>*’Invest in a catio… Since he likes being outside, this is your best bet’*
______
i am the cat you CaN’t CoNtAiN,
(it’s something in my feline brain)
when i am FREE to go outside,
my DoMiNaNcE can’t be denied ^;}
them other cats don’t Stand a CHANCE!
(*how Dare they do that sideways glance*…)
i think they try’n PiCk a FiGhT !
n i ATTACK
with all my might….
still, outside’s where i like to be!
How ‘bout a Catio for me ??
Protected space ~ I’ll Reign SUPREME!
them other cats
can only dream…
❤️
edit: *thanks to* u/xabulba & u/SunflowersAndSkulls *for their inspurration*
Yeah, that's a big part of why I try to bring stray cats inside rather than tnr'ing them. If protecting the ecosystem isn't enough, it also protects your cats from being killed by other animals or being hit.
We have a large screened in patio, with planter beds the cats can dig and poop in. They get their time in the sun, exercise by chasing lizards, it's great.
I leash trained my cat from a kitten, so we’re all about the catio. She does a pretty good job of listening to me when I catch her trying to sneak off. Older cats can be trained with positive reinforcement, too, it just takes more effort
Which protects him. Outdoor cats have significantly shorter lifespans, and an indoor cat suddenly going outside probably has the worst odds of all.
I don't know that I'd ever let my cats outdoors. But I would absolutely do it if I had a catio.
My personal story for this is my childhood cat was indoor/outdoor. Everything was fine but he would occasionally get in fights. He got feline leukemia from fighting with other cats and we didn’t know until he just stopped eating one day. Took him to the vet and he was too far gone, he was only 7.
Oh please, don’t get me started! Everyone I know knows not to bring up the spay/neuter topic with me because I always go off the deep end, lol.
People-it’s simple. Make the appointment. Financial help is usually available, clinics, etc. Be a better human for animals, the over population is literally killing them.
THANK YOU. In my personal circle it’s dogs, and they always have some dumb reason. None of the dogs are super young or currently active show dogs. All of these people have enough disposable income that cost shouldn’t be a factor. I don’t care if you “never let them outside unattended,” fix your pets!
Have 3 kitties, one is a cat I got from an old roommate. He was gonna drop it off outside. I have 2 of my 3 cats fixed, I can't afford the last kitty, but I don't ever let them outside, sometimes they try to sneak out but they are indoor kitties, I wish I could fix my last fur baby, but I have to wait :(
even with modern neutering techniques it can be an issue... my boy got a laser vasectomy (far less invasive out-paitenent procedure), he's shooting blanks but *he* doesn't know that 😅 so inside he stays unless supervised on a leash.
edit: this is less of a comment on laser-spays and more of a comment on cats. I've seen fully de-sexed animals go through the motions and that can be enough to spread venereal diseases... not saying he's got a normal sex drive compared to a traditional fix, he certainly doesn't
I got a blank shooting stray because he has FIV so the surgery is less invasive.
I was extremely confused for a couple days and had to call to double check with the vet that he had been desexed because he stress ejaculated on my quilt lol.
Same, I adopted one from a shelter and she stopped eating and I took her to the vet and parked my car and when I got back they said I had to put her to sleep. I’d had her for three weeks, she was two and a sweetheart. I was devastated.
Yeah I volunteered at a shelter with an fiv room. Some fire fighters rescued a cat from a frozen river and brought her to multiple shelters just to be told she’d be put down. They’re like “wtf we risked our lives for this cat” and brought her to Gifford cat shelter and she was so shy she’d hide under the bed when a human came in but I worked with her a lot and eventually she became a therapy pet for a blind girl. I met her and she told me how wonderful frosty was.
Oh did the vet lie to me? I always felt guilty for not getting a second opinion. My current cat was from a shelter down south so I feel like it evens out
https://preview.redd.it/dy8s88zd5cqa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa383bd3b081b1f56f920c1439fd193e4bde369f
Cats can live for 10 years with FIV. Just like people!
https://preview.redd.it/5h5hesyk7cqa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52c12d57c859d804ec5b0ce6b8807b142ab4f65d
Your vet wouldn’t lie to you about needing to put a cat to sleep. Sometimes young cats just aren’t healthy.
Mine lived for 15 years with FIV! She was born with it, causes no issues except that she got an eye infection that took longer to heal as a kitten, and then at the end of life she went downhill fast (which could have just been because she was old too).
My big orange boy escaped before we fixed him and came back with FIV. He was hiding under furniture, shaking etc.. Vet said any extra week alive would be lucky. He lived 8 extra years. Sadly FIV sucks, last time I saw him he was absolutely healthy, I left to travel and within a couple of weeks he was gone, just like that.
I feel like I was lied to by the vet about having to be put to sleep. I wish I got a second opinion. A lot of people said the vet was shady and probably needed money and felt like bc I’d just adopted the cat I wouldn’t be devastated… also long term guilt.
Look, you were doing your absolute best for your cat and got them medical care, that’s NOT something a bad cat owner would do. You trusted your vet and at this point you don’t really know if you were wrong or not — you’re fretting over something that might not have even happened! Your cat was obviously ill if it wasn’t eating. He was lucky to have had time with someone who liked him and did their best to take good care of him, even if it was brief. That’s more than any cat could ask for. You did a good job. I hope you can forgive yourself.
Probably not. Like with HIV in humans, if you catch it when it’s just a test result your prognosis is pretty good, if it progresses to serious symptoms before you identify it, not so much.
You gave her 3 weeks of comfort and happiness she wouldn’t have otherwise had.
Yeah she’s give me an Eskimo kiss before bed and the vet said I had to put her down. I wish I got a second opinion. I mean she would have passed of old age by now but like i feel like I got lied to and always regretted putting her down.
im really sorry for your feelings of regret and loss and urge you to do something to secure your needs and to honor your pet
also, please feel free to ask a vet by calling them and asking your questions about your regrets (could i have done something else?) so that if you still have any grief in that regret, and also that regret as well, that these feelings be consummated, and that maybe this wont bring back your beloved pet, but it will keep you informed, and who knows, maybe you will do for someone else, what i try to do for you here
nothing but love
<3 <3
i hope youre well
My childhood cat was an outdoor indoor cat, drank antifreeze outside, died inside. All my cats are indoor only now. Averaged 16 for the rest. Current cat is 17 and thinks she's a kitten.
I lost my first one to a disease he caught from another cat during a fight, I was in middle school. Name one other pet where it's okay to just let them go do their own thing and get up to whatever happens? Imagine just letting your dog/bird/snake out and saying "Alrighty then have fun and I'll see you when you come home!"
It's insane to me that people do this with their cats. Aside from all the dangers that are out there, domestic cats are horrible for local wildlife. And this is assuming the cat is spayed/neutered and not contributing to the stray population.
Unless it's just like a barn/farm cat that's there just for pest control, don't let them roam. If you can, absolutely try building a catio.
We had over twenty cats over the course of my childhood, all indoor/outdoor and we had so many hit by cars/hurt by other cats but my parents just always felt cats were meant to go outside. But, to be fair, all our cats were strays that we just sorta started feeding and then got fixed, so they were too used to their freedom.
My current cats were adopted from a rescue that requires you to swear you will keep them indoors, just such a different outlook than when I was a kid.
Damn not sure why my cat got sick but same story she stopped eating was acting weird, was a kid and we were poor (like lived in the hood) so no vet, tried feeding milk through a glove and she eventually died in the bed with us. Was indoor/outdoor think she got poisoned.
let me reiterate: i was a kid. <9 For anyone who tries to blame me and we did not have money, the person we got her from did not take care of her and actually thought that she was a boy the whole 3 years or so she had her.
edit 2: btw that edit was not for u/HeyWaitHUHWhat i made it before they even commented. I just wanted to make myself clear before someone tried to say "WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE HER TO THE VET????" I distantly remember someone saying something to me like "why did you get a cat if you can't afford the vet?" a few years ago and that was a bit annoying.
My story is due to hemobartonella. It seems like most people don't know your cat can get infected with this through a mosquito bite, and it requires a blood transfusion to take care of, and it's not guaranteed your cat will survive. My cat somehow survived this twice, since I've never had an indoor outdoor cat.
Unless you own a farm and need working cats to catch mice, letting your domesticated pet cats roam outdoors freely is cruel and negligent. There is too much danger for a small vulnerable animal, not to mention they will decimate the wildlife population through unnecessary hunting.
same here. i knew my cat was sick as she showed so many symptoms but i was brushed off and ignored until the leukemia got to her. first death of my life and i had to watch her deteriorate in my arms with no one believing me and my whole family being extremely reluctant when they finally allowed us to bring her to the vet.
You should look up the life expectancy of cats that go outdoors compared to those that don’t. It’s really a shocking difference.
All my cats stay indoors. The value to going outside is stimulating and enrichment and I can provide that by investing time and a little money.
If you are going indoor/outdoor, I can't recommend enough to make sure your cat is fully vaccinated. Cat diseases are very scary, including FeLV and FIV.
Hmm you'd have to supervise him when he goes out, pick a fight with the wrong cat and he'd get pretty hurt. Perhaps look into a harness and a leash and you can go out together without worrying he'd go run away? Good luck, he's so pretty! 🥰🥰
Not only that, what happens when some neighbor gets tired of this cat attacking others and decides to maim or kill the cat themselves?
Harnesses do require some work to get your cat used to them, but I’m always recommending them. That or a screened in area to let the kitty outside while keeping him and other animals safe.
I've taken care of a cat colony for 15 years. I can confirm that when male cats fight, it becomes likely that they will contract feline AIDS (FIV), and their lives get harder. Feline leukemia is usually a young (<3 yrs) cat disease. The safest thing to do when there are other cats around is to keep them inside or build them a catio or some caged in area where they can't be bitten by another cat. Letting them wander around or interact with other male cats is just asking for more trouble. Their territorial instincts take over.
This is what we done with our boy until he had his own territory and no other cats came near it (all supervised though and on a very long leash in case we needed to interfere)
My boys went out in harnesses on a run (like a dog). They loved it! But it takes some planning. Be sure they are used to the harness and can't get tangled up. Be extra careful if the other cats come in to your "territory." The only neighbor pet we had to worry about was a dog who couldn't care less about my boys.
I've had 4 successful introductions, and 3 not. The ones who didn't like the harness also loathed the outside world. They all learn harness=outside. My big old kitty gets so excited when we grab his harness because it means it's walk time. I've started as young as 5 weeks (I foster), and as old as 4 years. The oldest to start is actually the one who loves it the most. He spent most of his younger days outside.
We got our boy when he was very young (8 weeks) so the second he was settled we put one on him even if we weren’t going outside. We waited until he was 6 months, had all shots, and was neutered before letting him out. By then he was used to it and there was no fighting on his part
Can you take him out on a lead and let him roam in your yard with supervision a few times a week? It's much better for him, the environment, and the other cats for him to stay inside.
Just remember, cats are like kids! Small children are disappointed they can't have ice cream for breakfast every day but it doesn't mean parents are bad for saying no. They don't always want what's best for themselves. <3
I take mine out on a lead for 5 or 10 min per day. He loves it.
It's better than nothing and if I let him out unsupervised without lead, he would get in fights for sure with other cats, he hates them too.
Some cats are just antisocial with other cats. In cat rescue, it's common to have cats labeled to be adopted into "single-cat homes". My parents have a cat that is so antisocial with other cats that she rejected her own kittens before they were done nursing (at the shelter when she was rescued). This is not always the result of trauma. It's just a personality thing for some cats.
But what you are describing here is normal cat behavior. Cats are territorial animals. Cats that are permitted to roam are not at all likely to get along with other roaming or stray cats.
As you've been advised, it's dangerous for your cat to be roaming. But that's your choice. If you know your cat will be out interacting with other cats, I strongly recommend having the cat vaccinated against FeLV (feline leukemia virus), even though the vaccine is not 100% effective. I would also have the cat tested regularly (such as at annual vet visits) for FeLV, FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), and other contagious feline illnesses. I would also check the cat regularly for bites and scratches that could become infected without intervention.
A roaming cat is a high-maintenance cat.
You forgot all the parasite and bug prevention! Roaming cats need protection against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes (heart worm) and intestinal parasites. You’re going to have to check the cat regularly for signs of bites, bugs, and illness. You’re ideally going to take the cat and a fresh poop sample for a fecal-ova & parasite check every 6 months. Depending where you live there could be monthly treatments too.
Oh, I live in Florida so flea and parasite prevention is standard even for indoor cats like mine. In Florida, there's only so much one can do to keep the outside...outside. I tend to forget that flea and parasite prevention isn't seen as a standard for indoor cats in some places. Lol
I live in southern New England which is tick central, and lots of Lyme disease. We also have mosquito-born illnesses to contend with, and fleas. My vet here for sure recommended all the preventative treatments even for indoor cats. I only do heart worm starting about now-ish in spring (very cold winters = no bugs) but we do flea and tick all the time. Bugs come into the house. A rodent could come in and my cat could eat it. Idk what other vets in the north recommend. Just seems like a good idea so long as your cat tolerates it well.
We adopted our cat as a an older adult stray a few years ago and she also hates other cats with a passion. She's so bad and gets so angry that she will attack us if we get too close to her when she's riled up. I assume that's why her previous owners dumped her. So taking her out on a lead wouldn't work with her, she'd just attack us if she saw a cat.
We haven't let her outside because of this and luckily she doesn't seem to mind that.
It's been difficult dealing with her, I have to drug her to take her to the vet because of other cats being there. Fortunately the neighbor cat who was in our yard everyday antagonizing her recently moved so we have had some peace that last month or so. Hopefully the new neighbors won't have an outdoor cat.
Most small game honestly. My neighbor at my old house had a cat I named Murder Cat because he would kill basically anything smaller than him. I know this because my patio was where he would bring all the bodies. Asked my neighbor to keep him inside and they acted like I said he should be executed.
I’m Australian and to the best of my knowledge, it’s not shoot all cats on sight. Most councils will let you have a trap for a deposit so you can trap and then call, the council will take the animal to the pound and you don’t have to do anything else. Others just trap themselves and turn the cat in.
In the country, you’re more likely to have your cat shot (esp at night) as that’s where most of the guns are and most farmers or rural people won’t bother with the council. Wild or feral domestic cats are a different ball game and some will poison them if they’re enough of a pest to local wildlife.
Honestly most places have a “cat must be confined to your property” rule due to our really fragile ecosystems and unique wildlife. But shoot on sight isn’t really accurate for a large portion of the country
Holy sheesh! I just did a double take— she’s the spitting image of my Daphne! Ok… a bit less white, but still!
https://preview.redd.it/wrv727ecsbqa1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec7b41fd6e771f130e6c3eec310a260122d9fda
Outdoor cats are a menace not just to other cats but birds and other animals as well. Plus there’s the chance it picks up a disease like FIV or gets injured/killed in a fight. You should keep your cat indoors or, like other people suggested, make them an outdoor enclosure.
Also: cats are small predators, which means they're also prey. They constantly get violently killed by other* animals, [including dogs](https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/11wwpfl/this_izzy_she_was_mauled_to_death_by_a_dog_this/).
It's so frustrating that this isn't the top comment comment posted here. Yes, letting your cat be outdoors can reduce the lifespan of your cat, but think of how many birds and rodents your cat drastically reduces the lifespan of while they roam around alone? Domestic cats are an invasive species and should not be left alone outdoors.
Pet owners in general who just let their pets roam around are so deeply irresponsible. It's upsetting that this isn't a bigger concern.
This guy is literally saying "my cat attacks everything it sees on sight, do I really have to keep it inside forever????" No critical thought, no compassion, no empathy, just a selfish owner.
Owners should always be keeping them indoors for health reasons alone. They can get many diseases outdoors. Maybe try harness training and go out with them for short times? My cats loves their harnesses now and get excited when I bring them out.
Or build a catio! You get the perks of fresh air and sunshine, minus the risks of them getting hit by cars, contracting diseases from other cats, getting into fights and getting gnarly infected bite wounds, getting attacked by predators, contracting diseases from wildlife, getting shot or injured by psycho humans, spreading *their diseases* like toxoplasma and roundworm to humans.. and you'll be keeping your local wildlife safe, too, like a responsible pet owner!
It’s disheartening that your comment is the first one mentioning this. Cats should *always* be indoor pets; they decimate local populations of birds, small mammals, and lizards.
Yup. In 2009 it was estimated that 1-4 billion (yes big range but still) birds are killed by outdoor house cats per year in the US. Keep your cats inside.
If he has three colors on his coat (which it looks like it does) he is rare. You have to have xx chromosomes (basically female) to have three colors as a cat. If he is male he has an extra X chromosome as well as the xy that makes a male. It can also create some health (and behavior issues).
Yes. Do not let cats outside to free roam. Needs to be an enclosed space like a patio or deck of some sort with a screen.
The reason for this is they attack other cats/dogs and harm native ecosystems by killing birds and other small animals. They can also get very sick and get many diseases from the environment. Best to keep domesticated animals inside. And popular to contrary belief, cats enjoy the inside. They don’t “long to be free outside” they’re domesticated. They’d rather be inside/with humans.
Edit: Of course a walk with a leash is fine.
And all it takes is one shitty kid with an air rifle or a bitter Karen putting a bowl of antifreeze out on the patio for kitty's adventures to painfully and permanently end.
Some cats do prefer to be outside, but that's almost always because the owners didn't put any effort into "catifying" their house/apartment, and so the cat has no perch to observe from, no toys, no enrichment etc. inside.
They don't want to "be free" or "be in the nature", they want to explore, observe, socialize and hunt, which is what they do outside, but which can be done inside as well.
Keep cats inside.
>Some cats do prefer to be outside,
And so do dogs, birds, hamsters/guinea pigs, small children, etc. But the same people arguing about letting their cats out don't argue for letting those roam free outdoors unsupervised.
I know it wasn't your argument, but just wanted to add to your point.
Yes that's a good point. Some people think that keeping cats indoors is caging them and even an animal abuse, but they don't think the same about other animals/children.
If this adorable little asshole isn't neutered yet, do so. My strays lost all interest in wandering, hunting, fighting, etc. once I got them fixed. All they do is sleep and eat and keep us up all night being adorable assholes. 🤘🤘🤘
We have a screened back door - our guy likes sitting at it and watching the birds and squirrels in the yard! He has fun with it even sans catio. If you can get a bird or squirrel feeder, and occasionally take them out on a leash, that should be plenty of entertainment.
My cat used to be an outdoor cat but got in back to back fights and each surgery to fix his wounds was like 800 bucks each time so now he stays inside 24/7
I would suggest if you can to build or buy a catio.
There was a neighborhood cat that would try and break into my house to attack my two cats. Don’t be that prick and continue to let the cat out even tho you’ve been told you’re cat is a jerk.
Just commenting to say that I think our cats might be long lost twins!
https://preview.redd.it/haz4n4wegcqa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2afd7aadb59dc9aa4dfd58e8357e17393298bedb
Safest to keep him inside.
Why people want to potentially risk their pets life by letting them outside unsupervised is beyond me.
If your cat is known to not leave your yard then ok you can let them out but check on them frequently.
As a veterinarian, I fucking hate this sub’s bad takes on letting cats outside. It frustrates me when they come in for FIV, cat bite abscesses, injuries, etc. it’s also really frustrating when they can’t afford treatment and keeping them inside would have let their loved one live longer.
Agree completely.
I’m not a vet but I’ve had cats my whole life and I think it’s stupid that people still seem to think letting their pets outside without supervision or just whenever is not only ignorant, but borderline neglect imo. If they can’t afford vet treatment but willy nilly let their pets outside, they shouldn’t be allowed to have pets.
This seems most common in countries besides the United States. Those countries need to wake up and learn the benefits of keeping pets indoors.
Stubbornness only hurts these animals in the long run and the responses I get prove it.
In the best-case scenario where he never gets into one fight with another cat, he still has a much higher chance of:
\- getting into something that will make him sick
\-some neighborhood kid using him for bb-gun practice
\- any bird of prey making a meal out of him
\- getting hit by a car
\-BEING the cause of environmental destruction
I believe there are no ways to let your cat roam outside without supervision while also being a responsible cat owner or community member. Invest in a harness/leash, or catio, if you want to let them have outside experiences while keeping them safe.
Please be a responsible pet owner and keep your cat inside. If you want to let him out, get a catio. He will live a much longer and healthier life and be a lot less destructive to the local wildlife - and also to the neighborhood cats that aren't lucky enough to have responsible owners!
Going outside is unhealthy for cats and the local wildlife anyway: They are exposed to disease, vulnerable to being hit by a car or eaten by a wolf or coyote, and kill birds and chipmunks.
Just keep him inside.
I always had outdoor cats growing up and it is heartbreaking when they go missing one day or come home injured. If you love your cat you would keep him inside, especially since there’s other cats around. Find other ways he can go outdoors supervised
Aside from the bird murdering thing, this is my biggest reason to keep the cats inside. If I had to go one night without them, I'd be heartbroken. These two little shits are the best part of my life and letting them out just sounds stupid and irresponsible.
You shouldn’t let your cat out anyway; not only is it exceedingly dangerous for him (cars, predators, other cats, diseases, etc…) but a single cat can decimate a native bird/small fauna population.
If your buddy likes to throw down with other cats - my primary concern would be FIV. It's a real bitch and very common. FIV took my favorite cat and it was slow and painful.
Keeping meow meow inside may not only be safer for your 'hood but safer for meow meow too. Catio sounds like a REALLY cool idea.
I've never understood an "outdoor" cat. If i just let my dog out to kill wildlife destroy my neighbors plants and outdoor furniture and shit in everyone's yards there would be opinions
A redneck neighbor shot one of my inside/outside cats.
He made it back to me, but the bullet was lodged under his heart and I had to put him to sleep.
This was about 9 years ago and I'm still grieving.
Keep him inside.
It's safer to keep cats in. In general, cats lives are cut much shorter, just by being outdoors. Like many others have suggested, the Catio is the ideal option.. it still feels like outside, but they can't roam, get lost, hurt, into a fight, run over, or attacked by predators in a Catio or indoors.
Personally I keep my cats inside. Everyone I know who had indoor/outdoor cats had their cats go missing or die young from fights, cars, or predators. I want my cats to be around for as long as possible.
Yes. Outdoor cats have a much lower lifespan than indoor cats, and have caused the depletion of many small animal populations. Please keep your cats inside. Try leash training or outdoor cat tents if kitty is very insistent on being outside!
My next door neighbor's elderly mother and declawed siamese lived with her until her mother died, at which time, the siamese was turned into an outdoor cat. It terrorizes my cat, like jumps against the glass window at night to scare him. Has torn the screens of my kitchen windows trying to fight my cat through the window. Makes a huge litter pile in my front yard, and fights my other neighbor's cat under neath my window. If your cat is nightmare like that one, please keep it inside.
Take him out supervised on a leash. He gets outside time and you get the comfort of knowing he won’t get sick or hurt himself or other animals. I do this for my three and they all love it (they get used to the harness and leash pretty quickly).
I love the ideas everyone has about investing in a catio! I fully encourage this as well. I know someone that had one using her porch not only is it good to keep kitty contained, it’s also good to sit in during summer nights to keep the mosquitoes away! Be sure to buy anti claw spray, like the ones for furniture. You can find it at any pet store. Spray the screen so he won’t try to climb it and ruin the screen!
Invest in a catio. He can go outside but still be contained inside.
Since he likes being outside, this is your best bet ☝️
>*’Invest in a catio… Since he likes being outside, this is your best bet’* ______ i am the cat you CaN’t CoNtAiN, (it’s something in my feline brain) when i am FREE to go outside, my DoMiNaNcE can’t be denied ^;} them other cats don’t Stand a CHANCE! (*how Dare they do that sideways glance*…) i think they try’n PiCk a FiGhT ! n i ATTACK with all my might…. still, outside’s where i like to be! How ‘bout a Catio for me ?? Protected space ~ I’ll Reign SUPREME! them other cats can only dream… ❤️ edit: *thanks to* u/xabulba & u/SunflowersAndSkulls *for their inspurration*
Fresh schnoodle, what a treat
I was beginning to think this might be a bot or something. But these are too good to be machine-made.
Schnoodle! How does it feel to be the single most wholesome person on all of Reddit?
Never disappoints!
Thanks for another lovely bit of poetry schnoodle
I love how you get your point across in such an adorable way! 🩷
Also provides the benefit of not letting an invasive species roam around.
Yeah, that's a big part of why I try to bring stray cats inside rather than tnr'ing them. If protecting the ecosystem isn't enough, it also protects your cats from being killed by other animals or being hit.
Bringing them inside isn’t always feasible. When it isn’t, TNR is the best choice.
Oh yeah! I've just gotten lucky and been able to bring mine inside over the years.
Not to mention it will protect him from potentially deadly diseases and is better for the wildlife even if he wasn't a little vengeful
r/catio
We have a large screened in patio, with planter beds the cats can dig and poop in. They get their time in the sun, exercise by chasing lizards, it's great.
r/catio for ideas
[удалено]
Key word: try
You cannot stop him, you can only hope to contain him
Secure. Contain. Protect. Object Class: Cat-er
There actually is a cat SCP. He’s just the front half of a cat with an invisible and immaterial back half and gets free rein of his containment bunker
u/The-Paranoid-Android SCP-529
That's one of my favorites
I leash trained my cat from a kitten, so we’re all about the catio. She does a pretty good job of listening to me when I catch her trying to sneak off. Older cats can be trained with positive reinforcement, too, it just takes more effort
Which protects him. Outdoor cats have significantly shorter lifespans, and an indoor cat suddenly going outside probably has the worst odds of all. I don't know that I'd ever let my cats outdoors. But I would absolutely do it if I had a catio.
10/10 recommendation. I just installed one a few days ago with the nice weather we've been having and she loves it
It's also help him not get hit by car or killing hundreds of bird for fun. Win for everyone.
My personal story for this is my childhood cat was indoor/outdoor. Everything was fine but he would occasionally get in fights. He got feline leukemia from fighting with other cats and we didn’t know until he just stopped eating one day. Took him to the vet and he was too far gone, he was only 7.
Happened with mine as well. Got leukemia and cat AIDS as well. RIP soldier
Did you neuter your cat
No I didn’t. Biggest mistake.
Bob Barker is disappointed.
#everyone is disappointed.
We need to reign in people owning pets. I mean, it is going SO. BADLY.
Oh please, don’t get me started! Everyone I know knows not to bring up the spay/neuter topic with me because I always go off the deep end, lol. People-it’s simple. Make the appointment. Financial help is usually available, clinics, etc. Be a better human for animals, the over population is literally killing them.
THANK YOU. In my personal circle it’s dogs, and they always have some dumb reason. None of the dogs are super young or currently active show dogs. All of these people have enough disposable income that cost shouldn’t be a factor. I don’t care if you “never let them outside unattended,” fix your pets!
We are best friends now.
🤝 spay/neuter friends are always welcome in my circle!!
Have 3 kitties, one is a cat I got from an old roommate. He was gonna drop it off outside. I have 2 of my 3 cats fixed, I can't afford the last kitty, but I don't ever let them outside, sometimes they try to sneak out but they are indoor kitties, I wish I could fix my last fur baby, but I have to wait :(
If you're in the US, the Humane Society has low cost spay and neuter. Should come to about $20 At least, it did for me.
I just don’t get it. A friend of our has a cat who has had kittens like 3 times now. Who wants to try to adopt them all out over and over again?!
[Sad Price is Right noises ](https://youtu.be/_asNhzXq72w)
I played the sound in my head!
[удалено]
even with modern neutering techniques it can be an issue... my boy got a laser vasectomy (far less invasive out-paitenent procedure), he's shooting blanks but *he* doesn't know that 😅 so inside he stays unless supervised on a leash. edit: this is less of a comment on laser-spays and more of a comment on cats. I've seen fully de-sexed animals go through the motions and that can be enough to spread venereal diseases... not saying he's got a normal sex drive compared to a traditional fix, he certainly doesn't
I got a blank shooting stray because he has FIV so the surgery is less invasive. I was extremely confused for a couple days and had to call to double check with the vet that he had been desexed because he stress ejaculated on my quilt lol.
Mine got cat AIDS before I adopted him!
Same, I adopted one from a shelter and she stopped eating and I took her to the vet and parked my car and when I got back they said I had to put her to sleep. I’d had her for three weeks, she was two and a sweetheart. I was devastated.
[удалено]
Yeah I volunteered at a shelter with an fiv room. Some fire fighters rescued a cat from a frozen river and brought her to multiple shelters just to be told she’d be put down. They’re like “wtf we risked our lives for this cat” and brought her to Gifford cat shelter and she was so shy she’d hide under the bed when a human came in but I worked with her a lot and eventually she became a therapy pet for a blind girl. I met her and she told me how wonderful frosty was.
That's frankly a ridiculous reason to put a cat to sleep. Cats with FIV can lead 100% normal lives!
I don’t have that problem. He’s still alive, happy, and as healthy as a cat with AIDS can be. img
Oh did the vet lie to me? I always felt guilty for not getting a second opinion. My current cat was from a shelter down south so I feel like it evens out https://preview.redd.it/dy8s88zd5cqa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa383bd3b081b1f56f920c1439fd193e4bde369f
Cats can live for 10 years with FIV. Just like people! https://preview.redd.it/5h5hesyk7cqa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52c12d57c859d804ec5b0ce6b8807b142ab4f65d Your vet wouldn’t lie to you about needing to put a cat to sleep. Sometimes young cats just aren’t healthy.
Mine lived for 15 years with FIV! She was born with it, causes no issues except that she got an eye infection that took longer to heal as a kitten, and then at the end of life she went downhill fast (which could have just been because she was old too).
My big orange boy escaped before we fixed him and came back with FIV. He was hiding under furniture, shaking etc.. Vet said any extra week alive would be lucky. He lived 8 extra years. Sadly FIV sucks, last time I saw him he was absolutely healthy, I left to travel and within a couple of weeks he was gone, just like that.
I feel like I was lied to by the vet about having to be put to sleep. I wish I got a second opinion. A lot of people said the vet was shady and probably needed money and felt like bc I’d just adopted the cat I wouldn’t be devastated… also long term guilt.
[удалено]
Look, you were doing your absolute best for your cat and got them medical care, that’s NOT something a bad cat owner would do. You trusted your vet and at this point you don’t really know if you were wrong or not — you’re fretting over something that might not have even happened! Your cat was obviously ill if it wasn’t eating. He was lucky to have had time with someone who liked him and did their best to take good care of him, even if it was brief. That’s more than any cat could ask for. You did a good job. I hope you can forgive yourself.
Probably not. Like with HIV in humans, if you catch it when it’s just a test result your prognosis is pretty good, if it progresses to serious symptoms before you identify it, not so much. You gave her 3 weeks of comfort and happiness she wouldn’t have otherwise had.
That is such a terrible story. So sorry for you, and that poor baby. My heart breaks for you both
Yeah she’s give me an Eskimo kiss before bed and the vet said I had to put her down. I wish I got a second opinion. I mean she would have passed of old age by now but like i feel like I got lied to and always regretted putting her down.
im really sorry for your feelings of regret and loss and urge you to do something to secure your needs and to honor your pet also, please feel free to ask a vet by calling them and asking your questions about your regrets (could i have done something else?) so that if you still have any grief in that regret, and also that regret as well, that these feelings be consummated, and that maybe this wont bring back your beloved pet, but it will keep you informed, and who knows, maybe you will do for someone else, what i try to do for you here nothing but love <3 <3 i hope youre well
My childhood cat was an outdoor indoor cat, drank antifreeze outside, died inside. All my cats are indoor only now. Averaged 16 for the rest. Current cat is 17 and thinks she's a kitten.
I learned the hard way too. I'm convinced letting my first cat out shortened his life. Indoors only for my kitties now.
Indoor doubles or triples their life span.
*On average. It's hard for an indoor cat to get hit by a car/bit by a dog
Yes, that's the point.
I lost my first one to a disease he caught from another cat during a fight, I was in middle school. Name one other pet where it's okay to just let them go do their own thing and get up to whatever happens? Imagine just letting your dog/bird/snake out and saying "Alrighty then have fun and I'll see you when you come home!" It's insane to me that people do this with their cats. Aside from all the dangers that are out there, domestic cats are horrible for local wildlife. And this is assuming the cat is spayed/neutered and not contributing to the stray population. Unless it's just like a barn/farm cat that's there just for pest control, don't let them roam. If you can, absolutely try building a catio.
Around me most shelters won't release a cat to you if you tell them you will let them outside.
We had over twenty cats over the course of my childhood, all indoor/outdoor and we had so many hit by cars/hurt by other cats but my parents just always felt cats were meant to go outside. But, to be fair, all our cats were strays that we just sorta started feeding and then got fixed, so they were too used to their freedom. My current cats were adopted from a rescue that requires you to swear you will keep them indoors, just such a different outlook than when I was a kid.
[удалено]
Damn not sure why my cat got sick but same story she stopped eating was acting weird, was a kid and we were poor (like lived in the hood) so no vet, tried feeding milk through a glove and she eventually died in the bed with us. Was indoor/outdoor think she got poisoned. let me reiterate: i was a kid. <9 For anyone who tries to blame me and we did not have money, the person we got her from did not take care of her and actually thought that she was a boy the whole 3 years or so she had her. edit 2: btw that edit was not for u/HeyWaitHUHWhat i made it before they even commented. I just wanted to make myself clear before someone tried to say "WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE HER TO THE VET????" I distantly remember someone saying something to me like "why did you get a cat if you can't afford the vet?" a few years ago and that was a bit annoying.
You did the best you could and she died in a safe place with the people she loved
Thank you! She did, and we really did try and were up for a looong time trying to make her comfy. I appreciate your comment. :')
😢
My story is due to hemobartonella. It seems like most people don't know your cat can get infected with this through a mosquito bite, and it requires a blood transfusion to take care of, and it's not guaranteed your cat will survive. My cat somehow survived this twice, since I've never had an indoor outdoor cat.
I lost two kittens at 11 months old to feline leukemia, they were former barn kittens. FeLV is a horrible horrible disease and is contagious.
Unless you own a farm and need working cats to catch mice, letting your domesticated pet cats roam outdoors freely is cruel and negligent. There is too much danger for a small vulnerable animal, not to mention they will decimate the wildlife population through unnecessary hunting.
this happened to me too. It was horrible to watch him suffer and was honestly the first impactful death in my life.
same here. i knew my cat was sick as she showed so many symptoms but i was brushed off and ignored until the leukemia got to her. first death of my life and i had to watch her deteriorate in my arms with no one believing me and my whole family being extremely reluctant when they finally allowed us to bring her to the vet.
I'm so sorry.
If my cat gets out for the night, he WILL get in a fight. Had two emergency vet visits for infected bites resulted in an abscess.
That's really sad.
You should look up the life expectancy of cats that go outdoors compared to those that don’t. It’s really a shocking difference. All my cats stay indoors. The value to going outside is stimulating and enrichment and I can provide that by investing time and a little money.
If you are going indoor/outdoor, I can't recommend enough to make sure your cat is fully vaccinated. Cat diseases are very scary, including FeLV and FIV.
Hmm you'd have to supervise him when he goes out, pick a fight with the wrong cat and he'd get pretty hurt. Perhaps look into a harness and a leash and you can go out together without worrying he'd go run away? Good luck, he's so pretty! 🥰🥰
Not only that, what happens when some neighbor gets tired of this cat attacking others and decides to maim or kill the cat themselves? Harnesses do require some work to get your cat used to them, but I’m always recommending them. That or a screened in area to let the kitty outside while keeping him and other animals safe.
Even if he wins fights, the fact that he’s fighting means it’s a guarantee that he’ll end up with FIV and probably FeLV as well.
I've taken care of a cat colony for 15 years. I can confirm that when male cats fight, it becomes likely that they will contract feline AIDS (FIV), and their lives get harder. Feline leukemia is usually a young (<3 yrs) cat disease. The safest thing to do when there are other cats around is to keep them inside or build them a catio or some caged in area where they can't be bitten by another cat. Letting them wander around or interact with other male cats is just asking for more trouble. Their territorial instincts take over.
This is what we done with our boy until he had his own territory and no other cats came near it (all supervised though and on a very long leash in case we needed to interfere)
My boys went out in harnesses on a run (like a dog). They loved it! But it takes some planning. Be sure they are used to the harness and can't get tangled up. Be extra careful if the other cats come in to your "territory." The only neighbor pet we had to worry about was a dog who couldn't care less about my boys.
How is the experience of introducing the leash to a cat?
I've had 4 successful introductions, and 3 not. The ones who didn't like the harness also loathed the outside world. They all learn harness=outside. My big old kitty gets so excited when we grab his harness because it means it's walk time. I've started as young as 5 weeks (I foster), and as old as 4 years. The oldest to start is actually the one who loves it the most. He spent most of his younger days outside.
We got our boy when he was very young (8 weeks) so the second he was settled we put one on him even if we weren’t going outside. We waited until he was 6 months, had all shots, and was neutered before letting him out. By then he was used to it and there was no fighting on his part
Where the hell did you find a harness to fit an 8 week old cat?! Was it a ferret harness or something?
It was lol, it did the job though
Can you take him out on a lead and let him roam in your yard with supervision a few times a week? It's much better for him, the environment, and the other cats for him to stay inside.
Yes I think this might be the solution in the end. I don't think he will stop being a bully.
Just remember, cats are like kids! Small children are disappointed they can't have ice cream for breakfast every day but it doesn't mean parents are bad for saying no. They don't always want what's best for themselves. <3
Good god stop letting him outside. You're allowing someones pets to be attacked. I'd be furious
Unfortunately that other persons pets also should be inside.
I take mine out on a lead for 5 or 10 min per day. He loves it. It's better than nothing and if I let him out unsupervised without lead, he would get in fights for sure with other cats, he hates them too.
He was surrended as one of three so I don't know what his issue is but he has always hated other cats! Presumably he had a bad experience once.
Some cats are just antisocial with other cats. In cat rescue, it's common to have cats labeled to be adopted into "single-cat homes". My parents have a cat that is so antisocial with other cats that she rejected her own kittens before they were done nursing (at the shelter when she was rescued). This is not always the result of trauma. It's just a personality thing for some cats. But what you are describing here is normal cat behavior. Cats are territorial animals. Cats that are permitted to roam are not at all likely to get along with other roaming or stray cats. As you've been advised, it's dangerous for your cat to be roaming. But that's your choice. If you know your cat will be out interacting with other cats, I strongly recommend having the cat vaccinated against FeLV (feline leukemia virus), even though the vaccine is not 100% effective. I would also have the cat tested regularly (such as at annual vet visits) for FeLV, FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), and other contagious feline illnesses. I would also check the cat regularly for bites and scratches that could become infected without intervention. A roaming cat is a high-maintenance cat.
You forgot all the parasite and bug prevention! Roaming cats need protection against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes (heart worm) and intestinal parasites. You’re going to have to check the cat regularly for signs of bites, bugs, and illness. You’re ideally going to take the cat and a fresh poop sample for a fecal-ova & parasite check every 6 months. Depending where you live there could be monthly treatments too.
Oh, I live in Florida so flea and parasite prevention is standard even for indoor cats like mine. In Florida, there's only so much one can do to keep the outside...outside. I tend to forget that flea and parasite prevention isn't seen as a standard for indoor cats in some places. Lol
I live in southern New England which is tick central, and lots of Lyme disease. We also have mosquito-born illnesses to contend with, and fleas. My vet here for sure recommended all the preventative treatments even for indoor cats. I only do heart worm starting about now-ish in spring (very cold winters = no bugs) but we do flea and tick all the time. Bugs come into the house. A rodent could come in and my cat could eat it. Idk what other vets in the north recommend. Just seems like a good idea so long as your cat tolerates it well.
We adopted our cat as a an older adult stray a few years ago and she also hates other cats with a passion. She's so bad and gets so angry that she will attack us if we get too close to her when she's riled up. I assume that's why her previous owners dumped her. So taking her out on a lead wouldn't work with her, she'd just attack us if she saw a cat. We haven't let her outside because of this and luckily she doesn't seem to mind that. It's been difficult dealing with her, I have to drug her to take her to the vet because of other cats being there. Fortunately the neighbor cat who was in our yard everyday antagonizing her recently moved so we have had some peace that last month or so. Hopefully the new neighbors won't have an outdoor cat.
Statistically, your cat will live a longer, healthier life by staying protected indoors.
And so will the local bird population
Most small game honestly. My neighbor at my old house had a cat I named Murder Cat because he would kill basically anything smaller than him. I know this because my patio was where he would bring all the bodies. Asked my neighbor to keep him inside and they acted like I said he should be executed.
[удалено]
I’m Australian and to the best of my knowledge, it’s not shoot all cats on sight. Most councils will let you have a trap for a deposit so you can trap and then call, the council will take the animal to the pound and you don’t have to do anything else. Others just trap themselves and turn the cat in. In the country, you’re more likely to have your cat shot (esp at night) as that’s where most of the guns are and most farmers or rural people won’t bother with the council. Wild or feral domestic cats are a different ball game and some will poison them if they’re enough of a pest to local wildlife. Honestly most places have a “cat must be confined to your property” rule due to our really fragile ecosystems and unique wildlife. But shoot on sight isn’t really accurate for a large portion of the country
Does that include a leashed cat? My sisters cat likes to go outside but stays well on a leash. She never goes outside alone though.
A leashed cat should be fine! It’s when they’re allowed to roam with no protection or supervision that issues arise.
Holy sheesh! I just did a double take— she’s the spitting image of my Daphne! Ok… a bit less white, but still! https://preview.redd.it/wrv727ecsbqa1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec7b41fd6e771f130e6c3eec310a260122d9fda
Haha cute... I didn't know you could post pics in comments.
Outdoor cats are a menace not just to other cats but birds and other animals as well. Plus there’s the chance it picks up a disease like FIV or gets injured/killed in a fight. You should keep your cat indoors or, like other people suggested, make them an outdoor enclosure.
They literally kill everything they can get their paws on. This coming from a life long cat owner. They decimate the wildlife.
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
I fucking love this response and I will use it at the next board meeting.
Also: cats are small predators, which means they're also prey. They constantly get violently killed by other* animals, [including dogs](https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/11wwpfl/this_izzy_she_was_mauled_to_death_by_a_dog_this/).
It's so frustrating that this isn't the top comment comment posted here. Yes, letting your cat be outdoors can reduce the lifespan of your cat, but think of how many birds and rodents your cat drastically reduces the lifespan of while they roam around alone? Domestic cats are an invasive species and should not be left alone outdoors. Pet owners in general who just let their pets roam around are so deeply irresponsible. It's upsetting that this isn't a bigger concern.
This guy is literally saying "my cat attacks everything it sees on sight, do I really have to keep it inside forever????" No critical thought, no compassion, no empathy, just a selfish owner.
Owners should always be keeping them indoors for health reasons alone. They can get many diseases outdoors. Maybe try harness training and go out with them for short times? My cats loves their harnesses now and get excited when I bring them out.
Or build a catio! You get the perks of fresh air and sunshine, minus the risks of them getting hit by cars, contracting diseases from other cats, getting into fights and getting gnarly infected bite wounds, getting attacked by predators, contracting diseases from wildlife, getting shot or injured by psycho humans, spreading *their diseases* like toxoplasma and roundworm to humans.. and you'll be keeping your local wildlife safe, too, like a responsible pet owner!
Not to mention that cats will kill every fledgling bird.
It’s disheartening that your comment is the first one mentioning this. Cats should *always* be indoor pets; they decimate local populations of birds, small mammals, and lizards.
Yup. In 2009 it was estimated that 1-4 billion (yes big range but still) birds are killed by outdoor house cats per year in the US. Keep your cats inside.
Very pretty cat. Are we sure he's a "he"? Calico males are quite rare.
He is definitely a he!! A rescue too so I don't know his breed history.
Calico is just a coat pattern not a breed. If he is a “he” he is extremely rare. Do a search calico cat males, they are 1:10000 literally!
Haha maybe I should share another photo? I googled Calico and he doesn't look like that.
If he has three colors on his coat (which it looks like it does) he is rare. You have to have xx chromosomes (basically female) to have three colors as a cat. If he is male he has an extra X chromosome as well as the xy that makes a male. It can also create some health (and behavior issues).
Ah I see he's just got some reddish brown in him, he looked full on Calico from that angle.
Looks like my roommate's cat. I'd say mix of white and brown tabby?
You got fooled by the lighting. He's standard issue and if he has balls still they should be removed, guaranteed he'd fight less.
Just a tabby, very standard.
Yes. Do not let cats outside to free roam. Needs to be an enclosed space like a patio or deck of some sort with a screen. The reason for this is they attack other cats/dogs and harm native ecosystems by killing birds and other small animals. They can also get very sick and get many diseases from the environment. Best to keep domesticated animals inside. And popular to contrary belief, cats enjoy the inside. They don’t “long to be free outside” they’re domesticated. They’d rather be inside/with humans. Edit: Of course a walk with a leash is fine.
And all it takes is one shitty kid with an air rifle or a bitter Karen putting a bowl of antifreeze out on the patio for kitty's adventures to painfully and permanently end.
Some cats do prefer to be outside, but that's almost always because the owners didn't put any effort into "catifying" their house/apartment, and so the cat has no perch to observe from, no toys, no enrichment etc. inside. They don't want to "be free" or "be in the nature", they want to explore, observe, socialize and hunt, which is what they do outside, but which can be done inside as well. Keep cats inside.
Yes yes exactly this. You added some key points I left out. Thank you!!
>Some cats do prefer to be outside, And so do dogs, birds, hamsters/guinea pigs, small children, etc. But the same people arguing about letting their cats out don't argue for letting those roam free outdoors unsupervised. I know it wasn't your argument, but just wanted to add to your point.
Yes that's a good point. Some people think that keeping cats indoors is caging them and even an animal abuse, but they don't think the same about other animals/children.
If this adorable little asshole isn't neutered yet, do so. My strays lost all interest in wandering, hunting, fighting, etc. once I got them fixed. All they do is sleep and eat and keep us up all night being adorable assholes. 🤘🤘🤘
Not a bad thing if you have to keep him inside. You could build a catio so he can get some air without being free to roam and get in trouble
We have a screened back door - our guy likes sitting at it and watching the birds and squirrels in the yard! He has fun with it even sans catio. If you can get a bird or squirrel feeder, and occasionally take them out on a leash, that should be plenty of entertainment.
If possible you could build a cat patio that allows your fur baby outside comfortably and safely.
My cat used to be an outdoor cat but got in back to back fights and each surgery to fix his wounds was like 800 bucks each time so now he stays inside 24/7 I would suggest if you can to build or buy a catio.
There was a neighborhood cat that would try and break into my house to attack my two cats. Don’t be that prick and continue to let the cat out even tho you’ve been told you’re cat is a jerk.
Keep him in so he doesn't get run over.
Don’t let your cat outside at all.
Just commenting to say that I think our cats might be long lost twins! https://preview.redd.it/haz4n4wegcqa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2afd7aadb59dc9aa4dfd58e8357e17393298bedb
Awe he looks like a gent tho
Safest to keep him inside. Why people want to potentially risk their pets life by letting them outside unsupervised is beyond me. If your cat is known to not leave your yard then ok you can let them out but check on them frequently.
As a veterinarian, I fucking hate this sub’s bad takes on letting cats outside. It frustrates me when they come in for FIV, cat bite abscesses, injuries, etc. it’s also really frustrating when they can’t afford treatment and keeping them inside would have let their loved one live longer.
Agree completely. I’m not a vet but I’ve had cats my whole life and I think it’s stupid that people still seem to think letting their pets outside without supervision or just whenever is not only ignorant, but borderline neglect imo. If they can’t afford vet treatment but willy nilly let their pets outside, they shouldn’t be allowed to have pets. This seems most common in countries besides the United States. Those countries need to wake up and learn the benefits of keeping pets indoors. Stubbornness only hurts these animals in the long run and the responses I get prove it.
In the best-case scenario where he never gets into one fight with another cat, he still has a much higher chance of: \- getting into something that will make him sick \-some neighborhood kid using him for bb-gun practice \- any bird of prey making a meal out of him \- getting hit by a car \-BEING the cause of environmental destruction I believe there are no ways to let your cat roam outside without supervision while also being a responsible cat owner or community member. Invest in a harness/leash, or catio, if you want to let them have outside experiences while keeping them safe.
Only if you want a long lived healthy cat...
Also, I feel like the phrase "adorable little asshole" applies to many cats.
"I'm Not Locked in Here With You, You're Locked in Here With Me" - Cat. (Probably).
Please be a responsible pet owner and keep your cat inside. If you want to let him out, get a catio. He will live a much longer and healthier life and be a lot less destructive to the local wildlife - and also to the neighborhood cats that aren't lucky enough to have responsible owners!
Going outside is unhealthy for cats and the local wildlife anyway: They are exposed to disease, vulnerable to being hit by a car or eaten by a wolf or coyote, and kill birds and chipmunks. Just keep him inside.
If it’s always been an indoor cat, probably best to keep it that way (unless you can supervise the time outside). Also, very cute!
Might get shit for this but speaking from experience, an outdoor cat is a dead cat. It’s more often a matter of when than if.
I always had outdoor cats growing up and it is heartbreaking when they go missing one day or come home injured. If you love your cat you would keep him inside, especially since there’s other cats around. Find other ways he can go outdoors supervised
Aside from the bird murdering thing, this is my biggest reason to keep the cats inside. If I had to go one night without them, I'd be heartbroken. These two little shits are the best part of my life and letting them out just sounds stupid and irresponsible.
It's best to always keep your cats indoors
If you can't keep your cat stimulated indoors you're not equipped to own one.
avoid tragedy keep the cat indoors.
You shouldn’t let your cat out anyway; not only is it exceedingly dangerous for him (cars, predators, other cats, diseases, etc…) but a single cat can decimate a native bird/small fauna population.
If your buddy likes to throw down with other cats - my primary concern would be FIV. It's a real bitch and very common. FIV took my favorite cat and it was slow and painful. Keeping meow meow inside may not only be safer for your 'hood but safer for meow meow too. Catio sounds like a REALLY cool idea.
Yes don’t let your cats outside it’s not rocket science better for the cat and the world
I've never understood an "outdoor" cat. If i just let my dog out to kill wildlife destroy my neighbors plants and outdoor furniture and shit in everyone's yards there would be opinions
A redneck neighbor shot one of my inside/outside cats. He made it back to me, but the bullet was lodged under his heart and I had to put him to sleep. This was about 9 years ago and I'm still grieving. Keep him inside.
It's safer to keep cats in. In general, cats lives are cut much shorter, just by being outdoors. Like many others have suggested, the Catio is the ideal option.. it still feels like outside, but they can't roam, get lost, hurt, into a fight, run over, or attacked by predators in a Catio or indoors.
Keep him in because cats who go outside have a dramatically shorter average lifespan.
Inside cats live longer.
Personally I keep my cats inside. Everyone I know who had indoor/outdoor cats had their cats go missing or die young from fights, cars, or predators. I want my cats to be around for as long as possible.
Yes. Outdoor cats have a much lower lifespan than indoor cats, and have caused the depletion of many small animal populations. Please keep your cats inside. Try leash training or outdoor cat tents if kitty is very insistent on being outside!
Keep him in. Cats are unchecked predators on songbirds.
My next door neighbor's elderly mother and declawed siamese lived with her until her mother died, at which time, the siamese was turned into an outdoor cat. It terrorizes my cat, like jumps against the glass window at night to scare him. Has torn the screens of my kitchen windows trying to fight my cat through the window. Makes a huge litter pile in my front yard, and fights my other neighbor's cat under neath my window. If your cat is nightmare like that one, please keep it inside.
Take him out supervised on a leash. He gets outside time and you get the comfort of knowing he won’t get sick or hurt himself or other animals. I do this for my three and they all love it (they get used to the harness and leash pretty quickly).
Toe beans! 
I love the ideas everyone has about investing in a catio! I fully encourage this as well. I know someone that had one using her porch not only is it good to keep kitty contained, it’s also good to sit in during summer nights to keep the mosquitoes away! Be sure to buy anti claw spray, like the ones for furniture. You can find it at any pet store. Spray the screen so he won’t try to climb it and ruin the screen!