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View Poll Results: Inside or outside?
Inside only cats 3 21.43%
Cats free to roam inside and outside 6 42.86%
Cats may go outside, but only with supervision 5 35.71%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

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atracattus's Avatar
Catsey Junior
 
Cats owned: 2 oriental SH cross & 1 LH mog
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Penarlag, Wales
Posts: 27
atracattus is Male
11-07-2012, 11:25 AM   #1

Inside or outside?


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.



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JMPARK's Avatar
Catsey Senior
 
Cats owned: 2 BEAUTIFULL CATS!! BEAU AND JOY
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LEWES UK
Posts: 330
JMPARK is Male
11-07-2012, 03:58 PM   #2

Re: Inside or outside?


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.




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Velvet's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 5 DSH. 2 DLH
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nth Ireland - UK
Posts: 3,605
12-07-2012, 01:02 AM   #3

Re: Inside or outside?


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





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atracattus's Avatar
Catsey Junior
 
Cats owned: 2 oriental SH cross & 1 LH mog
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Penarlag, Wales
Posts: 27
atracattus is Male
12-07-2012, 09:18 AM   #4

Re: Inside or outside?


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.



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Velvet's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 5 DSH. 2 DLH
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nth Ireland - UK
Posts: 3,605
12-07-2012, 10:59 AM   #5

Re: Inside or outside?


Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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



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pamela81's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 domestic short haired
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cumbernauld, scotland
Posts: 3,902
12-07-2012, 12:51 PM   #6

Re: Inside or outside?


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



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pinklizzy's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Imogen BSH
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 1,687
12-07-2012, 06:26 PM   #7

Re: Inside or outside?


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!



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Catsey Junior
 
Cats owned: moggies
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 144
15-07-2012, 02:12 PM   #8

Re: Inside or outside?


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.



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Liz Liz is offline
Catsey Senior
 
Cats owned: 36 Moggies and 1 Neurotic ragdoll
Join Date: May 2006
Location: aaberdeenshire
Posts: 380
15-07-2012, 02:42 PM   #9

Re: Inside or outside?


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



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Catsey Junior
 
Cats owned: Ragdolls
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Posts: 102
15-07-2012, 03:24 PM   #10

Re: Inside or outside?


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



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