Why do so many people keep their cats permanently indoors?
by 
CJ Vet nurse
ANSWERS: 14
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There are a number of reasons that cat owners keep their cats indoors. To begin with, an indoor cat's life expectancy is much higher than that of a cat that goes outdoors. Cats that go out are also subject to injuries from other animals, cars, and even people. (Sad to say, but there are people who will try to hurt and even kill cats they find outdoors.) They are also exposed to many diseases. And an indoor cat can be kept virtually flea-free, which is pretty much impossible with a cat that goes out. Outdoor cats will often use a neighbor's flowerbed for their sandbox, which isn't good. If cats that aren't neutered or spayed are allowed out, you get more cats, and there are enough homeless and feral cats already. And last but not least, outdoor cats are responsible for depopulating many areas of various small species of birds. Some people think it's "unnatural" to keep a cat in, and that cats "have" to go out to be happy, but in reality most cats adapt readily and happily to living inside as long as their basic requirements are met.
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I have kept several cats over the years and always allowed them to play outside if they wish. I found that some cats (like my first one, Korky) was forever outside and had to be coaxed indoors at night, even disappearing for days on end. While another, Cuddles, wouldn't go outside at all. It is up for debate wether you think it safer or more natural or whatever, but in my experience, leaving it up to the cat wether to go outside or not, some do, and some dont want to.
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1. The domestic house cat is just that...a HOUSE cat, not well adapted to outdoor life. They are too small to defend themselves well against dogs, coyotes (yes, your town has them, if you're in the mainland USA), etc. A 10-pound cat will lose every time against a 3,000-pound car. 2. Outdoor cats that are allowed to breed can, in theory, produce thousands of offspring. House cats are the primary reason for the reduction in songbirds in the wild. 3. Outdoor cats are subjected to a number of disease, such as Feline Leukemia, that are lethal and endemic in feral cat populations.
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I took my cat (baby) outside for about a week and she really loved it but then last sunday she started hissing and ran back to the apartment as fast as i could run.I haven't taken her out since.I guess it depends on the cat itself if they want to go outdoors.
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I took my cat (baby) outside for about a week and she really loved it but then last sunday she started hissing and ran back to the apartment as fast as i could run.I haven't taken her out since.I guess it depends on the cat itself if they want to go outdoors.
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Beat Covid, Avoid Republicans When this happened to me it was because or a bigger more obnoxious cat.
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Safey reasons and the population of unwanted kittens. And the innocent birds killed by fluffy. Many people actually say their cat knows how to cross the street. uh-uh and I am princess Diana back from the dead. Watch your back queen. They really are safer inside.
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I keep my cats inside. I walk them on a harness and take them out on the balcony. I keep them inside for many reasons but the most important reason is that someone once took my cat when she was outside (unattended), and used her as bait to train their dog to fight. She survived but her sternum (breastbone) was permanently dislocated. Not to mention the weeks to recovery. She was wounded severely. There are sick people out there that hate cats and will poison them, abuse them or even kill them. It is safer in terms of disease. They can't get diseases if they are only around your own cats inside (assuming they are vaccinated). Cats can get run over by a car, abused by mean humans, attacked by other cats or dogs, get caught in severe weather... Cats are NOT to blame for the decreasing bird population. Like other animals in America, humans are to blame for the decrease in birds. The destruction of the habitat in which the birds live is disappearing. Humans are to blame for their demise--NOT the cats.
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One reason is for their safety and longevity All my cats have been outdoor cats. They loved going outdoors And could come and go through a cat door. True there is risk and shorter life, yet rich experiences If i were a cat i would want to go for the richness of experience So that's what my cats have gotten. I would never keep one indoors their whole life.
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To save them from being hit by passing cars. I've lost two cats that way.
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Outdoor cats face risks like breeding, injuries, toxic plants, predators and more.
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Maybe they are very selective about the fleas their cats have and they ONLY want fleas they bring in themselves that have been pre screened!
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Fear of predators, fear of other cats, fear of bad weather and expensive trips to the Vet's office. 😕😖😒
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When I was young I used to feed stray cats, of which there were a multitude in the town where I was raised because of a mill that was there- they established a cat population to keep the rodent population down. Once you see what happens to cats that spend time outdoors, I don't see why you would want to let your cats spend a lot of time outside. Examples: I had a cat come to my house one day with the bottom part of one of its back legs dangling, half-dead (the leg)- the vet did what he could to fix it for free because it was a stray, but of course it didn't live long after that. Had a cat get run over by a truck. Killed one myself one day by starting my car when there was one up under the hood- which of course I didn't know. I no longer do that because there aren't really strays where I live now- they probably get eaten, frankly. I've seen someone's cat with a collar being stalked by a fox, which probably eventually killed and ate it.
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In my area, folks do that to avoid the cats becoming dinner for a coyote or a hawk or being murdered by other peoples dogs. 2/4/23
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