03 Jun 05
Is it animal cruelty to have an indoor cat? I've had a pretty little cat for almost 2 yrs now and I don't allow him to go outside. He's neutered and all his shots are up to date but I fear he'll get fleas and ticks, not to mention there are alot of strays in my neighborhood with whom he could get into altercations. There's also alot of snotty little kids who like to torment the poor little strays whenever they get the chance. I feel bad watching my poor kitty stare dreamily outside and I wonder if he needs to be outdoors but I also fear for his safety and the cost of a vet if anything was to happen to him. Am I abusing my pet?
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by mokkoWe live on a farm and our cats and dogs come and go as they please. But to answer your question: no, I don't think of what you're doing as animal cruelty in any sense of the word. If your cat has never been allowed outside I doubt that he misses it. Most likely your cat looks dreamily out the window in much the same way that we look dreamily at TV. In fact, we spend half our time sliding open the glass door to let a cat in or out. I have the feeling that no matter which side of the glass a cat is on it will be dreamily looking through the glass at the other side.
Is it animal cruelty to have an indoor cat? I've had a pretty little cat for almost 2 yrs now and I don't allow him to go outside. He's neutered and all his shots are up to date but I fear he'll get fleas and ticks, not to mention there are alot of strays in my neighborhood with whom he could get into altercations. There's also alot of snotty little kids ...[text shortened]... fear for his safety and the cost of a vet if anything was to happen to him. Am I abusing my pet?
03 Jun 05
If I lived on a farm I would let him roam free but here in town there are more worries (I feel). Not to mention I paid ALOT of money for this little mongrel! He sneeks out the door if given the chance but never gets far. Luckily the outside confuses him. Now that summer is here he's begun meowing at the screendoor begging to go out. Do animals need to be outside? If it was a dog it would be walked everyday. I feel I'm protecting him but I wonder if I could be harming him.
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by mokkoBuy a leash and small harness and maybe he'll learn to walk with you. At least I've seen other people walk cats when we used to live in Seattle.
If I lived on a farm I would let him roam free but here in town there are more worries (I feel). Not to mention I paid ALOT of money for this little mongrel! He sneeks out the door if given the chance but never gets far. Luckily the outside confuses him. Now that summer is here he's begun meowing at the screendoor begging to go out. Do animals need to be out ...[text shortened]... it would be walked everyday. I feel I'm protecting him but I wonder if I could be harming him.
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by DelmerHe won't even wear a collar the stubborn brute! Is eating grass harmfull to cats or good for them? I can't remember. Can't it make them sick.
Buy a leash and small harness and maybe he'll learn to walk with you. At least I've seen other people walk cats when we used to live in Seattle.
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by mokkoOur cat lies limp on the ground if you put a harness on her or clip a leash to her collar. Sort of like taking the cat for a morning drag. Pathetic.
He won't even wear a collar the stubborn brute! Is eating grass harmfull to cats or good for them? I can't remember. Can't it make them sick.
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by mokkoJust make sure the grass has not been sprayed with chemicals. Cats and dogs both quite often eat grass and then barf it up. Like nickybutt suggested, I think it helps them get rid of hairballs. Kind of wraps the strands of hair up in a green chewy wad. Why don't you get some wire fencing, old screen doors, whatever works and make an outdoor run for the cat? Maybe you can even figure out a way to attach it to the house so the cat can come and go when it wants. By the way, mokko, you aren't sneaking smokes around the cat, are you? Now that would be considered animal cruelty in our current politically correct climate.
There's a non regular grass? Is there some that is harmful?
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by mokkoYes it is, buy a cat flap & a flea collar, and let the poor little bugger get some fresh air.
Is it animal cruelty to have an indoor cat? I've had a pretty little cat for almost 2 yrs now and I don't allow him to go outside. He's neutered and all his shots are up to date but I fear he'll get fleas and ticks, not to mention there are alot of strays in my neighborhood with whom he could get into altercations. There's also alot of snotty little kids ...[text shortened]... fear for his safety and the cost of a vet if anything was to happen to him. Am I abusing my pet?
03 Jun 05
Originally posted by DelmerNever even thought of a cage outside for him. Never said I was the brightest lighbulb in the pack! My yard is so small I could probably just staple some wire across the top of the fence 😉
Just make sure the grass has not been sprayed with chemicals. Cats and dogs both quite often eat grass and then barf it up. Like nickybutt suggested, I think it helps them get rid of hairballs. Kind of wraps the strands of hair up in a green chewy wad. Why don't you get some wire fencing, old screen doors, whatever works and make an outdoor run for the cat? ...[text shortened]... are you? Now that would be considered animal cruelty in our current politically correct climate.
But I sneak smokes now and again out there in the yard 😞
So I guess that might not work 😕
Will actually look into that though and see if I can't rig something up for the poor little feline.
Has anyone seen Pamela Andersons campaign to boycot KFC?
Cruelty to chickens and all that.
Don't know where you live but it's only good place to get fried chicken in a crunch around here.
03 Jun 05
1 edit
Originally posted by mokkoMokko,
Is it animal cruelty to have an indoor cat? I've had a pretty little cat for almost 2 yrs now and I don't allow him to go outside. He's neutered and all his shots are up to date but I fear he'll get fleas and ticks, not to mention there a ...[text shortened]... st of a vet if anything was to happen to him. Am I abusing my pet?
You are doing just fine. Unless and until your cat complains just take it for what it is. It is an animal with some intelligence. Just as a three year old human. And it is not "conscious". Just like that same human. It couldn't know if it was "sad" or "happy" because that requires a cognition of time passage and self awareness and mortality.
Unconscious beings have no capacity to suffer as a human does. Your pet is extremely lucky. That you should provide its every need. That doesn't happen in nature.