cat - Outdoor cat poisoning

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- - Outdoor cat poisoning - report back (http://www.catbanter.com/showthread.php?t=25992)

In article ,
enlightened us with...

http://www.fabcats.org/inorout.html

Quote:

The best of both worlds
A purpose built outdoor enclosure could provide your cat with the sights and
smells of the outside world and give his life some variety without exposing
him to many of the outdoor risks.

This is EXACTLY what I would love to do if I had a house.

I think that article has a lot of valid points, especially for the audience
it is written for (UK).
But one thing they're missing is that many of the behavior problems they
posit are the result of not going outside are actually problems due to the
cat not getting enough mental and physical stimulation. That's the owner's
fault. A cat can be perfectly happy indoors provided the owners actually take
the time and energy to enrich the cat's life. It has little to do with going
outside per se and everything to do with being bored to tears.

My 2 cents, anyway.

--
--
~kaeli~
The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and
three hundred sixty-two admonishments to heterosexuals.
That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexuals. It's
just that they need more supervision.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

"Mary" wrote in message
...

SNIP
Nonsense. You are neglecting your responsibilities to your pets.
Those of us who keep them indoors are not. It's very simple.
Having seen many animals maimed and killed by cars etc., I
and others feel strongly about this. You are wrong for endangering
the animals that trust you. If you felt your cats were irreplaceable
you would not endanger them. No venom in that. What you hate,
and others who are equally irresponsible hate, is being reminded
of what you are really doing when you let them out unattended.
For your cats' sakes, you should be reminded. The "venom" as
you put it, is on your side.

Do you let your kids out, or keep them indoors all day as well?

"Meghan Noecker" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 03:01:55 GMT, "Mathew Kagis"

And hey, I have lived out in the country, 10 miles from a very *small*
town. Nearest neighbor over 2 miles away.

Still doesn't mean they can't get hit by a car coming up the driveway.

Is your cat stuffed, or can it move? How often does a car come up your
driveway?

If you want to risk your cat's lives, that's your problem. But it is
really frustrating when most people who complain their cat was hit by
a car are people who let the cat out in the first place. Very few are
accidental escapes. Most could have been prevented easily.

Any animal can survive incarceration, but we recognise now that zoos are
cruel. Cats are predators who should be allowed out to explore and enjoy
life.

"Phil P." wrote in message
...

Peter Neville, *British* world renowned feline behaviorist:

"The human/cat relationship is based on many, often contrasting factors.
Indoors the cat is valued for its cleanliness, affection and playfulness,
and admired for its highly evolved play behaviour. Although not a group
hunter, the cat retains an enormous capacity to be sociable and accepts
the
benefits of living in the human family and den without compromising its
self-determining and independent behaviour.

Bristol University, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Langford House,
Langford, Avon BS18 7DU, UK (Excerpted from: Handbook of Feline Medicine,
Willis J, Wolf A; Pergamon Press, Oxford OX3 OBW, England)
BSAVA; and Manual of Feline Behaviour, British Small Animal Veterinary
Association, Kingsley House. Church Lane. Shurdington, Cheltenham.
Gloucestershire GL51 5TQ

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, *British*, and the Director of the Behavior Clinic at
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and internationally known
specialist in domestic animal behavioral research, states

"Its a lot safer to keep cats indoors. The average lifespan of an indoor
cat is around twelve to fourteen years, while outdoor cats are lucky to
reach double digits. I personally have lost three cats prematurely to
trauma over the past fifteen years. Two were struck by vehicles on a
fairly
quiet road, and the other was killed by a roaming neighborhood dog.
Because
of experiences like this I have certainly had cause to think long and hard
about letting future cats out. At present, our cats remain indoors where
they're safest" (Excerpted from the Cat Who Cried for Help).

"The hazards of the outdoors-automobiles, dogs, rival cats, poisonous
plants, infectious diseases, and fleas, to name but a few-are compelling
reasons to keep cats exclusively indoors. It is especially important to
keep
declawed cats indoors, as they are poorly equipped to defend themselves or
escape danger by climbing trees. Indoor cats are unquestionably safer and
healthier than outdoor cats, and they make better household pets. They
don't
endanger birds and other wildlife or bring home fleas or dead animals, nor
do they need frequent visits to the veterinarian to treat injuries
sustained
in scraps with rival cats.

Screened-in porches or specially constructed window enclosures allow
indoor-only cats to sniff the fresh air, peruse the goings-on outside, and
bask in the sun. By regularly changing the indoor environment, you can
help
keep your cat challenged-; strategically situated empty cardboard boxes or
plain brown shopping bags (minus the handles) can provide an old space
with
new interest." Dr. James Richards, Director, Cornell Feline Health
Center:

"Cats can be happily kept inside all the time. Many people do so and
would
have it no other way. They say they have deeper and more satisfying
relationships with their cats and that those cats are healthier and live
longer. While living happily inside, cats are not getting hit by cars,
being
injured in cat fights, catching infections such as feline leukemia virus
and
feline immunodeficiency virus (Feline "AIDS"), being stolen, hunting and
possibly killing wildlife, urinating and defecating on neighbors'
properties, and harassing or being harassed by other animals. Clearly
there
are many good reasons for permanently keeping cats indoors."

Robert J. Holmes, BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS, FACVSc, Animal Behaviour Clinic,
Malvern Vie 3 144, *Australia*. Excerpted from Cat Behavior and Training.

"Many cats born as strays and adopted as housecats adjust remarkably
quickly. Indeed, many stray cats that are adopted remain indoors
permanently
without protest. Cats that live in temperate climates may naturally
restrict
their outdoor activity during cold winter months. These individuals may
adapt more readily to being kept indoors permanently.

Provide a wide variety of toys that are attractive to your cat (not just
to
you). Frequently play with your young cat so that it is less prone to seek
amusement elsewhere. It is particularly important to provide your cat with
additional outlets by playing with it and engaging in interactive
diversions
you both will enjoy. Have your cat neutered at an appropriate age as
recommended by your veterinarian.

Although territorial roaming provides cats with exercise and mental
stimulation, cats can live a happy life while remaining indoors. The risk
of
injury (from motor vehicle accidents, cat fights, or confrontations with
other animals), disease, and abuse far outweigh any possible benefit to
your
cat. It is not cruel to restrict cats to an exclusively indoor existence.
Rather, the cruelty lies in exposing them to the dangers outside of a safe
home." Dr. Stefanie Schwartz, DVM, MSc,DACVB, Diplomate, American
College
of Veterinary Behaviorists Director of Behavior Services, VCA South Shore
Animal Hospital, So. Weymouth, MA Clin. Asst. Prof., Tufts University
School
of Veterinary Medicine.

Replace 'cat' with 'kids' - makes perfect sense.

Phil P. wrote:
"Ashley" wrote in message
...
(...)

What Phil did was post a selective list of vets he agrees who back
up his
world view

That's exactly what you did you ****ing moron!

It's easy to post vet or other 'authorative' sources to support either
viewpoint. This is because there is no universal agreement as to
whether cats should have outdoor access or not. In particular in places
outside the US, more (most) vets will suggest cats have outdoor access.
Not to mention the views of posters in this group are not necessarily
representative of views in the US as a whole.

Steve.

Mary wrote:
(...)

Nonsense. You are neglecting your responsibilities to your pets.
Those of us who keep them indoors are not.
(...)
You are wrong for endangering the animals that trust you.

But letting your indoor cat become grossly obese is OK - or do you only
count outdoor dangers in your tirade? Or any dangers *you* expose your
cats to don't count?

If you felt your cats were irreplaceable
you would not endanger them. No venom in that. What you hate,
and others who are equally irresponsible hate, is being reminded
of what you are really doing when you let them out unattended.

Ah, so all cat owners in the UK and NZ - yes, their cats are simply
disposible objects. All 50 million or so.

And the crusade and the xenophobia roll on...

Steve.