Cat Chat (please go to cat chat 2)

[Anaphea]

Let's stop arguing, yeah? It's great that we all care, but this is getting ever so slightly ridiculous. All I did was recite what the rescue center said, so is it really a great idea to rip me apart for saying what these people said? And the indoor-outdoor debate is silly, as well. Who cares? It's up to the owner and what they believe is best for their cats. Personally, keeping a cat indoors is like stripping a human of their humanity. Cats are just domesticated version of, say, Tigers. It's natural for them to hunt and be outdoors. It's horrid having dead animals dropped on the floor every morning, but it's natural.

So let's stop this argument. A petty online debate is not going to influence the motives of cats owners over the world. It's not up to us what cat owners decide to do. Besides, my Arty is a tough cookie, and I trust him.

Shall we move on, now?

Okay, so recently Arty has been losing weight (he used to raid the food cupboards, naughty kitty) which is great! We've hidden the food away so that he can't find it, and he spends most of his time outside. Lenney and Pickles, meanwhile... they're going slightly senile, bless them.

[Lonin]

Yup yup this is the face of a cat stripped of her catmanity

Utterly miserable.

Hates life.


Cats are the domesticated version of the african wildcat not tigers.

It's cool to drop an argument, it's not so cool to tell other people to drop it while continuing it yourself with a pretty inflammatory statement like "keeping a cat indoors is like stripping a human of their humanity".

[Saracirce]

Actually, this debate has changed people's minds in the past. It's just people choose to plug their ears and continue anthropomorphizing their cats instead of listening to reason. Our three cats are perfectly happy and content being inside and are content on missing out on fights, being hit by cars or being abused by humans. Also, what little wildlife we get in our area I'm sure is just as happy not having to deal with them.

[Anaphea]

I don't want to continue this argument, but we are all allowed our own opinions. I'd rather let my cats live as naturally as possible. Arty would hate being stuck inside. He loves being able to roam outdoors. He gets exercise and doesn't get shut indoors. He gets to experience the world, instead of the same old boring house everyday. My mum's old cat was an indoor cat, but the cat hated it. She would take every chance to get outside. Meanwhile, my dad's cats were free to come and go as they pleased, and they enjoyed life a lot more. Personally, letting cats live naturally is a lot better, in my opinion. But, then again, it's my opinion. Obviously having an individual opinion is not allowed in society nowadays...

[Anaphea]

@Lonin
I was giving an example

I hate having arguments, but seriously? The moment I mention that Arty is *part* Bengal, everyone acts like I said I'm shoving him in a microwave. And why does this argument have to continue? But... once more... having an opinion is against the rules nowadays.

[flyteck]

Let's stop arguing, yeah? It's great that we all care, but this is getting ever so slightly ridiculous. All I did was recite what the rescue center said, so is it really a great idea to rip me apart for saying what these people said? And the indoor-outdoor debate is silly, as well. Who cares? It's up to the owner and what they believe is best for their cats. Personally, keeping a cat indoors is like stripping a human of their humanity. Cats are just domesticated version of, say, Tigers. It's natural for them to hunt and be outdoors. It's horrid having dead animals dropped on the floor every morning, but it's natural.

So let's stop this argument. A petty online debate is not going to influence the motives of cats owners over the world. It's not up to us what cat owners decide to do. Besides, my Arty is a tough cookie, and I trust him.

Shall we move on, now?

Okay, so recently Arty has been losing weight (he used to raid the food cupboards, naughty kitty) which is great! We've hidden the food away so that he can't find it, and he spends most of his time outside. Lenney and Pickles, meanwhile... they're going slightly senile, bless them.

You can't really say "let's move on" and then continue the topic. Additionally, this doesn't have to be an argument... It's called a discussion. The only one acting offended is you. If you don't want to have this conversation then don't reply, that simple. It's also a little low to call this petty -- nobody is being petty, we are sharing experiences. Online is no different than in real life for that much.

On the topic of cats being outside being natural, it's no different than letting your dog roam the streets unmonitored. They're descended from wolves, who are wild animals, and yet I see no dogs running loose in the streets. It's a misconception, that simple. Domestic animals are called domestic for a reason -- they're bred to live in human environments, not the wild. It's great to let your cat outside, but not unsupervised in my opinion. My cats go in the backyard on harness (and occasionally to the ravine behind our house) and they're perfectly happy. Two of them were ferals and they don't miss it. Obviously every cat is different, but it's certainly not oppressive to keep them inside. There are more dangers associated with being outdoors simply because more can hurt them. Nobody is saying you're being a bad pet owner and need to change immediately, many people here just have similar opinions.

Obviously when one person thinks something is right they're going to want others to agree; nobody is forcing you to do anything, but naturally people who think indoor cats are safer will try to explain why to show others, and vice versa. If you'd relax we could have a good chat and people on both sides can learn some stuff. No need to be hostile~

[~Alice]

♤ ♢ ♧ ♡

Does anybody have any tips on training cats? I've bell trained my cat for his meals - to help him get into a routine and to train him to come - and I've been trying to teach him to sit. It hasn't been very successful haha.

[borealetiger]

So I have two cats Khan and Priscilla and there both me bae I love them so much and there really sweet! Well thats all I really wanted to say have a great day everyone!
My cats! The first ones Khan and the second ones Priscilla!

[Transkitty]

Nobody is telling you that you can't have an opinion. Disagreeing with that opinion doesn't mean we're telling you not to have that opinion. However, insinuating that keeping cats inside is harmful to them will not be tolerated by those of us who keep our cats safely inside. Also saying outdoor cats are natural is wrong. The domestic cat is not a native predator anywhere anymore, which means they do not belong in any of the ecosystems they are decimating. As for the animals they drop on your floor each morning, how do you know that none of them are endangered? How do you know that your cat isn't lending a hand in the extinction of a species?

As for your insinuation that indoor cats don't get any exercise because they're 'shut indoors', tell that to my cats. They get their exercise during their daily play sessions, from chasing each other and from playing with my ferrets. They get all of the enrichment they need from their toys, their cat trees and their leashed excursions outside. I know my cats are not killing anything, they wont get poisoned, they're safe from dogs and other animals and they're not going to get run over by a car. I also know they're going to live twice as long as the average outdoor cat.

As for this debate never changing minds, you're wrong there as well. I used to be just fine with outdoor cats, in fact I also thought it was natural and didn't understand why people were so against it. Then someone spelled out the statistics for me (how much outdoor cats kill, how many are killed on roads every year, the difference in lifespans) and I realized that letting my cats outside was directly putting them in danger. So I asked for advice on bringing my cat inside and I successfully transitioned him into an indoor only cat! I've also successfully transitioned all three of the cats currently living in my house, to the point that we can leave the door open while we're bringing in groceries and they don't even try to get outside. It can be done.

[Anaphea]

Okay then. We all have different opinions. No need to call me 'hostile' though. I'm not trying to be. Sorry if I came off rude or blunt, I've just had a bad day. I'll take myself away now before I cause anything else. I just suppose I'm not wanted here? It's okay, I'll just remove myself and go elsewhere until I can manage to act maturely. I'm okay.