cat - outdoor or indoor?

[doodlebug 3]

I have an indoor cat and I'm watching her watch the birds on the tree outside my house right now. I kind of feel bad that I've never given her the ability to chase those birdies, but the vet told me not to ever let my cat out since it's unhealthy for them in the longrun. I think I'm the only one in my town with an indoor cat though.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I dont have one since last one died at about 15 years but they were inside

[MaydayDas 1]

sorry, i am a dog person

[Mags 112]

We have four indoor cats and one outdoor cat. The indoor ones (bar one) all have medical problems which mean if I let them out, they would either A.) get hit by a car, killed by another cat/or other animal B.) get lost ASAP. The outdoor cat was a stray and loves being outside. He sunbathes, hunts and generally enjoys watching his territory. However, he comes in every night and sleeps on our bed.

Going outside isn't bad for cats, as long as their vaccinations are up to date etc, however there are many dangers out there for them too. De-clawed cats should never be let out, they have no way to defend themselves against other cats, dogs etc etc.

Edited June 8, 2007 by mags

[Jackie&Yosdani 0]

I'm a dog person too..

but I know most people keep cats indoor..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Near where we live, drivers don't slow down if they see someone cross the street in front of them (a-hole NYC driving habits spilling over into NJ), so there's no way I'd let my cats out. I'd be shovelling them off the road the next day.

[KarenCee 3]

Well, when we *do* get one he/she will be an indoor kittie for the most part. Joel's beloved Zoe (god rest her soul) was indoor most of the time, used a litter box and all, but still went outside a lot too. That's what I think we'd like.

[Reynaldo 0]

It would be fun for them do use one of those out...

Edited June 8, 2007 by Reynaldo

[LaL 418]

depends where you live, and due to that we have an indoor kitty!

[Nessa 23]

our cats stay inside. We prefer to keep our cats alive.

They love to look outside the windows and the birds singing and all, but with the roads here, if they went outside they'll probably wind up missing or dead. I wouldn't risk that.

Plus I think if you raise your cat (s) indoor they should remain indoor.

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

Ours is primarily indoors, but he has a schedule he goes out similiar to the way a dog would. He stays healthy.

[Alex+R 0]

If we let out our cats they'd be dead in 3 seconds. We don't have a yard or anything, just city streets.

[featherB 1]

We don't have a cat, but when we get some (and we will be getting some, at some point, two of 'em, and I can't wait!!) they will definitely be indoor cats. Husband thinks we should make sure whatever cats we get are declawed so they won't destroy stuff... hmm, I'm not so sure what I think about that.

Oh, and I'm in love with some (very very indoor) cats that live in a shop down the road. May have to kidnap them.

[Alex+R 0]

We don't have a cat, but when we get some (and we will be getting some, at some point, two of 'em, and I can't wait!!) they will definitely be indoor cats. Husband thinks we should make sure whatever cats we get are declawed so they won't destroy stuff... hmm, I'm not so sure what I think about that.

Oh, and I'm in love with some (very very indoor) cats that live in a shop down the road. May have to kidnap them.

Why declaw when you can get Soft Paws which achieve the same thing without maiming the cats!

[Nessa 23]

Why declaw when you can get Soft Paws which achieve the same thing without maiming the cats!

that sooo sounded like a commercial.