To think it's cruel to have a house cat?

Our first two cats were allowed out of doors. One of them had been a stray before we adopted him, and he was very streetwise. The other came to us as a 6 week old kitten, and was never very keen on "outside". She would go into the garden but that was a far as she every went. Happy sitting on a sunny windowsill watching the world go by. We lived in a cul-de-sac.

Our next 2 cats were pedigree Korats. Their breeder strongly requested that they not be let out unsupervised, and we never did. They went into the garden with us and were happy doing so, but never showed any inclination to go any further.

Our next 2 Korats likewise - we now have a large and genuinely cat proof garden, so they can and do go out unsupervised - they are quick to tell us when they have had enough. One of them did in March but the remaining one likes to sit underneath the swing seat and watch the birds and squirrels.

Our newest Korat had never been outside when she came to us. She likes to send the other one "out" and then demands to be brushed wile he is out of the way. Still a genuinely cat proof garden. But we now live on a busy main road and I would be utterly devastated if one of my cats was run over, or stolen.

I think having house cats is the same as keeping birds in a cage. Cruel and totally unnecessary. Short ‘real cat life’ must be preferable to total cosseted boredom!!

My niece has 2 indoor cats - they have an option to go out in their back garden, but will get as far as the back doorstep and stop!
There are some cats, that have FIV that can't go out as they may spread Feline Aids!

My cat loved going out, she would of hated being indoors, but my daughter's cat is 15 and just never goes out, she wants nothing more than to sit and be stroked, its her choice to be an indoors house cat at 15 she's been very happy. Doors are left open as they were when she was a kitten she pops her head out but never goes out. Her choice nothing cruel.

I have a rescue cat . She spent 2 years with me in a flat with access to a balcony. She would sit in the fresh air most of the year and sunbathe in the summer . She refused to go out in the winter. I moved house with her in Oct and she now has access to a garden and goes out via a cat flap ( she expects me to push it open for her but comes back in by herself!)

As I am now living with family there are two other cats as well so it’s been a bit of a nightmare socialising them together but it’s getting better. Other cats have always gone out but there’s a timer on the cat flap and they are not allowed out through the night . That’s always been the case in the other house and they stay inside overnight.

My cat doesn’t stay out long and still spends lots of time indoors through choice. She’s had a much better time with me mainly indoors than out on the street before she went to the centre. She previously lived with someone who died suddenly and the son threw her and her brother onto the streets. Neighbours took her to the centre and she was so scared the 4 weeks she was there she never moved from her bed space. Now he should have been SHOT!

My daughter has a rescue cat and only got it because she agreed it would be an indoor cat. She doesn't even want to go out on the balcony.

If only cat owners realised that it’s cruel to allow any cat to wander freely yowling for a full queen female to mate with . Neutering is the kindest most sensible solution to prevent unwanted kittens . It’s better for the male cat who can wander miles searching and often never return home . They get into fights with other Toms and get injured from bites which can cause infections and diseases . Some cats are safer and happy as indoor cats as long as they have plenty to occupy them selfs and have company so not left alone for hours on end .

SnowberryZ - I think you should get out more and stop looking out of your window…

The last indoor cat I lost, lived to be 18 so I don’t think keeping him in was detrimental to his health

Hi Snowberry. You probably mean well, but just don't know much about cats? As you can see from other comments, lots of different cat behaviour. Some are desperate to be out & about, others just aren't. There are some animals, who've tested positive for FIV (sometimes called Feline AIDS) who just cannot be allowed out, as they might infect other animals -- but they can live a decent life inside. In parts of the States, and some European countries, far more people tend to live in apartments, and their cats live inside lives, unless they get used to climbing a lot of stairs, or using the lift?!

I applaud the cat owners who choose to keep their cats inside or cat proof their gardens. If you have a pet, why not enjoy it in your home? Why would you want to put it outside (apart from making a saving in buying cat litter presumably). Furthermore, why would you think it acceptable for your pet to visit other people’s gardens leaving unwelcome presents?

For 'Saggi', >> You probably mean well, but just don't know much about cats? As you can see from other comments, lots of different cat behaviour. Some are desperate to be out & about, others just aren't. There are some animals, who've tested positive for FIV (sometimes called Feline AIDS) who just cannot be allowed out, as they might infect other animals -- but they can live a decent life inside. In parts of the States, and some European countries, far more people tend to live in apartments, and their cats live inside lives, unless they get used to climbing a lot of stairs, or using the lift?!

When I had cats they made their own minds up - in or out, or in the case of one beautiful, dapper B&W boy - out one window and back in the door - repeat multiple times. We did lose a couple of cats due to RTA, but as some one has already said we don’t lock humans away to prevent them being injured or killed ( in the case of some over-protective people this may of course be what they do do).

We don’t own cats do we? I thought they deigned to live with us, or not, or just pop by for a bit of food and a lie down.

Cats used to earn their living by despatching unwanted vermin; I think that in early times for each rat a cat caught its value went up by a farthing (how much that would be today when the prey is a neighbour’s valuable koi from his pond, I don’t know (you know who I mean PW)).

I had a neighbour with 2 cats, one a lazy bum, a happy house cat, and the other an escapologist alley cat. To me the second cat was miserable, he didn’t want the sheltered life of boredom, he was a manly hunter - was it kind to keep him locked up because the owner was worried? If I could have another cat it would be allowed to live a more natural life and if the rescue centre said “indoors only” I wouldn’t go for a rescue.

Like us all - life is there to be lived.

Yes Yabu. Indoor cats that have never been out or need to be kept in due to health reasons are fine as indoor cats. Trickier if they’ve been allowed out because they’re used to it but still not cruel. As long as they have toys and play things , scratch posts and entertainment they’re fine. Many enjoy watching out windows but wouldn’t want to actually be out.

Having a house cat is cruel and totally unnatural. Cats like to wonder as they are very curious. House cats are usually detructive because they are bored and they are often very overweight.

Don't have a cat if you can't let it out. It's cruel as cats are naturally inquisitive and enjoy chasing birds and catching mice.

They soon get use to being outside. I have a rescue cat who had, obviously, not been outside before, but he loves it now and has a lovely time roaming around. At the very least, get a run for the cat.

I adopted 2 Boys years ago. One would not go out, the other was insane just ran then couldnt find his way home so they were our first very happy House Cats. we moved & adopted the kitten left behind by those who moved out on the grounds that cats can look after themselves! No they cannot! We booked him for neutering & the day before he was killed on the road. When my Boys died I adopted 2 Girls from Cats Protection. They had been with a drug addict, having kittens that were sold to help fund her habit! Mum had FIV so could not go out. Her daughter was free of FIV. Neither would go out. Mum did not want to & her daughter stands by the door but when it is opened runs back in. Very happy Girls who do not seem to be suffering from staying in!
It is very much a decision on what is best for the cats, there is no cruelty involved in keeping cats indoors. Even Ferals will stay in if they feel like a sheltered life! So no more preaching from those who disagree please as each case has its own needs.

For Snowberry, and Thoro, re "Nesting Birds given a chance". You presumably belong to the deluded club who think all cats kill millions of birds, a myth perpetrated by the RSPB and believed by non questioning non-owners of cats. We've had 7 cats, a couple would grab a crashed fledgling who had been learning to fly, but then so will they get taken by magpies, and any visiting sparrowhawk (the 007 of the bird world). Apart from that. they took little interest in birds, especially as they got older. One used to snooze on sunny days near or even under our bird feeders (we have several, placed on the lower branches of a big tree). The birds knew he was OK, and some days he'd come in with bird poop on him. A couple WOULD chase and play with a mouse, if they could get one, but most householders are OK with that? The massive decrease in numbers of birds like starlings cannot logically be attributed to cats, given the lifestyle of the birds (unless you know of legions of farm cats who've gained machine guns?). We still get hordes of garden birds, sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, blue tits, dunnock, wren, chaffinches, and robins, plus goldcrests, greenfinches, a thrush or two, and even (in ultra cold weather) woodpeckers, redwings, that type of thing. But we put out assorted bird food, relevant food scraps, clean water, etc. I suspect that the modern surge in house-building has led to lots of tiny back gardens where people don't think to do such things?

It’s more cruel to birds to let them out.

NO BlueBelle, it is NOT "nasty stuff"! Read the other comments, lots of folk have indoor cats who are fine with that, not all cats by any means are natural wanderers and explorers. You should be more careful posting such comments, when you clearly are ill-informed, you could mislead others.

I have had cats all my adult life, and it`s a long one!

they have always had a cat door, to please themselves, in or out,

my present cat will not use the cat door, and is perfectly happy to stay indoors , mostly,, she goes out when she wants to..

what about keeping wild, truly wild animals in zoos then!

It's interesting how many cat owners are convinced that their cats never catch birds - this includes my current neighbour. I know she's wrong because we have a wildlife camera that has frequently caught Kitty taking the heads off whatever bird it's just manage to kill (I do wonder if it knows it's being filmed and wants to show off!!) Then it leaves the little body behind for us to clear up and strolls home. Presumably at one time it DID take something dead home to ensuing screams and shrieks, and hasn't repeated it since but it definitely DOES catch birds.

If a cat has been brought up from kitten as a house cat it won't know any different so I think they would be fine. I have had cats in my life for 71 years. I have lost three to cars.... I have two now...ten and twelve years old. I live on a boat and they use the cat flap. They never wander beyond my garden. Where I lived before they would play in the fields. Both are asleep on my bed at the moment... I have never kept a cat in...

Thoro

Nesting birds think house cats are great!

I agree and a bell isn’t enough. House also don’t foul other peoples gardens, scratch their tyres or spray on and kill garden plants. All things I’ve had to put up with from neighbourhood cats. I think a “catio” is a good solution. It’s like a large garden aviary with branches, scratch posts, toys, a shelter and gives the cat some freedom while at the same time keeping it safe and stopping it being a nuisance to other people.

I've two friends who have house cats - they were brought up like that from being kittens and don't know anything-else. They seem very playful and healthy. One of them sits by the window and watches the world go by, but he does the same thing in front of the TV, so I suspect it's just about moving images. He has an enriched environment and is kept safe. I suspect that the biggest case AGAINST Indoor Cats is that owners don't want to clear out a litter tray (much better for them to have their cats drop their mess on neighbouring properties).