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

I have had rescue cats for decades. Some want to go out but others are terrified.

My lovely Rosie wouldn't come out in the garden even when I sat with her. If I carried her outside, she would leap out of my arms and run back indoors.

I would have been cruel to make her go out.

A friend has three cats..they live indoors with access to a large covered run. They are safe and happy.

We spent 11 years turning our garden into a wildlife one. A new neighbour arrived with five cats. They have wrecked the garden and wildlife. They use our woodshed and deep beds as a loo,they have destroyed the wood mice,many birds, slow worms etc. They won’t put bells on their collars, or even keep them in at night. My wildlife camera films more cats than wildlife.

I am so sad . It was my major interest in life.

Forgot to add I once had a deaf and blind cat, he was a stray that we took in. About a year later he started bumping into things and the Vet confirmed he was blind and deaf. It was a gene thing. We lived in a 1st floor flat with a long communal access terrace with a narrow steel railing. He always went out and found his way down to ground level to explore neighbouring gardens. He also jumped up and walked along the terrace railings very confidently and never had any accidents. We had him for 6 years until he died of kidney failure. Cats are quite amazing sometimes.

I really wish that people who have cats that are allowed outside would realise how horrible it is to have neighbouring cats pooing in your flowerbeds and under hedges. I have to keep my dog within my own property so it seems strange that cats go anywhere.

Some cats decide for themselves to be house cats for reasons known only to them. A friend has two cats who never go out but they're perfectly happy and contented and have toys and climbing frames etc. If it's the cat's choice that would be fine with me, but I'd never deliberately stop a cat from going out. Even valuable cats should be allowed their freedom if they want it.

We have four indoor cats in our household - only one of them was originally an outdoor cat before she was rescued. I think their having each other to play with helps them stay active and happy. As some have pointed out, adoption agencies ask that you keep cats indoors. Here in Southern California, we have coyotes roaming streets and, as fast as cats are, they can be captured. I’ve had friends who believe as the OP does - that it’s against cats’ nature to be kept inside. They’ve lost cats and it’s very sad. They had their cats chipped, a great idea, but anyone who finds a cat has to bring it to the vet to see if it is chipped. A catio, if you have room, is a good alternative. I also had a friend who put her cat out on a harness/leash and the cat still was able to catch “varmints” in her yard!

I know someone with numerous house cats and the house STINKS!

Davida1968

You may have heard this before but it's worth repeating: " To dogs you are their family, to cats you are their staff".

Yes, I have always thought this quote to be very true. Our cat treats the house like a hotel and comes and goes as she pleases, often and usually at inconvenient times. We do like to have her in at night.

Not all cats are the same though, there is no one rule fits all.
I think it’s best to give any animal the happiest and most content life possible.

JeSuis

Why have a cat if all you do is make it into a not very happy animal. See if it’s happiest to be either out or in. Then you’ll have a better idea as to whether it’s an in, or outdoor animal!
It will soon tell you! ?. X.

Because a lot of us give homes to strays.

I’ve got 4 indoor cats and after seeing one in a terrible state after being run over I cannot have them outside. My house is about 3 meters from a main road so busy it resembles the M25. Lorries tankers etc thunder past my door so my babies look at the world through glass. Yes in an ideal world they could run and play in the grass and I’ve often though if I move to a quieter area I will let them out but even quieter area have terrors. I know a man who puts rat poison and hopes the cats will get it. Another neighbour threatened his dog on one of my now indoor cats, I’ve seen on other stoning cats plus almost every garden has huge snarling dogs those x l bullies and Staffies are the worst. So no way outdoors for my cats

We all used to be outside creatures and roamed around. Then we got domesticated. Animals evolve. Some even evolve enough to respect differences of opinion. Not all of course.

Why have a cat if all you do is make it into a not very happy animal. See if it’s happiest to be either out or in. Then you’ll have a better idea as to whether it’s an in, or outdoor animal!
It will soon tell you! ?. X.

Coco51

We have a large covered cat run for our kitty - partly because he is the smallest breed of cats and I wouldn’t fancy his chances against neighbourhood bullies. We’ve put a dead tree trunk for climbing and four levels of shelving, a little kennel to protect him from too much sun or wind, food water and litter. We take our garden chairs and sit with him so have done our very best for him. Occasionally we put him in a harness and walk him round, and eventually hope to take him out with us. A man with the same breed even takes his cat with him punting on the Norfolk Broads!

That's a lovely idea!
At least your kitty is getting the experience of the outdoors.
The smells and sounds, insects, breezes and feel of the grass.

We have a large covered cat run for our kitty - partly because he is the smallest breed of cats and I wouldn’t fancy his chances against neighbourhood bullies. We’ve put a dead tree trunk for climbing and four levels of shelving, a little kennel to protect him from too much sun or wind, food water and litter. We take our garden chairs and sit with him so have done our very best for him. Occasionally we put him in a harness and walk him round, and eventually hope to take him out with us. A man with the same breed even takes his cat with him punting on the Norfolk Broads!

I wonder why there aren't more house dogs?
Who decided that it's important for a dog not be kept caged up inside a house all its life but OK to do it to a cat?
Cats and dogs all have four legs so surely access to the outdoors is important to both cats and dogs?

Cats do have instincts to roam, to interact with other cats, and to hunt. I don’t see how it can not be cruel to deny them the opportunity to do what they naturally want to do.

If a cat doesn’t want to go outside, that is probably the result of wrong treatment earlier in its life. Obviously in those circumstances it isn’t cruel to keep the cat as a house cat, but surely the cat should have the choice.

If I was a cat I would certainly prefer freedom and a normal life, even at the risk of being run over.

Catios and loving care, as described by a PP, seem the next best option to me, but very second best.

when we lived on a farm we had cats and they roamed free, came and went as they pleased, sometimes indoors sometimes out but it was their choice. Now we have moved into town I would not have a cat because the rules here are that cats are to be kept confined in the town area and I refuse to do that to any animal.

Quite a few divided opinions

snowberryZ For hot to add, he’s 12 years old now.

snowberryZ I saved my lilac point deaf blind kitten from being euthanised, the breeders charged me the same price but I felt I could give him a long and content life, he does wander into the back yard once or twice a week but never stays out for more than 5 mins. I don’t think I’m being cruel.

Personally I would not want a house cat because it feels so unnatural but I guess if they are not coming to any harm and they have space to exercise......

Cats can be a menace to local birdlife and make an awful mess in other people's gardens. They don't need to go out and many are happy to be house cats.

We have always had cats, although not at the moment. All been allowed out to roam, coming back in at night and most of the day if they found a warm sunny spot. Our last cat lived to be 19, we have lost one to a road accident, he followed my husband across a busy road despite my husband shooing him back, or so he thought. We were devastated. The cat that lived to be 19, used to climb up onto our conservatory roof, and meow at my daughters bedroom window to be let in, where she would sleep most of the day! Worse situation for me is that our next door neighbour has cats in a large cage outside, they meow constantly. As far as I am aware they are never let out.

snowberryZ

Thoro

Nesting birds think house cats are great!

I think cats should be made to wear a bell during nesting season. It would give some birds a chance. If not all.

Nesting birds are far more likely to have their young predated by other birds or by squirrels than by cats.

You Abu. I have worked with a cat charity for years rehoming stray/unwanted cats. You do not know the situation or health of the animal you see. If it is FIV then the alternative to being a house cat is euthanasia and I know which I would prefer to offer an otherwise healthy cat. I had 5 cats, all allowed out if they wish but 1 never went out, his choice. I know only have 2 and have moved and built a catio as am nearer a busy road. The indoor cat now goes on the catio but if I shut the patio doors he panics and screams to come in so not all cats like the great outdoors. There are many reasons the cat may be an indoor kitty and as long as they are loved and well cared for that's the main thing.