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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?

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  • Deleted as I don't like arguments, sorry!

  • in reply to NAS79256

    I didn’t think I was arguing.

    I’m sorry that you have taken it that way. 

  • in reply to ArchaeC

    It wasn't because of what you said, it is good that you care about the welfare of animals and don't want them to experience suffering or distress. I found Roberts reply upsetting but don't want to get into a thing where I reply and get an even more upsetting reply. I knew that the invisible fence idea would be controversial and that a lot of people think they cause distress and suffering, so I wish I had not mentioned it as it's too big a debate to get embroiled in and people have strong opinions about it. It definitely wan't intended to be the main part of my post, which was more about the daily deposits of cat poo in our garden from neighbouring cats that has prevented us from being able to use and enjoy it as we liked, whilst our neighbours get to enjoy their cats without having to deal with all the pooing they do! My post was as well about the distress of regularly witnessing our regular feathered friends, who I grew to love through observation and interaction over the years, being killed. Song birds are especially vulnerable as there are a few days after fledgling when they are unable to fly, but many birds are ground feeders and may not see or hear a cat laying in wait or creeping up on them in dense undergrowth when they are busy digging or rummaging about. Some cats are also very agile and leaping and running up trees. Please believe me that I wouldn't want to inflict distress or suffering on any sentient being and I care a lot about not causing harm. I too thought thought the buzz/beep collars were very cruel but I have more recently observed one in action on a neighbours dog (I am someone extremely sensitive to the body language of animals) and it has changed my perspective on them somewhat. It is very clear however to see that immense suffering and distress caused to birds when they or their partners or children are injured or killed by cats, but people seem to find wild birds suffering or being distressed acceptable as it is "natural". I've seen things like this https://www.catfence.co.uk/ which I thought might be a good idea so that people's cats could enjoy the freedom of being outside without getting run over or locked in sheds or attacked by other cats, and people without cats could enjoy their gardens without finding cat poo everywhere and having to watch birds being attacked and killed. I think if people started to keep pet lions and tigers that were allowed out to play and could leap over garden fences to kill the neighbours pets and children as a natural expression of their interests, there would be an outcry...!! But people prioritise the lives and welfare of humans and their pets over the lives of wild animals and animals bred for food.

  • in reply to NAS79256

    I appreciate your thoughts on this and I think that you, like many of us, are wanting animals to live their lives free of harm.

    Unfortunately people sell electric cat fences, but it doesn’t mean they are a humane method of stopping cats injuring or killing wildlife. 

    People also sell electric shock collars for dogs and they are not banned in all parts of the UK, yet they are widely recognised as harmful by veterinary and canine behavioural experts.

    I take your point about animals bred for food. Many of these animals have dreadful lives until they are destroyed for consumption.

    I think it’s very difficult to get a happy solution that works in the best interests of every species. 

    Thank you for explaining your position. I hope you keep posting.

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  • in reply to NAS79256

    I appreciate your thoughts on this and I think that you, like many of us, are wanting animals to live their lives free of harm.

    Unfortunately people sell electric cat fences, but it doesn’t mean they are a humane method of stopping cats injuring or killing wildlife. 

    People also sell electric shock collars for dogs and they are not banned in all parts of the UK, yet they are widely recognised as harmful by veterinary and canine behavioural experts.

    I take your point about animals bred for food. Many of these animals have dreadful lives until they are destroyed for consumption.

    I think it’s very difficult to get a happy solution that works in the best interests of every species. 

    Thank you for explaining your position. I hope you keep posting.

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