Is this really a cultural difference?

[Gemmie 142]

We're both HUGE animal lovers and can't wait until we have the money/space to get pets. We want a puppy and perhaps a kitty too.

Well, Bill says that it's uncommon and abnormal, as well as pretty stupid, to let cats wander off outside on their own because they get killed so easily, either by other animals or mostly cars. His family and everyone he knows keep their cats indoors and use litter-boxes. He told me instances of cats that accidentally were let out, and ran into the road.

In the UK, it's normal to let your cat outside.. walking down the street, it's common to see cats sitting around in gardens or at the side of the street. I'm not talking about strays, I mean actual pets. We've always had independent cats that love to go outside and come inside as they please, and never had any problems with them getting hurt. In fact, the youngun's claw at the window/door once they reach a couple of months. I don't know anyone that HAS had a cat run over, except a girl who funnily enough, lives in America! Her cat was instantly run over. I don't get why American cats are constantly killed outside?? Is it because they aren't used to it?

Is this difference actually there?

Edited January 17, 2009 by Gemmie

[merijan 0]

We're both HUGE animal lovers and can't wait until we have the money/space to get pets. We want a puppy and perhaps a kitty too.

Well, Bill says that it's uncommon and abnormal, as well as pretty stupid, to let cats wander off outside on their own because they get killed so easily, either by other animals or mostly cars. His family and everyone he knows keep their cats indoors and use litter-boxes. He told me instances of cats that accidentally were let out, and ran into the road.

In the UK, it's normal to let your cat outside.. walking down the street, it's common to see cats sitting around in gardens or at the side of the street. I'm not talking about strays, I mean actual pets. We've always had independent cats that love to go outside and come inside as they please, and never had any problems with them getting hurt. In fact, the youngun's claw at the window/door once they reach a couple of months. I don't know anyone that HAS had a cat run over, except a girl who funnily enough, lives in America! Her cat was instantly run over. I don't get why American cats are constantly killed outside?? Is it because they aren't used to it?

Is this difference actually there?

Well growing up here we had several cats and they all where outdoor indoor. they went out and came in at night. None of them got ran over. But once I was living on my own, I did have an indoor only cat. Then after having kids we had several cats , they also went out. And three got ran over by cars. So its not uncommon to have outdoor cats. But because two cats we had a few years ago at the same time, both got ran over I wont ever wish do the outdoor cat thing again. I guess if we have a cat again in the future it would be only indoors.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There's cats all over my US neighborhood. It just depends on how protective you are of your cat as to whether you let them out. My neighbor's cat was killed on the busy road behind us. Their new cat is doing okay so far because it hangs out in the front yard, rather than going over the tall wooden fence in back. Perhaps the difference is there's alot more cars on the road in the US, so the odds are stacked against the American kitties.

I've had both indoor and outdoor cats over the years.

[broma25 2]

I think it depends on where you live. I have seen cats that have been hit by cars both here and in the UK. If you live in the countryside then its probably fine to let your cats out. If you live in a more urban area I would keep them indoors.

I have 2 cats and they stay indoors, I have a busy road right near my house so its best to keep them inside IMO.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

When I was living with my parents, my Beankitty used to wander around outside, but he was pretty good and restricted himself to a small part of the neighbourhood. He's pretty young -- over one and a half -- but it seems as though Brit cats have a pre-honed instinct to stay well away from busy roads. He's in the boarding cattery now, so that's one less worry, but I don't think he'd have a massive problem once we make the move to the US.

Magpie

[Mags 112]

America has more predators - coyotes for example. America also hasn't outlawed de-clawing so a lot more cats are inside cats because the owners have their animals mutilated.

I've known more cats to be killed in the UK by cars than here in America - but I am in a small town.

So, you have the choice in a place like this - let your cat out and have it eaten, or keep it inside.

For the record, I have 11 cats - all indoor. And I have a huge house, so there is plenty of room for them to wander and have their own space.

I'm Mags the crazy cat lady. I don't smell of cat pee.

[Jasman0717 9]

Our cat is so dumb, it would be a sin to let her outside

[msu17 0]

I never heard of outdoor cats in the US. I didn't know anyone let their cats out till I was 15 and my parents friend from Austria let our cat out. Around here if a cat is wandering around outside they are picked up by the dog warden and if their owners are not found they are off to the pound (luckily all ours are no kill shelters). Check with your neighbors what is common in your area since you could lose that cat to a shelter if not to a car or predatory animal

[Hannah+Vito 0]

When I was living with my parents, my Beankitty used to wander around outside, but he was pretty good and restricted himself to a small part of the neighbourhood. He's pretty young -- over one and a half -- but it seems as though Brit cats have a pre-honed instinct to stay well away from busy roads. He's in the boarding cattery now, so that's one less worry, but I don't think he'd have a massive problem once we make the move to the US.

Magpie

i wish it was true that they had prehoned instincts, we have lost two inrecent years and a third many years before was murdered by a biker on purpose because was standing beside the road as they came through our town ( i say murdered becaudse the guy swerved to the side of the road on purpose and booted him with his foot, and our neighbour witnessed )

all our cats have been out doors cats, many like using the door knocker i just assumed the indoor cat thing was a new phenom, with the more pets become treated as kids thing) but perhaps ots got a lot to do with where people are living as well. like with the indoor bunny thing. i remember there was a time that people wouldnt keep rabbits in a house would olways be in garden or shed in hutch now its the in thing to keep like a dog or cat indoors

[Laura+Tom 2]

Tom says it really depends where you live, if you live on a busy road it makes sense to keep them indoors. Because we are planning on living in the country ours will be allowed to roam around outside if they want.

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - I have found that here too - there is no way that my cat from England would stay inside and as a result our American kitten goes out as well - but he wears a collar (Daisy refuses to wear one so we got in with the kitten while he was little so he is used to it )

Neither of them go too far from the apartment - Daisy might venture near to the road but as far as I am aware she doesn't cross it - she is quite a nervous/jumpy cat so she stays where she knows she can hide and it is safe. Both are microchipped as well.

I think it does depend on where you live - I was treated a bit like an alien when I said I let my cats outside but I feel it is best for them - I have done everything I can to make sure they don't run off and can be traced back to me. And we *do* get coyotes (although I have only seen one cross the street near us) but that is at night when my kitties stay in. And we have dogs all over so they know to be scared of them

[T and M 1]

Yeah - I have found that here too - there is no way that my cat from England would stay inside and as a result our American kitten goes out as well - but he wears a collar (Daisy refuses to wear one so we got in with the kitten while he was little so he is used to it )

Neither of them go too far from the apartment - Daisy might venture near to the road but as far as I am aware she doesn't cross it - she is quite a nervous/jumpy cat so she stays where she knows she can hide and it is safe. Both are microchipped as well.

I think it does depend on where you live - I was treated a bit like an alien when I said I let my cats outside but I feel it is best for them - I have done everything I can to make sure they don't run off and can be traced back to me. And we *do* get coyotes (although I have only seen one cross the street near us) but that is at night when my kitties stay in. And we have dogs all over so they know to be scared of them

What a fantastic topic! When I moved to Italy, I was shocked that my roommates let our cat out. But now I find it to be fantastic, and look at my fellow Americans as a bit overprotective when they don't let them out. The natural predators thing probably applies to northern California, but in the city, it should be fine! Don't see many coyotes walking down 16th Street in Washington, DC.

American families also don't let their kids out. Poor things.

Here in Bolivia, I think people HAVE kids just so they don't have to go to the supermarket every time they need to buy milk.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I've honestly never even considered that it wasn't a normal thing to let your cats out if you had decided you wanted to. Growing up in New Haven, all our cats were allowed outdoors whenever they wanted during the day (and often at night), unless they decided they would prefer to be indoor cats (we had a couple of cats who clearly preferred the comforts of central heat and sofas). In my neighbourhood in Burbank, we have a few outdoor cats I see regularly. I'd never heard it wasn't the done thing in America, unless you live in a busy street or in a high-rise.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

When my fiances parents came to visit over christmas they brought their cat, they used a really long bit of string around his collar and let him go exploring, they changed to that from a harness, as he got out of the year before and got stuck up the tree chasing squirrels, and Todd had to go rescue him, think he still has the scars to prove it

I want a dog and a monkey when I get finally get there!!!!!

Sorry went off cats when this one launched itself at my calf and hung on with his teeth lol

[T and M 1]

I've honestly never even considered that it wasn't a normal thing to let your cats out if you had decided you wanted to. Growing up in New Haven, all our cats were allowed outdoors whenever they wanted during the day (and often at night), unless they decided they would prefer to be indoor cats (we had a couple of cats who clearly preferred the comforts of central heat and sofas). In my neighbourhood in Burbank, we have a few outdoor cats I see regularly. I'd never heard it wasn't the done thing in America, unless you live in a busy street or in a high-rise.

I think you make a very good point, maven, that it depends on where you grew up. Once you travel a bit you realize there are different "customs," and they probably have more to do with lifestyle than nationality. Busy streets, for example.

Funny thing is that - while letting cats out was strange for me, after having grown up in north Georgia (the state, not the country), it was perfectly normal in our neighborhood to let our dogs run free. These days, only one neighbor lets his dog run free and he is getting lots of complaints! Time and customs change quickly!

Still, I'm for free range (chickens, kids, AND cats). If, of course, we can assure the safety of all those ranging. Here in Bolivia only kids freely range. Someone would DEFINITELY steal your dog or cat if you let him/her out. I'm only half kidding.