I have yet to meet a vet that would tell someone to put their cat outside. The Vet here will not only chew your arse out for letting your cat roam, she will pick up cats and get them new homes if she finds them out. In addition, in some places it is actually illegal to allow your cat to roam at night, the same way it is illegal to let your dog roam. Some areas go as far as to require a harness for cats to comply with the leash law and your cats have to be crated or on a leash if outdoors.Saelune said:I dont have a doubt in my mind that more than a few will say the opposite. Vets are people, and people can disagree, even doctors. Hell, your thing says "the consensus" which suggests that "most but not all" agree.Lil devils x said:Veterinarians will tell you to keep your cat indoors.Saelune said:Im going with the everyone think's their an expert, but few are route and say this is the same stuff every animal video has ever.
Ultimately go with evil's recommendation and see a vet, cause atleast a vet has some training. Everything else...I dont know and wont claim to.
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/should-you-have-an-indoor-cat-or-an-outdoor-catThe consensus among veterinarians and organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is that it?s wiser to keep cats indoors. ?Considering the potential dangers outdoors, an indoor lifestyle is much safer for cats,? Brunt says. ?Indoor cats have a much lower likelihood of becoming hurt or ill from outdoor hazards.?
As evidence, indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. Cats who are kept indoors can reach the ripe old age of 17 or more years, whereas outdoor cats live an average of just two to five years. Another reason for indoor cats? longevity is that it?s easier for their owners to identify health problems early, before they become life threatening.
Ive had two pairs of cats. The first pair we let out regularly. One took to it more than the other. We never forced them mind you, but if one wanted out, we let them. Dont know how long they lived, since we had to give them away when we moved.
The second pair are indoor cats. One is neurotic as hell, but it was orphaned on the street still blind, so maybe thats why.
Ofcourse indoor cats live longer, I dont doubt that, but I wont say I know which makes cats generally happier.
Plus everyone keeps saying this or that, ignoring the places they live. Where I live, outdoor cats seem to be doing just fine, but I live in a comfy suburb, that has plenty of people and nature as opposed to too much of either.
Of course whether or not they are happier is related to their environment. When they have wild jungle chases through the house and patio enclosure everyday it keeps it far more entertaining than cats that sit around and do nothing. It is a matter of how much people are invested in their cats. you can build all kinds of crazy things for them if you want to put forth the effort. Cats love to run around the ceilings. Cats need to be able to climb, jump and run to be healthy, so if they are not able to do that in the house, they may need to have their own paths built to do so.
EDIT: If you pick up a cat from a shelter, often they make you sign a legally binding agreement that requires you to keep your cat indoors or they will not allow you to adopt them.
read #3 on the contract:
http://www.loveatlastpetrescue.com/uploads/4/8/1/8/48185161/lalpr_cat_adoption_contract.pdf
This issue is not actually one that is really all that debated. Legally in many areas, if your cat is "outdoors" it is considered a stray by law and they will be picked up and sometimes go as far to fine the owner if they are found.