Inside or outside?

[atracattus]

I was wondering how many of you have house cats or cats which go out into the garden or beyond, and why.

My current three are kept inside. They were raised as house cats from the start and have never been free to roam. Sookie was free to go out but never went more than a few meters from the back door. She had always lived as an outside cat so it would have been terribly unfair to keep her in.

In 2001 I got a beautiful black mainecoon. He grew to an immense size, and reached a weight of 10kilos by a year old. He was allowed outside and would roam into a nearby woods. He crossed a quiet road to reach it. On his first birthday he was hit and killed by an idiot driving too fast. I was devastated to put it mildly, and vowed to never let that happen again. So I have never introduced my subsequent feline to the outside world. They have never shown any interest in
going out, and venture no further than the doorstep when the door is open. They are happy outgoing and healthy animals and I don't believe they have in any way suffered as a result of being kept in.

[JMPARK]

We got our two as kittens, so that we could raise them indoors. We have had quite a few problems around where we live , with cats going missing and, in the last few months , two have been run over. We decided to let them in our back garden within the last month or so, as they are nearly a year old ( tomorrow ), but only under strict supervision.Now , because they have been raised indoors, when they get frightened or scared, they run back indoors. They are very happy and healthy and find plenty to excercise inside.
I have no problems in raising them in this way and am glad we did it.

[Velvet]

Ours are inside with access to outside run which they have access to thru cat flap at the bottom of the kitchen

The cat run with roof (at last) prior we had coloured polythene sheeting over one end to give shade

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x459/Timambmin2/6f49dacf.jpg

[atracattus]

Oh what a wonderful run! I've been thinking about converting our car port into an outside enclosure as it's no longer accessable by car.

[Velvet]

Oh what a wonderful run! I've been thinking about converting our car port into an outside enclosure as it's no longer accessable by car.

Then i would do it - ideal as you have a smooth surface to pit outside cat trees & all matter of exciting things in it for them & theyd be safe x

[pamela81]

Ive kept my 2 inside from day 1 as we have a very busy road beside is and don't want to risk them getting hurt

[pinklizzy]

Imogen is predominantly an indoor cat but now we've fenced our front garden more securely, and the back yard is walled in-she comes out when we're out there. She loves to sit on top of the guinea pig hutch!

[PaulaB]

I have a cat pen as well. The only time one of the cats got out he was surrounded by 8 chickens and asked to come back in straight away.

[Liz]

I have ondoor only, Indoor/outdoor and my ferals who live outside think you need some more answers on the poll

[Mrskatyb]

Tinkerbelle is an indoor cat and she seems to love her life. We have a large enclosed back garden and when our two young sons are playing in the garden, tinkerbelle may venture out and sunbathe but that's as far as it goes.

I don't think I could live with the worry if she went out and roamed, I'd be fretting until I got her back safe. That said I guess it's each to their own, as long as your cat is content and your decision is informed.

And velvet... That cat pen is immense!x

[pepntash]

Both of my cats were feral before we took them in so they live outside/in the garage (my parents won't allow them in the house because out old cats peed in our old house) though sometimes we let them inside with supervision and for cuddles.

We live kind of in the country-ish area beside a main road and we have three acres... Pepper never leaves the area around the house though (*knocks on wood*) and Natasha knows to not go by the main road (we know because she chased another feral across the road and didn't follow) and she usually sticks pretty close by the house (she will cross the dirt road in front of the house sometimes though). They stay in the garage at night.

If I could have them in the house I would because I do worry about them... but they would be outside anyway if they hadn't come to us. So as long as they stay inside at night, I feel a bit better, because we do have big coyotes around here. They do seem to like the freedom.

They do have collars (with tags) and they both are spayed, we feed them and give them flea/tick-medication too.. They will be getting other vaccinations and a microchip each soon as well. They're pretty spoiled for formerly-stray/feral cats. :)

[Velvet]

And velvet... That cat pen is immense!x

Thank you, someday I would like to extend it a bit for them, they do love the freedom that it gives them and since the kitten has been allowed out into the run he has really come on in leaps and bounds. It makes them that bit more independent. There are a few tom cats round this area so they are safe from that aspect as well. One of our neighbours cats got beat up by one of the roaming tom cats recently:cry:

[TiggerMoon]

We have always had cats who were free to raom in the day and stayed in at night. When Tigger was run over last year, it made me understand why people would want to take away that danger. The cats I have now are used to their lifestyle and I couldn't take that away from them as they enjoy going out too much.