I guess this is going to be quite controversial, but could we all please keep it civil .

Is letting cats out right/wrong, do you let your cats out? What are your reasons for this decision. Debate

I let my cats out, 2 reasons.. I like them to have their freedom and the fact that they both came from outdoor lives, I didn't feel it'd be fair to keep them locked inside. Lottie was a stray that spent the first 6 months of her life outside, and Leo spent the first 3 months of his life outside on a farm (he was in a right state, but thats a different thread).

We live in a quiet area with not a great deal of traffic so I don't feel that my cats are at too great a risk by going out and exploring the world. If I lived on a main road I probably wouldn't own cats as I feel that I'd need to let them outside. I don't think any less of anyone that does keep cats indoors, I'm sure everyone does what they feel is right for their cats

Those are my thoughts / opinions. Please keep it civil and on topic if you reply

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All my cats have access to the outside. The first pair we got at 2 years old and had been used to going outside and all the rest have been strays that would not cope if I kept them in. I used to live in a quiet area of Aberdeen but now live out in the country. The cats thrive and are very happy.

Each to their own I say and do what suits your cat.

Matty what a good thread - I feel this one will keep on track

Well I feel like you in that I have an old rescue male who lived outside for most of his life - he came to live with us and we kept him in for weeks on end - he hated it - slowly we let him out into the garden - for a few years he would go further a field and thankfully has always been safe. This last year or so his age is showing and only goes to the next door neighbour for his daily bit of best ham and lays in the sun in her garden ( She has grass we dont ) He likes to sunbathe in our front garden and never goes any further. We have another cat who came from a farm who enjoys going into the back fields shes not a cat who likes to hang with other cats as such so likes her freedom away from them.
Then along came my daughters cat who is a BSH and came from a breeder - he was kept in for ages - had a trip to the bad Mr Vet who took his little conkers away - we still kept him in until one day daughter wanted to take him in the garden to play - by now he was getting close to a year old - so off they went to play - he now goes out but for some reason wont go further than 2 doors down - hes a real home cat - likes to play in the garden and his favourite spot is on top of the garden shed where he can watch the world go by.....I can see the need for the pedigree cats to be indoor cats as long as they have a run in the garden so have access to the outside world I have no problem with it - they would get stolen otherwise. If a cat is happy to be indoors there is no problem - also if they are show cats - they have to be kept inside for obvious reasons....
I would like to see others views on this - very interesting topic

I believe cats need some way of having exercise outdoors...

Mine used to have a free run - but stayed in my back garden and I hadn't realised that this was just luck until I got a bolder cat who wandered and either got lost stolen or worse.
Then we moved to the countryside and our cat got hit by a car and killed he was probably chasing something and got carried away - I think this was half caused by the fact the roads are quieter so he didn't expect something to be coming - I was devastated and had to learn the hard way.

Now the cats are only allowed out during the day when I can watch them and I am having a large pen built so they will be able to play outdoors in safety. It's just not worth the risk.

Emily

Just edited this to say there is no way my cats would be happy if they couldn't go out at all.

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I never even considered that, but I guess that it could be a major factor.

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Cat Law #2 If it's not nailed down, it's cat toy Hawkins Photography | Pets Pix Animal Photography | The Glitter Garden

My 9 month cat goes outside but only in the day. I call him in at night and shut the catflap. He doesn't seem to mind but hardly goes far anyway. He will usually hang around a couple of gardens and come back. At night he goes to sleep.

Reason for not letting him out at night is because my first cat got ran over and was found next to a speed camare, then i had two more cats. 1st went out at night and was found dead in a garden and then the other he went out at night and never came back. I keep this one indoors at night but i still have a look now and then for sign of my other cat

Eventhough that has happened i could not have him be a house cat as he very energetic and would feel that it is unfair.

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Me and Oscar = Double Trouble
Overtake me and you will not see the outcome...just rember to look further ahead:P

Dogs wonder why you call them, Cats know why you call them.

I agree and I lost the most beautiful and wonderful natured cat this way - I still find it very hard.
My husband has hit a cat on the road at night too and was in a terrible state.

Interesting stuff so far! Must admit I can completely understand the reasons for keeping cats in but I think it is great those that build runs so that puss can still get outside for fresh air. I am really lucky where I live and my cats don't even cross the road as they are too busy patrolling the steadings and field.

Ours are indoor cats only. We have a large, fully enclosed wire cat run attached to the back of the home, the window is left open and the cats can come and go as they please. There is no way on earth any of ours would ever be given free access to outdoors for a number of reasons:

a) we're a breeding home, the cats health and kittens health would be at risk if they were outdoors mixing with the neighbourhood cats
b) theft, big problem with any pedigree cats
c) fatality by RTA's
d) fatality or injury by idiot teenagers with air gun pellets, and other forms of crulety
e) illness or death by eating something toxic i.e. a rat that has died of rat poison
f) I refuse to let any of our fur children become a nuisance to the neighbours by constantly pissing on their front doors and messing in their gardens (this happens to us with the neighbours cats!!)
g) death or injury by someone's dog

What it boils down to for us is that our indoor cats are very happy, social, well adjusted cats who lack nothing by not having freedom to go where they like outside. They love their cat run and I know that our cats are safe and that for me is the most important thing. We chose to bring them into this world and we are responsible for keeping them safe.

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Purrs and best wishes
Kat
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