is having an outdoor cat cruel?

[unsped]

thinking about getting a manx for my parents, it would have to be a primarily outdoor cat though. we have adopted strays before and kept them as outdoor cats just wondering your thoughts.

it would be spayed/nuetered and not declawed or anything dumb like that.

 

[SuperSix]

As long as it's not a full time our door cat and preferably has a way to come in out as they please, its just fine. Expect some little gifts though..

 

[JulesMaximus]

Cruel to the local bird population maybe but not to the cat. Would you ever let the cat inside?

 

[Zenmervolt]

I grew up with barn cats. Just get the ah heck neutered and he'll be fine outdoors. Just make sure he has a barn or shed at least that he can get into when the weather is bad.

ZV

 

[unsped]

im guessing the cat could go into the garage whenever it wanted (pet door) but would rarely be inside the actual residence.

 

[waggy]

i have no trouble with it. when i lived on the farm we had anywhere from 6-12 "outdoor" cats. they lived in the barn so not really true outdoor ones but close enough. we just made sure they had plenty of fresh water and some food, not a lot of food though since we wanted them to hunt.

 

[FP]

Outdoor cats on average have a shorter life span than indoor cats. Something like 4 years vs. 15 years.

 

[Vic]

My mother had a outdoor cat for 7 years before she sold the house. Being of the older school, she barely took care of it except to put food out, never had it neutered, never took it to the vet, etc. He was THE badass tom of the neighborhood too. Always in fights. She planned on giving it to the people who were buying the house, but they backed out of taking the cat at last minute, so I came and picked it up so it wouldn't end up at the pound. I took it to a vet and got it neutered and cleaned up, and took it home but my other cats wouldn't get along with him. So I gave him to my younger brother where he still is, now 14 years old.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: binister
Outdoor cats on average have a shorter life span than indoor cats. Something like 4 years vs. 15 years.

ive never had an outdoor cat live less than 9 years. Of the 8 or 9 that we've had over the years, I think most lived to be around 12 or so. One of them lived to be 18. These cats were almost entirely outdoor cats. There were 2 or 3 of them that we EVER let in the house. They will be fine as long as there is somewhere (like your garage) that they can go.

Just give them water and some food here and there and they will be fine. They are animals for god sake.. its not like they dont know what to do with themselves.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: unsped
im guessing the cat could go into the garage whenever it wanted (pet door) but would rarely be inside the actual residence.

That would be fine. It just needs somewhere "safe" to go. You will want to make sure that it doesn't crawl into the car's engine in the winter though. Cats will crawl into there for the warmth and you can kill them when you start the engine if they get caught in the belts.

ZV

 

[FDF12389]

I think your fine leaving one outside, the cat would prolly prefer that.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: FDF12389
I think your fine leaving one outside, the cat would prolly prefer that.

A lot of them do. IME a lot of indoor-only cats will spend a good bit of time sitting by a window looking outside. You can just tell that they wish they could go out there and hunt, etc.

 

[CollectiveUnconscious]

It is only cruel to songbirds in the area.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: binister
Outdoor cats on average have a shorter life span than indoor cats. Something like 4 years vs. 15 years.

actually this is not true. The cats i had that were outdoor cats lived far longer then 4 years (well the ones that didn't get hit by cars that is) i had 3 that were 10+ and most were 5+years.

 

[0]

We've got 3 outdoor cats, all pushing 10.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: FDF12389
I think your fine leaving one outside, the cat would prolly prefer that.

A lot of them do. IME a lot of indoor-only cats will spend a good bit of time sitting by a window looking outside. You can just tell that they wish they could go out there and hunt, etc.

My cat is like that, but we don't let it outside because of the risk of getting hit by cars and stuff.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Cruel to the local bird population maybe but not to the cat. Would you ever let the cat inside?

Bell on the collar.

 

[imported_LoKe]

My cats were all outdoor cats. They would all come to the backdoor and meow when they wanted in. They loved it, or they would never have left.

 

[n7]

Outdoor cruel???

Indoor is cruel, since an animal meant to be outdoors is cooped up.

Outdoors is far better for a cat IMO.

I would never subject a free animal to be forced to live indoors.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: LoKe
My cats were all outdoor cats. They would all come to the backdoor and meow when they wanted in. They loved it, or they would never have left.

Text

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Vic
My mother had a outdoor cat for 7 years before she sold the house. Being of the older school, she barely took care of it except to put food out, never had it neutered, never took it to the vet, etc. He was THE badass tom of the neighborhood too. Always in fights. She planned on giving it to the people who were buying the house, but they backed out of taking the cat at last minute, so I came and picked it up so it wouldn't end up at the pound. I took it to a vet and got it neutered and cleaned up, and took it home but my other cats wouldn't get along with him. So I gave him to my younger brother where he still is, now 14 years old.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[thedarkwolf]

cruel to the neighbors

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: unsped
im guessing the cat could go into the garage whenever it wanted (pet door) but would rarely be inside the actual residence.

What's the point of having the cat if all you are is its food source?

Having an outdoor cat is not cruel. Having an outdoor cat that is declawed is cruel.

 

[Pacfanweb]

I have 5 cats. All go in and out at will.

One stays outside almost all the time. He's 9 years old, healthy, and solid as a rock.

He's also Death on the local mole/mouse/bird population.

You can't lay a hand on him outside. He'll come up and talk to you, but you can't get near him....yet, when he comes inside, he's the sweetest cat you've ever seen. Jumps right in your lap and loves to be petted.

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: binister
Outdoor cats on average have a shorter life span than indoor cats. Something like 4 years vs. 15 years.

actually this is not true. The cats i had that were outdoor cats lived far longer then 4 years (well the ones that didn't get hit by cars that is) i had 3 that were 10+ and most were 5+years.

Rubbish. I said on average.

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It is true; the numbers may not be exact but an outdoor cat on average will have a shorter lifespan that an indoor cat.

To the people who said that it is cruel to keep a cat indoors, how do you know it is cruel? Did your cat tell you? Just because YOU think your cat is happier outdoors doesn't mean it is true. The last 3 cats I have seen dying on the side of the busy street next to our house would probably disagree with you.

Would you be happier if your life was going to be reduced by 75%?