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Post by Pawsforthought on Jun 12, 2013 13:08:46 GMT
I wonder what you all think about allowing pedigree cats to roam? I understand this is a debated topic, but do you think it's ok if you live in a fairly quiet area? Someone on another forum said it's a good idea to let trusted neighbours know a knew pedigree cat (who will be roaming) has moved into the area so they can keep an eye on it out and about.
And someone else said no one would want to steal a neutered pedigree cat anyway.
But then on the other hand, someone else said it's incredibly cruel, both to the cat and the local wildlife? :s
I'm very confused! We live in a rural sort of area, very quiet with lots of empty open fields and woodland. There are roads but there aren't many cars up and down.
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Post by lotsofcats on Jun 12, 2013 13:24:51 GMT
I have 7 cats - 6 are indoor cats with access to an outdoor cat pen and 1 is mainly an outdoor cat. 2 of my cats are Maine Coons. The reason I have them as indoor cats is that I live on a very busy road and have had 2 cats killed by cars, the last cat was only 8 months old. I vowed then to only have indoor cats. Toffee is my outdoor cat and stays that way as he was a stray and doesn't get on with my dog Kobi, so I get to worry about Toffee all the time. Apart from the busy road I would worry about someone stealing the Maine Coons and people hurting any of the cats.
However, if I lived where you do Pawsforthought, I wouldn't hesitate in letting all of the cats out.
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Post by ownedby3cats on Jun 12, 2013 14:49:44 GMT
I have 3 indoor cats 1 is possibly a pedigree. They are indoors cos I live on an estate and the way some drivers drive round here it a wonder a child hasn't been knocked down never mind animals surviving at their hands.
Sandra
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Post by tonib on Jun 12, 2013 18:16:06 GMT
I think it would depend on area. We live on the edge of an quiet estate next to a country park & our cats are all allowed out but Penny now chooses to stay in & never really went out of the garden - she couldn't get over the fence but originally was able to get under our old gate but can't now as the new one is close to the ground.
Ours are all non-pedigree but I'm not sure that makes a difference, although I think the breed/nature of the cat is perhaps a deciding factor. After all I don't think a Sphynx would like being out & about in all weathers.
The area could also impact on the decision, depending how valuable looking the cats are, theft would be a consideration.
The countryside you describe seems ideal for outdoor cats, so long as you are prepared to groom long-haired cats more due to tangles. Also with certain breeds there might be health issues (some Persians breathing spring to mind) which might mean that free roaming might not be the best thing.
However the comment about cruelty to cat & bird applies to all cats not just pedigree.
I suppose other locals could look at distinctive looking pedigree cats & consider they might be a lost cat & take appropriate action as pedigrees aren't often seen loose. But some pedigrees don't always look that different to non-pedigree especially to non-experts.
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Post by judypops on Jun 12, 2013 19:29:13 GMT
Our cats are all moggies. We got Charlie and Morandi from someone down the road, where they had been born and lived outside.
They go out during the day and sleep indoors, we don't leave them in when we aren't home. We live in the country, beyond our back garden are fields but we do have neighbours. We have never had a cat knocked down, but we did have a dog that jumped the gate when we weren't home one day.
I think if it was a breeder's cat or a showing cat that the owner is financially invested in, it is a different matter than a pet cat. Our neighbours either have cats or know that we have cats so there's no big issue, and I'd like to think that if they saw something happen they would tell us. Dirty paws and wet fur seem to be the only 'problems' for us.
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 12, 2013 19:56:59 GMT
For me, where I live, I'd let any cat out to roam. There's no main roads, and as far as I'm aware, very few predators. Of course there's a risk of getting stolen, but I just feel around here, its unlikely.
I don't have a pedigree cat, but I do plan to own a Maine Coon or a Siamese next, whichever I find first. As long as he's neutered, he'll be allowed outside.
Safety is different here than in bigger built up areas. I leave my front door wide open all day, the dogs can go in and out as they please, and just the same, a burglar could walk in and take everything I own, and the dogs! But its just the done thing here.
One peeve of mine is people who think their pedigree cat is better than mine. I know on a few forums this has come up. 'I could never let my cat out, she's a PEDIGREE, and worth too much'. Well you might have paid hundreds for her, but mine is just as special!
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Post by daintipawz on Jun 12, 2013 20:53:00 GMT
I have had both moggies and pedigrees which were allowed out, I lived in a quiet cul de sac but even so some still came to harm, dog attacks which resulted in one killed and the other seriously injured resulting in him being pts, car accidents, some lost etc, we now only have indoor cats.
Sarahhound....Not all pedigree owners think their cat is more special than moggies, all our cats are special to their owners whether pedigree or non pedigree, I understand owners saying they can't let them out as they cost too much, I'm sure it isn't meant to make moggies sound inferior, but pedigrees are more likely to be stolen, neutered or not, they cost a lot of money and there are people who want one but can't afford so will just take one if they see one on the streets.
I now prefer to keep all mine indoors, for me it is safer and I know where they are, they are happy and I am happy. Being a breeder I don't want them to pick anything up from other cats which can be spread such as viruses etc.
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 12, 2013 20:59:56 GMT
I have had both moggies and pedigrees which were allowed out, I lived in a quiet cul de sac but even so some still came to harm, dog attacks which resulted in one killed and the other seriously injured resulting in him being pts, car accidents, some lost etc, we now only have indoor cats. Sarahhound....Not all pedigree owners think their cat is more special than moggies, all our cats are special to their owners whether pedigree or non pedigree, I understand owners saying they can't let them out as they cost too much, I'm sure it isn't meant to make moggies sound inferior, but pedigrees are more likely to be stolen, neutered or not, they cost a lot of money and there are people who want one but can't afford so will just take one if they see one on the streets.I now prefer to keep all mine indoors, for me it is safer and I know where they are, they are happy and I am happy. Being a breeder I don't want them to pick anything up from other cats which can be spread such as viruses etc. I know, but there are a lot who do was my point. I too have lost a cat to the road, and had one injured by dogs, but personally, my cats just love outdoors to much to keep them in.
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Post by spider on Jun 12, 2013 21:52:33 GMT
i dont think we ever had a place where i would have felt safe enough just to let any cat wander we live in a town on a main road spider had two nights away from us in his 17 years some worry that was i was out all night looking for him when hunger got the better of him he came home he was a ex street cat moonbeam bless him wouldnt have a idea how to survive outside his world he had a terrible scare this morning a bird came near the window he was sitting in he is down a life now how would he cope with say a dog /car/BIRD in real life
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Post by ridley on Jun 13, 2013 11:39:13 GMT
all mine are moggies and outside cats....ive never had a pedigree....but i think cats are meant to go outdoors, so thats why i stick to moggies!
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Post by puddycats on Jun 13, 2013 11:52:28 GMT
All my cats that I have had throughout my life have been allowed outdoors. Molly (who will be 18 next month!!) decided at the age of 6 (no idea why)that she no longer wanted to go out and I must say how wonderful it is too. I always know where she is. No cat fights. No disappearing for days and the worry of that and no worry that she may be run over. But as I say that was her choice not mine but I am glad she made it.
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Post by heartpawprints on Jun 13, 2013 12:38:55 GMT
When we had Monty - Burnese Blue he was an outdoors cat. We lived in London in a reasonably busy area but not on a main road. Sadly in life either route is no guarantee. Yes, there are more hazards outdoors with roads and cars and dogs but that in itself won't mean a bad outcome. Monty lived till about 13 and all that had happened to him is one time he got knocked by a car and went missing. When we found him, (I placed him in Mum's arms after doing a "close your eyes and open your hands" introduction - she burst out crying) the vet said he was a bit dehydrated, gave him an antibiotic jab as you'd expect and he was as right as rain after a couple of days' rest - and some chicken from a very relieved Mum.
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Post by munchkins on Jun 13, 2013 17:21:16 GMT
My munchkin is a moggie but an indoor only, that's all she's known from a kitten, I wouldn't let her out, not only do I live on a busy road there are some evil people out there, I've lost count of the amount lost cat posters I've seen, only today I found a young cat in Tesco's car park very thin and not looking well atall, no collar, so I rang the rspca, I was so worried, so mine is staying in, I no where she is she's happy healthy and safe in my house
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Post by vonnie on Jun 13, 2013 17:22:25 GMT
I think it depends on the pedigree and very, very much on the area they live. Any cat is fine indoors if there is enough stimulation for them...it's a lot of time to give but worth it. However, even though both my girls (squeee!!! BOTH! Not one but two now! So happy!) are indoors, I still hope to move to an area safe enough to allow them out one day.
As I mentioned, on pedigrees it does depend on breed. Ragdolls and Birman are apparently meant to not be the brainiest (no offence to any raggie/ birman owners) and so apparently should not be let out. One of our vets owns a birman who he says is so thick she gets lost going from one room to another (I assume some exaggeration here perhaps), however they live by farmland with a nice neighbour and the cats do have outdoor access (for all her daftness, the birman is an excellant mouser). I also know plenty of other people who allow their birmans/ raggies out. Theft should not be a problem if the pet is microchipped. I think it depends more on where you live. If it is a quiet area (and Sarahhound I envy you for your peaceful home!) then it doesn't matter what the cat is. I do agree that moggies are as important and valuable as pedigrees and should not really be treated differently. However, saying this I also appreciate that a breeder who has put time and effort into producing kittens may wish to ask they be indoors. As long as they rehome to owners who realise how much extra attention they need I don't see a problem. I'm sure some moggie breeders ask the same. I know Simmi's owner was happy she's be safe.
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Post by judypops on Jun 13, 2013 17:27:14 GMT
Ideally I would like to have out lot micro chipped, for peace of mind, but my parents are not so convinced. They don't wear collars, never liked them and after finding Charlie's hanging on a low branch one day I'm slightly scared to have them on. (they were quick release).
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