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So it's been a while since I did a Reasons Why You Should Keep Your Cats Indoors/Only Let Them Outside While Supervised thread and since my mentions are already trash right now why the heck not right
1. Indoor cats are less likely to die
I mean, sorry to be so blunt but it's true.
Things that kill outdoor cats include: wild animals, other cats, dogs, people, poisons, cars, disease, and injury. And unless you also keep house coyotes, your cat is safer inside
I mean, sorry to be so blunt but it's true.
Things that kill outdoor cats include: wild animals, other cats, dogs, people, poisons, cars, disease, and injury. And unless you also keep house coyotes, your cat is safer inside
(if you DO keep house coyotes you have bigger problems than I can address)
2. Indoor cats are less likely to cause mass extinction of vulnerable native wildlife.
Look here's an article from the UK: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/04/28/pet-cats-should-banned-going-outside-protect-birds-says-royal/
Look here's an article from the UK: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/04/28/pet-cats-should-banned-going-outside-protect-birds-says-royal/
AND HERE IS SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/10/cats-killing-birds-gardens-david-attenborough
Cats are domestic animals and thus are not native to any ecosystem (no, not even in the UK). They are--just like dogs and pigs and cows--invasive species and cause massive amounts of harm to actual native species. One cat can kill a lot of animals
3. Feline Leukemia
Ok this one deserves its own number. It deserves its own thread tbh because I don't think people understand how awful this disease is and how easily your cat can catch it and how, once they do catch it, there is no cure for it
Ok this one deserves its own number. It deserves its own thread tbh because I don't think people understand how awful this disease is and how easily your cat can catch it and how, once they do catch it, there is no cure for it
Two of the cats I took in died of Feline Leukemia. They had the disease before they came to me because they'd been let outdoors. One was five, one was only three. They were sweet, affectionate, loving cats who wanted nothing more than care and attention. Chansey and Martha.
I miss both of them every day. They didn't deserve to die so young. No cat deserves that.
Feline Leukemia is common among stray and feral cat communities. It can be spread via blood and saliva. Although there is a vaccine, the vaccine isn't 100% effective
Feline Leukemia is common among stray and feral cat communities. It can be spread via blood and saliva. Although there is a vaccine, the vaccine isn't 100% effective
Keeping your cat inside will prevent exposure to feline leukemia. It will literally save their lives. Feline leukemia kills in, at best a few years. It causes cancer, infection, and eventually death.
Feline leukemia is, by itself, reason enough to keep your cats inside
Feline leukemia is, by itself, reason enough to keep your cats inside
4. All the supposed "benefits" cats get from being outdoors can be easily replicated indoors
Yes, cats enjoy hunting, climbing, hiding, and exploring. But guess what!!! They can do all of those things INSIDE, where they're not in danger
Yes, cats enjoy hunting, climbing, hiding, and exploring. But guess what!!! They can do all of those things INSIDE, where they're not in danger
Even if you live in a small apartment, you can give your cat plenty of places to be a cat. Cats enjoy VERTICAL space which, fortunately, doesn't take up tons of FLOOR space. Cat trees, bookshelves, regular shelves--all these things can be fixed up to provide climbing platforms
Cats can also get all the exercise they need indoors as well. It just requires you PLAYING with them. A laser pointer, a toy on a string, even rolled up balls of newspaper or toilet-paper tubes can be fun interactive toys that get your cat running & chasing & playing
You can also satisfy your cat's innate curiosity by doing things like hiding treats/toys for your cat to find or buying puzzle toys.
One of my favorite things to do with my cats is get a pool of water and put these "fish" in https://www.amazon.com/BlackHole-Litter-Mat-Interactive-Stimulate/dp/B07M9ZT35W/ref=sr_1_22?dchild=1&keywords=fish+cat+toy&qid=1595419745&sr=8-22
One of my favorite things to do with my cats is get a pool of water and put these "fish" in https://www.amazon.com/BlackHole-Litter-Mat-Interactive-Stimulate/dp/B07M9ZT35W/ref=sr_1_22?dchild=1&keywords=fish+cat+toy&qid=1595419745&sr=8-22
5. Cats are social animals
I know we have this image of cats as LONERS who need ALONE TIME and must go outside for ALONE-NESS but that's all wrong sorry.
Cats have complex social behaviors & needs. Just as complex as dogs, tbh
I know we have this image of cats as LONERS who need ALONE TIME and must go outside for ALONE-NESS but that's all wrong sorry.
Cats have complex social behaviors & needs. Just as complex as dogs, tbh
They're social in DIFFERENT ways yes, but different isn't lesser.
Your cat does not need a massive territory to patrol. Your cat does not need to disappear for days at a time. Your cat is a PET and needs to be cared for like a PET.
Your cat does not need a massive territory to patrol. Your cat does not need to disappear for days at a time. Your cat is a PET and needs to be cared for like a PET.
6. There are SAFE ways for your cat to go outside!!
I am not opposed to cats being outside if it's safe!! In fact I think it's great for cats to go outside safely!
I am not opposed to cats being outside if it's safe!! In fact I think it's great for cats to go outside safely!
You can train your cat to walk on a harness/leash.
You can build/purchase/fashion an outdoor enclosure (aka "catio") where your cat can hang out without worry of escape
If your cat is safe and supervised, they can certainly enjoy the outside
You can build/purchase/fashion an outdoor enclosure (aka "catio") where your cat can hang out without worry of escape
If your cat is safe and supervised, they can certainly enjoy the outside
7. Cats are not wild animals
This is probably the most important point I'm gonna try to make.
We have this cultural impression of cats as non-domestic. We think they're like...tiny tigers or whatever. We consider them only vaguely associated with human care & management
This is probably the most important point I'm gonna try to make.
We have this cultural impression of cats as non-domestic. We think they're like...tiny tigers or whatever. We consider them only vaguely associated with human care & management
I think this is because we compare them to dogs who went through a very different domestication process. We selectively bred dogs to do work for us while our selective breeding of cats was much less purposeful and focused. So dogs are viewed as being entirely changed
from their wild ancestors while cats aren't considered different from the wild cats from which they descended. But cats were still selectively bred based on human desires. We wanted cats that would be accepting of our presence and receptive to our affection. The ones who
were most comfortable around humans usually were the ones who were best fed and protected and thus more likely to have more babies who would possess those traits of friendliness and receptiveness. That's selective breeding. That's domestication. That's fashioning a new sort of
creature who is entirely dependent on human management and care.
Basically, if you wouldn't let your dog run wild outdoors unsupervised, you shouldn't let your cat do it.
Basically, if you wouldn't let your dog run wild outdoors unsupervised, you shouldn't let your cat do it.
8. Letting your cat wander around your neighborhood is fvcking rude
like let's be real. I know some ppl don't care because they're jerks but outdoor cats 1000% will poop in your neighbor's garden, or leave dead birds in your neighbor's kids' playhouse, or yowl & screech at night
like let's be real. I know some ppl don't care because they're jerks but outdoor cats 1000% will poop in your neighbor's garden, or leave dead birds in your neighbor's kids' playhouse, or yowl & screech at night
Would you want your neighbor's dog in your yard at night barking and pooping? Probably not!!!!
So don't be a bad neighbor
So don't be a bad neighbor
Anyway those are some of the most important reasons to keep your cat inside. Since I started taking in rescues I've seen way too many horrible things happen to outdoor cats to ever put my cats in danger like that. I've had to hold cats as they were put down b/c they were let out
And I know people will scream at me just like they always do when I make tweets like this but if just one person listens and changes their mind then it's worth it to me.
Anyway, help me help cats https://twitter.com/ellle_em/status/1285705136514490370?s=20
