I already lost one and it scares me.......I cried for days because of it. If I keep my pets inside it is because I care and I know that they are happy and healthy.....I won't lose them and they won't ever lose me~|||I don't think you're mean at all! You sound like a loving and responsible pet owner. Pay no attention to the one's who think that way. I have two cats that are strictly house cats, they never go outside. The house is their's to own and enjoy with tons of toys, food and love to go around. I know they are safe and happy. Good for you, you're doing exactly the right thing! :)
**I see there is a "thumbs down" person here. Go ahead, it doesn't matter. I would rather have my cats happy and safe indoors than flattened on the road, mauled by a dog, or poisoned because they thought a puddle of antifreeze looked good to lick!|||problem is they will eventually get out my son lost a 拢700 smooth hair english cat it got out %26amp; got killed|||Some people have the false idea that pets, especially cats, have to roam free outside to be healthy. But I personally think that pets are happiest if they're actually alive! I've never let my pets run loose outside. Occasionally I'll take the cats outside on leashes, and I take my dog for walks on a leash. Even when our pets are adults, they still don't always know about the dangers they could face outside, and they can't always protect themselves from danger. It's much better for them to either live inside or to be confined in a yard outside where they'll be safe.|||I think it's mean to keep your pets outside when it's like cold or raining, you know (Pets get cold too, even if they have fur coats!)? Pet are also very good friends. I know that whenever I am sad or scared or anything, my dog and my cat come right up to me and lick me and cuddle me. They know, and they are your best buddies! Don't believe anyone when they say it's mean. Unless you are living inside of a house the size of a small bathroom...that might be a little crowded. Other than that...it's fine! Even though they are animals, I still always have empathy for them...would I like to be outside all the time w/out my family? No! I would want to be wherever my family is hanging out!|||however thinks that you are mean is crazy. i have 2 indoor cats and i never would consider letting them out. it is too damgerous for them outside.|||I don't think you're being mean.........I know you're being a responsible person, who wants her pets to live long, healthy lives. AND.....they'll do that better if they're never alllowed outside! Congratulations on "standing your ground". Enjoy your pets for a long time..........|||Some people might say it's because it's not nature to keep an animal inside all day. But it's perfectly fine and it's safer for them too. I've had outdoor and indoor pets and the indoor ones all lived years longer than the outdoor ones.|||I agree, keep your babies inside unless on a leash. Even cats can walk on leashes. I just adopted a 4 month old from the humane society today and once he is used to us I am going to start halter and leash training him so he can go out in the backyard with us in the summer.
Our old cat was killed by a car when we allowed him to be an indoor/outdoor kitty. That will not happen with this kitty!
If you want some ammo for your friends and family who think you are mean, call your local humane society and find out how many lost cats are found by them every year. The number is staggering! Or how many people call and go in looking for their cat, but never find them.|||if you got self confidence, you should recognize that anyone sees you mean , he is the one, and not you as I believe that any human hates and humiliates animals without reason will never be real good person to humen.|||It really depends on where you live. If you are in a big city logic would tell you it is not safe to let a pet outside. It depends too on the pet. A dog should not be left to roam and not outside unless he is secure. Cats are a bit different - free souls. I worry about mine being outside and I live rurally. You can lead train a cat, perhaps you can try that. If your animals have not been outside, they won't know any different, will they?|||You got lots of postive responses. Keep your cats indoors 'cause you love them, you are a warm and caring person. Lots of love to you.|||My cat is indoor only as well. The important thing is to give your cat mental stimulation. Having plants in the house can give a cat a feel for the outdoors. And opening the windows or screen door to let them lay down, feel the sunlight, and feel the breeze is a good gesture. I carry my cat outside sometimes just to let her smell the plants and sit on the grass but she doesn't like it! She moans in distress, she prefers being inside in her environment.
The thing about all animals is that they love remaining in their own environment. That's why cats will mark their territory in your house by rubbing their faces on furniture (or clawing it) and sometimes if it's a bad cat, peeing on the carpet.
They've made a home in your house and with a good diet and mental stimulation (cat toys to play with and company) they live a wonderful life. You have nothing to feel bad about! Just think of the millions, yes millions, of cats throughout the world who dumpster dive to get food, freeze in the winter cold, and die early often violent deaths. You should be proud to give your pets a safe, comfortable, loving, and enjoyable life!|||There appears to be a growing trend in the USA to keep cats indoors. but it seems to me it must be terribly boring for the cats. One of my greatest pleasures with my cats was always watching them running around the garden, batting leaves, climbing trees, chasing each other all over the place.
One of my cats loved chasing squirrels, though she never had a hope of catching them. I remember one occasion, she was chasing a squirrel up a tree and suddenly, instead of running away, it turned and confronted her, and started chattering its teeth at her. She backed away down the tree, and strolled away across the garden trying to look as if she had no more interest in squirrels at all. It was really funny.
I had another cat who was spectacularly beautiful, and used to like to sit on the gatepost batting her eyelashes at people who walked past, they would stop and drool over her. I knew people who used to make special detours up our road just to look at her. That was very funny as well.
They just love being outdoors, they like climbing and playing and roaming their territory. I would hate to deprive them of that.
As for the person above who talks about keeping them outside all the time, who on earth is suggesting that? of course it would be cruel to keep them outside all the time! The thing is to let them come in and out as they please. having a cat flap is a very good idea, then they can please themselves, like all cats like to.
Honestly, i don't understand Americans at all. You don't let your cats outside, and then you rip out their claws, why bother having a real cat at all? Why not just get a stuffed toy cat and have done with it?|||What!!? Who is telling you that you are mean for keeping your cat inside!? That is ridiculous! I also have a cat and I keep her inside I don't allow her to go outside, I keep her protected from fleas, sicknesses, other cats fighting with her, or even worse, a car hitting her. If something were to happen to my cat, of course I would be hurt by it, but my kids would be so heart broken, I wouldn't want to put them through that. She's a happy, loved, spoiled indoor kitty.
: )|||Some people think that all animals are free and should left to roam free out in the world. That's great for wild animals but domesticated animals are dependent on humans to survive. There is nothing wrong with keeping your pets inside as long as it makes you and your pets happy.|||i have 7 cats. one of them got out once and since then, he insists on going out. not until recently will he use a litter box. he knocks to go out and knocks to come in. it scares me because of where i live, but there really is no stopping him. all of them are fixed. you're not being mean, you are being safe.|||Because those people don't understand how important it is to protect your beloved pets. They don't realize how dangerous it is outside, especially for cats! I have three indoor ONLY cats. I used to live in the city and there are SO many things city or suburban that can take your pet away from you. This is why it's important to leash your dog as well. When I lived in Los Angeles, I was SO afraid that my Purebred Bengal cat would be stolen and sold to some weirdo for drug money! Here are some reasons to keep pets inside, and I'm sure you will agree: You may print these up for future reference when people tell you that you're mean.
1. Diseases (not all have vaccines!)
2. Other animals may kill them or harm them
3. Cars may kill or hurt them
4. People may steal them and torture them and harm them
5. They may eat poison
6. Or BE poisoned
7. They may eat a poisonous plant
8. People shoot animals for no reason
9. Fleas and ticks...
10. Internal Parasites
11. Other sicknesses
12. People get REALLY upset when pets "doody" on their lawn or in their prized rose garden and may harm the pet
13. They could get hurt in MANY ways
14. They could eat a poisoned mouse and die.
15. Indoors keeps pets CLEAN AND HEALTHY
My cats (now I'm going to seem very strange to some) have their own room. 2 walls have been made into a huge kitty jungle gym with plenty to scratch, jump on, walk on, climb on, perch on and play on. They have full roam of the house. There are pictures of it on Leopolds web site.
http://www.catster.com/cats/664127
You can see all three indoor cats here and the parrot.
So to make a long story (which all of mine seem to be) short, You are a VERY wise person to keep your pets INDOORS. I don't even allow mine outdoors ever, but they have great views of the garden, birds and I give them greens. Good luck and don't feel bad because you have actually done the right thing, which is what is best for your animal children.|||You are not mean for keeping your cat inside! People who let their cats outside are mean. They don't really care what happens to the cat. Your cat is safer inside. I have 3 indoor cats and they are perfectly happy inside and do not want to go outside. Lots of things can happen to outdoor cats, predators, illnesses, fights with other cats, being hit by a car..........|||i dont let my cat out at all.. well on nice days i put the leash on him and we will walk aaround for a bit.. but I would never put him out and keep him out.. Cats dont need to go outside.. If you feel that you cat needs fresh air open the window... I open mine once a day for my kitty and he will sit there and sniff for hours.
ps: make sure window has a screen lol|||You are not mean. You are responsible. And hugs to you for that. I heard a great line once that said, 'we domesticated 'em, we should be responsible for 'em'. I totally agree. Unless you have an animal that is indoor inappropriate (like a pony) that I wouldn't worry too much about other people. I understand there are even big dog breeds that do well inside most of the time. As long as the animals needs are being met and you are a considerate animal custodian your relationship with them should last a long time.|||Amen. Don't let them get to you. My mom rags me all the time for spoiling my cats and keeping them inside. I lost a dear kitty from going outside too and it will never happen again. I just sorry it took her life to make me see the light.|||Both my kitties are indoor cats and there is NOTHING anyone can say that would change that! I've known too many people who's cats have been hit by cars. Not to mention all the wild animals where I live that will attack and eat your cat! My babies are well cared for being inside.|||It is way better to keep them in. I have had cats for years and they are perfectly happy indoors. These people are stupid to tell you this. I have lost too many being hit by cars and even one attacked by wild dogs when I was a kid. They live much longer indoors, so dont let anyone tell you otherwise.|||I am 100% for keeping cats inside. People think it is cruel because "being stuck inside is no life for a cat" and some people are just too lazy to counter the cat every time they want to go out the door. These two reasons are why I haven't been able to keep a cat safe indoors while living with my family.
The issue is, that 5 out of 7 cats I have owned, have been lost to circumstances of the outdoor world. Ever since I was little, my beloved cats have been run over by cars and went missing. 6 months ago, I lost two cats that I was extremely close to, and I still cry over it. Now I am out on my own again and make my own rules, and have a very happy, loving, playful and healthy cat sitting right beside me and purring into my ear. He loves to look out the window, but he will feel no loss or feeling of being stuck inside, because he doesn't even know he can go out there, and he would be scared!!
You will find that usually people agree with keeping cats inside, especially at the vet clinic! But for those who dissent, all I have to do is tell them how I have lost 5 of my cats, and they usually don't say anything afterward. It is better to have a healthy happy cat indoors than a happy cat who experiences the outdoors and lives a short life.
P.S. Also, I had a problem with 2 of my cats catching rabbits, moles, birds, and rats and eating them. They would bring their catch inside, sometimes still alive. It was very, very disgusting.|||IT IS PERFECTLY FINE to have indoor animals. But as a treat, I take my kitty on a harness and leash outside for fresh air where she watches the ducks at the local pond.
Your cats will be happier and healthier as indoor animals
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