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Cat Forum / General Topics / March 2006Why people let their cats roam around outside?
I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside w/o a leash? Most dog owners put their pets on leashes, but why not cats? I would be afraid once I let him out he would never come back or how would he even get back inside. Also, I'd be afraid of him getting hit by a car or killed by a dog, etc. Let me know. >I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; >however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >would he even get back inside. Also, I'd be afraid of him getting hit by >a car or killed by a dog, etc. Because there are many people who believe that a cat should "roam free"; they think it is more "natural" for a cat. Of course, a lot of those cats wind up dead after getting hit by a car or attacked by a dog or poisoned by an angry neighbour or stolen by someone. A lot of them contract deadly diseases too from interacting with other cats who are infected. In my city, it is illegal to lets your cats roam free; of course, a lot of people still do it. But if someone catches one and brings it to Animal Control, the owner is fined when they come to pick up the cat. >I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; however, I >was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside w/o a leash? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Let me know. My 18 year old cat has been going outside all of his life... although he used to wander a bit up and down the block... in his old age he rarely leaves the yard... spending most of his time under the front porch. there are slats all around, so nothing larger than him can get under there... so he is quite safe...yet he still has the feeling of being outside... When he was yonger...he used to take care of any mice that came near the house... but now that he's so old...he does not do a very good job of mousing.... OTOH: I've had cats all my life and he's the only one who made it past 17 years old >My 18 year old cat has been going outside all of his life... >although he used to wander a bit up and down the block... >in his old age he rarely leaves the yard... >spending most of his time under the front porch. But dogs can come into the yard and kill him once he is too old to run - I know of cats that this has happened to. > >My 18 year old cat has been going outside all of his life... >>although he used to wander a bit up and down the block... [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > But dogs can come into the yard and kill him once he is too old to run - I > know of cats that this has happened to. No dog could get under the porch unless it was *very* small... I have seen my cat chase huge dogs out of the yard...he can really hiss and growl... Anyway, my poor old cat is getting very old and feeble... he may not be around much longer I'm afraid. He's at the vet now for observation :( I have a 3 month old kitten that I'm currently keeping indoors. I got him when he was 8 weeks old. Anyways, now he always sits right in front of the window still and it makes me sad because I feel like I'm isolating him. He just sits there and stares at butterflies and birds that pass by or are outside on my trees. It makes me sad but I heard that if I let him be an Outdoor/Indoor cat, he would definitely die earlier. Is this true? As of right now I am very tempted to let him go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What should I do? A outside cat has a average life span of 3 years while a inside cat has an average of 12 plus there are too many dangers out there to many whackos Know matter what you are mommy or daddy now do what is best for your child. all my cats look out the windows at the world passing by. You know what I see cars, predators, whackos, poisons they see the wonders I see the truth >I have a 3 month old kitten that I'm currently keeping indoors. I got > him when he was 8 weeks old. Anyways, now he always sits right in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What > should I do? Nice insight. Does an outside cat really live about 3 years? That's a huge difference comparing to 12 years+. I'm thinking about buying him some real life landscapes to play with and climb on. Any suggestions? yes here is a links some cat tree and other furniture is a good choice I actually built a room special in my house just for them with huge bay windows and cat play houses http://petsentials.com/category.cfm?c=45 http://www.stepsforpets.com/ http://www.petco.com/Shop/ProductList.aspx?PC=productlist&Nav=294&N=23%20104 http://bigfatkittycat.com/ http://www.petsmart.com/global/search/search_results.jsp?In=Cat&N=2025518&Ne=2 these are Phil P link from another newsgroup http://www.maxshouse.com/Environmental_Enrichment/high-level_walkways.htm for reading on outside risk http://www.maxshouse.com/outdoor_risks.htm http://www.maxshouse.com/Healthy+Happy_Indoors.htm > Nice insight. Does an outside cat really live about 3 years? That's a > huge difference comparing to 12 years+. I'm thinking about buying him > some real life landscapes to play with and climb on. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about buying him > some real life landscapes to play with and climb on. Any suggestions? Yes he'll love anything to play and climb on. I don't have specially built cat trees but I do have huge wardrobes and bookcases which they can climb up and sleep on as well as a number of cardboard boxes for hiding in (ambushing Hoomins is such fun!) and various bits around the house (it's an excuse not to tidy up!). Also get a play n'scratch (I think that's what they're called, it's a ball in a round track with a cardboard scratching bit in the centre, my two have hours of fun swatting the ball and chasing it round) and ton's of mousies. Cats are only bored indoors if they don't have anything to do. Take some time to play with him and if possible get him a friend (through be warned 2 kittens can cause five times as much chaos as one!) and he'll be perfectly happy indoors. My two hardly ever even look out the window except as they are climbing up to the curtain poles (They know they are not supposed to I suspect that makes it more fun for them!) One of my previous owners (Isis) would love to look out the window, she would sit there for hours watching the World go by but when given a chance to go outside she refused very firmly to do so! Outside is not safe for kitties, Here in the UK we don't have coyotes or rabies to contend with but a friend of mine had to witness her 8-month old brother and sister die horribly before she could get them to the vets after someone poisoned them (she knew who but the police wouldn't do anything) Keep him in and keep him safe! Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs >A outside cat has a average life span of 3 years while a inside cat has an >average of 12 plus [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >> go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What >> should I do? Matthew: I would like to read the source material for the 3/12 year life expectancy. Could you please post a link. Jay >>A outside cat has a average life span of 3 years while a inside cat has >>an average of 12 plus [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Jay Depending where you are that is an average http://www.maxshouse.com/outdoor_risks.htm http://www.petloversforum.net/showthread.php?t=2443 http://www.petplace.com/cats/life-expectancy-in-cats/page1.aspx http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/f/lifespan_cats.htm?terms=cats+life+ex pectancy http://www.mekitty.com/archives/cat-health/cat-health-p-1084.htm that is just a few do a Google on cat's life expectancy to find the other links >A outside cat has a average life span of 3 years while a inside cat has an >average of 12 plus My cat was allowed to go out whenever he wanted... this neighborhood is pretty safe though. Anyway he just died of natural causes...he was 18 years old!!!! On Sun 26 Mar 2006 09:20:42p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it ? > I have a 3 month old kitten that I'm currently keeping indoors. I got > him when he was 8 weeks old. Anyways, now he always sits right in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What > should I do? Cats potentially have many enemies outdoors...cars, animals, people, chemicals, disease, etc. For one reason or another, you cat's life is likely to be shorter if he's allowed to go outside on his own. I think almost everyone would agree with that. We have 5 cats and they never go outside without us going with them. We do take them out to play in the yard, lie in the sun, etc. Since they get some time to enjoy the outdoors, I don't think they mind so much spending most of their time indoors. Of course, with 5 cats, they have companionship all the time. You might consider adding one more cat for that reason. If you decide to take you cat with you on outings, until you feel confident that he won't make a run for it, use a cat harness and a long leash.  SignatureWayne Boatwright @¿@¬ _____________________ Thanks, I'm thinking about gettin another kitten. However, I heard that the kitten I have will get jeolous and become violent. When you have more than one cat, dont they try to mark their territories and starting peeing in random places instead of the litterbox? you have to introduce them very slowly. you going to need two or three litters boxes two per cat is the average rule I have five cats all introduced at various age to one another. yes there is competition but think of it as sibling troubles multiple people living in one house tend to get gripy one day or the next read this site http://www.maxshouse.com/introducing_cats.htm bookmark these sites also for future reference http://www.fanciers.com/ cat fancy website http://www.maxshouse.com/Database_toc.htm Phil's website he hangs out in the newsgroup rec.pets.cats.health+behav extremely knowledgeable non vet http://www.24hourpet.com/ cheap cat medicine products cheapest advantage flea site that I have found please feel free to come over to the newsgroup rec.pets.cats.anecdotes if you have it a lot of traffic goes thru there and alot of fun people there > Thanks, I'm thinking about gettin another kitten. However, I heard > that the kitten I have will get jeolous and become violent. When you > have more than one cat, dont they try to mark their territories and > starting peeing in random places instead of the litterbox? Thanks guys, I appreciate it. >I have a 3 month old kitten that I'm currently keeping indoors. I got > him when he was 8 weeks old. Anyways, now he always sits right in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What > should I do? Do you live on a busy street or urban area? When we lived in such places we didn't allow our two out. Luckily now we live in a quiet suburban/somewhat rural area so they may go out as they wish. One does (neutered male), one doesn't (spayed female), by their own choice as we have a kitty door. Yes there are more opportunities for danger outside than in but cats are, all in all, pretty careful and aware. Before you let them out you should take them out on a leash or handcarried to show them the area so they know how to get home. The one that chooses to stay in loves to sit by the window and look out but prefers to partake in the outside by looking only, by her choice. Just my $.02 Jay >I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; >however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Let me know. My twelve cats are free to come and go as they please - they need to have this freedom if they are to perform their vermin control duties. Of course, I didn't do that, or have that many cats, before I moved out into the country. They don't go very far toward the road. SignatureT.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu) SPAM filter: Messages to this address *must* contain "T.E.D." somewhere in the body or they will be automatically rejected. >They don't go very far toward the road. Famous last words. >>They don't go very far toward the road. > >Famous last words. There is another clowder across the road: they hardly ever come together, what with both clowders being territorial. In addition, all of mine avoid not only the road, but the part of the driveway nearest the road - when hunting the fence front fence row, the all turn around and come back to the house when they get about 50 feet away from the driveway. On the other hand, there is nothing but forest and fields in the other directions. SignatureT.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu) SPAM filter: Messages to this address *must* contain "T.E.D." somewhere in the body or they will be automatically rejected. >I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; however, I >was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside w/o a leash? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Let me know. because this is what cats are known to do. It has been this way for as long as anyone can remember. Keeping a cat indoors is a pretty new concept, and most people believe that indoor cats would be overly bored, and have behavior issues. Unfortunately this is wrong (or is that fortunately) Also the concept of training cats is as foreign as a third arm for some people. >>I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; >>however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Also the concept of training cats is as foreign as a third arm for > some people. Do they always stay near the house? I'd be afraid mine would disappear forever! I know a neighbor at my parent's home who actually has her cat on a leash so it runs around the deck, kind of like a dog. >Do they always stay near the house? I'd be afraid mine would disappear >forever! I know a neighbor at my parent's home who actually has her cat >on a leash so it runs around the deck, kind of like a dog. I take mine out on a harness and a leash and walk him around the yard (I never leave him alone out there though - too vulnerable to dogs). NanCe > >>I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; > >>however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > forever! I know a neighbor at my parent's home who actually has her cat > on a leash so it runs around the deck, kind of like a dog. Cats do like to go out, its natural. The impeding thing is how built-up the surrounding urban area is. If you live in a leafy suburb with lots of lawns etc, they'll find their little sunning-spots and places to chill-out. Having said that, we dont force the strays we've had to stay inside 'cause they get stressed, but kittens we do train to be indoor-cats. There are hazards outside, but these are confined to cars, dogs, other cats (fights) and any baits that psychopaths lay to kill dogs. Of the 3 outside cats we've had, none were the worse for the experience except our current nuetered Tomcat who used to fight a lot. Out side cats will often go into the joining yards,..but rarely much further than that. The main reason is other cats have marked their territory. Jason Jason James wrote: "Out side cats will often go into the joining yards,..but rarely much further than that. The main reason is other cats have marked their territory." We live in a densely populated suburban area in the U.S., and my three cats are indoor cats. However, the free-roaming felines in the 'hood don't seem to observe territory boundaries at all. (I've seen some of the cats spray, so evidently there is an attempt to mark territory, but it just doesn't seem to deter other visitors.) When cats' visits coincide, skirmishes do erupt, but the combatants always return later. I know where some of the kitties live, and they come from blocks away. In winter, the attraction is probably the birds at the bird feeders. In summer, I grow catnip and everybody comes by to take a hit off the catnip. Per Jason James: >Out side cats will often go into the joining yards,..but rarely much further >than that. The main reason is other cats have marked their territory. Not where I live. I ride a bike, so I get to see quite a few cats in quite a few places and can identify at least a half-dozen cats that roam freely within our housing development - and further. Our development is about a mile across. SignaturePeteCresswell >Per Jason James: >>Out side cats will often go into the joining yards,..but rarely much further [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >identify at least a half-dozen cats that roam freely within our housing >development - and further. Our development is about a mile across. I used to ride a bike to work and was sickened by the kit road kill I'd see even on quiet side streets. Keep your kits indoors!
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