Why people let their cats roam around outside?

On Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:58:14 -0500, "Zeitgeist"
<zeitgeist DeleteThis @topdrunks.com> wrote:

>I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible;
>however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside
>w/o a leash? Most dog owners put their pets on leashes, but why not
>cats?
>
>I would be afraid once I let him out he would never come back or how
>would he even get back inside. Also, I'd be afraid of him getting hit by
>a car or killed by a dog, etc.
>
>Let me know.
>
My twelve cats are free to come and go as they please - they need to
have this freedom if they are to perform their vermin control duties.
Of course, I didn't do that, or have that many cats, before I moved
out into the country. They don't go very far toward the road.

--
T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu)
SPAM filter: Messages to this address *must* contain "T.E.D."
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 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

"Zeitgeist" <zeitgeist.DeleteThis@topdrunks.com> wrote in message
news:zPSdnTTuyMNhErzZnZ2dnUVZ_u-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible; however, I
>was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside w/o a leash?
>Most dog owners put their pets on leashes, but why not cats?
>
> I would be afraid once I let him out he would never come back or how would
> he even get back inside. Also, I'd be afraid of him getting hit by a car
> or killed by a dog, etc.
>
> Let me know.
because this is what cats are known to do. It has been this way for as long
as anyone can remember. Keeping a cat indoors is a pretty new concept, and
most people believe that indoor cats would be overly bored, and have
behavior issues. Unfortunately this is wrong (or is that fortunately)

Also the concept of training cats is as foreign as a third arm for some
people.
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

"~*Connie*~" <no DeleteThis @spam.com> wrote in message
news:KqudnSreQ61TT7zZnZ2dnUVZ_sKdnZ2d@adelphia.com...
>
> "Zeitgeist" <zeitgeist DeleteThis @topdrunks.com> wrote in message
> news:zPSdnTTuyMNhErzZnZ2dnUVZ_u-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible;
>>however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside
>>w/o a leash? Most dog owners put their pets on leashes, but why not
>>cats?
>>
>> I would be afraid once I let him out he would never come back or how
>> would he even get back inside. Also, I'd be afraid of him getting hit
>> by a car or killed by a dog, etc.
>>
>> Let me know.
> because this is what cats are known to do. It has been this way for
> as long as anyone can remember. Keeping a cat indoors is a pretty new
> concept, and most people believe that indoor cats would be overly
> bored, and have behavior issues. Unfortunately this is wrong (or is
> that fortunately)
>
> Also the concept of training cats is as foreign as a third arm for
> some people.

Do they always stay near the house? I'd be afraid mine would disappear
forever! I know a neighbor at my parent's home who actually has her cat
on a leash so it runs around the deck, kind of like a dog.
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 16:50:24 GMT, "Kelcey via CatKB.com" <u18214@uwe>
wrote:

>>They don't go very far toward the road.
>
>Famous last words.

There is another clowder across the road: they hardly ever come
together, what with both clowders being territorial. In addition, all
of mine avoid not only the road, but the part of the driveway nearest
the road - when hunting the fence front fence row, the all turn around
and come back to the house when they get about 50 feet away from the
driveway. On the other hand, there is nothing but forest and fields
in the other directions.

--
T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu)
SPAM filter: Messages to this address *must* contain "T.E.D."
somewhere in the body or they will be automatically rejected.
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

"Kelcey via CatKB.com" <u18214@uwe> wrote in message
news:5db13e82f95f7@uwe...
> >My 18 year old cat has been going outside all of his life...
>>although he used to wander a bit up and down the block...
>>in his old age he rarely leaves the yard...
>>spending most of his time under the front porch.
>
> But dogs can come into the yard and kill him once he is too old to run - I
> know of cats that this has happened to.
>


No dog could get under the porch unless it was *very* small...
I have seen my cat chase huge dogs out of the yard...he can really hiss and
growl...

Anyway, my poor old cat is getting very old and feeble...
he may not be around much longer I'm afraid.
He's at the vet now for observation :(
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

"Zeitgeist" <zeitgeist.RemoveThis@topdrunks.com> wrote in message
news:2KWdneZi34ml8b_ZRVn-iw@comcast.com...
>
> "~*Connie*~" <no.RemoveThis@spam.com> wrote in message
> news:KqudnSreQ61TT7zZnZ2dnUVZ_sKdnZ2d@adelphia.com...
> >
> > "Zeitgeist" <zeitgeist.RemoveThis@topdrunks.com> wrote in message
> > news:zPSdnTTuyMNhErzZnZ2dnUVZ_u-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> >>I live in a 3rd story apartment complex, so this isn't feasible;
> >>however, I was wondering why people let their cats roam around outside
> >>w/o a leash? Most dog owners put their pets on leashes, but why not
> >>cats?
> >>
> >> I would be afraid once I let him out he would never come back or how
> >> would he even get back inside. Also, I'd be afraid of him getting hit
> >> by a car or killed by a dog, etc.
> >>
> >> Let me know.
> > because this is what cats are known to do. It has been this way for
> > as long as anyone can remember. Keeping a cat indoors is a pretty new
> > concept, and most people believe that indoor cats would be overly
> > bored, and have behavior issues. Unfortunately this is wrong (or is
> > that fortunately)
> >
> > Also the concept of training cats is as foreign as a third arm for
> > some people.
>
> Do they always stay near the house? I'd be afraid mine would disappear
> forever! I know a neighbor at my parent's home who actually has her cat
> on a leash so it runs around the deck, kind of like a dog.

Cats do like to go out, its natural. The impeding thing is how built-up the
surrounding urban area is. If you live in a leafy suburb with lots of lawns
etc, they'll find their little sunning-spots and places to chill-out. Having
said that, we dont force the strays we've had to stay inside 'cause they get
stressed, but kittens we do train to be indoor-cats.

There are hazards outside, but these are confined to cars, dogs, other cats
(fights) and any baits that psychopaths lay to kill dogs. Of the 3 outside
cats we've had, none were the worse for the experience except our current
nuetered Tomcat who used to fight a lot.

Out side cats will often go into the joining yards,..but rarely much further
than that. The main reason is other cats have marked their territory.

Jason
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

I have a 3 month old kitten that I'm currently keeping indoors. I got
him when he was 8 weeks old. Anyways, now he always sits right in
front of the window still and it makes me sad because I feel like I'm
isolating him. He just sits there and stares at butterflies and birds
that pass by or are outside on my trees. It makes me sad but I heard
that if I let him be an Outdoor/Indoor cat, he would definitely die
earlier. Is this true? As of right now I am very tempted to let him
go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What
should I do?
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

Nice insight. Does an outside cat really live about 3 years? That's a
huge difference comparing to 12 years+. I'm thinking about buying him
some real life landscapes to play with and climb on. Any suggestions?
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

Thanks, I'm thinking about gettin another kitten. However, I heard
that the kitten I have will get jeolous and become violent. When you
have more than one cat, dont they try to mark their territories and
starting peeing in random places instead of the litterbox?
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

A outside cat has a average life span of 3 years while a inside cat has an
average of 12 plus

there are too many dangers out there to many whackos

Know matter what you are mommy or daddy now do what is best for your
child. all my cats look out the windows at the world passing by. You know
what I see cars, predators, whackos, poisons they see the wonders I see the
truth

<tchu512.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143433242.116181.235390@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have a 3 month old kitten that I'm currently keeping indoors. I got
> him when he was 8 weeks old. Anyways, now he always sits right in
> front of the window still and it makes me sad because I feel like I'm
> isolating him. He just sits there and stares at butterflies and birds
> that pass by or are outside on my trees. It makes me sad but I heard
> that if I let him be an Outdoor/Indoor cat, he would definitely die
> earlier. Is this true? As of right now I am very tempted to let him
> go outside to play. However, I dont want him to die early. What
> should I do?
>
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

yes here is a links some cat tree and other furniture is a good choice
I actually built a room special in my house just for them with huge bay
windows and cat play houses
http://petsentials.com/category.cfm?c=45
http://www.stepsforpets.com/
http://www.petco.com/Shop/ProductList.aspx?PC=productlist&Nav=294&N=23%20104
http://bigfatkittycat.com/
http://www.petsmart.com/global/search/search_results.jsp?In=Cat&N=2025518&Ne=2

these are Phil P link from another newsgroup
http://www.maxshouse.com/Environmental_Enrichment/high-level_walkways.htm


for reading on outside risk http://www.maxshouse.com/outdoor_risks.htm
http://www.maxshouse.com/Healthy+Happy_Indoors.htm

<tchu512 RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143434106.314240.264270@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
> Nice insight. Does an outside cat really live about 3 years? That's a
> huge difference comparing to 12 years+. I'm thinking about buying him
> some real life landscapes to play with and climb on. Any suggestions?
>
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside? 

you have to introduce them very slowly. you going to need two or three
litters boxes two per cat is the average rule
I have five cats all introduced at various age to one another. yes there is
competition but think of it as sibling troubles multiple people living in
one house tend to get gripy one day or the next
read this site http://www.maxshouse.com/introducing_cats.htm

bookmark these sites also for future reference
http://www.fanciers.com/ cat fancy website
http://www.maxshouse.com/Database_toc.htm Phil's website he hangs out in
the newsgroup rec.pets.cats.health+behav extremely knowledgeable non vet
http://www.24hourpet.com/ cheap cat medicine products cheapest advantage
flea site that I have found


please feel free to come over to the newsgroup rec.pets.cats.anecdotes if
you have it a lot of traffic goes thru there and alot of fun people
there

<tchu512.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143434669.574703.5290@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks, I'm thinking about gettin another kitten. However, I heard
> that the kitten I have will get jeolous and become violent. When you
> have more than one cat, dont they try to mark their territories and
> starting peeing in random places instead of the litterbox?
>
 >> Stay informed about: Why people let their cats roam around outside?