This might be a hot take, and some of you may disagree with me. But I'm open to a friendly discussion :)
I currently live in a duplex, and my neighbor has an outdoor cat. He's a mostly black kitty (which is important) and in my time of living here he's killed birds and spent a lot of his time meowing really loudly. To me, it seems like he wants to be let back inside, but my neighbor insists that he likes being outside.
In my opinion, outdoor cats can be problematic because 1) they can pose a threat to local wildlife (like killing birds) and 2) they can be in danger themselves, like of being hit by cars (especially if they are black and it's nighttime) or by freaks who like to harm animals (unfortunately a very real concern).
My roommate's cat is a strictly indoor cat, with plenty of toys and stimulation that does not harm him, or the local environment. From what I can see, he's perfectly happy living inside.
I know there's exceptions, like cats who are from the streets being adopted and preferring the outdoors. However, I feel like cats (and most pets, for that matter) should live inside, both for their safety and for the safety of the local wildlife.
Again, I'm open to a friendly discussion if you disagree :)
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discmaan_
Honestly, I think you bring up some really good points. I love cats, but I do think people sometimes forget that letting a cat roam outside comes with risks, not only for the cat but also for the environment around them.
The wildlife part is something I find especially interesting because cats are natural hunters, so even a well-fed and loved cat can still chase and kill birds or small animals just because it’s instinct. And like you said, there are also a lot of dangers for the cat itself, cars, diseases, other animals, or unfortunately people who might hurt them.
At the same time, I understand why some people feel like cats should have outdoor access. Some cats really do seem to enjoy exploring and being outside, especially if they grew up that way. I think it depends a lot on the individual cat and the environment they live in.
Personally, I’m more in favor of indoor cats with lots of enrichment. A cat can have a really happy life inside if they have toys, places to climb, windows to look out of, and enough attention. I think the goal should be giving them the best life possible while keeping them safe.
Also, I feel bad for the neighbor’s cat you mentioned :( A cat constantly meowing outside makes me wonder if he’s actually enjoying it or if he’s trying to communicate something. Cats are mysterious little creatures, so it’s always hard to know what they’re thinking haha.
Definitely an interesting topic though, and I like that you brought it up in a respectful way! 🐈⬛
ZamsMeteoriteEye
I agree. Cats are an invasive speices, and they kill a lot of the local animals without needing to, because their owners feed them.
And it's also dangerous for the cats themselves because of danger and illnesses.
And if not castrated, there's a big chance the cat will impregnate another get/get pregnant, adding more unneeded cats into the area that will further destroy the ecosystem.
Sadly, cats are concidered wild animals so you cannot threaten your neighbour with animal control. I would try and bring more facts and logic into the conversation to try and convince him.
chruscik
honestly having an all outdoor cat is kinda weird to me , my cousin has some bc they were dropped by their mother and left and they didnt wanna leave them but also didnt wanna adopt them as they didnt want more cats, but id say your neighbor is lowkey acting weird, i have two cats and they are both indoor and outdoor cats (they stay home but we let them out to play) like my younger kitty loves to be outside, so trapping him in home would be kind of cruel. My older cat dosent rlly care he just sleeps all day (LOL) but they also go outside to poop since my parents thought it would be more efficient cuz they also spend half of the day in our yard (ofc when its winter we bring out the litter inside our house)
its true that having a cat outdoor can get something bad happening to them i always worry when theyre outside :(
one of my cats (rest in peace ily) ran away and i think he was killed by other stray cats so its really important to know your surroundings (is that how you spell it?) before letting them outside :(