Dr Bruce Fogle, the well-known veterinarian and author, says:
“Judging by what people tell me when they bring their cat to the clinic, it’s pretty much normal for owners to feel guilty about not letting their felines outdoors….”
He then goes on to write that cat owners should not feel guilty about this because “many cats” are perfectly comfortable leading an indoor life.
I am interested in his observation that the majority of cat owners feel guilty about keeping their cats inside the home, full-time. Dr. Bruce Fogle lives in England, UK as far as I am aware, so he is probably referring to English people and there is a different attitude to cat caretaking in England compared to America.
English people by-and-large believe cats should be allowed to go out and therefore if for some reason they feel they have to keep their cat in full-time, they feel guilty.
Conversely, it seems, but I am not sure, that the fairly high percentage of Americans who keep their cats inside permanently do not feel guilty about it. Quite the contrary I suspect. They almost certainly believe they are doing what they have to do to keep their cat safe and that is the first duty of a cat owner.
Perhaps, as well, American cat owners are more likely to believe that cats are perfectly content indoors, full-time. This is another reason why they are unlikely to feel guilty about it.
In fact most Americans would probably scoff at the thought of being guilty for keeping their cat inside all the time. It seems like common sense to keep their cats inside.
I am one of those people who would feel guilty. This is because I believe a cat should experience nature because it is their right and it must be stimulating for the cat to hear, smell and see what is going on in the natural environment.
The interesting thing for me is that when I stayed in America the family I was with kept their cats inside full-time but they had a large unused garden part of which they could have turned into a large outside enclosure. That would have allowed their cats to enjoy the outside safely.
On that basis I conclude they didn’t believe their cats would benefit in anyway in being allowed to go outside, which is where we diverge in opinion because for me common sense dictates that it is beneficial for a cat to experience the outside provided it is safe to do so. Mental stimulation and physical activity must be beneficial.
That said I fully respect the views of others even if we disagree. There is a cultural difference too, which plays a role in attitudes.
If by some stroke of luck an American reads this, I’d like them to tell me if they feel guilty keeping their cat inside.
Well as someone where my Cats have always can have an Inside/Outside Life. I dont feel Guilty the only time I felt bad when I had to let Jasmine not go outside. I feel for people who can’t do this. I think with having Animals Fixed It doesnt make them roam as much. Like they dont go very far at all. The furthest they would go Is Nxt Door Or down the Street. Which is not massivly busy.When picking another house I want it to be not in a busys area and have a cat friendly area. As its important that they have a place they feel safe in. I know many people will disagree but things here in New Zealand where I am is different.
NZ is very like England Kylee. Some people in the USA say cats should never ever be allowed out, but why should we deprive them if we live in cat friendly places!
Like you are planning to when you move, we always consider our cats first and foremost too. We moved here after researching it well because we got cat hating neighbours at our old home, we would move from here if it became unsafe for our cats.
Yes New Zealand is alot Like UK as thats where our AnExactly Well The cats are Family members and one thing I learnt Off Cassy. When we Moved here, she was really Happy That made me realised If Cats are Happy it makes us Happy. Yes Im starting to Plan the Type of Place I want and Not Rush to the First Available Place. I want them to be happy and not in a too Busy area. I also want the area to be on the Flat so I can Get out more for myself. As I hearld that Outside cats dont live as long. I been abit Concerned about Tiger as he been snuffling and Sneezing more. Will Prob have take him to Vet if he Doesnt improve.
Outside cats maybe don’t live as long, but well looked after indoors/outdoors cats can do, many of ours have lived to 17 years old, long fulfilled lives!
Thats what my Hope is. Tammy made it to 12 so theres alway Hope. I hope to let mine last as long as they can.
Outside of colonies, I have strictly indoor, indoor/outdoor, and a few strictly outdoor (feral) cats.
I don’t try to make the I/O or outdoor cats become indoor ones because I don’t believe they would be content after having so much freedom; however, I worry to death about them.
Many times I feel guilty not allowing complete freedom for the insiders. But, then I’ll have a cat stagger home to die or hear a raccoon killing one of my cats, and I throw those guilty feelings out the window.
I tried carrying Damon outside to let him briefly feel the grass, but he was so scared that he clung and cried until we came in.
Interesting that you feel guilty. You’re British 😉 But it is particularly complicated in the US because of increased dangers from predators. There are no predators really in the USA who would kill a cat. The danger comes from cars and people (poisoning or airgun shooting).
Dee you really belong here in England with us xx
I am only interested in My babies not money. I am not a greedy man and that is I hope Michael know well about me.
No money please
Just when you attend the church or your place of worship, pray for me and my cats jazakallah 🙁
They say every picture tells a story and this is very true. I don’t go to any Church, but I will keep you and your family and all those cats in my thoughts and prayers.
xx
Thanks a thousand times RUTH <3
I have to share this to you
I am their (Care taker/ FATHER). They were kittens, I rescued them from dangers. I made these boys and girls to live freely/ happily (without any stress) in my street. I tamed them according to the need of a cat's decency and I socialised them so no one could harm them anymore. I saw their beautiful kittens with my own eyes. They were with their mom and feral colony AUNTIES/ UNCLES. I called to PINKY several times and KHOLA. Because these two were body-guards of the kittens. Khola in the front, kittens all around following KHOLA and PINKY at the back of this convoy.
I was observed it with my shining eyes and when ever I called "PINKEEEEEEEEE" a special tone from her kitten-hood. She rushed like a tigress to me.
and I always kissed her on lips. Does any moslem do this? MY WIFE would KILL me 😉 .
I fed those kittens several time but I let them roam free in a trust that perhaps my neighbors have changed their heart.
But . . . This is the ultimate result. Alas I could speak CAT LANGUAGE or they could speak mine and understand each others words. I should say,"All pregnant moms (cats) should give birth in my terrace and not roam freely."
One day, perhaps … they will learn it. I wish one day 🙁
Thanks for the pray RUTH <3 🙁
The point is that it’s a cats instinct to roam and to breed and they have as much right to live as any other being has but some people don’t think that way. They think human beings have the right to use, abuse and kill animals and they do all that just because they can.
This s such a cruel world and it would be hopeless in some countries if it wasn’t for kind people like you Ahsan.
We are so lucky here that we have vets to neuter our cats for their own sake and to care for their health and we have Cats Protection and laws to punish people who hurt or kill cats.
It seems to be a struggle alone for you there and we can only admire you from afar and be with you in Spirit. You need practical help but there is none for you apart from your lovely daughter and your street boys.
xx
Thank God there are people like you! You seem a kind soul!
He is. There are many kind souls who live their lives away from the public eye, who are unsung, unpraised. They are the true celebrities.
I know you better. I’ll pray for you and your family including the cats.
Thanks Michael, interesting article.
If you had asked me directly this question, I should straight away reply with NO CAT NO OUTSIDE.
It all depends according to the circumstances we live, in the general attitude of people outside the world, within area or whole country etc.
I can only say a sentence.
“NO CAT, NOT OUTSIDE, NOT HERE WHERE I LIVE, SORRY! ALL SHOULD KEPT INSIDE 🙁 ” (With a great sorrow).
BUT I am agreed with YOU and RUTH 🙂
Yes ‘great sorrow’ describes exactly that in many places cats are not safe outside 🙁
The reason here why I am now against leting my babies out whether they are FERAL in public eyes 🙁
The outside for you is very dangerous and hard for cats. I have a feeling it is similar anywhere in Asia but I am not sure.
That’s why my Friend! I never shared any video
otherwise I have full documentation/ record of every event.
pics+videos 🙁
That is just too SAD!! I was not expecting this! Does this happen often? I can’t wrap my mind around this at all!
Yup yeah! its a routine 🙁
So awful, someone must be poisoning those cats. How can anyone be so cruel!
Yes, one of my spy boy has told me that “Uncle! that man is poisoning cats and kittens, He make used too first for cats to rush upon the food which is neat and clean and when these cats are used to his food, one day he just mix poison and then kittens die, because they rush first towards the food”.
I know who he is but no law, no rule, no order 🙁 🙁
The man is a policeman himself 🙁
A policeman poisoning cats?
Since that day I am constantly on my bed….ILL
?????
Here is more my friends
I’m with you Michael, I would feel guilty if we had to deprive our cats of their freedom, in fact we wouldn’t live anywhere which wasn’t cat friendly and safe.
I know there are places in the USA too dangerous for cats to go out but declawing started because of keeping cats always indoors, so many lost/lose their freedom and their toe ends too.
What makes me angry is when people say cats don’t want to go out, of course they do, but what choice do they have if they can’t?
We often read the question ‘How can I stop my cat trying to escape?’ Trying to escape says to me their home is a prison! Then the advice comes ‘Frighten them from the door with a loud noise’ ‘Set the dog to chase them from the door’ ‘Get a scat mat’ and so on….Until the cat is bullied into accepting his fate and gives up trying.
That is not happiness, it’s acceptance!
I know cats need to be kept safe but it makes me very sad that this is necessary, that much of this world is dangerous and that evil people who hurt or kill animals inhabit it.
I don’t think all Americans will feel guilty, some will justify themselves like they do over declawing, many don’t seem to look upon cats as we do, as a family member with rights.
That family you stayed with could have easily made an enclosure, most Americans could surely make some sort of outdoor run for their cats, there seems to be much more space there than here.
I’d never want Fogle as our vet, our vets past and present do agree that cats need to live as natural a life as we can give them.
Our vets don’t call themselves doctor, so I did a quick search on him and he was born and trained in Canada! That explains it! I wonder what his views are on declawing?
I was surprised that Dr Fogle says that many cats are OK indoors permanently. He did though say “many” cats not all cats which tells us that he is not completely in favour of an indoor life.
Ruth, fortunately, my cats have never tried to ‘escape’. They do come downstairs to the door and look out, but then they see the roadway with all the cars moving and they high-tail it back upstairs! It’s rather funny. I truly feel they know that they are safe with me, and I provide an extremely cat friendly home. I will, as I explained in an earlier comment, try to get them outside occasionally via a stroller — if they don’t get too freaked out by all the noise! My son and I have both held some of them and taken them outside, and they do not like it!! They immediately latch onto us and want to get back in the house. I do live on a major roadway with very heavy traffic. The noise is very scary to them. My oldest, Lilac (a lilac point Siamese), loves the snow — so once in a while — at night only — we will take her outside and let her walk in the snow! She never goes more than a few steps and is ready to go back in the house.
I really feel for you and for everyone living in dangerous places for cats. I think a cat in a stroller would feel trapped and vulnerable and possibly panic. Imagine people stopping to stare, a cat’s nightmare! Imagine the cat seeing the outside and the grass but unable to sample it and enjoy rolling in it in the sun.
I think the best thing to do is to make inside as fulfilled as possible, which I’m sure you do, with lots of high places to climb, lots of attention, kitty grass, window seats, it’s the best you can do if you don’t have the room outside for a cat run of some sort.
What a rotten cruel world this has become, the ancestors of our cats lived free but it isn’t safe for some to even go outside their own home now!
Ruth, believe me, my kitties have a very happy, fun-filled home with all the things you mentioned above — and TONS of love and attention from me and my son!!
Just as a quick note and something to amuse you — a very good friend of mine who lives in NYC, has a kitty that she takes in a stroller to Central Park every possible day — weather permitting — and she (the kitty) absolutely loves it!! Tomoko has NEVER had problems with her kitty, Lulu. She is a very outgoing kitty and loves the attention folks give her. It’s actually become quite routine for them. Tomoko takes her with a harness and leash, and lets Lulu get out to explore a little while she is at the park. She also dresses her up in cute outfits — Lulu likes to get dressed up as well!! She is a beautiful flame point Siamese. The pics I see of her are absolutely stunning! I don’t know if my kids would like the stroller or not– mainly due to traffic noise. I use the stroller for all but 3 of my kitties (they are quite big!!) to go to the vets, and they seem to like the ride, but I don’t know how they would handle traffic noise if I were to take them for walks. They truly like being with Mom, and don’t seem to mind being inside with me!♥♥♥
Oh dear no comment about dressing cats up, how very different we are in England.
It’s as well cats are so adaptable, the main thing is that they are happy.
I am American and i do NOT feel guilt over any thing that i do that is going to prolong the life of my cat. I do NOT follow any other persons advice whether professional or otherwise on the subject. I follow my heart which is suffice! I do NOT believe in declawing under any circumstance for any reason. PERIOD! Even if a cat is being kept inside his entire life. My cat recently got out on his own by destroying the screens in my apartment and helping himself to the outdoors. He was coaxed back inside after the scary discovery, but what would of happened had he become startled by something or someone and had to run and climb the nearest tree without having claws? It could turn nasty. I do hear of and see many irresponsible pet owners who allow their cats outdoors to roam free in unsupervised and dangerous areas, which results in fatalities. There is no accounting for ignorance and the results prove just that. For now and always, my cat will remain indoors and with all his claws intact to live out what i hope is a long and happy life.
I totally understand you. I found the comment of Dr Fogle interesting and wanted to expand on it. Thanks for sharing again.
Jayme, I agree with you !! Anything that is prolonging the life and health of my “kids” will ALWAYS be a plus!!!!
My cats are all indoor only babies. I sometimes wish they could go outside to get fresh air, but I live on a major roadway and have no yard as I live in an apartment. I feel that they are safer. I have tried with several to get them to walk on a lead with no success. I have recently purchased a stroller, and may give them turns at going out in it.I will try to get them out occasionally besides going to the vet!
A stroller sounds good. I know you do the best you can. But do you feel a bit guilty, that is the question? 😉
Michael, not really. . . I know that this is best for them. My case is more of ‘feeling sorry’ for them, but I really don’t feel guilty — maybe due to the circumstances of the area I live. Even if I had a yard, and was able to let them out, it would only be under strict supervision. I just don’t trust people outside, plus, the circumstances in which I rescued them — basically, only 3 of my 12 are adopted — the rest are rescues from, literally, off the street — most as throw-aways or dumped. Another big advantage I have with them being indoor (and another reason I really don’t feel guilty) is that they aren’t exposed to fleas and such. The only time I have had to give them flea treatments was when my son carried them in from the greyhounds at our racetrack.
Good answer. Cats are safer in several ways inside. This is a competition between safety and stimulation. Sometimes there is no choice though.
Michael. . .also read my comment to Ruth’s post. . .