To cat, or not to cat, that is the question...

[spokewench]

Doesn't matter if they eat them, or not...they will certainly kill them. Skunks are mean mofos. They are related to badgers and wolverines (honey badger, anyone? ). I wouldn't mess with a skunk and I weigh 150#s. My biggest cat is only about a tenth my size.

Oh come on people, cats are not stupid enough to go up against a skunk! Dogs, now that's a different story.

I have had three cats, all indoor outdoor. Two came from California where we had no skunks in our neighborhood so when we moved to Flagstaff, they both got skunked once and then never again. I used to see them walking down the sidewalk right next to the skunk and nothing ever happened between the skunk and the cat; let alone any eating of the other!

I have another cat now who adopted me and is an inside/outdoor cat and he has not trouble with either the numerous racoons or skunks in our neighborhood.

My cats have all been indoor/outdoor cats and have all lived to ripe old ages. I guess it depends on how smart they are?

[tangentgirl]

Thank you so much everyone. Very good ideas and things to ponder here. If I do take the plunge, I'll let you know and post a picture.

[Veronica]

Oh come on people, cats are not stupid enough to go up against a skunk!

I have another cat now who adopted me and is an inside/outdoor cat and he has not trouble with either the numerous racoons or skunks in our neighborhood.

My ferals step aside and watch the skunks and raccoons eat the cat food. Usually the cats just sit atop the barbeque cart while the wild critters feast.

Veronica

[Bethany1]

Cats are great. Bandit was rescued during a harsh winter a couple of years ago as a kitten. Buttons was a kitten at my mom's house and needed a home.

I hate to admit this but any animal smell. Someone brought up rabbits. NO. I've had rabbits and they stink so bad I wanted to puke. Yes, mine were litterbox trained but the smell was horrible. The require more care than I was able to give. I found a family that adopted them and it was best thing I ever did. Some people love rabbits. I don't and never will after my experience.

My litterboxes are in the kitchen. I keep mats outside the box for easy cleaning. Just keep up with the cleaning so the smell is contained. Once my kitten figured out the litterbox, I've never had problems with mine not using a litterbox.

Mine are indoor cats only, but Bandit will look for every opportunity to get the door. He just wants to eat grass and come back in to puke it up. They are safer inside.

Buttons isn't declawed and she picked my sewing chair to destroy. It's better than my expensive couches and when she's done with the chair I can buy another. They will need something to destroy with their claws and it's never the expensive clawing thing at the store.

I didn't know dry food was bad for cats.

Cats will play with anything. Mine love bags, boxes and sewing machine bobbins. They dump them in the tub and play "hockey" as they bat the bobbin around. Ping pong balls are another favorite.

Rescue cats are great and they need homes. And, gasp..sometimes two cats are better than one. They play with each other and keep you entertained with their antics. Sometimes rescue groups have cats that are so close together than they can't be separated and it's hard finding them homes. They also come spayed/neutered which also important.

Cats do indeed pick you. Take your time finding the one or two that pick you so you both enjoy each other's company. If you need some laughs, check out the thread on "Dear Cat".

[Aggie_Ama]

We do let Tortilla (our cat) out supervised in the backyard. She is actually very attached to the home and doesn't go far but does like the sunshine. We also leave the blinds up in the back of the house so she can sunbathe and watch the birds, this seems to make her quite content. She tried once to jump our fence (6 foot privacy) but didn't make it. Now we are careful to supervise her, of course if she is being stubborn our puppy will herd her in for us.

I think it depends on the cat the level of safety outdoors. My husband's stepmother lets hers outside and they have all lived long lives. They do live on a very quiet street, with a two acre lot and her cats always seem to stay close to home. They do have poisonous snakes and other dangerous wildlife but it has not thus far proved to be an issue. My street however is more of a through street for the neighborhood with people often speeding, so I wouldn't feel safe having Tortilla out if she wasn't declawed.

I agree with Irulan, I actually get quite annoyed with roaming animals even though I am an animal nut. The cats scare birds out of my bath, chase them from my tree and sometimes spray my flower bed (yuck smell). The dogs kill our toads in the yard but leave them, poop in the yard and run out in front of me on bike and car!

On the cat puking, Tortilla has not puked once in the two years we have had her. I think this is rare but I grew up with cats (long and short hair) and did not have them puking all the time. Tortilla is medium fur and doesn't have a hairball problem. Although she does shed a ton, get a lint roller!