The kitten & cat thread
#322
Elite Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,597
Total Cats: 1,263
My cats have always gone in and out as they please. But humans have to let them in/out. Just trying to eliminate the getting up part.
Locking any animal up for their safety is cruel. When we do it to humans, it's called prison.
Locking any animal up for their safety is cruel. When we do it to humans, it's called prison.
#324
Elite Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,597
Total Cats: 1,263
Both of my current cats are outside more than in. The last one (sadly gone now) lived to over 18 years, and was a pisser right up to the last few months when cancer got him.
I live on a relatively quiet street in a pretty sedate suburban neighborhood. Traffic is minimal and speed limits are pretty tightly enforced. Yes, it's taking a chance, but I think the alternative is much worse.
I live on a relatively quiet street in a pretty sedate suburban neighborhood. Traffic is minimal and speed limits are pretty tightly enforced. Yes, it's taking a chance, but I think the alternative is much worse.
#327
My exes cat is a cat that always stays outside. One morning they found the cat laying on the front door mat barely moving with its eyes bulging out of its head and a giant lump of something on its neck along with tons of scratches all over its body. My guess is it got in a fight with something over night and it got bit all over and then it was grabbed by the neck and dragged somewhere. Either that or there was an infection from the animal it fought with causing the lump. No clue but it went down within 2 or so days. Ever since then i've been against letting pets go outside on their own.
You show your pet the world. If you never show it some world it's not going to miss where it hasn't gone. For example for my cats they have never been outside. They don't know what exists out there so they never wan't to go out.
#328
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Very NorCal
Posts: 10,441
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Mine is scared shitless of "outside." She is perfectly content to sit at the window and yowell at things. The intent was to get her to be indoor/outdoor but she was already 9-10 months old "inside" when we got her. Trips outside (we have a harness thing like Brainy has pictured) result in fear bordering on absolute terror, like shes going to fall into the sky or something. Upon returning to the house, she hides and wants nothing to do with us for torturing her.
I'm convinced we need another cat who knows what's up and can show her the way, or we'll just let her stay inside and be happy.
I'm convinced we need another cat who knows what's up and can show her the way, or we'll just let her stay inside and be happy.
#329
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,597
Total Cats: 1,263
Well, all my cats have been rescues, so it's very possible they spent the better part of the first year of life outdoors. I do not boot them out, but I do let them go if they want. One cat (which was my wife's grandfather's cat) did not like to go out. No big deal, she just stayed in.
One thing: if your cat goes outside, it is imperative to make sure they are always up to date on their shots. And, I think that all cats should be fixed. It prevents accidental breeding, and I think it makes for happier, more playful cats.
BTW, anyone have any answers on the cat doors? See post #320 above.
One thing: if your cat goes outside, it is imperative to make sure they are always up to date on their shots. And, I think that all cats should be fixed. It prevents accidental breeding, and I think it makes for happier, more playful cats.
BTW, anyone have any answers on the cat doors? See post #320 above.
#334
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,597
Total Cats: 1,263
I have a large Michael Shea's glass by my bedside. Cats learned that there was water available and they didn't need to go downstairs to get it. It's now their water glass.
I have to get up to get a drink.
I have to get up to get a drink.
#335
Elite Member
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Very NorCal
Posts: 10,441
Total Cats: 1,899
You sir, need a Nalgene. I dug my glow-in-the-dark one out of my camping equipment and it now lives on the nightstand. Unless she grows thumbs, it will continue to be cat-resistant. Bonus: don't need to turn on the light to find it
#337
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,501
Total Cats: 4,080
my female cat loves spicy foods. she loves apricots and chicken and tuna and pizza and chips and whatever else i might be eating. She begs like a dog at dinner and eventually jumps on my shoulders and barks in my face to get food. it's cute. i love her.
#340
This is what I wake up to on weekends....clearly, the food bowl is empty.
Wake up!! by AnonymousNamelss, on Flickr
Wake up!! by AnonymousNamelss, on Flickr