Keeping a cat indoors - cruel?

UKTigerlily

I think people should get the type of pet that suits their lifestyle eg Americans have a habit of declawing cats, to me if you don't like them clawing things & won't train them not to don't get a cat & mostly I feel this way about keeping a cat inside

Yes there are many dangers but if you have kids at some point you have to let them walk to school with friends or go to the park & things can happen, you worry etc but it has to be done & the same for a cat

A cat loves to sunbathe, patrol/mark/defend it's territory, socialise sometimes with other cats, hunt, climb trees, chase etc they can't do this inside!

I think if a cat genuinely doesn't want to go out then so long as it has that option it's fine, if cats are FIV/FeLV/deaf etc then ok but should have an enclosed garden or run or at least be taken out on a harness

Mine has gone out for her whole life with no harm coming to her, her Brother died aged 2 from illness not related to going out. You could have them go out for 15yrs and nothing ever happen or keep them in for 15yrs living less of a life (assuming they don't like to be indoor)

I'd rather mine lived 5yrs of a full & stimulated life than 15 of an indoor life, I am stuck inside for 95% of the time & it's awful! I'm sure nobody would want to live 15yrs in their homes never even in the garden or doing things that come naturally to us.

*This doesn't apply to cats that are genuinely happy inside & have been given chance to go out but don't want to or cats that can't for medical reasons

Arachne_2

My lovely boy has passed on now (he was 16), but for the last year or so of his life, he had to become an indoor puss due to my upstairs neighbour moving in with two large pitbull-type dogs (keeping him in was on the advice of my landlord, but thankfully he's been evicted now).

After being an outdoor puss for around 15 years, I thought he'd ask to go out, but he was fine indoors with his litter trays etc. Although I did have to clip his claws as he wasn't wearing them down outside!

Lequirk_2

My gut reaction to the opening question is that cats should be allowed to go outdoors if they are inclined to do so.

Pippin12

Thankyou for all your replies - it's giving me plenty to think about. Another thing I'm wondering about is whether there are certain breeds of cats, like Siamese for example, who prefer to be indoors, or am I barking up the wrong tree entirely?

Gold_Dust_2

I'm sure there are but darned if I know of any. I think that age is definitely a factor too, as the older cats seem to want to stay inside more.

Tiddlywinks

adouglasmhor wrote: »

You are quite right, far better to let it be put to sleep. or maybe don't project human values onto a cat.

Where have I mentioned euthanasia at all? How am I projecting human values onto cats?

Cats are animals that, if left to their own devices, would not live indoors. They would roam, mark and fight for territory, hunt for food, sunbathe for a healthy coat etc... they would not find shelter and stay in it for the whole of their lives.

For a human to impose his/her will on an animal and keep it confined inside for the whole of its life (without a very good welfare issue for the animal and not the human) is just unnatural and cruel.

I say again, and this is not from a human perspective but from a sentient perspective, would you like to be forced to live the whole of your life indoors - within four walls? I'd suggest not.

If you live on a main road with a traffic threat - don't get a cat.

If you live in a flat without suitable access - don't get a cat.

Cats are not just accessories that you choose to suit your lifestyle... they are living breathing creatures and shouldn't have to suffer to suit human needs.

~Chameleon~

Arachne wrote: »

My lovely boy has passed on now (he was 16), but for the last year or so of his life, he had to become an indoor puss due to my upstairs neighbour moving in with two large pitbull-type dogs (keeping him in was on the advice of my landlord, but thankfully he's been evicted now).

I can think of far more breeds of dog that your cat would be at risk from than a "pitbull-type". And what exactly is a "pitbull-type"? Or are you just trying to sensationalise the fact he probably owned a boring old staffie or some other innocuous type of bulldog, none of which would likely have been a threat to your cat.

~Chameleon~

Gold_Dust wrote: »

I'm sure there are but darned if I know of any. I think that age is definitely a factor too, as the older cats seem to want to stay inside more.

I agree with this. Older cats tend to spend more time indoors and don't stray too far if/when they do venture outdoors. Mine certainly won't wander out of the garden and usually stay within a few feet of me. Even as young cats they weren't fond of straying too far, usually into the adjoining fields to hunt a few mice. And when I moved into the flat above the surgery for a while they were quite happy being confined to the indoors. Cats are very adaptable and most cope fine as long as they're fed, kept warm and have lots of cuddles and attention.

lostinrates

Pippin12 wrote: »

Thankyou for all your replies - it's giving me plenty to think about. Another thing I'm wondering about is whether there are certain breeds of cats, like Siamese for example, who prefer to be indoors, or am I barking up the wrong tree entirely?

I have two Siamese. One has become increasingly a home body. The other I ran into about a mile away from home today while she was ratting . Siamese might look fancy, and have some very odd habits, but they ARE cats.

I have some ground rules with mine. Their small white bodies are very obvious in the late evening or night, so the 'rule' above all is home for dusk. This is pretty much adhered to, though took some work when they were young calling and trying the feed time. Occasionally one stays out and while I look around the farm for her she climbs in the upstairs window and into a bed so she can pretend she was in all along

They have been flat cats in the past. There is no doubt they prefer the option to go out. When they were little we provided disincentive for stalking birds ( small water pistol ) and they are busy on the farm with rats and mice in the feed room barns and, um......mice in the house ATM.

If I lived in a place unsuitable for outdoor access I'd look at fiv cats or other health restriction.

seven-day-weekend

I personally would never get a cat with the intention of it being a house cat for the rest of its days, I think they need to go out, stalk, hunt,climb, in short, be cats.

Having said that, a friend of mine adopted a very elderly cat who just wanted to lie in his bed all day. Also some cats don't want to go out.

Some might not be able to go out for health reasons, but other than that I think they should have the choice.

As a professional house/pet sitter, I have refused a couple of jobs where a cat has been confined to a bedroom. I think that is just plain cruel.

I have heard people say things like they can't let the cat out because they are on a main road. Well in that case don't have a cat.

I have been a cat owner for forty years The two I have now I inherited from my son when he moved into a second-floor flat because he didn't want them to be confined in the flat. They are 15-year-old sisters and still fit and healthy and love going out, especially in the summer, although they sleep quite a lot too (at this moment, one is asleep in the radiator hammock and one on a coffee table against another radiator )