I have noticed that answers on here tend towards being very protective (some would say overly) toward their feline pets, I really just wondered why, as it's almost unheard of in U.K.
Not being rude, honestly just curious about the reason for the difference.
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Show me another »Why do Americans tend to keep their cats indoors?
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* fair enuff to all the ukers that keep them in, maybe it's just the people i know! lol
1 year ago
All spayed.. mostly just have catflaps so they go in and out as they like. I used to have a cat who refused to go out but it was his choice. Check this webiste out for city cats
http://catladder.blogspot.com/
http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a…
http://catladder.blogspot.com/
http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a…
1 year ago
Kumi... of course I love my cats thats why they are allowed to do as they please they are both over 10 years old.. and it never hurts to ask! ;-)
1 year ago
i just found this website-
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/Outdoor-…
http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/Outdoor-…
1 year ago
***good example oof a UK cat *** http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon…
1 year ago
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
I think the main reason in the US is that outside cats here have an average life span of 2 years - mostly from being hit by cars, attacked by other animals and increased risk of disease from stray cats. Many families do have indoor/outdoor cats but the reason is primarily to protect them from danger and if they are going to go through the expense of having them spayed or neutered, vaccines, etc. they don't want them to die unnecessarily when they can just let them out on the screened porch and give them the experience of the outside without as much risk.
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Veterinarian for 10 years
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- thanks, i'll stick to letting mine roam about. they seem happy enough.
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Other Answers (9)
- Because cats do a tremendous amount of damage to the local wildlife population. A well fed pet cat will still kill for fun.
And in large cities, it is dangerous for cats to be free roaming. Cars, maniacs that kill cats, and poisons are out there. In the country, coyotes are known to pick off pet cats. - It also keeps them cleaner
- well theres many reasons cars, other cats, people, right now the number of cats with feline leukemia is high and its highly contagious
- Busy roads.
Cat like to curl up in car engines for warmth and get cut up when the car is started.
Neighbors who don't want the cats around and harm them to get rid of them.
People who like to torture or harm cats.
People use chemicals in their yards or garages that cats will get into.
Wildlife that cats can come into contact with.
Other cats in the neighborhood who may or may not have shots.
Free roaming dogs in the neighborhood.
I'd much rather have my cats by my side and know that they're safe and living long healthy lives. Besides, they're part of my family and I want them here to cuddle with and interact with and love. - actually I keep both of my cats inside, and I live in the UK. I think it depends on the cat, neither of mine want to go outside much I think they are too spoiled :p. My old cat went outside though.
- I don't
- An indoor cat's lifespan is just so much, much longer than an outdoors (or an inside/outside cat).
I can't imagine Americans care more for their cats than UK citizens, though ...?
I do think the realization and trend of keeping felines indoors their whole lives is relatively new, though.
Of coarse the practice itself isn't new, but the *wide-spread* practice of it may be (or the knowledge itself).
Maybe it's a "tend" that just hasn't reached the UK as of yet?
I dunno, though. If you truly love your cat, I do think that's it's preposterous to not want to keep it indoors. If you don't want to lose it, that is.
Because the fact of the matter is that outdoor cats, on average, don't even reach half of their indoor life expectancy. I believe it's something like 3-5 years, whereas an indoor cat can reach close to it's 20's.
And of coarse there will always be subtle differences between counties. Maybe it's just one of those things. - Curious about the outdoor cats in England.
Americans, Canadians do to improve or protect life, theirs and the birds around.
Indoor cats live much longer on average than an outdoor cat.
I wonder if UK neuter and spay their cats as much as they let them out doors. - We don't have enough toothpicks to hand out to all the coyotes that would brunch on them!
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