Vetbed: Is Vetbed good?

[Jennicat]

Of course it's great to let your cat roam around outside killing the native wildlife and using the bathroom in the neighbor's gardens. perfectly!

[JD In Van]

Originally Posted by alicia09

I am going to another forum because they give me the advice I ask for, rather than changing the subject by insulting me.
I know you say it depends on the cat prefering inside or outside, but my cat used to live inside and he kept looking out the window and sitting by the big garden doors that have windows on them and so we let him out and he loved it, so I think it can go both ways, I personally think it does depend on the cat. I think it is better for a cat to go between indoors and outdoors, my cat stays inside with us whilst we are home, and if he wants to he can go outside using the cat flap at anytime, I know that while I'm at school he spends most of the time running round the garden and chasing butterflies, so I think it does depend on the cat.

I know you said it's all my guinea-pigs have ever known, but some of them (I know not all of them) have been inside for a few nights before and mine don't seem to do as much. You might say this is because they haven't known any different but they just didn't seem to be enjoying themselves inside, it might have been because it was new or different, but I think it was a bit scary for them because people were moving about, and a sudden noise they went running back into their hutch, which is why I'd like them to stay where they are for the time being. They are happy, and if ever I notice they do not seem happy they would move inside.

First of all. After having my cat come home it's side ripped opened by a raccoon, I learned my lesson about cats outside. This is my cat who brought down chickmunks and squirrels that were as large as she was, my quick agile, healthy cat who had for 7 years been fine going in and out as she pleased and I figured because she did it it was making her 'happy'. And then one day she was bleeding all over my house and many sugeries and dollars were required to get her back to health. Just because an animal seems happy doesn't mean it's safe. It can't think ahead for it's future or calculate risk or assess danger. An animal just is. You, it's owner, it's parent has to do that for it.

As for your GPs inactivity when you bring them inside. 1. You don't know what they're like at night usually cause they're outside where you can't seen them so you can't really compare and 2. GPs are pray animals that are naturally inactive in new environments until they get comfortable. Keep them inside for a month then assess their behavior.

[alicia09]

As for a cat 'needing' to be shut inside, I think that's unfair on the cat. I think a cat should have access to a garden. Even if a cat doesn't want to go in a garden, I think it should still be given the option to, by a cat flap or opening the door occasionally to see if it wants to go. If it just ignores the cat flap and door opening then fair enough but I think it should be given the option to. We don't have racoons here in the UK and I do not know any cats that are shut inside all day. My cat loves rolling around in the sun. I think you're being a bit hypocritical saying my guinea-pigs can't be happy in the garden, if I can't be sure they aren't happy outside, how can you be sure your cat is definetly happy inside?

[Fudgenrolo]

So it's ok for it to kill birds / wildlife and use other people's gardens as a toilet?

As a UK person I find it extremely irritating that my next-door-but-one neighbours' cats feel that they can do whatever they like on my property and terrorise the birds I wish to attract to my garden.

I don't find it in the least bit acceptable.

I've also seen and heard about multiple cases of cats being run over and killed or horrifically injured on the roads and there have also been several cases of cats being shot with pellet guns - all here in the Uk.... but if that's what the cat prefers, never mind.

I am well aware that in the Uk guinea pigs are commonly kept outside but I would not do so for all the reasons mentioned on this forum. They apply no matter where you live. Last winter here was horrible - from November right through to April there were extremely cold temperatures including severe frosts and snow - why is it ok to keep Guinea Pigs out in those conditions?

[alicia09]

I didn't say it was ok for a cat to go to the toilet on other people's gardens, but cats are free spirits, I don't think they shouldn't be shut in the same house all day every day. And although I don't like it, cats will kill birds it is what cats will do, and shutting them up isn't fair. It's nature, animals kill one another, it's not very nice, but it's the way the world is. It's the food chain. I think it is cruel to shut a cat up in a house all day.

[Paula]

Well, wow, I must say you aren't painting a very pleasant picture of yourself as a responsible pet owner. Dismissing the fact that YOUR pet would be out killing birds and other wildlife as "nature" because you can't be bothered to keep it in the safety of your home is beyond irresponsible, it's reckless.

I understand animals kill other animals, but that is in fact in a wild environment and introducing your cat as another predator in the food chain interrupts the balance.

Originally Posted by alicia09

I think it is cruel to shut a cat up in a house all day.

I think it's more cruel to subject them to being hit by a car or attacked and maimed or killed by another animal. Given the ability to make a choice I think a cat would choose a long healthy life over facing the daily possibility of death or dismemberment.

[alicia09]

You seem to think it's cruel to let any animal go outside. I live on a quiet road and no cat has ever been hit by a car around here. I think you are incredibly paranoid, and because of this I think your cat is missing out. If it doesn't enjoy being outside then fair enough. My cat has been going outside for months and he's only 11 months old. My other cat is 6 and spends the majority of his time outside because he prefers it, he has the choice to come in and he prefers outdoors. I think it is ridiculous to shut a cat indoors all day and if you think I'm cruel for letting my cat spend time outside enjoying life and playing then fine. I know my cat is happy outside during the day and he only comes in at night and in the rain, and even then he has the choice to go outside again if he wants to. I think you are all rude and narrow minded people who think it is right to critisize other people because they don't agree with you.

[leyley904]

Originally Posted by Paula

You say your cat is happy living outside because that's all he's ever known. It doesn't depend on the cat as much as it depends on what the cat's known his entire life.

I'm not trying to disagree with you, but just in regards to my cat. She lived inside as a kitten, we let her outside when she scratched on the door to potty (oddly well behaved cat, always has been). She started staying down by the creek behind our house longer and longer each day, it was completely her choice. So, considering its her choice, and we let her come in whenever she comes to the door (which in five minutes, she wants back out) I think shes happy. :]

As for Alicia, the first few comments were a little pushy towards your gp housing, which is understandable. But even when people start dropping the fact that your guinea pigs live outside (which I believe its healthy to listen to other peoples opinions, I just recently learned that) you are still rude, and say this site is terrible. Because they want the best for YOUR pigs makes them bad?! Think about it that way. They are trying to help.

[leyley904]

Originally Posted by Jennicat

Of course it's great to let your cat roam around outside killing the native wildlife and using the bathroom in the neighbor's gardens. perfectly!

Not to fight, I just wanted to let you know. Cats are natural predators, our yard is over-run with lizards, so its fine for her to eat them. Its her fun, and her nutrition. To discourage what was bred into her sound undeniably rude. And I live on a few acres, she doesn't go anywhere near neighbors yards, they have dogs. She spends her time at the creek below our house, where she also snacks on snakes, and ocasionally brings us a tail of a fish.

[leyley904]

And to add to that:
The only danger we have are non venomous snakes, which my cat eats. Its her instinct, so please don't say anyting along the lines of it being bad to kill wildlife. She doesn'tgo in the front yard. We do have several strays that we feed in our front yard, who have grown up to be very 'car-consious'

[katiewilson]

Originally Posted by alicia09

You seem to think it's cruel to let any animal go outside. I live on a quiet road and no cat has ever been hit by a car around here. I think you are incredibly paranoid, and because of this I think your cat is missing out.

You say paranoid. I say responsible.

Cats ARE free spirits, which is why for their safety as well as out of respect for your neighbors, cats really are better kept indoors, with the VERY rare exception.

No one can say for sure what a cat or guinea pig prefers regarding their housing. But as their caretakers, it is our absolute duty to these animals that we give them the best care possible. And quite frankly, when you look at the statistics, news articles, and advice of endless experts working and volunteering at a variety of shelters, housing pets indoors is not only recommended, it's often insisted upon.

It's obvious that we're not changing your mind on this, but perhaps if you simply give it further thought and consideration...no one here can ask any more from you than that.

[blackarrow]

Originally Posted by alicia09

I think you are all rude and narrow minded people who think it is right to critisize other people because they don't agree with you.

Exactly what you're doing.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by alicia09

I think you are incredibly paranoid, and because of this I think your cat is missing out.

You're absolutely right. He's missing out on a number of diseases, animal attacks, being hit by cars, yeah, it's just plain shameful all he's not getting from his life indoors. Poor, poor creature ...

[blackarrow]

Originally Posted by leyley904

And to add to that:
The only danger we have are non venomous snakes, which my cat eats. Its her instinct, so please don't say anyting along the lines of it being bad to kill wildlife.

Wonder if you'll feel the same way if a neighboring dog rips your cat to pieces. It would just be instinct, after all.

[leyley904]

blackarrow. I haven't said anyting offensive. Like I said, my cat doesn't go over there. So I apreciate your opinion, but mentioning the death of my cat, in that way, really isn't neccisary. If I thought that were possible, my cat wouldnt be allowed to touch grass ever. She is my baby, I know what is safe for her. Have to been to my backyard? Seen what I see? No, you haven't.

[blackarrow]

I didn't say you did say anything offensive.

Even if your cat is the one in a million which doesn't ever leave its own yard, it's still at risk, as your neighbor's DOGS may not feel themselves so restricted as that cat. Be that as it may - I had a cat when I was growing up which came to us because it was mousing in our yard, and we started feeding him. He was car savvy too. What he was NOT savvy about was not licking antifreeze, or eating mice which had partaken of rat poison, apparently, because the cat was dead within a year of some sort of accidental poisoning. But he sure was happy, right up until the time his life ended wretchedly, prematurely and alone in our back yard, of course.

[leyley904]

The dogs are old, and are inside most of the time. They are just outside to exarcize, which is enought to get there sent on their yard, which is enough to keep my cat in my yard. So there are no problems. And we don't have rats, therefor, no rat poison.

[alicia09]

I know what all the statistics say, but I know what is right for my animals, which is why they live differently to what these statistics say. Cats are very clever, and my cats seem to have learnt not to go in my neighbours garden because they have a dog. He is quite happy in his garden because it's his territory, I've rarely seen him go into the front garden and that was only when he follows me out when I go to the dustbin, and even then he sits underneath the car for five minutes or so and then walks back into the back garden. I appreciate you telling me all this, I just think you could maybe have been a bit more polite rather than saying I neglect my guinea-pigs etc. etc. My guinea-pigs cannot move completly inside, but I hope in a month or two's time I can put their hutches in sheds and then let them in runs in the day so they'd be warmer at night time.

[Peggysu]

Originally Posted by alicia09

I know what all the statistics say, but I know what is right for my animals, which is why they live differently to what these statistics say.

Wait a minute. Whose the close minded one? Oh wait that's you.

[alicia09]

I wouldn't call sharing my opinion close minded. I said in a previous post I'd like it if my guinea-pigs could spend some time inside and I hope to move their hutches into my new shed for the winter months, so I'm not totally disagreeing with all of you. That's not close minded.