Is you cat an 'indoor' or 'outdoor' cat?

Indoors or outdoors for your cat? - Cats are nocturnal predators and it doesn't seem right to confine them in houses?
October 1, 2008 4:09am CST
Over the years we have had quite a few cats choose to live with us and we have always treated them as outdoor cats. We are lucky to have quite a large space of open ground behind our garden and they all seem to love it as some sort of 'happy hunting ground'! We have cat flaps in the doors and most of them come and go as they please. Our old man, Percy, is ten now but we couldn't keep him in if we tried! However, some people we know keep their cats indoors ALL the time and they have NEVER been outside. They fear they will get lost or injured. I know it's a risky world (it is for all of us!) but it doesn't seem right to keep the cats in all the time. What do you think?
3 people like this
6 responses
@lilaclady (28206)
• Australia
1 Oct 08
My cat prefers to be outside unless it is cold, raining or whatever outside and at dinner time she comes in, so she gets to do what she wants to do, I quite like it when its cold outside and she comes inside to sleep, I am going to miss that in the summer.
@Shar1979 (2722)
• United States
7 Oct 08
we have an indoor cat. he loves to play in our carpet and keeps climbing to our bed. she likes to lay under our bed too. i guess she feels secured that way
1 person likes this
• Canada
22 Nov 09
Our cat is an indoor cat. We live right in the middle of the city, so it would be really dangerous to let him out. We make sure not to let him out of the apartment. He stays in here, and he's perfectly happy and safe.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
2 Oct 08
I think if a cat is always kept in it can be traumatic for them to have to go outside. There is nowhere in my home for a litter tray...there are only living rooms or bedrooms...the bathroom has no room and the laundry is outside so my Banjo is an outdoor cat. He is mostly outside and it would be impossible to try and keep him in. The lady next door was given an elderly cat recently. He was an indoor cat and didn't like going outside but she did put him out a couple of times and now he likes to go out. He stays close to the house and uses the bathroom outdoors. (she keeps his litter tray next to his food which I'm sure he hates). I know there is a danger to wildlife from cats but it's nature's way.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Oct 08
All the cats that I have had were indoor/outdoor cats. Even my last cat who was strictly indoors, unless on a harness and leash, eventually got his freedom. They could come and go as they please. But with the majority of these cats I never knew what became of them. As there are too many dangers out there, I wouldn't want to risk it again. It just isn't worth it to me.
1 person likes this
@radinrr90 (157)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 08
My cat is an indoor type. i hardly sees it going outside. I guess it just wanted to stay out off trouble.
1 person likes this