Outside cats in the UK?

Question

By reading comments on inside cats from users in the UK, I'm thinking it's more the norm there for cats to be allowed outside rather than keeping them as indoor pets. I'm in the US where it's generally considered safer for cats to be kept as indoor pets. Do you in the UK who allow your cats outside let them have free roam or is "outside" in reference to an enclosed garden? If your cats are allowed to roam freely, how do you protect them from being hit by cars, mauled by dogs, from being stolen, and other things we in the US consider to be dangers for our outside cats? I'm not being judgmental here, I would really like to have an understanding of how this works. I would appreciate input from UK members who do allow their cats outside and from any who don't. Thanks.

Answer 1

I'm glad someone has finally come to realise that things are different in various countries.

I live in the UK and have always owned cats, I currently have four. They have always been allowed outside whenever they like but we have never had a cat flap.

I also work for the Cats Protection which is the UK's leading feline welfare charity and the branch I work for will not home a cat as 'indoor only' because in this country we don't believe it is fair.

I live on a quiet road, which is a bus route but generally very quiet...my cats have learnt to be streetwise and they are currently 7,8,9 and 17 and enjoy the outdoors. Roaming dogs are not a problem in this country and cats do not tend to get stolen or taken to research facilities, we also do not have any wild animals which consider cats prey. This is why so long as the road is not too busy, cats can live a perfectly healthy and happy life outdoors.

My garden is enclosed to a degree but obviously cats jump and my cats do ventur accross the road but thats about as far as they go. There are no 'lesh laws' or any law concerning cats and been kept indoors.

I would also like to say my cats weight does not reflect my own weight! I adopted one of my cats from where I work at a weight of 7.5kg, her owners had been so cruel to her, she nows weighs 4.4kg and is on a strict diet so I wouldn't be so judgemental on that score!

And CatLover I love my cats dearly, I look after cats everyday of my life and there is no way I would put them in any danger, as stated above my eldest is 17 and very healthy and she goes outside everyday, shes out there sunbathing now!

I do understand that in some instances and countries indoor is safer but people should be more open minded and less judgemental about views that aren't like their own! Just like you I don't like huge debates on this because I hate always getting thumbs down because I am an 'outdoor-cat advocate' but I do respect other's opinion!

Answer 2

I have four cats, and they all venture outside, we live near a busy road but they are smart animals and stay well away. They are all mixed breeds of no value, so they have nobody wanting to steal them, plus they are mostly weary of strangers. Cats are quicker and sneakier than dogs, they never venture far from home, so they can run back through the cat flap. Cats have a homing instinct and know where they live.

It is different for different areas, and the first times I let any of them out, I was so scared that they wouldn't come back, but they always did.

Dogs, should not be allowed to roam around the streets anyway, and cats will get out of a garden VERY fast, you rarely hear of dogs mawling cats, unless some evil third party is involved (usually yobbo idiots that need shooting). The biggest fear I have is actually other cats. One of my cats when I was younger had his eye scratched out by a stray, I think this is the biggest worry. However, this is the only time I have heard of anything like that happening.

As long as you don't have an expensive breed and a cat that can stick up for itself and has the intelligence to keep away from cars, all should be well. Get your pets insured to prevent big bills, and always get pets from a rescue home. If everyone did that, we would have less sad little kitties roaming the streets. All mine are from rescue centres, except one which was a stray I took in.

One more thing, get jabs for all cats annually to prevent disease.

I would never keep a cat indoors. I would be too scared of fire, they wouldn't be able to get out.

Best of luck, and I hope I have been of some help.

To catlover, I have always had cats, the oldest has just turned 19 and he is an outdoor cat. His step sister, died at 18, His step brother was a stray my mother took in and he is 16 this year. Letting cats out is what you are meant to do! Cats are outside animals. I have nothing against people keeping cats in, but you know nothing of letting cats out, your post is utter rubbish. Please keep your comments to yourself, if you don't know what you are talking about.

Answer 3

People who live in the UK say it is not dangerous for cats to roam outside and that most shelters don't let people adopt cats if they are to be inside cats unless they are special needs. If they think that way, it's fine, it's their cats! BUT, I do not find it ok for these people to answer questions from the US and Canada telling people that it is ok to have outdoor cats. Here, there are too many dangers for outdoor cats and that is why we consider people who let their cats roam, irresponsible owners! I have nothing against people from the UK. It just makes me mad when they answer a question and tell people that it is perfectly safe outside which isn't true! And everytime I answer a question about outdoor cats telling the owner it is too dangerous and people from the UK answer as well, you can be sure I get thumbs down which really isn't right. They should not give advice on this subject to Americans and Canadians as they do not know what HAPPENS to cats over here! My cats are perfectly happy inside and even if I would open the door, they would not go out. Why? Because they know that I love them and they know they are SAFE! My cats will hopefully die of old age, not from being poisoned, from being stolen from lunatics, not from being hit by a car, eaten by dogs, being poisoned by neighbours who don't like cats, and I could go on and on!!

Had to block one person cause she was sending me hate mail because of this. I won't give a name but she knows who she is.

When I was 6 years old, I had this beautiful cat, he was like my baby, loved him so much but my father hated cats. He waited till I was gone with my mother and he let my cat go outside. He was an indoor cat. When I came back, my cat was no where to be found. I am 45 today and I still see myself in my bedroom window crying and calling out to him! I will never know what happened to him. I will never forgive my dad for that!

Another time, I was 10 years old, found a stray but couldn't keep him because of my dad! My aunt took him in but made him an OUTDOOR cat. Some kids took the cat, tied a rope with a big rock around his neck and threw him in the neighbour's swimming pool. He drowned!

Last year, I went to my parents cottage. Saw something on the side of the road so I stopped. There was this kitten, not even 2 months old, all squished and dead! This was a country road!

Answer 4

The United Kingdom is an island nation, and has been in existance in one form or another for 1,000s of years, all the large predators (Wolves, big cats, etc) have been wiped out years ago so there are not very many large animals left to make easy snacks of cats.

I also suspect (and maybe someone from the UK will confirm?) that the UK isn't as car crazy as America is.  The cars are slower, and in neighborhoods, people just know to look out for cats.   This doesn't happen in the US.  I know that some US neighborhoods are cat friendly (theres one in Eugene, Oregon where the cats in the neighborhood congregate in a local park), but for the most part, cats in the US are fare game if found on the road.

Cats are happier if given the chance to go outdoors.  Too many inside cats are bored, obese, and are not given enough attention and spend most of the time sleeping.  I think people from Europe, and other countries are completely amazed at how we treat our cats like prisoners.  I never suggest keeping a cat indoors only unless there is an actual danger in the area (major road, large coyote population, etc).  And, I think outdoor cats are okay, especially if they have a job as mouse catchers, as long as they have proper shelter, fixed, vet care (if the cat can be caught), and access to fresh food and water.  I think anybody who is getting a cat and considering inside only or inside/outside needs to balance the cats happiness with the cats safety.  And this is hard to do.  I always suggest cats with access to outdoors have a collar and is microchipped.

I feel guilty about keeping my two in a small apartment.  But, major road, plus second story apartment makes their going outside impossible.  I am hoping to buy a house with a big back yard and cat fence it in the next year or two - so my cats get the best of both worlds while being safe.  

Answer 5

My cat is declawed (her previous owners did that mean thing to her- I never would!) and we have an extremely secured back yard. We check on her every once and a while, especially if it's hot or cool out. She is a lot older and doesn't get around much, so she doesn't go very far. Being to take a stroll around the back yard or sit in the sun is one of the best things in life for her. I do not approve of people letting their cats out to run freely becuase they get hit by cars, killed by dogs, mean people, picked up by by law officers and meet other terrible fates. Personally, I am pro indoors, but Duchess my kitties a special exception.

Answer 6

I live in the US and have always allowed my cats to go outside. They are indoor/outdoor cats. I have always lived in an area where there is virtually no traffic. My oldest cat was just put down due to kidney failure. He was 18 1/2. So I don't buy that they live on the average of 10 years longer if you keep them inside. Having said all this, if I lived in the city I would definitely keep them inside. Oh, my cats see the vet at least once a year for a check up.

Answer 7

I live in London and my cat is allowed outdoors.  She climbed over the fence and moved in with me last year. (My first cat!). The reason that I allow her out still is that I live in the middle of a terrace where my garden backs onto the back gardens of the houses in the next street.  She would have to climb over at least 20 other gardens to reach a road.  Her territory doesn't stretch that far, so traffic isn't an issue.  In general, people don't steal cats in the UK.  There is only one small dog in the vicinity that I know of, but then again, have you seen how fast a cat can move if it needs to get out of danger?!    Should my circumstances be different, I might well keep my cat inside, but she loves the outside and I wouldn't deny her the pleasure as she is fairly safe at the moment.  She has the odd spat with neighbouring cats, but that is over territory issues which is quite normal.   I believe that every cat owner should make their own informed choice as to whether their cat should be an indoor or outdoor cat.  There is no right or wrong and those who shout about how bad it is to allow their cats outside should consider that not everywhere is a danger to cats.

Answer 8

i live in Leicester, UK.

i was born in Portugal and people here (UK) mostly, let their cats outside... last year while i was walking to school i used to see at least 3 or 4 FAT cats that cant barely walk properly out in the cold (rain, snow) waiting for someone to open the front door. i used to feel for these cats.

People in UK mostly eating 'take away' get obese and you can see their lifestyle by looking at their pets (both dogs and cats). they are fat... and when i say fat i dont mean a few extra kilos... it literaly means FAT!!

i never let my kitten (5months) out as i live in a busy area and he would easily get into trouble if he saw a car cuming or something.

i also have to take in count about the people... specially teenagers that now a days that are just so into drugs and dont have common sense... im sure most of them (being from my school) would beat my cat to death if they had a chance... and they would do it out of fun/boredom.

i only let my kitten out in the garden and that too with a harness and leash...

i could only see myself letting my cat go out if i lived in a countryside where everything is peaceful and nature is all around.

Hope this is useful information

by the way... in UK it is taken as cruelty if you do not let your cat outside... the law says you must ahve a cat flap.

i dont but i do take him out every day on a routine.

i wouldnt take the risk of letting my baby wonder around in this dangerous area... even though he wants to ahaha

edit: ok let me put it in this way... every fat cat i have seen has a fat owner... thats my point of view. i never seen a fat cat with a fit or non-fat owner... unless you adopt a cat already with 'extra package'.

by the way my kitty has a 'big tummy' and so do i... haha

we both are on an exercise routine lol

Answer 9

I'm originally from the UK and an estimated 90% of cats there live an indoor/outdoor lifestyle as opposed to strictly outdoors all the time.  It is considered to be a healthy and relatively safe lifestyle for them and is widely advocated by cat rescue shelters and vets.  Many of the cat rescues won't re-home cats unless people have gardens and can promise that their cat will be allowed access to the outside.  The indoor only lifestyle is usually considered more suitable for cats who may be blind, deaf or disabled in some other way. Luckily for us the UK is rabies free and has no natural predators of cats, which are two of the main dangers for cats in other locations.  Obviously, owners should have their cats spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before allowing them outside.  I don't think that road traffic is as heavy as it is in North America, though I believe that all cats should be kept indoors overnight as that's when most road accidents seem to occur. Under UK legislation, cats have the right to be free-roaming and the trapping of pet cats is not allowed.  (Only rescue groups doing TNR are allowed to trap cats). Dogs on the other hand must be kept on a lead and they're not allowed to roam free, so I think that's another safety factor for many cats.  Pedigree cats are less common than in North America and I think that may also account for theft not being a major worry about allowing them out.  All of my cats lived into their mid-teens and died of age related illnesses and my last cat was 19 when she had to be put to sleep.  The oldest feral cat on record in the UK was 28, which I think goes to show just how much safer the environment is there for cats.

When I lived in France for a year I took my cat with me, and there cats are also allowed to go outside whenever they want.  I've lived in Cyprus for the past 5 years and when I first moved here I lived in an apartment so when I adopted two feral kittens I kept them as indoor only pets, though that didn't stop them from trying to escape at every opportunity.  I recently moved to a small housing complex and now allow them outside when I'm at home.  Both of them seem to enjoy their new found freedom, and just like all my other cats, they don't really wander very far at all.  Our female cat likes to guard the patio area, whilst our male cat likes playing on the open ground next door.  The island is over-run with stray cats and not many locals keep them as pets.  (They tend to hold the view that neither cats or dogs should be allowed inside the home.) There are a lot of Brits living in Cyprus and their cats live the indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

I appreciate that in some North American locations it isn't considered safe to allow cats outside and I don't have a problem with that.  I just wish that people would respect that the situation isn't the same everywhere, as I do take issue with those who automatically assume that anyone who allows their cat outside is an irresponsible or uncaring owner when that simply isn't true.  I think it's up to owners to decide for themselves if their location is a safe one to allow cats outside.

Thank you for being open minded enough to realise that not all cat keeping cultures and environments are the same.  The Messy Beast web site has a good article on the indoor/outdoor debate which you may find interesting reading.

http://www.messybeast.com/indooroutdoor....

Answer 10

(I spent bloomin ages typing this. Haha! I hope it's not too boring for you. I just wanted to take the oppurtunity to clear this issue up. I've put some pictures at the end of this for you to look at, of my babies!)

Outside generally means free roam here in the UK, with a kitty door installed so the cat can choose.

The dangers in many parts of the UK are alot less then what you in the US have heard of or are used too, and vets and shelters actually encourage free roaming cats. That being said, shelters refuse to adopt out to people living in cities and busy towns, for the very reason that it's generally believed that cats should be allowed to roam, and that many places in the UK are safe enough to let them. We do not have much of a population problem as the US. Feral colonies of hundreds of kittens are VERY rare.



We have more laws protecting animals from things like being stolen etc. So people tend to not bother. This is one thing I dont understand about the USA - why people steal pets. It's completely unheard of here. It's the same with poisons - people just do not put poisons down in areas where there are pets. Maybe in busy city areas outside resteraunts etc - but as I said, no one should let their cat out in that environment anyway!

We don't have stray dogs to maul cats, and owners of the dogs tend to keep them on a leash if the dog is likely to do this. We do not have coyotes here.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would let their cat out near a busy road, UK or not.

We also do not have rabies here, which I think is a big issue.

I have four cats currently:-

One is a free-roamer with access to a kitty door so he can come in when he wants (he was one of a litter of a stray mother cat and kittens that me and my mother 'rescued' and got fixed etc). He is five years old. He is like the cat from that book 'Six-house Sid'. Everyone in the street loves him, and he simply loves being outdoors.

Two are indoor/supervised outdoor kitties (back yard, high fences,sun loungers for me to sit on with kitty on my lap. We keep them away from the kitty door when no one is home - but I always am home 24/7 due to long-term illness anyway). One is three, the other is one. We supervise these ones since one is a pedigree (who I just get totally panicy and over-protective over anyway, because I underestimate her) and the other is close to our Birman, so it just so happened that she is supervised too. Saying this, the breeder of my pedigree (registered, experienced, not back yard, breeds from GrCH show cats, pure lines, papers etc) actually advised me to let Willow free roam once I told her the area I lived in. I don't though. I just can't. I dont know why I underestimate her so - I admit, I see her as not as intelligent in the ways of the world as my other cats. She can escape if we do not keep an eye on her, and she has. While I shouldnt be worried because she's just as capable as my other kitties, and I know no one is inclined to steal pets here - I panic when this  happens. Completely and utterly panic.

One has been a free roamer all her life, with access to a kitty door all the way through her active years, and now actually lives in our front yard. She is 19 years old, and still going strong. She loves it when the elderly people in our street come and pet her. She originally lived at my fathers, but had to move here because she started gate-crashing peoples weddings at the posh country house near my fathers. Again, I guess you'd expect them to hurt her, poison her, or take her away. Infact it was the opposite - we got letters saying how much the brides loved having her on their trains in their wedding photos, she got stories from the employees of this posh country place saying how they adored having our cat sitting in the office with them while they were arranging the wedding receptions - infact, they didnt want her to go. We had to though, since she was getting old and we realised she was going there because she didnt like the new kitten at my fathers house, so she moved here to my mothers with me.

We have problems with things like fleas and worms though, of course. These are normally treated routinely in the UK with all pets, not just when the pet 'has' the fleas or worms.

I remember one of your recent questions - about black cats being taken for rituals etc. That really shocked me - because again, that's unheard of here. Completely and utterly. I think on that front, people in general are more considerate towards pets, and theres less of a problem with people using pets for cruelty. And as I said, more laws, it seems.

I really think it's all to do with the environment and the general attitude towards cats in the UK that makes it safer. As a culture, we have been brought up to believe that cats should be allowed to free roam, since we do not have as many dangers. Again, vets and shelters encourage free roaming unless you live in a bad area (or the cat needs to be inside due to illness etc). Shelters just do not adopt out healthy cats to places where the cat cannot roam.

If I ever moved house and took my cats, I would not let them outside until I knew how the neighbourhood was in terms of pets.  Silent_Kayos has it absolutely spot on in this sense. Despite better safety for cats in general, you need to know your area and how far you can go. Nice ownership Silent_Kayos! <3

The way I see it, many people in the US who do not love pets see others pets as pests. That just does not happen here. Even the youth chav gangs do not hurt the pets - although they hurt each other. If any of hanging around my house though, I get wary - but they don't tend to. Our area is more an elderly type of person area.

I have to be honest here:- There is one group of people who hurt cats, and that if there are any near you you should keep them in at all times. These are travellers. Many are perfectly normal people, lovely, kind and interesting - but some communities of travellors think they are exempt from the law, and their culture makes them think it's OK to hurt pets for 'fun'. If this type of community moves near you, cats MUST be kept indoors, or in an enclosed run for their own safety. These are few and far between though, but you really have to be careful.

One problem I have though is small children. They are taught not to hurt pets, and they don't - of course. But they do want to pick them up and stroke them all the time. While my free-roaming male cat loves it, my Birman doesnt (she was sitting with my mother in the front yard while Mum did some yard work). If theres any reason I would keep my cats inside in this area, is to save them from the childrens rather determined love and cuddles. I hate children sometimes.

I'm going to start a completely cat friendly place. I will buy an island, and invite all the cats lovers from the USA there. It will be COMPLETELY safe (the UK still has some dangers compared to a 'cat haven' of course) and we can let all our cats roam in meadows (with cut grass).

As an end note, our cats do their business in our litter trays, which we clean as much as we should and need too, we still have all the toys in the house for them to play with, we have kitty beds, we have fur everywhere from grooming, we have smelly cat food dishes ready for our dishwasher - so we personally do not let our cats outside to escape our responsibilities. They have everything an indoor cat has - and we love it. We're a kitty house.

(There is not a law that says you must have a kitty door or let your cats outside, to allow for ill or old kitties - although it is officially seen as cruel to keep a healthy cat indoors without even access to a back garden, if you actually have a back garden, or a purpose built (large) kitty-run in the fresh air if you have the space)

This is Willow in our back garden, enjoying the sun while I read my book out there during this summer (and being annoyed because I put her in shade to take the photo!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v122/d...

This is Willow taking a nosey while we arranged our garden to get new garden furniture (to get rid of the horrible white plastic stuff! We have comfy cushioned wooden chairs to sit on out there now! The cats love them!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v122/d...

This is Tibbins, our 19 year old outdoor roamer - angry because she wasnt allowed to stay in that front yard that week because we were giving it a make-over (hence why it looks so bare and messy!) As you can see, she did try though!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v122/d...

This is Molly meowing at me, begging me to sit outside with her because it was sunny and she didnt think the windowsill was good enough. I did give in, in the end, and sat with her while she basked in the sun:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v122/d...

This is Archie, our roamer man, deciding that sometimes - inside really is best!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v122/d...

(Note: Safety catch collars and tags taken off while indoors, for their comfort. Put on the roamers again when not supervised indoors or outdoors)

And this is the next door neighbours cat, Simba, who decided to explore our cat door one day, and got scared by not appearing in his own house on the otherside, and asking to go back out the front door (we put him out the back, into his garden)! Don't worry - he gets on SO well with our babies! Proper buddies they are!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v122/d...

--As for not loving my cats from another answerer, that offends me. My cats *are* my life. I love them more than anything, more than the air I breathe. I am fully resigned to becoming a crazy cat lady in my later years.

Answer 11

Well I live in a village where dogs are kept on leads and we don't live near a very busy road.In the U.K there isn't the danger of wolves and other wild animals.As well mostpeoplee in the u.k just have normal cross bread cat.I have lived in the U.K all my life with cats and no one has ever stolen on of my cats and 3 have been run over but one was 18.

Answer 12

hi i live in DUBLIN in IRELAND where i live i have a large field at the back of my house there are a few trees in there too that they climb up onto.as for the fact of being stolen they don't tend to let people touch them only me and they don't wander to far from the house anyway you can near enough see them from a top window in the house.they don't seem to stay out to long as they prefer to be filling their bellies  

Answer 13

My Auntie has a cat, we live in Cheshire, England.

Most people here that have cats just let them out of the back/front door, and wait for them to get hungry and come back. :)

Not much danger really. Although my Aunties last cat before the last 2 she got was run over, but that's a risk you have to take.

Answer 14

I really think it depends on the area.

I live in a trailer park. Not only do I fear the loose dogs, I fear the cars and animal control.

And while I adore most of the children that live near me, when I was walking my dog, I had a couple of the older children pelt us with rocks, so we had to start going on walks when they were in school or after dark/early in the morning. I can only imagine they do the same to the outdoor cats.

So where I live, too much danger. I'm actually debating on moving the feral colony to a better location.

However, when I lived with my parents, they live on a farm way out in the middle of no where. Slow traffic, lots of trees. Occasionally a loose dog shows up, but there are so many trees the cats don't have to run far to get up one.   My cats were indoor/outdoor there. I have two female cats, both ferals, living there right now actually.

Cats love the outdoors. So many things moving around. While humans can try to make indoor life just as interesting, we can't and I know I feel sick being cooped up in the house too long, so I always feel guilty when my boys only have an open window to sit at. I try to make the time to take them out on leashes. But again, if I was in a safer area, I ouldn' hesitate to let them out.

Answer 15

people who love their cats keep them inside where they are safe, happy and healthy

people who really don't care about their cats let them outside to die a preventable premature and probably painful death.

letting a cat out to roam around out there is EXACTLY like telling a 3 year old to go out and play near a busy street with no supervision.

Answer 16

Its a personal choice in most cat loving countries.

Im in Australia and there is a big debate here over wether or not to try to inforce a cat curfew. People get upset about cats being left outside at night to go out killing native birds and smaller animals.But how would you police cats? I think its silly.. the councels should focus on promoting sterilization and keeping inside at night.

I live in the suburbs  and have  a cat door. I encourage my cat to come in at night by feeding her in the evening. After that she would much prefer to sleep on my bed for the night than go out hunting or car dodging... having said that we lived on a busy road years ago when she was about 1y/o.. she got  hit by a car, treated at the Vet and stays away from the road ever scince.

I think its a risk you have to take, that your cat will be carefull.

If i lived in the city or in an apartment i would keep my cat inside permanatly to avoid any promlems with traffic and other people.