers in cats going out side.

Then there are the dangers to other wild life.. is it not cruel to let a cat
have its way with a small bird or rodent?  Or do you only care about cuddly
animals?

I have six cats.. they all live inside.  They are all very happy and
content.  Yes, Ive had cats previously that went outside, so I have
something to compare to.  Actually, the indoor cats aren't ever on the wrong
side of the door, so wouldn't that make them  happier?

I agree with you - it *is* cruel - unless you have a second cat and provide
a decent cat tree.

carola

It is alleged that Ingeniur claimed:

I live between a very active rail line (both high-speed passenger
trains and long and hard-to-stop freight trains) and a street with
significant truck traffic.  There ain't no way I'm letting my cat out.

bullshit

Would you consider it cruel to keep humans locked up inside without
being able to go outside?

If so then it is more than so for Cats.

John