Cats

I think cats should roam free.

They're independent types, mostly.

Tedber, I'm not a fan of magpies either. My username is a nickname I was given by a former colleague as I like shiny things (magpies are reputed to steal shiny things)!

Phoenix, isn't the answer obvious - you should keep your cats indoors - plenty of previous posters seem to manage it.

So, Magpie1959 what do you think cat owners should ACTUALLY do?

Actually speaking of Magpies - they are even worse than cats at killing young birds! A young blackbird in my garden this spring - cat ignored it... daughter's dog ignored it....bloomin Magpie swopped in and scooped it up. I was heartbroken as its mum and dad had been keeping vigil for 3 days and neither cats nor dogs got to it!!!! Nature though eh?

I'm not a fan of magpies!!!! Magpie Should we shoot them all and have done with it bahaha

Not a fan of cats at all - or cat owners who think its ok to allow their cat to foul other peoples gardens. They should be ashamed of themselves, its so selfish.

My garden borders are covered with chicken wire and I regularly spread used coffee grounds over the soil (free from local coffee shop). Its good for the soil and the disgusting local murdering moggies don't like the smell.

Oh jane BEAUTIFUL...love him mwah

Our old boy Baz has never even considered going out! It's not even crossed his mind - mind you very little actually crosses his mind!

Some people would argue it is cruel to keep cats inside all the time whywhywhy? How do you go against nature? Dogs are different animals altogether. Of course a few cats may be happy to stay inside for ever - others would be climbing the walls!

To me IF you want a house pet, people should consider budgies, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish but not cats specifically. If you manage to find one who is happy and content indoors - so be it - but it isn't the norm. Cats are free agents and need to explore their surroundings. It has nothing to do with 'taking responsibility' It has been like this since time immemorial.

My cat is a house cat and she's 20 years old. Cats should not be put out to roam, kill birds and wild life and poo everywhere. Take some responsibility. Dogs would be caught and impounded if left to roam. It's a pet hate of mine.

Very interesting...about Australia! I wonder just how owners manage to get their cats in before 8pm and how do they know exactly which cat is disobeying the rules ha ha.

As a cat lover and owner all my life I always tried to get my cats indoors overnight but wouldn't like to say I managed it before 8pm?? Sometimes - especially in good weather - they have disappeared. I can imagine as the weather in Australia is particularly good most of the year it must be a bloomin nightmare owning a cat? "OMG its 7.50 where's the cat?" As the saying goes...you don't govern a cat, they govern you!

Some beautiful cat photos guys....my last one died suddenly in April and I have yet to replace but miss him terribly.

I think I've posted this tip before ... but maybe not here ...?

Male urine keeps cats away from your garden. If you know where they are getting in (and they usually stick to one entry point) splash some around there every couple of weeks.

Of course, if you haven't got a handy male, this might prove a bit difficult. But you could always ask a friendly neighbour ...? "No, no, I don't want to borrow a cup of sugar, but could I possibly have some wee, please?"

I used to send my grandson out to wee in my garden (which he thought was great fun). But now, at 22, he's a bit less enthusiastic!

I've discovered a fabulous way to keep the neighbours moggy off my garden!

I pick lots of nettles, and I mean LOTS, smash them up with the lawn edger blade, put them in buckets topped up with water, cover and leave to soak for about 6 weeks.

This turns into a disgusting green smelly fertiliser which I strain, bottle and dilute 1 part fertiliser to 8 parts water and liberally water my garden with it.

The flowers and veggies love it, but the cats detest the smell and don't come anywhere near my garden anymore. The neighbour was not too happy about the diabolical pong but I don't care, it's their bloody cat that s***s in my garden!

Hope this works, never tried to post a photo before ?

Our 13 year old cat has always been kept in at night for her well being and that of the wildlife. She’s too lazy to hunt anyway. She also comes in to use the litter tray ?

I didn’t know about the Australian 2 cat rule, I do know cats aren’t popular there though.
Australia are very protective of their indigenous animals. Maybe because there are not many natural predators?

In Australia the number of animals you can keep varies from State to State and even within a State from Local Council to Local Council. Where I live there are restrictions on how many dogs or cats you can own, in my case it is 2 of each. Has been this for over 50 years. One must obtain a permit from Council to keep more - not an easy matter. Each animal must be registered - at a cost - with the Council and various other responsibilities necessary to own them.
Our local Council are about to implement a rule that cats must be contained between sunset and sunrise. This is in part to protect the nocturnal wildlife. Again IMO, cats, like dogs, should be contained on the owners property at all times. My dogs do not wander the streets fouling neighbours gardens, why should cats be allowed to do so?

We are a very pet unfriendly country in spite of the high pet ownership. There are so many Government rules and regulations involved now regarding the keeping, breeding and ownership of pets. The only winners are those who ignore the legislation and fly under the radar.

Got a big bag of whiskas in Lidl this morning. Puss looked at the dish in horror,not eating that! He followed me round until I came back into to kitchen where he jumped up and nudged the bag of posh food. He can communicate very well.

Oliver Sprout will deliberately go out in the rain, and come in absolutely sodden! (If he was a waxed jacket, I would seriously consider getting him re waterproofed)

He presents himself for drying, loving a good rub down with his "own" towel.

After this, the towel is laid on the floor, and I say "And your paws". He steps into it and has them dried

Problem is, he loves it so much, he often goes straight back out and gets soaking wet again!

Baz doesn't go out but he never has done. He's a sleepy but devoted old boy who is just as cuddly as he looks. DD's cat is an angelic looking little ragdoll who transforms into a ferocious beast the minute he goes out!
Here he is -

Strangely, someone was telling me this morning, that their neighbors cat had been missing for nearly a year, obviously they had given up all hope, and one morning last week, he just strolls back into the kitchen!

This is Molly a few minutes ago sitting between my legs while I drink my tea.
Just ignore yesterday’s clothed flung on the stool.
I’m afraid this thread has shown just how much we love our cats, not what was intended by th OP.

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Anne your cat looks very like my Alfie - this is one of his favourite poses from a few years back before madam came into his life

She who must be obeyed prefers my pillow!

Sarah65.

What a lovely outcome

I'm glad to see that other cats adopt a similar shamefree pose as our recently-adopted Lola

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My cat is now 12 months old.
She couldn’t wait to get out and when allowed she would stay out for ages.
Then when the weather got hot she slept all day and howled to go out at night.
Now she wants to be in most of the time.
This has all happened in the space of a few weeks.
She keeps me on my toes.

Sara65, a former colleague of mine had a rough, tough street fighting cat that simply disappeared. Months later she was walking to work and saw him sitting in a bay window a few streets away. As she described it "lounging on a silken cushion like Lord Muck, looking down his nose at me". He never returned.