I don't want to get accused of anything "norty" like deflecting form someones thread topic, so ...

As being discussed ... why do some people think it okay to allow their cats wander, while (quite rightly) they would not allow their dogs to do the same?

Any cats we have in the future will be indoor cats, but years ago our family cats came and went at will ... thankfully we had worked out how to neuter them though

Are we simply following old traditional thought if we let them roam? Do we allow it for thier convenience or ours?

Does acknowledging their "independence" mean we should sacrifice their safety?

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Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

I havent seen other thread - but personally I know my cat would be miserable if she had to stay indoors all the time. So although I worry about her safety I would prefer her to have a shorter happyier life than live til she is really old and be miserable.

Just my thoughts on my own cat

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My family :
Sox 31 year old pony
Zara 15 year old horse
Chloe 12 year old black Lab
Sasha 9 year old black Lab
Francis (allegedly) 14 years Rescue Dog
Tosh 17 year old rescue dog - RSPCA prosecuting owner - sadly pts 28.07.11
Saffron 18 month old tortoiseshell cat
Spike, Prozac, Ginger and Snap, and now Ritz & Ryvita the Guinea Pigs

R.I.P Gabby Guinea Pig - passed away 26.01.11

I think they are two totally different kettles of fish and you cant compare...??

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I'm not really sure about this thread. Are you implying that those of who let our cats out care any less about them than those who keep them indoors? And are purely doing it for convenience? Because I'm sorry but I would have to disagree.

Why? Cats face similar, very similar risks that dogs do?

They get attacked by dogs, hit by cars, poisoned, abused by people. I have never come across a dog being shot, but several cats.

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Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

might Face simalar risks but they are two totally different animals!

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Personally, I feel if cats have a right to "roam" for their own health and enrichment then so should every other animal we choose to domesticate. For obvious reasons though, this is completely out of the question!
Dogs roaming are a potential threat to humans as if left to their own devices they would potentially end up totally unsocialised and dangerous.
Hamsters, mice, rats, rabbits etc aren't allowed to roam for their own safety (not to mention their pest status when wild!).
Cats on the other hand are viewed in the middle, not dangerous to humans and much more capable of avoiding harm.
Cats were also useful when left free roaming for controlling vermin... Opinion doesn't seem to have changed much over the years.

I personally don't like cats roaming. If Cassie hadn't come to me as an avid hater of the indoors then she would have been an indoor cat.
Since she injured her leg a couple of days ago she's had to be kept in, and to be honest, I'm hoping to try again to keep her as an indoor cat (I won't be holding my breath though!)

I guess it's asking simply why we (generalising) find it acceptable/or did to let cats roam but not dogs.

My thoughts are it's a traditional thing ... but that's just my opinion.

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Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

I realise they are different animals

But do you think it acceptable to expose cats to all the risks by allowing them to roam, while not wanting your (generalising) dog to roam.

Many dogs would love to roam the street, oblivious to their own danger or the danger they may cause, but good owners don't allow it

Years ago all the dogs in our street used to roam, play with us kids and follow us all over, they were happy as Larry ... but looking back I am horrified

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Fairy smiling, smokes cheroot ...
Simply doesn't give a hoot.

I'd also like to dispute the convenience issue. For me, Loki being outside is far from convenient. I worry about him, have to keep going out to call him every 10 minutes so I know where he is, can't go out unless he is back inside etc. It would be much more convenient if he was indoors and I would know exactly where he was at all times. For me personally, his enjoyment of being outdoors wins over my "convenience."