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Should cats be allowed outside to play?

NAS71232

There are two camps.

Some say they should be strictly indoors as they kill mice, rats and the occasional bird. They say they are a threat to wildlife and it's safer for them to stay in as they could get hurt.

The other camp feels they should be able to enjoy nature and roam as they please.

What are your thoughts?

I let my cats outside. If you restrict them by keeping them in the house, they constantly try to escape and get frustrated. My Bengal cat kicked hell and she tried the door handles to get out, but I waited until she was old enough. Now she stays in the garden and couldn't be happier. If you live in a flat, then obviously, you can't let them out. That's fine if they are well looked after. They get bored indoors, especially if you live alone and go to work all day. If they are indoor cats, you need to give them another cat to play with.

There might be a time in the future where I will have to rehome them to suitable people. 

Do you let your cat out, or keep it inside?

Parents

  • I no longer have cats but I'd hate to keep one cooped up indoors. When I had them, I put cat doors in to enable them to come and go as they pleased and one of the reasons I don't have one now is that I live in a new-build with double glazing and composite doors that don't allow for cat doors. I know some people declaw cats to keep them indoors and the idea makes me flinch. Surely, if we have to deform animals for our pleasure, we have no right to keep them. Having said that, one of my friends doesn't let her rescue/FIV cats roam freely, but she built an enormous "catio" cage that runs all the way along the outside of her house and is filled with ramps, different levels and toys to keep them entertained. If I were to keep cats indoors, that's how I'd do it. 

    Maybe I'm odd, but I hate to coop up any animals. When I kept fish, I dug an enormous pond and ensured I never stocked it above the level that gave them plenty of room. I won't keep anything in a cage.

    Cats don't damage the bird population. In any case, not all cats catch birds (none of my four did) and many don't catch rodents, either. 

  • in reply to Alexa
    Alexa said:
    Maybe I'm odd, but I hate to coop up any animals

    You are not odd. Rather you care about the welfare of animals that have often been bred for human companionship or pleasure. 

    You’re actually on the ball when it comes to animals such as dogs. My dogs have access to the garden when they want, but I also give them choices when it comes to walks and activities. They were trained using a ‘hands off approach’ with ‘rewards’ of food treats and toy play (ball, furry teddy etc.) Obviously they aren’t totally free, but they happily choose to do activities such as searching a car for pretend explosives and tracking people for fun. They are happiest when they are kept busy but enjoy sprawling out on the sofa with me in the evenings. 

    Declawing cats is cruel. Too many people expect cats and dogs to adapt to an environment that isn’t suitable for them. We should be adapting to the needs of cats and dogs, not the other way round.

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  • in reply to Alexa
    Alexa said:
    Maybe I'm odd, but I hate to coop up any animals

    You are not odd. Rather you care about the welfare of animals that have often been bred for human companionship or pleasure. 

    You’re actually on the ball when it comes to animals such as dogs. My dogs have access to the garden when they want, but I also give them choices when it comes to walks and activities. They were trained using a ‘hands off approach’ with ‘rewards’ of food treats and toy play (ball, furry teddy etc.) Obviously they aren’t totally free, but they happily choose to do activities such as searching a car for pretend explosives and tracking people for fun. They are happiest when they are kept busy but enjoy sprawling out on the sofa with me in the evenings. 

    Declawing cats is cruel. Too many people expect cats and dogs to adapt to an environment that isn’t suitable for them. We should be adapting to the needs of cats and dogs, not the other way round.

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