This was taken last week. She's a brown tabby Maine Coon. This is where I got her: http://www.vasilismainecooncats.com/home-page
Her parents are Acosta and Nadia.
Posted on 11/22/2013 5:45:02 PM PST by Perdogg
It's a question all cat owners must ask themselves; "Should I let my cats outside?" The opinions and feelings of cat lovers are varied. Lets take a closer look.
I have been on both sides of this topic. I grew up in a small city, and our cats always went outside.
They were careful about crossing the street, and mostly stayed in the yard. They all lived full lives as well.
Now, as the owner of two great Maine Coon cats, we keep them indoors. Our breeder specified it, and I agreed. You may wonder why I see things in a different light.
Most veterinarians and experts agree that cats do not need to go outside. In fact, the benefits of keeping them in far outweigh the risks of letting them out.
If your cat or kitten came from a breeder, you probably were required to agree to a few terms. Spaying or neutering of your cat, no declawing, and keeping your new pet as an indoor cat.
Did you wonder why that is? Nowadays, as pet owners are becoming more conscious and aware, more and more people are doing their best to make responsible choices for their pets.
The old belief is that we need to let our cats outside in order for them to be healthy, happy and fulfilled. After all, they really want to go out! But just like children, animals don't necessarily know what's best for themselves.
Life Span:
The life expectancy for outdoor cats is roughly 4-5 years. For indoor cats, 12-15 years is average with many healthy cats living to be about 20 years old!
Simply by keeping your cat inside the house, you protect him from a variety of dangers. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that these things probably won't happen.
But this is exactly why the life span of an outdoor cat is so short. Here are some risks involved in letting cats outside: Being hit by a car Death or injury by dog attacks Being attacked by wild animals Parasites: fleas, ticks, worms etc. (Lyme disease in cats is a real danger. Tapeworms come from fleas. And heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes.) Getting lost or picked up by Animal Control Being stolen and used for sadistic purposes Being stolen and used as laboratory animals Being poisoned either accidentally or intentionally Roaming into neighbors yards, causing irritation Death or injury caused by cat fights Picking up infectious diseases from other cats, such as: Feline Distemper, which is highly contagious and deadly Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) There are multiple varieties FELV: Feline Leukemia, the most common killer of pet cats. An infected cat will spread it before any symptoms are shown FIV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, which is always fatal. Cats who contract it are usually euthanized
Although we all know there are lots of risks for letting cats outside, seeing it listed out like this puts it in a pretty strong light.
If you find that your cat is obsessed with escaping (it's a bit like living in a house with children in the center of an amusement park) there is one popular solution. Outdoor cat enclosures are gaining popularity among indoor cat owners. They provide cats with the outdoor time they crave, in a safe way.
Of course, the choice is completely up to each owner. But new cat owners of any breed, may be wondering, "Should cats go outdoors?" or "Do I need to let my cats outside for their overall health or happiness?" The short answer is no. Experts agree that indoor cats can live happy, fulfilling lives, right in the house.
I have both inside and outside. A bunch of us feed lots of outside cats behind plazas’ in in commercial business areas. They get TNR’d as we find them. Now they at least have a life and get fed. A short life might be their fate, but a life nonetheless. Who am I to play God and kill them. I’d never do it. In my own house that I just bought, I put up a vinyl 6 foot fence with some chicken wire on top of it. Not pretty, but I put 6 ferals back there that I was feeding from my other house and 2 from a bad neighborhood. I wish I could take the chicken wire down, but the cats don’t get out, the neighbors pit bulls and rotties can’t see or get in, and it also keeps out the racoons. The cats feel safe and I feel secure.
May your neighbor rest in hell.
That is one beautiful cat.
LOL, good one! (And likely here too, if I left edibles out tempting the wildlife.)
People who let cats go outside are abusing their pets. Their life spans are 2/3 shorter than indoor cats, and they become prey for all sorts of bigger, meaner critters. Nasty people (serial killers in training) torment and kill them. Cars run over them. They get fleas, and from eating the fleas during grooming they get tapeworm and other disgusting things. Many cats have extreme flea allergies.
We moved to Tennessee in 2010 and seeing the way our neighbors treat their pets, i.e., let them run free, is probably the worst thing about living here. We spend much more time and money caring for our neighbors’ pets than their owners do.
What a uniquely marked creature. Beautiful little girl. Got any more pics of her?
My last kitty was an indoor girl. Unfortunately I managed to booby trap her a time or two, having opened the kitchen window without noticing that on a previous occasion I’d switched the screen to cover the upper half of the window.
Luckily she hadn’t far to fall to the ground, but I recall the first time it happened: I was sitting at the computer & took a while wondering what that was repeatedly smacking into & sliding down the front of the house. Poor thing, she couldn’t manage to jump quite high enough to return the same way! She was really freaked out to be outside.
This was taken last week. She's a brown tabby Maine Coon. This is where I got her: http://www.vasilismainecooncats.com/home-page
Her parents are Acosta and Nadia.
Thank you. She looks like she knows she’s regal & luxurious, LOL.
Horsehockey. Mine go outside every day. They roam throughout 5 acres. Cats are outdoor creatures.
I have heard my veterinarian say to people more than once “outside cats live short violent lives”.
“if you don’t give a crap bout following leash laws, dont’care your neighbors don’t want to hear you scream at the top of your lungs for your cats, have your cats get into fights with other cats, and crap and hunt in your neighbors’ yards, then yes it’s okay.”
I would love it if my neighbors had a cat that was outside. My garden wouldn’t be decimated by rabbits and stripped gophers.
And cat killers shouldn't cry if they get a rattlesnake in their mailbox.
“She was the most amazing, best cat I’ll ever have and we only had her for 3 years. Hubby and I almost had 2 nervous breakdowns when she died, and no I’m not kidding and we’d both suffered some big losses in our lives.”
We can identify after having to euthanize our 2-1/2-year-old “Duke” two weeks ago who began to suffer frequent seizures starting in April. We’ve had (and have) a lot of cats, but he was the absolute sweetest and most beautiful. I’m ashamed to say I cry more about losing him than I did after the deaths of my brother and father combined.
All of our cats are 100% indoor Even the ferals that we’ve brought in and tamed figure they’re much better off now than before and don’t even attempt to escape.
“I’m ashamed to say I cry more about losing him than I did after the deaths of my brother and father combined.”
I hear you! Hubby and I each lost our favorite sibling and yet we cried (keened, literally) more over that cat than either of them.
Are the queens and studs genetically tested?
Is she polydactyl?
I have no idea if the queens and studs are tested. She does receive quite a few cats from highly regarded breeders in Europe. She also has some “fancy” vet there in Kansas City. Her home is immaculate and she gives you a tour once you remove your shoes, wash your hands, and greet 20+ cats anxious to make your acquaintance. No cages anywhere. Cats are happy and friendly.
No extra toes on Mosi.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.