Dangerous encounter, but still believe in the outdoors . . .

by Nancy
(Hawthorne, FL)

I live in North Florida on a lake. I've always had indoor/outdoor cats, bringing them in at night to be on a screened porch, believing that their quality of life is so much better.

However, as with humans, now and then danger lurks close by. Yesterday it was a cottonmouth moccasin, and very close to one of my cats. At times like this I revisit the possibility of keeping them indoors. Again, I decided that we don't lock up our human loved ones because their is danger of accidents or predators, so why do we want to lock up our cats?

My two cats are now 10 and 11 years of age. They're both spayed/neutered and always kept up to date on physicals and shots. They are laid back and love their lifestyle. I understand the risks.

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Dangerous encounter, but still believe in the outdoors . . .

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starstarstarstarstar 		getting a cat inside at night.
by: Anonymous

I've heard that the way to get cats to come inside at night is to set their mealtime a good hour or two before dark, and feed them in the house. They'll come home to eat, and you can keep them in until morning.
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starstarstarstarstar 		getting them inside.
by: Anonymous

How I do wish that I could get my cats inside at night. Like you I worry about an encounter with snakes or other wildlife. It is much too late now to keep them inside all the time they have had their freedom all their life. It is a worry.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Glad that your cats are loving their lifestyle.
by: Larry (Editor)

Hi Nancy,

Thank you very much for your contribution to the indoor/outdoor cat debate.

I'm very glad that your cat is alright after her, or his, close encounter with a cottonmouth. When I think of the danger outside for cats I automatically think of vehicle traffic, because that's what the danger is here, well that and humans. I'm very glad to say that there is no problem with snakes!

The point that you make about us not locking up our human loved ones, is a good one. Although we do protect them from danger when they are young and inexperienced. Is that how we should think of our cats? I don't know anymore, I used to be pretty firmly in favor of cats being allowed their freedom, now I just don't know.

But anyway, I'm glad that your cats are loving their lifestyle and long may they do so. Tell them to keep away from the, uggh, snakes.

Larry (Editor)

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