.jpg)
Did you know that attitudes toward cats are almost completely opposite in the United States verses the United Kingdom? Not the entire thought about cats, but whether or not they should go outside. In America a popular thought is that it’s better to keep the cat inside. Conversely, in Great Britain it’s often considered cruel not to give a cat the option of going outdoors.
Our neighbors lived for a while in England. They applied to the RSPCA for a cat and were almost denied because they didn’t have a kitty door that would allow the cat to go inside and outside whenever it pleased. The husband was working at home and he had to convince the RSPCA that he would leave a window open, and also that he would be home often enough each day to accommodate the cat.
In America many rescues currently have a line in their adoption contracts requiring prospective owners to agree to keep the cat inside. I know I had that condition in at least one of my adoption agreements, that the cat wouldn’t be an outside cat.
Sometimes I think that line is blurry: do the rescues mean that the cat must never go outside, or that it must be allowed to come inside when it pleases, rather than being forced to always live outdoors? I know that for at least some rescues, it’s the former.
What I find most amusing, or fascinating, about all of this is that neither British nor American cat enthusiasts can be accused of loving their felines any less. We’d agree that we equally love cats and that we all just want what’s best for the cat. It’s just strange that somehow opinions can be so differed on what that entails.
I currently don’t let my cats outside, but that’s more because of my own issues and my cats’ reluctance to go out than any concern I have for my pets’ health. The location that our apartment was in was too close to the road, so I didn’t feel comfortable letting Cole out. Now we live in an ideal area for a cat to roam, but I’m still just uncomfortable with the idea. Our neighbors’ cats, and possibly some feral/stray cats, lay claim to our yard, so I’m worried about potential fights.
Indoor cats also tend to live longer, because they’re not exposed to the same diseases and dangers (fights with cats or other animals, traffic, etc.) as outdoor cats. It’s a perfectly valid argument, however, that indoor cats aren’t as happy; behavioral problems like the type I experienced earlier this year are definitely less common with cats that are allowed to go outside.
At the end of the day I think the ideal situation for a cat is probably indoor/outdoor, so it gets safety and warmth indoors and stimulation outdoors. However, I realize that there might be other considerations in the mix, such as allergies, veterinary costs, and one’s own anxiety (that’s a big factor with me and also with my cats, apparently). You should do what’s most comfortable for you, and know that whatever your stance is, there are dedicated cat lovers out there who support it.
Related Articles:
Outside or Inside: The Right Place for Your Cat
Flaky Cats and What to Do About Them
What Does Your Pet Do All Day?
Caring for Pets in Cold Weather
How to Help Your Pet Lose Weight
*(This image by ☞ Russell is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
