Cats and Dogs

[MysticScorpio82]

Since being married I have lost 3 cats....

My DH grew up having outdoor cats. I, on the other, only having indoor cats. I feel they are safe from predators (like fishers), they don't get fleas, worms, and other parasites like outdoor cats do and they can still live and happy life that is longer than alot of outdoor cats. (The exception is a good barn cat that stays or near the barn)

However since being married my DH and his mother have told me how mean I am to not let my cats outside "cats normal walk for miles in the wild, it's cruel to keep them contained inside. they are so much happier outside...etc...etc...etc." So the next thing I know my DH is letting my cats outside when I am not around. Then the cats decide they like it better outside and wont shut-up inside and show their disconentment by puking in my shoe. So I started relenting and say ok, if I am outside with them to keep an eye on them, they can go out. Needless to say my DH took that as the ok to let them run free at anytime. I now have no more cats because they have all disappeared.... Go figure, with coyotes, fishers, foxes, racoons, and God only knows what else in the woods behind my house.

Long story short, I agree with you deerman, about keeping our pets contained. If I ever get another cat I will kick my DH butt if he even THINKS of opening that door and letting it out.

 

[IggiMom]

Quote:
Well--I am not at all sure that I am the only one who could be responsible for a thread going downhill. And I am not the only one who said it, either.

Yes. I consider myself a responsible pet owner.

It is also true that several people made a blanket statement that cats should ALWAYS be kept inside.

I fail to see how a cat can do her job of being a mouser if she never goes outside. And I believe it is possible for a kitty to go outside and still be a responsible feline citizen.

When I lived in town, my cats stayed inside, and I don't think it is cruel. My outside cats, however, do not have parasites, and I make sure of that. Inside cats can and do get parasites also.

Of course you are free to disagree.

I think that this thread is bothering me to the point that I had better unsubscribe, and of course is fairly off topic to the point that it is now about whether cats should be allowed out rather than speaking of whether they are predators to chickens.

Catherine

 

[mountainchick5]

The problem is to generalize. All animals are not the same.I have two "outdoor" cats. That don't "roam" the neighborhood. They stay in the yard, or garage. They couldn't care less about the chickens. They lay in the yard with them, and keep down the rodent population. I'm NOT an irresponsible pet owner because I let my cats go outside. I can't stand a litter box in the house, so they stay in the garage or outside during the day.
I also have a daschund that thinks she's a chicken and part of the flock. I don't know why. It's just the way she is. I didn't "train" her or anything. I would trust her in the yard with them alone. She also chases rodents and keeps them at bay.
AAWWWW poor rodents, should we protect them too now?
It's the circle of life if cats chase birds, rodents, butterflies, etc....
As long as it's not on someone elses property.
So I agree on one hand, the animal owners should keep their pets on their property. Mine are, they are just allowed to roam their own area.

As far as dogs. Yes they should be kept in the dog owners, yard. Or if on a walk, on a leash. And not be allowed to "roam" the neighborhood. That's the law in most areas, and I know people have had trouble with neighbors dogs and enforcing this civilized code of conduct.

So what now, everyone has to get rid of their cats and dogs? OR keep them inside, in a kennel or locked up all the time. They should be allowed to run around their own property.

It's just too easy to generalize. Everyone has a different sitiuation, a different set up and different neighborhood with different dispositions of cats and dogs.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

DBF has rescued many cats that were dumped off in the park by his home. He tried keeping them as indoor cats but they were too destructive so out they went. They don't roam and stay in the yard. One even scared away a fox that was coming a little too close to the house. They don't bother the chickens at all.

It really is all about being "responsible" pet owners. If the cats are well fed and happy, they will stay. If not, then they roam.

 

[redbugs13]

I have 2 cats, both from the shelter and both I got as adults. One I have had for 7 years, and she is strictly inside. The other I have had for 2 years, he is a really good cat, very loyal and loving, but impossible to keep inside. We saw him at the shelter and and almost 3 months later my husband brought him home as a surprise, he had been at the shelter so long he was on the edge of euthanization. All I know about his past is that he was dropped on a some country road and then taken into the shelter.

I would love for him to be an inside only cat, but he scratches the door and ruins the blinds and curtains and knocks things out of the window sills, and meows all night and and walks all over me while Im trying to sleep. He roams to the neighbors house, he even goes inside, and while they really like him and say it doesn't bother them, it drives me crazy! He comes inside to eat, and I try to keep him at night, but he does guard my house from other stray cats. And if we go away for a weekend I make sure he is in. My husband jokes about taking him back to the shelter, but both of us have to big of hearts to do that.

If someone could give me some tips on how to train him to stay in my yard I would appreciate it, and keep him out of my garden, which he seems to think is a giant litter box. I know that I am responsible for his actions, and even if I come home to find him hit by a car (fingers crossed that doesn't happen) I know he will have had a happier life being outside than trapped inside.

 

[deerman]

My point is most of us try to control predators to protect our birds and etc.

Would be a heck of alot easier if people would keep these two under control.

I know not all cat and dog owners are at fault.

Those that let them roam, think they are controlling mice. What most have done, just let more predator loose for someone to worry about.

Just like my neighbors, they think their never leave their place. Guess most all the ones that let them roam,think the same.
Well unless they are fenced or penned they cant be sure. the ones I see are not feral.

All I ask is if people have these control them.

I sure dont get pleasure out of killing predators, with wild ones can keep the numbers down.

With these two, my neighbors just go get all the free ones(think they are giving them a good home!!)

 

[chooniecat]

Am dog/cat owner and think most cats WILL leave chickens alone(chicks-well-you have to assume,if they are less than 2 months, that something might get them so leave em locked up or babysit til big enuf) and dogs are certainly capable but please remember its not the dogs/cats fault and if they're aggressive towards any of your critters do what you have to HUMANELY. the people who "own" them probably have not bothered to neuter so then you'll have large volumes of them. I don't have a volume problem and have scarey tactics for the dogs that come on to my property. they haven't come back and if they do will deal with it humanely(yes-the animal may go over rainbow bridge)

 

[PitterPaws]

I have the same problem here. our neighbors Dogs keep coming onto my property and they get into everything and damage things. Bark at me when I go out into MY yard. and when I tell the owner to keep his dogs home. he like an idiot says "Can you prove they are mine" What! yes I CAN prove they are yours.
Dogs should be leashed.
Cats should be in the house or a pen.
NO ROAMING!
End of story!

 

[deerman]

Quote:
This is my whole point. I have to keep my chicks and etc. penned and protect them from predators. All this extra just because dog and cat owners think its ok to let them roam.

These roaming cats, do kill little chicks thru the pens sometime.

I have 42a of land, most set aside for wildlife. NOT someones cats hunting ground, killing young birds, bobwhite,songbirds.

Saw a bobwhite with her chicks running around the yard.

If I set up feeding area for birds, just another place for these roaming cats to hunt.

If they love their dogs and cats, you would think they would control them.

 

[deerman]

wild predator except coons, kill 1 or 2 at a time. dogs will kill the whole flock just for fun. Think the dog is the worst of all predators.