(03-27-2015, 09:59 PM)DancingLady Wrote: I know this is a hot subject, and I am NOT trying to start any arguments here, but I just wanted to start a discussion about outdoor kitties.
Where I live, we are in a small town with lots of country people in the surrounding area. It's not unusual for people who have property to have outdoor cats that may or may not come inside. Cats are not just pets for some people, they are needed to keep the mice under control in the barn and around the property. As we all know there are inherent risks to cats when they live outdoors most or all of the time. Some sadly don't live long lives. However, the outdoor cats I have known seem to be some of the happiest cats out there.
Have you ever had an outdoor, or primarily outdoor cat?
When living out in the country, we have had outdoor cats for precisely the reasons you mentioned in your post At the same time, they were still very much our pets. It was actually a bit more stressful, due to the higher risk of the outside elements. Nowadays, our two cats live indoors. Eddie, our youngest has never ventured outside. Herman, our older cat, has had quite the outdoor experiences. I know she misses her prowling days Unfortunately, she has gained more weight.