Cat Saturday-- Are Outdoor Cats Happier?
Photo quote de jour
www.catassistanceny.org I'm back from Florida and it looks like I didn't miss much. Believe that, and I have some swampland in Florida to sell you. The truth is, so much happens with my cats and the other cats in my life every day, I could do a Cat Saturday daily or at least a dozen photo quote de jour. We've had an odd mix or snow, rain, bitter cold, balmy warm and Odin seen above is the leader of the going outdoors brigade. I make no bones about being a lover of outdoor cats. Yes, there are hazards and risks which I've paid dearly for over the years, but if I had to do it over again, I would. There is simply no substitute for the stimulation of nature for kitty happiness. In the past, I've had kitty doors where cats came and went as they pleased. I don't agree with quite that much freedom anymore. Since Merlin is a senior with limited vision he's always escorted and with the two new kitties Odin and Gris Gris it's a work in progress. Odin is too wild a teenager to romp freely without a harness and leash. He's escaped a few times, but he has a new long retractable leash which he loves.
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Odin stirs up trouble every day. This week's finale: he shredded a large plant and pooped in the planter. He's progress from a ten-foot long branch in his play room to something larger.
Odin terrified feral Domino when they first laid eyes on each other, but this week Odin charmed Domino as he does everyone. Domino loves the attention. It's been a rough winter for him and his only other pleasure is eating. He especially likes Gris Gris his fellow under"dog". Gris Gris's past is a mystery but from what I know he was probably a basement mouser for about 12 years. It's clear he hasn't been outside much or at all ever and hungry for it. He's barely six pounds and yet managed to get our screen door open. He's slippery as an eel and we guard the door religiously but he's slipped out for a minute. He's good about coming in when called. I don't think he'll go far, and I'm training him to stay close to the house by clapping loudly. The road is a good city block and that worked well when we moved here with Merlin and Coco. They never ventured near the road.
On a recent balmy day Merlin showed Gris Gris the lay of the land (close to the house). We made sure he stayed close to the house. Since taking him outside, he's acting happier, more confident and affectionate. So, are outdoor cats happier? There's no question that mine are, but every cat and every case is different.
It was pure joy to see Gris Gris experience his first sniff of bushes, grass and pine needles. Ecstatic anyone?
On a less happy note, this week 9 week-old was just rescued by Cat Assistance NY (the group I volunteer with) may lose an eye like Odin did due to infection. They do such amazing work, taking cats other shelters reject or don't have the money for vet care or surgery. 100% of all donations go for their care. I've just started a Facebook page for them (please "like"). https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cat-Assistance-NY/204476586235889?ref=ts
If you are in the New York area, A special fund-raising gala dinner is planned for March 25. Details at their website www.catassistanceny.org
www.catassistanceny.org I'm back from Florida and it looks like I didn't miss much. Believe that, and I have some swampland in Florida to sell you. The truth is, so much happens with my cats and the other cats in my life every day, I could do a Cat Saturday daily or at least a dozen photo quote de jour. We've had an odd mix or snow, rain, bitter cold, balmy warm and Odin seen above is the leader of the going outdoors brigade. I make no bones about being a lover of outdoor cats. Yes, there are hazards and risks which I've paid dearly for over the years, but if I had to do it over again, I would. There is simply no substitute for the stimulation of nature for kitty happiness. In the past, I've had kitty doors where cats came and went as they pleased. I don't agree with quite that much freedom anymore. Since Merlin is a senior with limited vision he's always escorted and with the two new kitties Odin and Gris Gris it's a work in progress. Odin is too wild a teenager to romp freely without a harness and leash. He's escaped a few times, but he has a new long retractable leash which he loves.
News & Mews
Odin stirs up trouble every day. This week's finale: he shredded a large plant and pooped in the planter. He's progress from a ten-foot long branch in his play room to something larger.Odin terrified feral Domino when they first laid eyes on each other, but this week Odin charmed Domino as he does everyone. Domino loves the attention. It's been a rough winter for him and his only other pleasure is eating. He especially likes Gris Gris his fellow under"dog". Gris Gris's past is a mystery but from what I know he was probably a basement mouser for about 12 years. It's clear he hasn't been outside much or at all ever and hungry for it. He's barely six pounds and yet managed to get our screen door open. He's slippery as an eel and we guard the door religiously but he's slipped out for a minute. He's good about coming in when called. I don't think he'll go far, and I'm training him to stay close to the house by clapping loudly. The road is a good city block and that worked well when we moved here with Merlin and Coco. They never ventured near the road.
On a recent balmy day Merlin showed Gris Gris the lay of the land (close to the house). We made sure he stayed close to the house. Since taking him outside, he's acting happier, more confident and affectionate. So, are outdoor cats happier? There's no question that mine are, but every cat and every case is different.
It was pure joy to see Gris Gris experience his first sniff of bushes, grass and pine needles. Ecstatic anyone?
On a less happy note, this week 9 week-old was just rescued by Cat Assistance NY (the group I volunteer with) may lose an eye like Odin did due to infection. They do such amazing work, taking cats other shelters reject or don't have the money for vet care or surgery. 100% of all donations go for their care. I've just started a Facebook page for them (please "like"). https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cat-Assistance-NY/204476586235889?ref=ts
If you are in the New York area, A special fund-raising gala dinner is planned for March 25. Details at their website www.catassistanceny.org
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 2/26/2011 7:03 AM 
Categories: Cats, Westchester County
Tags: cat assistance ny are outdoor cats happier
Categories: Cats, Westchester County
Tags: cat assistance ny are outdoor cats happier
Much as I enjoy the photos of your gang frolicking outside, I come down on the cats should be kept indoors side of this debate. I just don't think the risks outdoor cats encounter justify the benefits. It's easy to create an enriched indoor environment that will keep cats happy, and there are many options for outdoor enclosures that allow them the outdoor experience but keep them safe.
I love that Odin has won over Domino!
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Ingrid, I know you feel strongly on this issue. I'm all for outdoor enclosures. No matter how enriched the indoor, it's not the same as mother earth.
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Well I am a firm believer that cats do love to be outside. BUT, I think it all depends on the situation. Odin would probably run like crazy and who knows where he would end up. Merlin and Gris Gris would probably stick close to home. I think it depends on their age and their health. I have a cat right now that is really old and she has always been outside but she now spends most of her day and all night in the house. So when they get older they do need the comfort of home. The younger ones cannot wait to get outside. Splitters sends her best to Dom.
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Wise words. I'll tell Dom about Splitters, it'll cheer him up.
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Another great Saturday post. Love all the pictures. Robin Hood's merry band has nothing on your bunch. Quite a crew of fascinating characters.
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Thanks, they are all such characters!
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Odin is just adorable, and Gris Gris, Dom Dom and Merlin, too. We have always lived in a city; for a while, we had enclosed backyards for Emma, back in the 70s and 80s, but sometimes she wandered or a Raccoon mangled her. So our boys live longer because they have not met with any traffic.
Outdoor cats definitely are slimmer and get more exercise; our boys are definitely round sweeties.
I will go to the cat assistance page !!
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Thanks! Yes, traffic is a killer. Merlin was so svelte last summer and now a tubby. More walks needed as soon as the weather warms.
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We've always chosen our homes according to cat-friendliness. That includes not only living on a low-traffic street, but also living far away from high traffic streets.
Letting cats outdoors can be an incendiary topic. I have a combo of inside and indoor/outdoor cats. Skeezix is only six lbs. and would be preyed upon by hawks/owls if he were allowed outside. But he is harness-trained and we have a stroller for him that allows him to get outside in the fresh air at no risk to him.
Our 22-lb tabby, Tripper, was formerly feral and he's still, deep down, a wild cat and an outdoor cat. We've gradually been scaling back his time outside, but to deny him outdoor time completely would be cruel.
Mao, my Siamese, gets limited and semi-supervised time outside. He insists on going outdoors to relieve himself (except during the most inclement weather). He will sit in front of the door and bray like a donkey to get out. He wears us down.
My cat Rocky, who spent most of his time outdoors in his youth, died last year months before his 20th birthday. He never strayed from our property. He loved to sit in the gutter in front of the house and snoopervise everyone who walked by, and he loved rolling in the detritus cast from our birch tree.
I truly believe that cats are safer indoors. No question. I wish our backyard were configured in such a way that we could install cat fencing.
In our dream home, we'd not only have a humungous lot circled by cat fencing, but we'd also have an atrium in the center of the house so they could enjoy the outdoors while still being "inside." I do love to dream about that...!
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Thank-you so much for showing another perspective on this complicated subject.
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