What percent "outdoor" is your cat?

[Imperfection]

Of the 3 cats i've owned, one prefers the outdoors, one is 50/50, and one prefers inside.

The outdoor one was raised 100% indoor, so she doesn't realize how mean alley cats are. When i take her on a leash to the back (alley), sometimes she runs up to other cats, expecting them to play, but instead they growl and hiss at her. She is really naïve. But she loves outside, and has a wild personality.

The 50/50 liked being outside. She would hunt various animals. She was 100% competent to take care of herself outside. But she also liked the indoors just as much.

My favorite kitty prefers inside. She is really happy to be in the sun, and lay and roll in the driveway under the sun... but ultimately, she prefers indoors where she feels safest. She is really mean to alley cats and definitely doesn't like them.

 

[Maria Bayote]

Being in an unsafe location I made the decision for them to be strictly indoors, although two of my cats (Bourbon and Pepsi) would most probably be the ones who will try the escape route when given the chance or opportunity. My Barley is an indoor cat, because even when I accidentally leave the door open he would not attempt to get out of the house. All of my cats (except Graham) were plucked from the streets so practically they most probably grew up outdoors.

 

[game misconduct]

i would only let my cat out if i had a property big enough that i could have a zoo exhibit sized fenced off area safe to allow the cat out doors otherwise i would have to spend too many nights outside until all possible predators of my cat got eliminated

 

[Tik cat's mum]

My two are indoor only I have had indoor / outdoor in the past but it is unsafe where I live now.

 

[corvidae]

My cats only go outside on harness, but even then they haven’t been super excited about outside. We are moving to a place with our own backyard, so I’m curious if they will like walks out there more once it warms up because it’s a bit less overstimulating than the lawns by our current apartment.
I feel very strongly that it’s not responsible to let cats free roam because of the increased danger to them and the impact on local ecosystems. That being said, I think supervised outdoor time on leash or in a secure catio can be great enrichment!

 

[NY cat man]

Our 6 started life as ferals, but once we gained their trust and they came inside, they have been inside only. Between bad weather, traffic, and the random coyote, it's too dangerous for them.

 

[susanm9006]

All the cats that have lived with me have been indoor only. I grew up with indoor outdoor cats and they all died or disappeared by the time they were three or four. Not to mention the fleas and injuries they brought home with them.

 

[Hellenww]

Our 2 are indoor cats. Sqeeker will come off the porch to eat some grass and Yoshi will stand in the open door and maybe out on the porch if one of us in close enough that he so he can be in physical contact the whole time.

 

[ArtNJ]

After my cat struggling to breath for a few weeks (vet wanted $800 just to try and diagnose) was let out, he didn't come home. We figured he died, and looked under the neighbors deck. Two days later, he struggled home, limping into the driveway. We brought him in, and he promptly died, drowning in his destroyed lungs. Apparently, I didn't know that you need to buy an indoor/outdoor cat Revolution, rather than just ordinary flea and tick meds, because Heartworm scars the crap out of cat lungs over time. Its over $20 a month and prescription only. I mean, I can't say or sure, since I didn't pay $800 for tests that wouldn't have fixed anything, but it was probably that.

Just reason #11 why having outdoor cats is a bad idea.

 

[vince]

My current cats are all indoors. Don't want no more flat cats.

 

[rubysmama]

Ruby is indoor only. She's known the outdoors, as she was brought to the shelter by someone who rescued her off the street. But since I adopted her, and she been with me, she shows no interest in wanting to go outside at all.

 

[fionasmom]

All of mine started life as strays or ferals....I have never even made it to a shelter to adopt one. All are indoor and that has been a practice of mine over many years, which now includes cats who lived out their entire lives indoors and then passed on from old age or illness.

My true TNRed ferals are outside but these are cats who have no inclination to be domesticated and could not live in a house or with humans. Yes, there are risks....two weeks ago one was found on a neighbor's lawn late at night in pieces, the victim of a coyote.

 

[tuffsmom]

Indoor 100%

 

[ladytimedramon]

To Delilah, "out" is a 4 letter word.

 

[Neko-chan's mama]

Neko-chan is indoor only. We're apartment dwellers on a busy street in an urban area. Outdoors is unsafe.

 

[di and bob]

Mine spent the first year of their lives outdoors and then after so many tragedies were forced inside and live happily now. Three inside and three now outside. (WHERE do they come from?!) An older long haired white one showed up a few days ago, so dirty and hungry, at least he has a garage to go into and food. I saw him eating side by side with Domino (little black and white) yesterday, so that is good, maybe they are too cold to fight!

 

[cataholic07]

My 3 are indoor only. We live in the city and it's not safe to let them roam. Heck even out in the country I'd be worried. I will be getting a nice catio for them when we move. They still have a great quality of life for those who think being indoor only is cruel to cats. They have 4 nice sized cat trees (getting a 5th lol), tons of toys, cat hammocks, great food, Yah they are completely spoiled lol.

 

[maggie101]

All 3 have no desire to go outside. I also live in the city on a very busy street. I keep them busy. They were all stray.

 

[Imperfection]

All 3 have no desire to go outside. I also live in the city on a very busy street. I keep them busy. They were all stray.

Makes sense. They seen too much of the streets.

 

[maggie101]

Makes sense. They seen too much of the streets.

Especially coco. She was born on my porch,taken 5 weeks,and showed back on my porch a yr later. Outside for 2 yrs til I took her in after her boyfriend left