Do americans let their cats outdoors as much as british people do?

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Joseph

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Here in the U.K almost everybody i know lets their cats outside (unless they have just got it or thier cat is old). The RSPCA and the Cats Protection seem to think its alright to let cats out as well.

However, looking at fellow posts on yahoo answers some americans have called cat owners who let thier cats 'irresponsible' and 'stupid' - sevral even calling it 'neglect'.
A couple of users have also said that the average age of an outdoor cat is 2-4 years- what?
I have and have had several cats - all outdoors and none have lived for less than 12 years. In fact the only cat I know to have died young (4) did so because of cancer.

So is this difference in opinions between our countries real? and if so why is there a difference?
or do these posters not represent the majority?
 
It depends where you live. My best friend lives in a house surrounded by fields and woods, her road is a dead end so there is barely any traffic except from the residents. She always had indoor/outdoor cats and they all lived to be around 18-20.
I live right by the highway though, and have tons of neighbors with stupid children, unleashed dogs, and at night there are raccoons that climb the fence and get into the trash. So I would definitely never let my cats be outside without me. It's just too dangerous and they are way too sweet, I'd never see them again, or worse I'd see their little corpses on the side of the road.
I feel that in this area they are much better off inside, but in the spring and summer I take them out back to roam around in the garden or lay in the sun when I can supervise cuz I do want them to get fresh air. They seem to be happy with that and then want to go back in after a half an hour. It's great to let them roam free as long as they aren't going to be directly in harm's way.
 
Most owners in the US keep their cats inside. I have no problems with those that let them outside BUT only if the owners are supervising the cats outside (harness/leash or enclosure). Here in the US, roaming cats are killed on highways, poisoned, trapped, or exposed to FELV/FIP more then the UK.

I want to know where my cats are and that they are safe INSIDE my house. Look at all the people asking "will my cat come home?"
 
Not much help seeing as I'm British but I think it depends on the cat itself on whether or not it goes outside. My cat goes 3 feet out of the door about twice a summer and that's it because she prefers the warmth and softness of our beds
 
US cat owners are of two minds. Some believe "all indoor" for safety. Others let cats roam. We do have raccoons and coyotes in cities here, so the threat is real. Also, unfortunately, American teen boys and men can be sadistic with cats. And many drivers have no feelings about killing a cat.


Sad but true.
 
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