Why do people let their cats go outside?

Because they are animals and basically belong outside. If you insist on wrapping it in cotton wool and locking it up, it takes away a lot of what it is. I'm not saying people are universally great, but I don't think they are so commonly hostile to cars as you imply.

So why even get them as pets then? If they "belong outside"...

So why even get them as pets then? If they "belong outside"...

People want house pets. Cats are quite capable of adapting but it should be obvious their natural environment is outside. Plenty of owners still want their pet to have as full a life as possible which you can't do by removing all risk from a life to suit you, that's selfish.

People want house pets. Cats are quite capable of adapting but it should be obvious their natural environment is outside. Plenty of owners still want their pet to have as full a life as possible which you can't do by removing all risk from a life to suit you, that's selfish.

I keep my cats indoors. I don't care if people think it's cruel. Seeing my best friend squished on the road when I came home from school at 11 does that to you.

My previous cat who was a ragdoll (they have no street sense) was kept indoors, I think both options are good as long as the cat is happy Just wanted to show the other person the other point of view!
Best friend? Human or animal- either way sorry

I just don't understand this. I mean I understand that they like chasing after birds and mice and jumping up trees etc but every day I see adverts of so many cats going missing. There are so many cruel people out there who love to abuse cats, as well as people who steal cats to use them as dog bait for their illegal dog fighting activities. There are animals such as foxes who can also harm cats, especially if the cat is very small and the fox is a lot bigger. And then there are also cars and buses which can run them over, and trains too. Also, some people might believe it's a stray cat, and then take it in and keep it for themselves. I just don't get why people let them go outside. Surely if you love your pet, you'd want to keep them safe and protect them and not make them vulnerable to harm and danger? I literally never see dogs out by themselves, and dogs are bigger and far more capable of defending themselves than cats can. So if you wouldn't let your big dog outside, why would you do this to your cat? Considering there's so much danger out there, it can be seen extremely careless and selfish to put them in such danger. And then people cry when their cat goes missing, never to be seen again....

Your points apply to children as well – if they go outside they could get hurt, abducted, killed, etc.. But parents still let them go outside and explore! It's an important part of their development and independence as well as helping maintain good mental and physical health.

I can understand why some people choose to keep their cats inside – perhaps they live in a flat, or in a really busy trafficky area, or because of the type of cat it is (e.g. breed, age, medical conditions). I do quite often see people out "walking" their cats!

Dogs attack people a lot more than cats do, sometimes even killing the person. Dogs will poo anywhere and just leave it; cats will cover it up in a civilised manner. Dogs often need to be kept on a lead, and they are far more likely to attack or agitate livestock. Cats keep to themselves a lot more, are very aware of their surroundings, and actually very capable of defending themselves (or escaping the danger, and then finding their way back).

Cats are (generally) pretty independent animals, and spending a bit of time outside is part of their nature. It helps them stay healthy and happy. And in my experience, quite a lot of the time they spend outside is spent sleeping or watching wildlife in the safety of the garden

I've never seen anyone who has a pet tortoise or rabbit and had let them go outside, that's just bizzare. And I'm not even going to comment on the donkey example because that's very stupid thing you said

Absolutely not selfish at all. The owners are being selfish by letting their cats out in a world where there's so many cruel people and dangers. And then they cry and put posters up of their cat when it goes missing, when these stupid people could've prevented it from happening in the first place!

I just don't understand this. I mean I understand that they like chasing after birds and mice and jumping up trees etc but every day I see adverts of so many cats going missing. There are so many cruel people out there who love to abuse cats, as well as people who steal cats to use them as dog bait for their illegal dog fighting activities. There are animals such as foxes who can also harm cats, especially if the cat is very small and the fox is a lot bigger. And then there are also cars and buses which can run them over, and trains too. Also, some people might believe it's a stray cat, and then take it in and keep it for themselves. I just don't get why people let them go outside. Surely if you love your pet, you'd want to keep them safe and protect them and not make them vulnerable to harm and danger? I literally never see dogs out by themselves, and dogs are bigger and far more capable of defending themselves than cats can. So if you wouldn't let your big dog outside, why would you do this to your cat? Considering there's so much danger out there, it can be seen extremely careless and selfish to put them in such danger. And then people cry when their cat goes missing, never to be seen again....