My cat doesn't use a litter box, she goes outside in the garden or somewhere. Don't most cats do that?

You make it sound as if indoor cats had a choice.

I'm probably never going to have an indoor cat, so I have a choice.

Sorry, the last time I've had an outdoor cat was when I was...maybe 2 years old. All my other cats have been indoor, so I'm totally used to litterboxes. However, I think most cats are indoor but a lot of them do go outside. I still don't think it's perverse for them to watch their cat poop.

My kitty wears a harness and walks on a leash. My other cat is scared to death of going outside. He pretends he wants out, cries and cries while pawing at the door, but as soon as he sees what's on the other side he runs back into the house scared to death. The sad part of this entire rambling I am going through is that I was going to say my kitten is better about walking on the leash than my two year old dog. Then again this is the same kitten who thinks the litter box is for play time, not bathroom time.

Umm... cats are meant to go outside. They shouldn't be cooped up inside all day! Let them have some bloody fresh air! My cat is always outside hunting and exploring, its what they love to do!

My cat stays inside pretty much all day. He's 15 ******* years old and arthritic. He doesn't need to go outside, especially in this weather.

Odd since my cat is scared to be outside. I think your point is one that is only true of some cats.

I guess its different for your cat #59, but for the typical fit and healthy cat, they should be allowed to go outside! If they are scared of it, its obvious that they have never had the chance to, so that might not ever change. I do live in the country though, so I guess there is less risk for my cat. Sorry, I just find the idea of an animal such as a cat, never getting the opportunity to go outside, very strange. Its just the common thing for them to be able to, where I live.

Yeah, the cats may enjoy being let out and all....but in my neighborhood, we know that letting a cat outside is basically like dipping it in steak sauce and offering it to a coyote. People don't even bother putting up lost cat posters if their cats get out. And I live in suburbia....not really rural or anything... I guess you could be like my odd neighbor who has a giant tear resistant "cat tent" in her backyard so her cats can frolic around in a 10X10 box of "freedom" during the day lol

*bother Just in case the grammar nazis try and get me.

@ hornetchik I have no issue with cats going outside, i have issues with cats roaming free outside. I take mine out all the time on a harness with a rope, and watch while they mow on grass, throw up, mow on some more, roll in leaves, chase the rope, and generally have fun. I have no qualms about taking them outside, only with letting them roam free amongst traffic, dogs, and people who hate cats. That being said, the havoc free-roaming cats have on the local bird/wildlife populations is actually rather startling, and is yet another reason I would never let them roam unsupervised.

It is obviously different where I live. I don't live in the middle of nowhere, the nearest city is a 30min drive away, and the nearest town is a 4min drive away. Even in the town, most people let their cats roam free.

It's not a big deal for cats to stay inside. They're extremely adaptable, for one; whereas a dog needs to be walked, a cat can make effective use of even apartments for its physical conditioning because they can utilize the space better than humans can, since they are small and agile. Secondly, many people with larger homes (and more free time, obviously) make playrooms and walkways for their cat(s). Cats are perfectly suited for being indoors as well as they are outdoors. And who said you can't put screens on windows? There you go, fresh air.

Yeh that sounds alright, I guess I've just never thought of people in really busy cities having cats. Its obviously a bit different here.

who said it was his neighbour's lawn?

Cats are meant to shit outside! I don't want a stinking kitty litter box inside my house!

Just because you don't want to clean up after your pets does not mean that they are MEANT to be outside. Maybe you are just to lazy and don't deserve to have cats to begin with.

Um, I never have to clean up after my cat, and I never come across her shit anywhere. She can go anywhere she likes, in the garden, in a bush, somewhere in the paddock. And I live on a lifestyle block, so although we have paddocks out the back, our neighbours are right next door to us. You most likely live in the city don't you? And your cats are sheltered little townie cats? Mmhmmm...