Cat owners

krooton said:
Perhaps we should redefine the meaning of 'cruel' :p
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Being cruel to be kind I guess. I got them as presents for the other half, so in effect they are her cats, despite them spending more time with me and it's always been her decision that they be kept inside. Originally this was due to us living on a new build estate so it was more like a building site, then it was the roads being too busy, then when both my parents cats died from accidents with cars despite them living in a very secluded cul de sac, that was it, her mind was made up. Her parent's cat is an indoor cat and she's dead set on our two ever going outside now.
 
BuffetSlayer said:
Essentially you bought a cat to subdue it to your will
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I find the thought of anyone trying to make a cat "subdue to their will" hilarious. Cats are free spirits and do whatever the heck they like. One of the reasons I like them so much.

Does anyone legally "own" a cat? in law I mean. I know that cat owners can't be held responsible for the actions of their pet, unlike a dog.

Jano said:
Being cruel to be kind I guess. I got them as presents for the other half, so in effect they are her cats, despite them spending more time with me and it's always been her decision that they be kept inside. Originally this was due to us living on a new build estate so it was more like a building site, then it was the roads being too busy, then when both my parents cats died from accidents with cars despite them living in a very secluded cul de sac, that was it, her mind was made up. Her parent's cat is an indoor cat and she's dead set on our two ever going outside now.
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I think I read somewhere that the life expectancy of an outdoor cat was 2-5 years, whereas a indoor cat 15+ years. Whatever you think about the rights or wrongs, cruel or unfair, thats a fact thats hard to argue with. My sisters rescue got run over after less than a year. At least the driver stopped knocked on her door and told her in person.

FoxEye said:
I suspect most people who buy/bring home a cat don't stop to ask them if they want to leave their current owner/place of residence. You "force yourself" on them when you take them home :p But that's OK, right? Or did you somehow gain your cat's permission to take them home?
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Perhaps not, but the cat decides to stay. Or not. Plenty of stories of cats disappearing only to reappear later as their previoius home after making their way back their somehow.

FoxEye said:
I have never, ever heard anyone talk about "cohabiting with a cat" before. Or "mutual respect". You know that wild cats usurp their own parents and take their territory?
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Er, what? The last wildlife documentary I saw the mother chased off the offspring as soon as they're old enough to fend for themselves. I believe he means "cohabiting" in the sense that the cat chooses to stay of its own free will unlike say, a caged snake or guninea pig. Which is a fair description. They also do not need validaton or feel the need to subjugate themselves to pack leader its more of a mutual co-existance than a master - servant relationhip of a dog. Which some people seem to find hard to deal with, or maybe they're just the controlling type who can't tolerate the concept of lack of obedience.
 
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FoxEye said:
I'm sorry Buffet, I can't take you seriously when you talk like this. "Cohabit with a cat". Ye gods. I will say without doubt that you are guilty of anthropomorphising cats and attributing them with human feelings, desires, and needs.

I suspect most people who buy/bring home a cat don't stop to ask them if they want to leave their current owner/place of residence. You "force yourself" on them when you take them home :p But that's OK, right? Or did you somehow gain your cat's permission to take them home?

But whatever. If I'm crazy then at least I can take solace in the fact that you're just as crazy, in the other direction ;)

I have never, ever heard anyone talk about "cohabiting with a cat" before. Or "mutual respect". You know that wild cats usurp their own parents and take their territory? Does any animal even have a concept of "respect"? Fear and trust, yes. Those are fairly primitive emotions we all share.
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Ah the anthropomorphise argument.

Nope. My cats are cats. Not humans. But that does not change the fact that as a human being that i can (and arguably should) have a healthy respect for other animals. I respect the nature of my cats, I respect their athletic abilities, the reaction speeds their hunting abilities and how they are self sufficient. Do you not? Not really seeing why that is such a terrible thing? I'm also not attributing them wih human feelings and needs. I'm attributing them with the needs they have as cats and giving them the freedom to do what comes naturally to them. Again I'm not sure why that is a bad thing?

In terms of cohabiting, what would you call it? My cats live with me and we coexist in the same home.
 
Oddly I find myself agreeing with everything FoxEye is posting. I feel dirty :(

BuffetSlayer said:
Live and let live. As long as there is no cruelty I leave indoor cat owners alone to do their 'thang'. I personally don't agree with it for the most part, but at least it means less cats are being euthanised. I could go into the logic fails in this thread, and a whole host of other things but it is not the time or the place and even if it was, it seems legitimate discussion would not be possible given some of the painfully flimsy reasoning and the offhanded arrogant dismissal of other peoples views displayed thus far :)
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It's not so much arrogant dismissal. It's more I decided long ago that I'm keeping my cats (that I rescued and were therefore not euthanised) indoors for their own safety. Any amount of discussion or other viewpoints isn't going to make me suddenly think "Oh actually come to think of it I've changed my mind now you've said that and I'll boot them outside". If we want to continue the parallels with having kids, I decide what is best for my children. I'm not interested in someone else telling me how to raise them, that's my job to decide how to do best and no one elses. If anyone is arrogant it is those spouting the OMG IT'S CRUEL and thinking they can tell me how I should look after my cats.

OP - see what great discussions you have ahead of you ;)
 
Um...I dunno like, I think what you've said there is the very definition of arrogant dismissal!
 
Dis86 said:
Um...I dunno like, I think what you've said there is the very definition of arrogant dismissal!
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I don't care what you have to say! ;)

But tell me, if you had decided not to allow your kids to eat sugary sweets because you felt it was bad for them and then someone came along and called you a bad parent and told you that you ought to feed them sugary sweets. Is that arrogant dismissal to not do as they say? Or are you just staying true to your own convictions?
 
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RoboCod said:
OP - see what great discussions you have ahead of you ;)
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Made for interesting reading.

I was just hoping for 'poo stains on the carpet can be removed with [this cleaning product]' and 'cats like toys'

Cat arrives on Saturday.
 
In the "Show Us" thread another two people posting RIP comments about their outdoor cats being run over or beaten by kids.

Didn't want to post there because we're already talking about it here.

I don't think 25% is anywhere near the reality. How is this data even collected, for starters. Most people who lose a cat aren't going to report it. Most bury them then go straight out and get another. And another.

And they say we're the cruel ones. I know people who have had an endless succession of outdoor cats near main roads, who keep being "sad" that their cat has been killed, before getting another.

Yet that doesn't seem to incur any disapproval at all among "let them live free" advocates.
 
tres said:
Made for interesting reading.

I was just hoping for 'poo stains on the carpet can be removed with [this cleaning product]' and 'cats like toys'

Cat arrives on Saturday.
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Congratulations and good luck! :)

An indoor cat will need a lot of stimulation to stop it getting stressed, but it does not have to cost the earth. They love carboard boxes, rolled up balls of paper etc etc. They also love to climb, so it might be worth investing in a kitty climbing frame (often they also double up as beds as cats like to be off the floor). Don't forget scratch posts!

Cat proofing your house will probably be the biggest challenge as there are risks indoors too. Remember to keep chemicals and medications somewhere safe - if you doubt whether your cat can get to them - trust me they can! Generally best to store such items in an area the cat does not have physical access to, or in a locked cupboard (or a child proofed cupboard). As it will fast become Christmas, don't let your cat ingest tinsel, it can cause a lot of damage (can be fatal). We removed all tinsel from the house because our two decided they wanted to chew on it. Also, do not think a closed door is sufficient to keep your cat out of a room! Kitchen cupboards will be accessed and climbed into as well, so watch out for your glasses :)

If you haven't already have a read through these, the 2nd link has a lot of useful practical advice for owning an indoor cat:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232737553221&mode=prd

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,4872.0.html

Additionally there are quite a few indoor cat owners that can offer advice in the Show us your kitty cats thread.
 
FoxEye said:
In the "Show Us" thread another two people posting RIP comments about their outdoor cats being run over or beaten by kids.

Didn't want to post there because we're already talking about it here.

I don't think 25% is anywhere near the reality. How is this data even collected, for starters. Most people who lose a cat aren't going to report it. Most bury them then go straight out and get another. And another.

And they say we're the cruel ones. I know people who have had an endless succession of outdoor cats near main roads, who keep being "sad" that their cat has been killed, before getting another.

Yet that doesn't seem to incur any disapproval at all among "let them live free" advocates.
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I would never have a cat if I lived near a main road. Didn't have cats for a few years because that was the case. Really missed not having them, but I could not responsibly get cats living so close to a main road. So there you go - that is at least one member of the "let them live free" crowd you now know that does not advocate it (as an aside, my parents have also not had cats for the last 15 years for the same reason, even though they have kept cats all of their lives prior to that).
 
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