[miss marmelstein]

I keep two ferals in my backyard. They are part of the ASPCA’s “trap, neuter/spay/release” program. My cats have one ear clipped so volunteer animal shelter folks don't retrap them. I feed them every day and they are quite healthy. At this point, their rabies shots are up to date.

I also have an indoor/outdoor cat and an indoor cat. The indoor cat's coat looks terrible and she is always ailing. It's unnatural to have cats indoors 24 hours a day. I'll never do it to a cat again.

[fatnotlazy]

If your indoor cat is ailing, it needs vet care. Doesn’t mean the cat should be outdoors. Could be a sign of age, an illness, maybe improper diet. An unhealthy coat could be a sign of illness, but it could also mean the cat needs more frequent brushing.

Statistically, indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. An outdoor cat lives on average five years. The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15. A close friend’s indoor cat lived to age 21. Give a cat the proper diet, plenty of exercise and regular vet care, and it can live a long time.

[Windflier]

I also have an indoor/outdoor cat and an indoor cat. The indoor cat's coat looks terrible and she is always ailing. It's unnatural to have cats indoors 24 hours a day.

That's the reason they make kitty doors. They do well when they're allowed to be inside or outside at their own choice.

There isn't an animal on the face of the earth that evolved to live as a ward of humans in a confined space. If that were true of house cats, they would have lost their claws and excellent night vision long ago. They also wouldn't have retained their stalking/hunting instincts, but they have.

Our cats don't have any indoor provisions, but we let them in whenever they want. They stay in for as long as they like, and when they indicate they've had enough, we let them out. They're happy, contented, and well adjusted to that lifestyle, and so are we. I wouldn't change a thing.