Post #3197090
2026-05-31 00:10 UTC
Cats should not be allowed to free roam for more than the reasons you tried to preempt. For one, everyone thinks their cat won’t get hit by a car right up until it does. “calm street and the cars are slow” works right up until it doesn’t. It only takes once. They’re also exposed to more diseases and parasites. The average outdoor cat lifespan is nearly 3x less than an indoor only cat.
But, furthermore, your entire preemptive defence is also just selfish. Outside/unleashed is a danger to the cats, but the cats are also a danger to the outside.
Please, please, please keep your cats inside, and if you want to let them out do so responsibly on a leash with supervision. This is directed at everyone reading, not just OP.
Replies (2)
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@kobra@piefed.social 2026-05-31 00:42
Agreed with this. I love cats and want them to live long, safe, and happy lives inside.
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@spirinolas@lemmy.world 2026-05-31 04:28
My cats are 8 and 9 years old. They never had close calls with cars or other animals. If I suddenly decided to lock them indoors for the rest of their lives they’d go insane. When I leave for days and they have stay locked inside they become depressed. Is there a risk? Yes, but it’s a small price to pay for their mental well-being, not to mention physical activity. I’m much happier letting them decide where they want to go during the day. And so are they. Keeping an animal in irons just because you want it “safe” is not protecting it is abusing it.