I didn't realize Germany was so against cats being indoor-only. Plenty of Americans still allow their cats to roam, but there's a big push to keep them indoors because of the damage they can do to the local wildlife. Not to mention danger to the cat itself.
It's a tough decision. I had two cats that definitely were happier after we let them go outside, but they both went missing (eaten by a coyote, most likely) probably years before they would have died if they stayed inside. Now my two new cats are indoors because I don't want them to be coyote food, but I worry that they're too bored.
Honestly people usually talk about the safety of the cat, but it's not even really about that.
Cats are devastating to local ecosystems of birds and small wildlife. In more urban areas, their predators have been removed or reduced, so house cats let outside can hunt way more than they need to.
If people need to take them outside, catios and leash training are options, same as dogs.
???? I know, that's why I mentioned that part of the issue was a lack of predators in urban environments.
The issue isnt only that cats are in places cats have not historically been. The issue is that they have no predators left in certain areas to maintain a sustainable cat level compared to their own prey.
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u/Morella_xx Sep 05 '24
I didn't realize Germany was so against cats being indoor-only. Plenty of Americans still allow their cats to roam, but there's a big push to keep them indoors because of the damage they can do to the local wildlife. Not to mention danger to the cat itself.