but i want my cat to go outside when hes old enough, hes going to be given the opertunity even if he doesnt take it. i wouldnt be happy living in the same 4 walls all day every day, and i dont think an animal would either, however if hes happy to stay inside then thats his choice.
I think you are right and it entirely depends on the cat - I've owned many cats but just talking about the most recent three that my partner and I have owned:
Jessie (no longer with us
)- Outdoor cat through and through. Would have been climbing the walls if we kept her in. Too clever for her own good and no matter how many toys, scratching posts, elaborate play areas made of boxes and climbing frames we made for her, she wanted to be out and about patrolling her territory.
Spike (Jessies son) - General doofus. Loves his home conforts but also likes to be out and about... rarely ventures further than about 10m from our house / garden.
Weasel - Hates the outside world. Has been out twice for a toal of about 5 minutes when she followed the others in excitement and nearly had a nervous breakdown when she realised there was no roof. We can have all the doors and windows open and she just isn't interested.
So you could say I was irresponsible for letting Jessie do her thing, or cruel for keeping Weasel as a house cat - I just want them to be happy so get them the necessay jabs etc and leave it up to them to decide.
We don't have a cat flap so they aren't roaming the streets all day/night... on many occasions I have had to wander around outside at midnight in my PJ's rattling cat biscuits to get Jessie in so she would be safe overnight
