A cat forum. CatBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » CatBanter forum » Cat Newsgroups » Cat health & behaviour
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Indoor cat..quality of life?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #53  
Old September 3rd 04, 07:13 PM
Ginger-lyn Summer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:53:54 -0700, blair thompson
wrote:

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend should be confined to quarters

I have been reading the many compelling arguments in favour of
keeping a cat inside---the safety angle, longevity cf to the
free-rangers, etc. I know there is much one can do to make indoor
living tolerable to a cat, such as cat tree, cat grass munchies, toys,
etc.

But I am still wondering what the consensus here might be to
just how pleasurable life really is for an indoor cat, Or am I just
anthropomorphizing human traits onto a cat, and they really don't need
as much stimuli in a day as we do, especially when they sleep 15-plus
hours out of every 24? What about the second-cat-to-keep-the
-first-one-company option?

Thanks for your input.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.


This is just one person's opinion, of course, but I think
well-cared-for indoor cats can be quite happy. I have eight of them,
and very few problems.

You need window space, plenty of toys (interactive toys are important,
too), cat posts/trees (I even have a log that they love to scratch
on). You need to interact regularly with your cats. And yes, two (or
more) is much more helpful than just one (for the cat, that is).
Giving occasional cat grass can help as well.

So I would say indoor cats can have a high quality of life, and it is
certainly better than having one's life cut short by wild animals,
cars, etc.

Ginger-lyn
Just my $1.02 worth.

  #54  
Old September 3rd 04, 07:13 PM
Ginger-lyn Summer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:53:54 -0700, blair thompson
wrote:

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend should be confined to quarters

I have been reading the many compelling arguments in favour of
keeping a cat inside---the safety angle, longevity cf to the
free-rangers, etc. I know there is much one can do to make indoor
living tolerable to a cat, such as cat tree, cat grass munchies, toys,
etc.

But I am still wondering what the consensus here might be to
just how pleasurable life really is for an indoor cat, Or am I just
anthropomorphizing human traits onto a cat, and they really don't need
as much stimuli in a day as we do, especially when they sleep 15-plus
hours out of every 24? What about the second-cat-to-keep-the
-first-one-company option?

Thanks for your input.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.


This is just one person's opinion, of course, but I think
well-cared-for indoor cats can be quite happy. I have eight of them,
and very few problems.

You need window space, plenty of toys (interactive toys are important,
too), cat posts/trees (I even have a log that they love to scratch
on). You need to interact regularly with your cats. And yes, two (or
more) is much more helpful than just one (for the cat, that is).
Giving occasional cat grass can help as well.

So I would say indoor cats can have a high quality of life, and it is
certainly better than having one's life cut short by wild animals,
cars, etc.

Ginger-lyn
Just my $1.02 worth.

  #55  
Old September 3rd 04, 07:13 PM
Ginger-lyn Summer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:53:54 -0700, blair thompson
wrote:

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend should be confined to quarters

I have been reading the many compelling arguments in favour of
keeping a cat inside---the safety angle, longevity cf to the
free-rangers, etc. I know there is much one can do to make indoor
living tolerable to a cat, such as cat tree, cat grass munchies, toys,
etc.

But I am still wondering what the consensus here might be to
just how pleasurable life really is for an indoor cat, Or am I just
anthropomorphizing human traits onto a cat, and they really don't need
as much stimuli in a day as we do, especially when they sleep 15-plus
hours out of every 24? What about the second-cat-to-keep-the
-first-one-company option?

Thanks for your input.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.


This is just one person's opinion, of course, but I think
well-cared-for indoor cats can be quite happy. I have eight of them,
and very few problems.

You need window space, plenty of toys (interactive toys are important,
too), cat posts/trees (I even have a log that they love to scratch
on). You need to interact regularly with your cats. And yes, two (or
more) is much more helpful than just one (for the cat, that is).
Giving occasional cat grass can help as well.

So I would say indoor cats can have a high quality of life, and it is
certainly better than having one's life cut short by wild animals,
cars, etc.

Ginger-lyn
Just my $1.02 worth.

  #56  
Old September 3rd 04, 10:48 PM
Fan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:53:54 -0700, blair thompson
wrote:

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend should be confined to quarters

I have been reading the many compelling arguments in favour of
keeping a cat inside---the safety angle, longevity cf to the
free-rangers, etc. I know there is much one can do to make indoor
living tolerable to a cat, such as cat tree, cat grass munchies, toys,
etc.

But I am still wondering what the consensus here might be to
just how pleasurable life really is for an indoor cat, Or am I just
anthropomorphizing human traits onto a cat, and they really don't need
as much stimuli in a day as we do, especially when they sleep 15-plus
hours out of every 24? What about the second-cat-to-keep-the
-first-one-company option?

Thanks for your input.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.


I am very surprised that you didn't get a huge number of people who
equate keeping a cat indoors to abuse. Other topics such as this one
have often caused that. Some of the posters would have liked to hang
anyone who even considered this. The rational dialog is refreshing.

The statistics show that an indoor cat lives much longer than an
outdoor one because of the dangers of living outdoors. That alone,
says alot. Those who say that indoor cats go insane from it are saying
things that are untrue in order to persuade people to believe what
they believe. It isn't true, but it makes a good story.

My cats ONLY go out on a leash and only during daylight. All but one
of my previous cats has lived to 17+ years old and they have shown
only signs of being happy. Of the ones that I currently have, the one
who is least interested in going out is the one who was born and
raised outside. She knows the difference and has decided that life is
much better indoors than out. Well, at least that is the reason that I
project for her preference :-)

They have a tremendous number of toys and cat friendly things to climb
on. Since there is more than one cat, they also entertain one another.
Wrestling is the number one sport here.
  #57  
Old September 3rd 04, 10:48 PM
Fan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:53:54 -0700, blair thompson
wrote:

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend should be confined to quarters

I have been reading the many compelling arguments in favour of
keeping a cat inside---the safety angle, longevity cf to the
free-rangers, etc. I know there is much one can do to make indoor
living tolerable to a cat, such as cat tree, cat grass munchies, toys,
etc.

But I am still wondering what the consensus here might be to
just how pleasurable life really is for an indoor cat, Or am I just
anthropomorphizing human traits onto a cat, and they really don't need
as much stimuli in a day as we do, especially when they sleep 15-plus
hours out of every 24? What about the second-cat-to-keep-the
-first-one-company option?

Thanks for your input.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.


I am very surprised that you didn't get a huge number of people who
equate keeping a cat indoors to abuse. Other topics such as this one
have often caused that. Some of the posters would have liked to hang
anyone who even considered this. The rational dialog is refreshing.

The statistics show that an indoor cat lives much longer than an
outdoor one because of the dangers of living outdoors. That alone,
says alot. Those who say that indoor cats go insane from it are saying
things that are untrue in order to persuade people to believe what
they believe. It isn't true, but it makes a good story.

My cats ONLY go out on a leash and only during daylight. All but one
of my previous cats has lived to 17+ years old and they have shown
only signs of being happy. Of the ones that I currently have, the one
who is least interested in going out is the one who was born and
raised outside. She knows the difference and has decided that life is
much better indoors than out. Well, at least that is the reason that I
project for her preference :-)

They have a tremendous number of toys and cat friendly things to climb
on. Since there is more than one cat, they also entertain one another.
Wrestling is the number one sport here.
  #58  
Old September 4th 04, 02:39 AM
rose ricciuto
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

We currently have 4 indoor cats - all of them were feral when we coaxed
and/or trapped them and brought them indoors. The oldest is 8, then 6
and 2 two year olds. Only the most recent addition even considers going
near an open door. He's only been in the house 3 weeks - we named him
Mr. Lucky and he missed hurricane Charley by 5 days and now he's safe
and dry for hurricane Frances. Think about fleas, ticks, disease,
snakes, gators, fox and bobcat in our area and know the cats stay
indoors - they will adjust and live healthy, happy lives - afterall they
rule!

  #59  
Old September 4th 04, 02:39 AM
rose ricciuto
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

We currently have 4 indoor cats - all of them were feral when we coaxed
and/or trapped them and brought them indoors. The oldest is 8, then 6
and 2 two year olds. Only the most recent addition even considers going
near an open door. He's only been in the house 3 weeks - we named him
Mr. Lucky and he missed hurricane Charley by 5 days and now he's safe
and dry for hurricane Frances. Think about fleas, ticks, disease,
snakes, gators, fox and bobcat in our area and know the cats stay
indoors - they will adjust and live healthy, happy lives - afterall they
rule!

  #60  
Old September 4th 04, 12:26 PM
Alison
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Wendy" wrote in message
...


I'm wondering what the let your cats outdoors people think the

benefit is.
Is it the fresh air and exercise? If so that can be accomplished by

building
a large outside enclosure or having a screened in porch. If the

point of
going outside is to let the cat be unfettered, have the freedom to

wander
about and interact with the wildlife (translated chase/kill birds,

mice and
rabbits), then the enclosure or screened porch only increased the

sq.
footage of the "cage".


It's certainly a good idea for people to try to build an enclosure
or screen a porch for their cats. I don't think the Inside Cat Only
brigade emphasises this enough ( I don't mean the people on this group
!) to the average pet owner and the average pet owner might not have
enough knowledge to keep their cat from being bored and frustrated.
It's easier with dogs , you can take them to the park and they don't
seem to mind doing the repetitious games such as catch the ball , my
dog will do this twenty times and not be bored but cats are far to
uintelligent and clever for that.
My cat goes outside (daytime only), she is about 5 now and she
doesn't go far from the garden . If I had to, I would fence the garden
to keep her in but I don't feel she is at risk, though obviously,
nothing in life is certain. She has the choice, in bad weather no way
will she go out . So if she has a choice that's less frustration for
her.
When she goes out , she likes to patrol her patch and catch up on
whose been visiting and what other animals have been in the garden ,
she will sit and watch at certain places for mice and maybe stalk the
feral pigeons. This gives her a work ethic which is satisfying and
stimulating, after that it's nap time in the shed . I have always had
rabbits and guinea pigs and they attract mice, so her job is to keep
the mice population down, other wise I would be over run .

As to killing birds and mice and rabbits , so do hunters, dogs,
farmers , people poison mice that come into their houses etc. Why make
the cat out to be the baddie? If you eat meat or wear leather, that
means an animal has died for you; should you become a vegan?

When a cat goes out, *every* day is different. Cats are very
intelligent and it's harder to replicate that indoors though maybe
not impossible.
Alison





 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Real Life gets in the way Tanada Cat anecdotes 54 November 1st 04 07:41 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:11 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CatBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.