Why can't cat owners keep their cat INSIDE?

[i-need-a-martini]

I am so over all the cats roaming through our backyard.

Not only does it mean our pet rabbit can't be outside in his own backyard or that I have to watch out where I put my hands when I am gardening because there is cat c*ap every where or that we get woken up at night because of cat fights.

But today I have spent the afternoon washing down with bleach all the entrances to my house, the perimetre walls and garden pots because the stench of their spraying is unbearable. They are even spraying the cars in the driveway.

And whilst I know that every cat owner on here will say they are responsible cat owners or that their cat is always inside or that they have cat runs so their cats never leave their property, I have yet to meet a cat owner in Sydney that has any of the above.

If you can't keep a cat on YOUR property then you have no business owning a cat in the first place.

[cezm]

We have screens and some windows and doors are open most of the day .... summer and winter

[mainecoon1]

Both my cats have been indoor cats since they were kittens one is 16 and 1 is 7 I have no problems keeping them in. We have security screen doors on front and back door and screens on all windows. My windows and doors are usually open when I am at home and the cats have show no interest in going out

[bella_again]

Well all I can say is the vet thinks that my cats aged 12, 10 and 9 are among the healthest she's seen so I wouldn't think there is an issue. Besides far safter inside than out where they are subject to disease such as Feline AIDS which is highly contagious as well as numerous others, unattended cats can be victims of dog attacks, wild life and humans.  Let alone the risk they can pose to wildlife and the risk of being run over.

I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't keep your cat indoors.  It's not a matter of being cruel its a matter of keeping them safe.  If they must go outside have a cat enclosure or take them out on a lead.

At the end of the day we are all different that is my take on it.

[fourandsixpants]

Well I am late today!......Just locked the cat flap so my babies are safe for the night. 'Lock up'  time is 5pm in this cat friendly home. 

[mainecoon1]

Like your vet bella mine has said he is amazed at how well my Sophie is considering her age she will be 17 in November she is getting thinner and has a little heart issue but has no arthritis eats well and seems happy, she has never been outside she has had the opportunity but she is not interest When it comes to Shakespeare I would not let him out not only for his own health but I would be scared he was stolen he is a Maine Coon and I have heard to many stories of owners that let their pedigree pets out only to have them go missing. In the old area I lived the police warned owners to keep their pets in due to the amount of pets (dogs and cats) that were going missing presumed stolen as they were all pedigrees, he only goes in the garden when I am out there and can keep my eye one him he is a bit of a dog cat and comes to call.

[chuk_77]

martini, its not fair to have to spend money to keep cats out of your own yard, but if you have to, perhaps look at something like this

http://oscillot.com.au/

Ive also seen cheap DIY ones made with pvc piping. 

[azureline**]

The Sureguard Electronic Cat Fence will allow your cat the freedom to roam your garden without escaping and stop other peoples' cats from entering your property.

[kabarine]

Cpl of German Shepherds work very well for keeping other people's cats off our property  ....

[cherry*135]

We live very near the ocean.. There is a reclaimed wetland down the hill from my house. Plenty of trees there and birds.
Houses bordering it on one side. I can hear kookaburras from the house.

Rosie - human traps would be handy sonetimes! We had lovely Kereru (big wood pigeons) in the trees behind our city yard in Invercargill.

My daughter lives in an apartment block (4th floor). Her flatmate had a cat until very recently. They let him out on the balcony under close supervision sometimes. The cats instinct was to try and jump up on the solid balcony wall and escape!

[channys_mum]

I have three cats. 2 Bengals and a moggy.. The Bengals have an enclosure the length of the house and about 4 mtrs wide. They have platforms and a tree branch for climbing. The enclosure allows entry through the laundry door. On the two occasions that the gate was accidentally opened they escaped and ran around to the back door to come in. The moggy is free range during the day and inside at night. During the day she hangs about the yard and porch. She is too busy protecting my chickens to go elsewhere. No she does not drool while doing so lol. The cats I believe are very happy little chappies. I was going to post a pic of the enclosure however I can't post pics at the moment. The bengals have to be kept separated from the moggy as they do not play nice, however they are fine with the dog and chickens.