The Seeker Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 I'd never keep a cat without being able to let it out. We've had cats since before I was born, and they could go outside if they wanted to. They always came back, there was never any big disadvantage except for dirty footprints on the carpet, but I don't think you can count that...we once tried to keep a cat only in the house, but she drove us crazy. This always depends on where you live, of course. In downtown London or New York this probably wouldn't be such a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 (edited) Spaying or neutering will decrease or totally eliminate a cat's desire for the outside world. However, once a cat has been out it will always want access to the outside. Edited November 15, 2006 by Guest I forgot to meow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earth-Angel Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Same with dogs - remove all traces of the smell of their urine from their favourite no-go go-zones. Urine is also used to show dominance and mark territory and with them being so young and new to their surroundings, they are probably trying to make a claim on their own safe bit of turf. Interrupting them with a loud noise when they are caught in the act definitely helps as they then start associating the behaviour in specific areas with frights. Praise them and make a fuss of them when they do use their litter trays though. This reinforces that they are doing the dirty in the right place. All the other suggestions are really good too, and pets should always be a pleasure and not a pain. Remember though, they are new to your house and still babies so this is all new to them too and probably very scary and when they need to go, they have to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Spaying or neutering will decrease or totally eliminate a cat's desire for the outside world. However, once a cat has been out it will always want access to the outside. In our case it didn't help...the cat was spayed and had never been outside, but she still tried to get outside. No we didn't torture her or anything like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 (edited) And if all that weren't enough, they could get snatched up and squired away to a lab to have nasty experiments done on them, or sold to vet schools to be killed and then quartered for studying. I work for a pharmaceutical company, and granted, we don't work with cats here, but I can assure you, animals are not picked up off the street for experiments. They are bought legally by suppliers who breed them for scientific purposes. I'm not saying that there aren't some disreputable places out there who acquire animals that way, but most reputable companies would not. We are inspected by the USDA and the FDA and they set very high standards for us and can shut us down for non-compliance. I can't speak for universities or vet schools, but for the pharmaceutical industry, this is the truth. I am not trying to pick a fight with anybody, I just want to set the record straight. Edited November 15, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 No we didn't torture her or anything like that. Odd that you felt the need to say that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Oh darn, I thought I could fool you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 "In a cat's eyes, all things belong to cats." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 (edited) Hehehehe yep....my cats like to sleep on top of my shoes...and anything else they can find that's on the floor... Edited November 16, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 "It's no use stroking them and saying, 'Puss, Puss, Puss'. " (Bonzo Dog Band) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 I am not trying to pick a fight with anybody, I just want to set the record straight. Jenny, your post oozes class. I wanted to acknowledge that you made your point very eloquently, and without stepping on toes. Nicely done. I was not even thinking of pharmaceutical companies when I made my post, but household products/makeup companies. There are many out there that pay people to round up roaming animals for their labs, in an effort to save themselves the larger sum of money it would cost them to do it through more legitimate sources. Even though no one asked, I extend my apologies for any offense caused by my rantings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Rant on, Yo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcM Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 I dont like it when cats wear makeup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Brazen hussies they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggsUK Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Ever heard a cat in stilletos in the loft? You can't get to sleep!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Glad you weren't offended, Shawna. It's sad to hear that some companies still operate like that. It's not only bad science, but inhumane. Those companies should be boycotted. Anyway, did any of our advice work, b-f? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 I think he decided on a box turtle instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 A box turtle?!! Oh, NO!! Those things will attack and eat you while you sleep! Fortunately, it takes them 8 hours to get up on your bed ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 B-F, I've "belonged" to a few cats in my day. The pheremone thing is an excellent idea, and the water pistol is exactly the right thing to use to teach ( keeping them off the table etc). My cats were always indoor/outdoor cats, with no problems. One major thing though. Don't let them outdoors if they have been declawed. They have no natural protection then (other than poo-odor)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 I've been letting them become accustomed to the outside world over the last week or so. The back-door has been open for over an hour this morning so they could come and go as they please. Just now, (during lunch) Pudding came inside, laid a cable in the tray, then went outside again. But there has been progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcM Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 At least it was in the litter box... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcM Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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