Poll of the Day > Is there a way to retrain a cat to use a litter box?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Doctor Foxx posted...

I took my cats outside on harnesses and leashes this summer, quite a few times. They liked it..

That's just a concept that seems very odd to me. However it's better than said cat never going outside at all.

Doctor Foxx posted...

Because of something outside that was impossible for me or the cat to see.

Many risks factors can happen both indoors and outdoors. It is indeed unfortunate what happened to your cat but again this doesn't mean it happens to every cat that goes outside. Not breaking the law is a big deal breaker though so no matter how stupid that law sounds to me it's not worth fines or worse to let your cats outside.

Doctor Foxx posted...

My cats now stay inside, until I can move somewhere and make them a catio.

Fair enough. I can understand that mindset. Once bitten, twice shy and all that.
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wwinterj25 posted...

Many risks factors can happen both indoors and outdoors. It is indeed unfortunate what happened to your cat but again this doesn't mean it happens to every cat that goes outside. Not breaking the law is a big deal breaker though so no matter how stupid that law sounds to me it's not worth fines or worse to let your cats outside.

Where I used to live any outdoor cats are just coyote snacks in waiting

My cat couldn't be poisoned by those things inside. The cats that have been run over by cars would have been fine. The cat mauled by a roaming neighbour dog would have been alive. So many sad early deaths.
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Doctor Foxx posted...

So many sad early deaths.

Shit you've had quite a lot of bad luck when it comes to cat deaths at least it seems. I've always had outdoor cats and none of have died from environmental hazards. It's worth noting for the best 20+ years at least I've lived on the outskirts of my city though so much less risk factors. I've only had the one cat who now has died since then though. Of course everyones experience is going to be different and I'm aware mine isn't everyones.
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Doctor Foxx posted...

wwinterj25 posted...

Many risks factors can happen both indoors and outdoors. It is indeed unfortunate what happened to your cat but again this doesn't mean it happens to every cat that goes outside. Not breaking the law is a big deal breaker though so no matter how stupid that law sounds to me it's not worth fines or worse to let your cats outside.

Where I used to live any outdoor cats are just coyote snacks in waiting

My cat couldn't be poisoned by those things inside. The cats that have been run over by cars would have been fine. The cat mauled by a roaming neighbour dog would have been alive. So many sad early deaths.

you're just being paranoid.

just because it happened multiple times doesn't mean you should stop letting your cats outside.....
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wwinterj25 posted...

Doctor Foxx posted...

So many sad early deaths.

Shit you've had quite a lot of bad luck when it comes to cat deaths at least it seems. I've always had outdoor cats and none of have died from environmental hazards. It's worth noting for the best 20+ years at least I've lived on the outskirts of my city though so much less risk factors. I've only had the one cat who now has died since then though. Of course everyones experience is going to be different and I'm aware mine isn't everyones.

I worked at an animal shelter for almost 5 years and seeing what happens to outdoor cats all the time was enough to show me it's a really stupid idea
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

you're just being paranoid.

It is still paranoia so I don't know what your point is.

Doctor Foxx posted...

I worked at an animal shelter for almost 5 years and seeing what happens to outdoor cats all the time was enough to show me it's a really stupid idea

Those working in any type of medical care probably have seen many, many things that shouldn't be seen or even happen.
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wwinterj25 posted...

Those working in any type of medical care probably have seen many, many things that shouldn't be seen or even happen.

It's not even medical care. I managed a board full of missing animals. Cats go missing never to be seen again a lot. The one thing they have in common? Outdoor access.
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Doctor Foxx posted...

Not to mention all the animals the cats themselves killed. Song birds are dying in droves care of outdoor cats.

Nobody cares about the birds.

Doctor Foxx posted...

It's flat out illegal to let your cats out in many municipalities here.

That's moronic. By that logic if a cat somehow sneaks outside the owner should be fined too. Not as bad as some places requiring a cat license out of anything though.

Doctor Foxx posted...

I took my cats outside on harnesses and leashes this summer, quite a few times. They liked it. However, one of my cats ate some grass that had been sprayed. He became fatally ill. He would have died a horrible death without the quick medical intervention and care. I had to syringe feed my poor sickly cat every other hour for days to prevent his organs from shutting down. Because of something outside that was impossible for me or the cat to see. The vet was amazed he pulled through.

That's an oxymoron.
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Doctor Foxx posted...

It's not even medical care. I managed a board full of missing animals. Cats go missing never to be seen again a lot. The one thing they have in common? Outdoor access.

Well I can't say I've ever heard of a cat going missing indoors to be honest. Unless of course they are just hiding under your bed or in the wardrobe. I can list many pros and cons for both indoors and outdoors but I stand by what I've been saying. Disagree? Fine. Doesn't change anything.
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Well I can't say I've ever heard of a cat going missing indoors to be honest.

You dont say
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Mead posted...

You dont say

Kinda my point.
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this is like saying "i know someone who smoked their whole life and didn't get cancer, so it's fine to smoke. i don't care how many stories there are of people who do get cancer. facts won't change anything"
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

this is like saying "i know someone who smoked their whole life and didn't get cancer, so it's fine to smoke. i don't care how many stories there are of people who do get cancer. facts won't change anything"

Then by that logic you can't say somebody is paranoid about cats going outside.
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it's a good thing i'm not saying that then
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wwinterj25 posted...

Depends if they know any better to be honest. Again going back to the domesticating thing.

Some do, some don't. I don't think it's about "knowing any better", though. Like humans...

wwinterj25 posted...

True that. I mean keeping them indoors can lead to many things happening to them. Probably much more bad things than being outside if I'm honest. This reminds me of a mother who will never let their baby out of their sight no matter how old they are so wrap them up in cotton wool ultimately suffocating them.

Bad things can happen to them inside, as well. But I believe the outside can be way more dangerous to them. I don't believe inside is more dangerous, unless you have reasons why.

wwinterj25 posted...

... because they are cats that's why. Cats don't need babysitting because of worried "parents". Unless of course it's for medical reasons. It's really quite sad how some folk love to lock their animals indoors when their natural habitat isn't indoors.

It sort of becomes their natural habitat after a while. Nothing is wrong with domesticating animals. And cats usually aren't really babysat. There are taken care off, but cats just kind walk around the house, playing with stuff. There are many cats happier to be inside or around humans. Even the stray at work like to play with humans. And will go inside a human's house when the weather is bad(if they trust them). I don't see anything wrong with helping them out. And some like to live with us. And nothing is wrong with that, either. Is there a reason you don't think we should domesticate animals? Other then they use to live outside. Because I think our ancestors did, as well...

wwinterj25 posted...

Yeah you keep telling yourself that buddy.

I believe that is a fast backed up with research. But you don't have to believe it if you don't want to...
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wwinterj25 posted...

It is indeed unfortunate what happened to your cat but again this doesn't mean it happens to every cat that goes outside.

While this is true, you still act like it doesn't happen to a lot of cats when it does. You can say it doesn't happen to all cats. But it still happens to a bunch... Some people have plenty of outdoors cats that are fine. But plenty also have outdoor cats that meet death earlier than they should have...
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

it's a good thing i'm not saying that then

You said they were paranoid for not letting them outside. So by your logic somebody who doesn't smoke is paranoid about getting cancer.
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

it's a good thing i'm not saying that then

I misread the posts.
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

this is like saying "i know someone who smoked their whole life and didn't get cancer, so it's fine to smoke. i don't care how many stories there are of people who do get cancer. facts won't change anything"

Only a cat being outdoors isn't bad for them in general where as a smoking is bad for you period. Your analogy sucks arse.

LinkPizza posted...

Some do, some don't. I don't think it's about "knowing any better", though. Like humans...

Sure it is. Have them outside a lot as a kitten growing up and they will get used to it. Don't and they probably will never be outdoor cats. Just to clarify being a outdoor cat doesn't mean it can't come inside ever.

LinkPizza posted...

Bad things can happen to them inside, as well. But I believe the outside can be way more dangerous to them. I don't believe inside is more dangerous, unless you have reasons why.

I have no reasons as at all as I've already said all my cats were outdoor cats. As for outdoors being more dangerous I suppose it depends your area.

LinkPizza posted...

Nothing is wrong with domesticating animals.

I never said there was. Cats are actually very useful for keeping away mice or the like. I mean that was the reason humans domesticated them to begin with really.

LinkPizza posted...

Because I think our ancestors did, as well...

Out natural habitat was never outside though. Cats have always been that way. Still I've no issue with helping animals out. It's more easy and safe for them to sleep and eat indoors in cold weather for example. Keeping them indoors indefinitely is what I'm talking about.

LinkPizza posted...

But you don't have to believe it if you don't want to...

Thanks for the permission.

LinkPizza posted...

While this is true, you still act like it doesn't happen to a lot of cats when it does. You can say it doesn't happen to all cats. But it still happens to a bunch... Some people have plenty of outdoors cats that are fine. But plenty also have outdoor cats that meet death earlier than they should have...

It's posts like this when I see I'm debating something with a American. Just sayin'.
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a cat being outdoors is bad for them in general.

can they be ok? yes
is it dangerous and risky? yes
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

a cat being outdoors is bad for them in general.

https://imgur.com/seh6p
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the outside is not a void that doesn't contain anything harmful.
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

the outside is not a void that doesn't contain anything harmful.

Neither is inside. Also water is wet.
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