Cats - Indoor or Outdoor

[Pickle]

I was made to feel like an animal abuser today at the vets because I let my cats go outside and one of them was bitten by a raccoon. (He's fine now BTW) Here in the States it is considered irresponsible to have outdoor cats. My cats would hate being inside all day and I think they would rather take the risk of bites, accidents etc than be stuck indoors. What do you think?

[vittoria]

I live in Greater London (England) (although I am originally from Italy) and it would never cross my mind to keep a cat indoors all the time - they would go mad with boredom and need of exercise. Rather, I think it is cruel to keep them indoors all the time.

[incitatus]

I agree. Cats are essentialy a semi tame animal, and detest captivity as a rule. Certainly all of mine were outside cats. OK we don't get raccoons in Somerset but there are other hazards, which the cats navigated with their normal serenity.

[Claud]

My cat stays in when I'm out and goes out when I'm in.

[take money]

i dont think your cat likes you claud. my cat goes out 20% of the time and hides under cars. it comes running in when it rains.

[Tenbears]

My cats both stay permanently indoors - it was a stipulation made by the breeders and, for various reasons, it was my intention anyway. I do wonder sometimes if I am being cruel, but I guess that what they don't know they don't miss. We did try taking them out on a harness but they absolutely hated it - both the harness and the outdoors. I have a reasonably sized house which they have the complete run of. We have various 'cat gyms' for them to climb and jump on, loads of toys to keep them amused and we play with them lots. They are extremely socialable and loving cats as a result, unlike others I've had which only appeared when they wanted food or heat. We don't have to worry about fleas, worms, car accidents, bullying cats, dogs, dead birds, getting lost, cat-hating neighbours or cruel kids. It works for us, but it is a personal choice. I do think it would be cruel, however, to force a cat that has been used to going out to stay indoors.