Anonymous wrote:

My mom’s indoor/outdoor cat lived to be 25.

I don’t think there is a one rule fits all. Some cats enjoy being outside and are generally safe. Others get scared, lost, or hurt.

Just be sure to get them spayed or neutered.

I agree with this but too many cat owners think that their cat can't handle it. Yes sometimes things happen but if the cat lived a happier life that is better than living a bored longer life.

Easy for you to say, until you've had not one but two cats die outdoors at just under the one year mark. No more indoor/outdoor cats for us, ever.

My mom’s indoor/outdoor cat lived to be 25.

I don’t think there is a one rule fits all. Some cats enjoy being outside and are generally safe. Others get scared, lost, or hurt.

Just be sure to get them spayed or neutered.

I agree with this but too many cat owners think that their cat can't handle it. Yes sometimes things happen but if the cat lived a happier life that is better than living a bored longer life.

Let wildlife be wildlife. Cats wreak havoc on native ecosystems. It is environmentally CRIMINAL to let cats outdoors without supervision. The happiest, most spoiled cats live inside as the pets they were bred to be. The feral cats in my area look ragged with sores on their ears and crusty eyes. They are miserable and killing birds, the only benefit is the feral cat pee unholy stench probably keeps mice away.

Anonymous wrote:My mom’s indoor/outdoor cat lived to be 25.

I don’t think there is a one rule fits all. Some cats enjoy being outside and are generally safe. Others get scared, lost, or hurt.

Just be sure to get them spayed or neutered.

Voice of reason right here.

Growing up, our property didn't border any roads and was surrounded by woods on 3 sides. Our cats went out and always came back (sometimes with mice but that's another story), and scratched up all the woodwork inside, not outside on trees. My cat that I've had for 17 years lives in an apartment. He came from the shelter, where I had to sign a document saying he would not go outside (and he hasn't, except twice onto the patio on a leash, which he hated so we never did it again). He is very happy inside, and loves to watch the birds.
I get your point, OP, but it's just not realistic for a lot of cats today.

My mom’s indoor/outdoor cat lived to be 25.

I don’t think there is a one rule fits all. Some cats enjoy being outside and are generally safe. Others get scared, lost, or hurt.

Just be sure to get them spayed or neutered.

We have one of each: One that is perfectly content to be inside, and one that makes our lives miserable when he is kept in--so he is indoor/outdoor. (It was that or return him to the shelter, which didn't want him back.)

Anonymous wrote:Wolves? Where do you live?

Also - indoor/outdoor cats are much smarter than anyone gives them credit. They can do fine in outdoor areas with predators around and they are skillful in avoiding them.

Two of my "outdoor cat" friends have had their cats run over by cars. They moan and grieve on Facebook, the go out and get yet another outdoor cat.

My cat lived almost 20 years as an indoor-only cat.
They never said a thing about it, ....except 'meow'

When my cat would get outside he would freak and run back inside as fast as possible. Adopted him from a shelter and he never wanted to go outside ever again.

Wolves? Where do you live?

Also - indoor/outdoor cats are much smarter than anyone gives them credit. They can do fine in outdoor areas with predators around and they are skillful in avoiding them.

I've never known responsible pet owners to have outdoor cats, and I'm in my 50s.

If you want your cat to not get run over by a car, not kill birds, not be exposed to your neighborhood pesticides it's best if they stay indoors. Mine love the screened in porch.

I mean, if you live in a rural area and need a barn cat to kill the mice, it makes sense. Or you live in DC and need a cat to kill rats and mice, makes sense. In the suburbs, no.

Trend? Im 33 and have known indoor only cats since I was a.kid.

As for our cat, he will remain indoors. In our town we regularly have bobcats, bears, wolves, coyotes, and Fisher cats roaming around. When cat was a kitten, he lived in the city in a 4th floor apartment. Not conducive to being an outdoor cat. But he seems pretty darn happy with his life, so I'm not too worried.

I suppose it depends on the cat.

This trend of not allowing cats to be normal cats and never go outside is just cruel to the cats. An indoor/outdoor cat may not live to be 28 years old but cats were not designed to live until they are this old. Its better to let it have a happy life. Indoor/outdoor cats are so much more pleasant and don't have any of the crazy problems like peeing all over the house or ripping up furniture that you see in indoor cats ALL THE TIME. An indoor/outdoor cat doesn't get bored or destructive. It enjoys being a cat and in the end is a better companion.

Free your cat.