Keep your cats indoors. - Page 2

bigsnakegirl785 · 02-08-16, 08:41 PM

There's more than just environmental impact to worry about with outdoor cats, the cat is in danger, too. I'll never understand people who say they care about their animals but then just keep them outside.

I'm in agreement with Akuma here, there's no reason to keep your dog or cat outside. If you can't control the dog/cat because you don't have time to play with it, don't have pets. It's that simple.

KrokadilyanGuy3 · 02-10-16, 12:21 AM

This is one of my biggest irritants. And the ol' "Oh look, the cat brought me a present"..

Florida Fish and game want to get rid of the "Python problem" we have here by putting a bounty on their heads and making it a cool contest to see who can get the biggest one. Sure, they can and do eat local, native fauna and are introduced but the way they advise it, they blow it way out of proportion.

We also have a huge stray cat issue. Florida's response to it is to capture the animals, fix them and then release them back into the wild. They literally just released over a hundred cats a few weekends back in one area..

The stupidity is crazy.

Then you have the people flipping out when not only their pets but strays get killed by coyotes and foxes and then want to kill them because they're the annoyance..

Herpo · 02-10-16, 12:53 AM

I have a cat, kept inside. However, we must tread carefully when discussing cats. Feral dogs do just as much damage, but some people don't realise it, whilst others simply ignore that fact.

I hope that bluey recovers, take good care of him there Sam!

sam · 02-10-16, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herpo

I have a cat, kept inside. However, we must tread carefully when discussing cats. Feral dogs do just as much damage, but some people don't realise it, whilst others simply ignore that fact.

I hope that bluey recovers, take good care of him there Sam!

He's recovered well, I might have exaggerated as I posted in the moment of it all. I released it back into the hills near our home, hope he fares well.

I understand dogs are just as much of a problem, but they're a different animal. Our dogs usually stay in our backyard only, and spend most of the day inside.

Dogs also seem to appreciate their owners whereas our cat seems to only use us for our assets, food, water, etc. and spend the rest of the day in the hills or in our neighbor's yard. I'd definitely call our cat borderline feral, but I couldn't say the same for our dogs. Though I do agree that cats aren't the ONLY problem.

Electra · 02-10-16, 06:42 AM

Wow! Well done! I'm from UK and never seen a skink before. Glad you saved it! Totally agree with what's said about cats and dogs, even though our family had one of each ad well as fish and snake. Pet owners just need to be responsible and our family is living proof that its possible! It annoys me to see so many cats just constantly out and about in my area, I often wonder why the owners have them? Dog chipped and always taken out on lead, cat kept in! My youngest and eldest daughters love their cat and dog, me, my husband and 11 ur old daughter are snake mad! Being responsible is defo the key!

serpentgirl123 · 02-10-16, 08:12 AM

I agree with the responsibleness of pet owners, but keeping a cat indoors really depends (imo) on the cat and where you are. I have had both indoor and indoor/outdoor cats. The cats before the ones I have now--were far too manic to be kept inside and I tried my best to keep them inside ONLY, but they were tearing up the house, knocking everything over--ended up giving them to a family that had a farm where they could be let loose. They did exceptionally well there. Cats do go crazy being cooped up (wouldn't you lol) and some need a fair amount of stimulation--same thing is happening with my new indoor cats.

Imo Cats are just miniature lions and tigers. They are not domesticated like dogs.

When I get my house rebuilt, I am putting in a new fence called the "Purrfect Fence," allows the cats to be outside but in the restraints of the yard.

**Minkness** · 02-10-16, 08:17 AM

I'm building a kitty porch that is basically like a screened in porch, but I'm leaving the grass down. Also foing to build a big kitty tree for climbing and scratching. And then I will have toys and stuff there too. My kitties will be so spoiled lol.

serpentgirl123 · 02-10-16, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

I'm building a kitty porch that is basically like a screened in porch, but I'm leaving the grass down. Also foing to build a big kitty tree for climbing and scratching. And then I will have toys and stuff there too. My kitties will be so spoiled lol.

Nice Mink! Mine will be too once the fence is up lol. I don't know how much they will want to be out there given they are rescues and super skittish, but I like to give them the option.

macandchz · 02-10-16, 10:56 AM

dear sam,how's the skink doing?

**Minkness** · 02-10-16, 01:36 PM

Mac, Sam said they it go all ready.

As for the cats liking the oyt doors...we'll see. Iplan on putting up a 3 foot solid fence to make my skittish girl more comfy, but I know my other one will looooove it. He already tries to get out when we have the door open.

Herpo · 02-10-16, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam

He's recovered well, I might have exaggerated as I posted in the moment of it all. I released it back into the hills near our home, hope he fares well.

I understand dogs are just as much of a problem, but they're a different animal. Our dogs usually stay in our backyard only, and spend most of the day inside.

Dogs also seem to appreciate their owners whereas our cat seems to only use us for our assets, food, water, etc. and spend the rest of the day in the hills or in our neighbor's yard. I'd definitely call our cat borderline feral, but I couldn't say the same for our dogs. Though I do agree that cats aren't the ONLY problem.

Glad to hear he got better.

It's okay, I wasn't attacking you lol. Was just trying to show that given the chance, any animal can harm the environment. Cats do show love, but they are more reserved about it then dogs.

Electra, you are 100% correct. Owners have to be responsible. I personally disagree with confining a cat to indoor life if it wants to leave, provided all precautions are taken. Desexing, for example, should be done even for indoor cats as it helps prevent diseases. Putting a bell on can mean the difference between life and death for a bird. And microchiping is always recommended.

At the end of the day though, it is unfortunately the irresponsible owners who he the last laugh, and that gives all cats and name.

Cheers,
Herpo

macandchz · 02-10-16, 02:31 PM

sam, for once a story with a happy ending. usually when it's something about an animal in the wild, it goes the other way.

Lefitte · 02-11-16, 03:07 AM

I've never understood why people let their cats outdoors. They are incredible predators and do a lot of damage and being an outdoor cat also takes off about half of their lifespan at least. I do understand some cases like if the cat was feral before or a stray and is used to roaming outside it can be very hard to convert it but I've heard of people getting a kitten and saying 'oh it'll be indoor/outdoor'. What? Why? You only get 15-20 years if LUCKY with your cat, why do you want to make it more like 7?
I have 5 cats, ages 2-13 years old. The only time my cats are allowed outside is when they are in our arms, a carrier, or a leash. When I notice my cats acting jittery and neurotic, I take them out and it drains their excessive energy. Just like a dog.

My cats are also insanely attached. They definitely do not use us just for food like a lot of people say. My oldest will sit and meow at my mom the entire time I'm gone. My youngest [-my- youngest is the 5 yo] will sit at the door and stare and cry when I leave. My youngest was also born with a cleft palate so he's been bottle fed his whole life. I'm rarely even a room away from him, he follows me everywhere, asks to be picked up and held, ect. I'm a firm believer in cats being extremely sensitive to a person's energy and that the way you treat them and feel about them completely changes the way they react to you. My cats are fairly well mannered and understand the house rules and what 'no' means and all that. I just don't understand when people don't think they can have that kind of relationship with cats or throw it away by allowing their brand new cat to be indoor/outdoor. Whenever I hear about an indoor/outdoor cat, my first gut response is always this childish voice going "Don't you love them at all? Care about them?" When mine get out, I worry myself sick that people will hurt them, they'll get run over, into cat fights, cat diseases, ect. I just don't get why you would choose an outdoor cat.

That being said, I totally get barn cats as well. They do a job and your home and business benefits from that job being done well.

And super happy the skink made it! I've been looking into them and would like to get one some day =D

Herpo · 02-11-16, 03:11 AM

I think only a cat owner can understand the love and affection they give us.

Klaire · 02-11-16, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herpo

I think only a cat owner can understand the love and affection they give us.

Spot on about that because i definitely can't understand it. Sorry dog person here. theres always 1 :P