How Many Cat Owners Do this?

[Dizzy]

Well - my cats were sunbathing all yesterday, then one ventured next door to talk to me in my neighbours garden, were he was was fussed over. It's a hard life

I have a WHOLE other gobsmacking issue which is arising from this thread, and it's a whole new can of worms.

Why on earth would you declaw a cat????? Shock and horror does not describe it.

 

[Kay]

Why on earth would you declaw a cat????? Shock and horror does not describe it.

People do it because they're too lazy/don't want to spend the time, or money, on humanely keeping their furniture safe from kitty claws.

 

[Dizzy]

you are kidding?

That is like detonguing a dog because you don't like being licked...

 

[Kay]

you are kidding?

That is like detonguing a dog because you don't like being licked...

Exactly. I completely agree. Declawing is very uncomfortable for the cat, and eventually gets extremely painful, which often turns into them no longer using their litterbox because it hurts their toes. To declaw a cat, vets need to remove part of their toe up to a "knuckle."

It's cruel, but some people tend not to care.

 

[springer spaniel]

I have two cats and they both love outside I could not take that away but I live in the country plus they both hate inside

 

[Southpaw]

People do it because they're too lazy/don't want to spend the time, or money, on humanely keeping their furniture safe from kitty claws.

It's cruel, but some people tend not to care.

That hurts. My cat is declawed and it simply breaks my heart when people think he is not cared for just because of that. My family is not lazy, cruel, and we DO care--the decision was made due to lack of information about the procedure, not because we simply don't care. It is probably not something I would have done to any of my future cats, just because the claws don't bug me, but I would never think badly of someone who does declaw their cats.

IMO he is cared for quite well...

But I guess the declawing issue is a whole other topic...

 

[Dizzy]

Southpaw - no one thinks any less of you, and your cat is GORGEOUS.

But you said yourself, it was due to lack of information..

 

[Kay]

All about declawing:

http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

All about declawing:

http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/

Why try and make someone feel worse about something that is already over and done with? Neither one of my cats are declawed but i don't look down on people with declawed cats.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Exactly. I completely agree. Declawing is very uncomfortable for the cat, and eventually gets extremely painful, which often turns into them no longer using their litterbox because it hurts their toes. To declaw a cat, vets need to remove part of their toe up to a "knuckle."

It's cruel, but some people tend not to care.

Our old cat Pudgie came to us declawed. And he used his litter box and was a perfectly happy fat cat.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I got cats 15 and 14 years ago and declawed them.
Yes, it was due to lack of information and I would probably not do it again.

However, I do not agree with the things everyone is saying about changed behavior. Both cats have never had a problem using the litter box, jumping playing, being happy, and living LONG lives soo far.

Elissa

 

[Kay]

Why try and make someone feel worse about something that is already over and done with? Neither one of my cats are declawed but i don't look down on people with declawed cats.

Was I trying to make someone feel worse by posting a link about cat declawing? Well if you think that is why I posted that link, you can just go right ahead and think that.

 

[Fran27]

I suggest posting another topic about it (I'm sure there must be one somewhere you can bump too).

I was scared a second and thought this thread hadn't died yet...

 

[jess2416]

I have a proposition for all of you, whoever gets in the last post BEFORE this thread gets locked must change the title under their avatar to Mr or MS/Mrs/Miss Lastword.

I wanna be Miss Lastword......

 

[IhaveadognamedCharlie]

Well, I just read this thread for the first time, well the first page anyways. Sounds like things may have gotten out of hand in the 11 pages of posts though!!

Back to the topic we started with....

I would not normally have an inside only cat. Cats naturally want to travel and explore. Sure, there are risks when allowing your cat to roam outside, but I think they truly enjoy the great outdoors. That being said, I do not judge anyone who decides to keep thie cats indoors only. It is personal choice. Just as it is personal choice as to whether or not you want a pet in the first place. As long as the pet is being looked after properly, fed and such, then it is going to be happy no matter where it lives. Cats seem to be very adaptable to their surroundings, and that is why they make a good pet for alot of people.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Well, I just read this thread for the first time, well the first page anyways. Sounds like things may have gotten out of hand in the 11 pages of posts though!!

Back to the topic we started with....

I would not normally have an inside only cat. Cats naturally want to travel and explore. Sure, there are risks when allowing your cat to roam outside, but I think they truly enjoy the great outdoors. That being said, I do not judge anyone who decides to keep thie cats indoors only. It is personal choice. Just as it is personal choice as to whether or not you want a pet in the first place. As long as the pet is being looked after properly, fed and such, then it is going to be happy no matter where it lives. Cats seem to be very adaptable to their surroundings, and that is why they make a good pet for alot of people.

I think this poster should get the last word! Good Post.

Elissa

 

[Juicy]

please don't let your cats be an outside cat

my cat gigi was an inside/outside cat. she LOVED the outdoors and i couldn't deprived her from what she loved. although she seemed happy indoors, she was a very lively cat outdoors too. she also liked to hang with the other cats that would come to my house at night. she had a hot pink collar that was very visible at night, so i didn't really worry much about cars. but one night after staying the weekend at my dads. i remember calling her in and she would not come. i didn't think much of it. till the next morning i found her dead in a neighbor's front yard. i dunno how she died. car, posioned, or what. but if i get another cat in my life, i would not take that risk again!!

 

[Juicy]

 

[Kay]

That is terrible I'm sorry about Gigi.

The law around here is, if you see an animal on the road, don't stop, run it over, it's safer for you and everyone else in your car that way. Insurance won't cover if you get into an accident by trying to dodge a cat or a dog on the road.

 

[AnimalLoverCatRescuer]

That is terrible I'm sorry about Gigi.

The law around here is, if you see an animal on the road, don't stop, run it over, it's safer for you and everyone else in your car that way. Insurance won't cover if you get into an accident by trying to dodge a cat or a dog on the road.

Aww that is sad.

I am going to say that my cats are all indoors for the most part with the acception of one. I started letting her out before I knew better and I just still do. She will stand by the door and watch every move I make until she gets to go out. With my other cats, one is a stray I picked up 3 weeks ago and he is strictly indoors. I will not adopt him to someone who lets their cats outdoors but it is mostly because of his personality. Two of my other cats will go out but only when I am following them around. They almost always just go right out to the grass and chew it until it is time to come back in. If they wander I follow. One cat meows and meows to go outside but if the door opens or she runs out she gets scared to death and will claw the metal door to get back in. That leaves my two boy cats and they are too shy and skiddish to go outside.

In general, some people are going to let cats out and some aren't. As long as everyone uses common sense:

-Spay or neuter and vaccinate your cat well before the ridiculous 6 month age requirement that some vets insist on.

-If you live in downtown LA or NYC it probably is not a good idea to have an outdoor cat. That is just asking for trouble.

-If you have horrible neighbors who hate your cats and tell you constantly, it probably isn't a good idea either to let them outside.

-If your cat is declawed, DUH do I have to say anymore on that one?

Just use common sense people. We will have to agree to disagree with this one. Because no one will ever agree. I know in the UK it is common to let the cat out in the garden and I have heard that when you adopt a cat from a shelter it is required that it be allowed outside. That is unheard of at good shelters and rescues here. You have to sign a contract to keep the cat indoors. So just be ready for emergencies, flea treat and deworm your outdoor cats regularly, make sure they are altered and do what you will.