On: Cat vs. panel heater: which is better?

[dundarious]

Is there an argument against indoor cats? That is now the recommendation in the US, as far as I know.

[bacon_waffle → dundarious]

I live in NZ and my partner has an indoor-only cat. It's considered a bit weird here, we've had friends politely suggest that keeping a cat indoors is cruel. In principle indoor cats are just as good for bird life as no cats, but either is a tough sell.

[ip26 → bacon_waffle]

we've had friends politely suggest that keeping a cat indoors is cruel

Lord, no wonder there's a bird mortality problem.

[randallsquared → bacon_waffle]

Considering longer lifespan, better health, and seemingly equivalent happiness, it's arguable that not keeping a cat indoors is cruel.

[smabie → randallsquared]

Just like how it's arguably cruel to not move all wildlife into zoos and cages.

[randallsquared → smabie]

Assuming we're agreeing to use QALYs, I think that's unlikely, but don't let my skepticism stop you from arguing it. :)

[Alupis → dundarious]

Loose an outdoor cat in a horrible, easily preventable way, and you'll quickly become an indoor-only cat owner.

[mnw21cam → Alupis]

Umwhat? If your cat is running away when you set it loose, you're not doing it right.

[NateEag → mnw21cam]

I suspect OP misspelled 'lose'.

My wife's first cat died trying to beat a car across the road in front of their house.

Outdoor cats meet similar fates regularly.

[Alupis → NateEag]

Yes, I mean "lose", typeo.

Raccoons, coyotes, dogs, mean kids, cars, etc. There are many ways for an outdoor cat to meet a premature death - usually in gruesome ways.

It's simply not safe to let cats roam outdoors anymore - particularly in urban neighborhoods.