Don't let your cat hunt your neighbor's pets
this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2023
438 points (98.7% liked)
cats
18911 readers
1850 users here now
typical internet cats. videos, pics, memes welcome!
rule 1) be kind
other cat communities midwest.social cats
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
I’m no cat scientist but that stare indicates this feline has a VERY angry British lord as an internal monologue.
Average lifespan of an indoor cat is 13 to 17 years, average lifespan of an outdoor cat is 5 to 7.
Does anyone known the average lifespan of cats who only walk on a leash? Thats what we do and dodo is a very sedate cat. (Heart issues and some sort of mobility disease currently in diagnosis will do that I suppose.)
It's not the being outside that reduces the lifespan, it's the fighting, hunting, getting lost and not eating and drinking properly, and diseases from rodents that knock them down
Mainly it's cars
Good point
Definitely closer to an indoor cat, I think that's a great compromise for a cat that's determined to get outside
How did you get it to walk on a leash? I tried that once with a kitten that adopted me. Nice little harness, and she reacted with unhinged fury when I buckled it on. Left her to calm down then clipped on the leash. Let’s just say I didn’t bother taking her outside for a walk.
You did way to much at once. It took me almost a year to train her. I started with just pulling the harness over the head. On and off. For some cats you need to start even slower and just give treats while they see the harness. (Or figure out what kind of things count as a reward for them, not all are treat motivated.) Eventually when the first step worked well I put on the full harness. Lots of treats and a few seconds then minutes until it's off again. Gradually lengthen it until she wore it indoors with no complaints for like an hour or two.
Second training thing done in the same time frame was get her used to her backpack. It's a pet carrier that magically was always full of treats initially. Eventually she had to go fully inside to get them. Them I zipped it close briefly for the first time. Eventually we graduated to her sitting (without a harness) in the closed carrier hidden in my flat while my front door was open. Over the following weeks o moved the carrier closer and closer to the door until we sat on our doorstep together. Then I trained lifting the carrier up and carrying her around indoors. Eventually I carried her outside without a harness onto the grass patch in front of where we live. We stayed 10 minutes and she spent the next two weeks mostly asleep digesting all the new sights, smells and sounds. Eventually she told me she wanted out so the next outdoor after that was with harness and leash.
Throughout the process you need to watch your cat closely. They are not an "it", they have fears and insecurities that you need to account for and go slower for. They like routine and don't care much about pleasing you. Dogs do, that's why it's much easier with them. For a cat you need to earn your right to walk beside her. Let them know you hear their complaints and work to alleviate them. That builds the trust you will need outdoors.
That’s amazing! Your cat is very very lucky to have you as her person.
We both are each others emotional support animal. 💚
My friend's cat doesn't mind a leash, but I think she started when he was a kitten
Mine was approximately 5 and clearly had terrible experiences with humans before I got her from the shelter. It took nearly a year but we got there. Patience, empathy, trying new things when stuff doesn't work, most of all going at her pace.
"But MY cat is so super smart, she'll never get run over, and I've never seen her kill any local wildlife, so obviously it's fine if I let her outside"
I wonder when they will forget their resolve to never do this again and come home like this again.
I had cats and a fish pond. Each cat tried catching the fish exactly once, ever.
Good for the cats, the fish and you. 🙂
Your cat has that “don’t…. say….. a….. single…. word….” look.
"And where were you while I was fighting for one of my lives, hmm? WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING!"
What a little goblin! I love it
If cats spoke English, what would it be saying right now?
"Fuck off."
That's the most fitting answer. She definitely didn't like me wrapping her in a towel, but rather wanted to dry herself in the sun.
"I meant to do that".
It's not what it looks like!
My neighbour has a fountain where he keeps some of the fish he catches. A few months ago my cat returned with three fishes (took her multiple trips carrying each in her mouth)
It looks like half cat, half rat!
It could've died! Hahaha, so funny! (/s, obviously)
Owners with "outdoor" cats are being negligent with their pet and carelessly destructive of the local wildlife.
I'm sure the neighbor loved having some random cat fuck around their pond too.