Inside vs Outside Cats

[raemei]

I love when cats can enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment. Unfortunately, more times than not cats do not have access to a safe area outside... I've talked to a lot of people who get SO angry with me when I talk about the use of "cat doors" as they immediately assume I'm talking about letting cats outside to get eaten by wild animals, hit by cars, or otherwise injured/killed (as if that was my intention?).

No, I do not blindly advocate for all cats to be released into the dangerous outside world. But neither will I advocate for cats to be kept inside their entire lives, never allowed to enjoy the simple pleasures of sunshine, wind, and fresh air.

I don't understand how catios are not more popular. The more I talk about my cat's catio the more I understand how so many people have never even considered this as a possibility! Why not let our indoor cats enjoy both the safety of the home and the joys of the outside?

Do you have a catio? What is your opinion on the matter?

Thank you!

[Barkingdog]

When I had cats I would let them outside , one cat I had would come home smelling like he been sitting next a fire . My cat was going to a neighbor's house to visit her and sit in front of her fireplace ! My neighbor told me she enjoyed my cat company . If I had a cat and the room I would love to have a catios but there are too ticks here and I would hate have to use something on cat to keep fleas and tick off.

[marko]

really safe enclosures are a good idea for cats imo.

[hazelrunpack]

I've been trying to come up with a design for JD. So far, we do have a screened in porch on the shed that he can run free in, but it can't be accessed from the house--I either have to carry him out there, or put on his harness and lead. Would love to make a covered, elevated walkway leading from the back of the house out to the porch! However, considering my limited carpentry experience, that's probably not going to happen.

[Barkingdog]

This looks really cool for cats !

[Longblades]

WE'd like to build one and let the 5 inside only cats outside. All my cats have been in and out up till a few years ago. Now one is in and out and one is always out because she's still pretty wary, even after five winters with us, warm in our garage.

But you know what I've found? Over many years? The boys roam, fight, get into trouble no matter how young you neuter them. The girls seem much more safety conscious and stick around our yard. We do spay, sometimes not so early, witness kittens we've had since they were 9 days old. But that's because all our cats just show up here. Well really, I think neighbours plant them in our yard. But whatever, they come to us as outside cats and it's hard to convince them to stay in and hard on them as life outside is immeasureably a richer life.