Keeping pets indoors for safety
By susieq223
@susieq223 (3742)
United States
May 3, 2007 11:39pm CST
It is very smokey here because of all the fires and the news people are telling us to keep our pets indoors. Sometimes in the winter when we have a "hard freeze" (all the way down to 28 degrees! Okay, you northerners, laugh.) we're told to keep our pets in.
I love my cats and would do anything for them, but don't you think animals are pretty smart and can take care of themselves in most cases? If my cats want to go outside, I have found they are going to go outside, regardless of what I want them to do! If I block off their door they drive me nuts until I unblock it!
It would be a different matter if we had to evacuate. They would go with me if I had to sleep in the car with them. (I did that during a hurricane, once.) Otherwise I let them take care of themselve.
What would you do?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@jessescottus (807)
• United States
4 May 07
The smoke might disorient them,cats,they cant smell anything but the smoke. It is also just a news-filler for stupid people.
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
5 May 07
Not the stupid people! We were outside sneezing our heads off.
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
4 May 07
I don't have any experience with cat. I was prohibited to have one as I'm allergic to it. I'm content to have bunny with me. I built a small barn house for bunny to hop around and do all his antics. I actually don't like to put him in the cage. I tried to put myself in bunny's side and think how lonely it will be to be locked up all the time.
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
5 May 07
LOL, I believe you. I didn't notice that all my electrical wire was exposed already until I discovered that the speaker of my computer was broken. I went through all over my house and was dismayed to see most of my electrical wire looks really bad.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
5 May 07
Her bunny never go electrocuted, but I don't know how he missed it! I don't know how you protect your cords or keep your rabbit from chewing them either! Good luck!
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
4 May 07
I used to have a roommate who had a bunny for a pet. He was adorable, but loved to chew on everything, including electric cords!
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
4 May 07
I do not believe in dogs or cats going outside by themselves at all. Unless you have a large backyard, and they cannot leave it. Otherwise, it is too dangerous. Cars kill or wound them, animals fight with them, and they eat garbage and get sick.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
8 May 07
Once they have been outside, it's very difficult to keep them inside, I know.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
5 May 07
Believe me, I tried to keep them in. Unfortunately, they insisted on being outside cats. Out between our feet everytime the door opened, scratching on the doors, hollering constantly and trampling our bodies in the middle of the night! You are right, it is more dangerous outside. They wouldn't listen to me.
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
4 May 07
That's what I thought, too. Actually all three were in all night last night and in today, too. Thanks for the reply.
@copperkitten (3473)
• United States
5 May 07
I would make them stay indoors. I know they can take care of them selves but they are inhaling smoke. Which can cause seriouse problems. Please keep them inside!!
@mailboxmoney (1216)
•
5 May 07
what fires are those the ones near san francisco i heard they had a big fire up there are there a lot of fires in your area well its always difficult for people and animal fire smoke, congestion and pollution but i think your cats are at as much danger as you are and i dont think they should always stay inside they are used to being outside and will know if it is too smoky
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
5 May 07
I'm in Florida. We don't have any big fires (yet), thank goodness, but lots of little ones and lots of smoke!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 May 07
Well I live in an apartment in an urban area, so my pets have always been indoor cats....I think in your case, for their safety you should keep your cats indoors for the time being....even if they give you dirty looks--you have to realize that their lungs are more sensitive...while the smoke might not be bothering your lungs or giving you breathing problems it might be a different story with your cats and they just might develop serious problems
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
4 May 07
Actually, they are staying in by themselves, unless they go out to the bathroom, then they are right back in again. I guess that's what I meant by the fact that they seem to do a pretty good job of taking care of themselves.
I knew you would be one of the first to respond! You are still on site too. It's 1:00 a.m. here. I'm quitting for the night. Have a good one.
