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Old 03-20-2018, 12:00 PM   #1
twentysixcats
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Default Keeping cats indoors

Why do we keep cats indoors? I have just been wondering this, as I watch my cats who have been indoor-only since birth pace anxiously at the doors and windows wanting desperately to be outside. I know it's because it's safer for them (dogs, coyotes, hawks, cars), safer for their prey (rodents, birds), and less risk of disease/injury. But is it true that cats can be truly happy staying indoors all the time? And if your cat isn't happy, is it better for them to be unhappy indoors than the risks of outdoors?
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Old 03-20-2018, 12:44 PM   #2
domesticzookeeper
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

My cats are very happy indoors, but I think the key is to think like a zookeeper (I take my username very seriously ) and look at your house like it really is: an enclosure that needs enrichment. Give them stuff to climb and chase and scratch. Make them work for their food with puzzles or toys that dispense kibble as they roll or tumble. Have playtime where they can exercise in active bursts, which is how they're naturally inclined to hunt, and reward their successful hunts with treats.

For my cats that effort has paid off, and I'm happy to be free of the associated risks of pursuing those same activities outside (getting fleas and/or heartworm, being hit by cars, poisoned by neighbors, eaten by predators, attacked by other cats, or murdering songbirds). But, admittedly, it's an effort. I don't expect that those trade-offs will work for every household or every cat

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------

I am currently working toward harness-training at least one, if not both, of my cats for taking walks outside. I'm mostly doing it for their own chill and confidence when we travel, but if I can give them the bonus opportunity to safely explore the outdoors then I'm totally making that our new thing
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Old 03-20-2018, 02:37 PM   #3
twoplustwo
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

My cat wouldn't wander outside if you let her.

We have a screened in porch that she loves to lay on. And watch the hummingbird feeder. Rarely she has gotten out of the screened in porch and stays within 5 feet of it but generally doesn't do that. And if anything spooks her she runs back to it immediately.

She also lays on window stills, but has never anxiously paced the window or the door. And if the door is wide open (the front door) she doesn't try to go out it.

She is played with (laser toy, etc) and generally enjoys sleeping a lot, so seems very content with her indoor lifestyle.

So I guess not all cats want outside. We would have to force it on her.

Not sure how I would feel if she really wanted out.
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Old 03-20-2018, 02:58 PM   #4
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

My seem happy....but they are four brothers, so they always have a playmate
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Old 03-20-2018, 03:32 PM   #5
MegMarch
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

We have three cats, and have had two others that have died. I feel like they do need fresh air and sunshine and enrichment but that they do not need to be outside.

I have one cat who is ... just not quite right. He's a manx and they are known to be a bit doggish, and I think his lack of tail has caused him to struggle with body language relating to the other cats. He seems to actually need to be outside at times, but since he's become a good little hunter we are struggling to find ways to meet this need. It's hard for us.
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Old 03-20-2018, 04:13 PM   #6
Llee
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

We are the odd ones out and let our cats roam around outside. We live in the country. They are indoor/outdoor cats. Even though they are declawed (they came to us that way when we adopted them 5 years ago) they can still catch mice and groundhogs and squirrels and chipmunks and rabbits and birds. They've also fought off all the other cats in the neighborhood and are the king and queen. They do have to stay inside from sundown to sunrise though.

For *us*, we figure that they will die at some point. It might be inside or outside. But they will have had fun outside and inside.

Of course, these are also cats that love to go on walks with us, so there are a bit weird that way. They go without any leash. Just following us. And if I send the children outside to play on their own in the woods, the female cat will follow them, giving me dirty looks all the while as if she has to take care of my children since I'm not.
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Old 03-20-2018, 02:02 PM   #7
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

It varies. My previous cat was happy indoors. He only ever popped his head out the back door and panicked and went back inside in fear someone would shove him out.

My present cat was formerly an occasionally outside cat and so far is fine inside. As she has dietary issues and its common enough people poison cats here I hope it stays this way.

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Old 03-20-2018, 05:48 PM   #8
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Default Re: Keeping cats indoors

My one cat went missing 3 weeks ago. He just came to CA at the beginning of February. He was an outdoor cat in NY, and it was fine. But here, I guess his internal GPS doesn't work very well. If I could do it over again, I would not let him out. My other 3 cats stay on the porch or wander a few feet away. This one didn't.

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