What do you people think about caging a cat? Becos like others say, cats have short lifespan if allowed to roam around. Cos of cars, dogs, fighting and getting sick....etc.

Now every "expert" says it is not ok to cage up a cat. And that is true - at first. Cats hate it. Especially stray cats.

But what if the stray cat had to spend WEEKS in a cage being boarded at the vet due to operation....and has since become "trained" to accept a cage?

What if after going home, the cat doesn't like the kid in the house becos that kid is just noisy and a bit rowdy with the cat?

So from my observation, the cat actually prefers being in the cage NOW. Especially if got litter box and food/water provided.

It seems the cat has come to associate the cage with "peace and quiet".

Is it ok to keep the cat in the cage from now on? What if the cat is suspected to have FIV or FLV and caging it up is actually a good move to lengthen its life?

Or can a previously stray cat (actually just free to roam here and there, and being fed by multiple houses) be "trained" to become an indoor house cat?

Has anyone done this before? Made a stray cat become a indoor house cat?

So many benefits for cats to be indoors. And definitely can live > 10 years like this.

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 12 2021, 04:39 AM

What if nobody at home (all working) to care for the cat indoors?

And due to a health issue, is best to cage the cat, otherwise will get worse?

What if the cat is suspected of having FLV or FIV? And these are long term health issues which make them more vulnerable to get other issues.

So the best step would be to cage them up permanently (but in a large cage)?

There is no one to look after the cat during the day, because those guys work 7 days a week, and the cat is a stray cat-turned-semi-adopted.

Caging it just means it becomes "fully" adopted, I guess?

It has a serious problem with one of its legs though, so it's not like it is so healthy to roam freely.

Well, all cats are different, and this cat already get an accident after being uncaged just for a few days. Suffered a big wound on the leg dunno caused by what. Maybe dog bite........

And the former issue is also leg related

As for roaming inside house, well the cat doesn't seem to like being confined to the house; previously it was a free roaming stray cat, so you cannot expect it to like being indoors. However, being in the cage seems quite ok for it maybe, after so long being boarded at the vet (so gotten used to being confined to a small cage).

Secondly, the people are not in the house to "jaga" the cat. And then they also don't like the smell of cat poo indoors.

And finally, I am not the one looking after the cat. Just asking out of concern for its future and wellbeing. I am just helping them to look after it if you understand what I mean

I also seen in my housing area, numerous cats dying after getting knocked down by cars, so I am fully aware how short of a life that a stray cat has. Not even 2 years for many of them. It is a very harsh life out there.

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 14 2021, 06:40 PM

The cat is actually a stray cat but being fed by another house. But that is all they can do.

The cat fell ill and I took it to the vet. And it had to stay there for a long time. All along I assumed it was a stray until afterwards....

So we are from different houses.

Now after the long stay, the cat came back and now staying with its former "owners".

But it's suspected to have a long term health issue. FIV or FLV.

And the mishap it suffered only serves to reinforce the notion that it will not survive long if let loose to roam again.

But caging seems to be the only option. As it's not possible for it to be an indoor house cat due to all the reasons I already elaborated previously....

Caging is a difficult decision that me and the "owners" are having to make....

Are things clear now?

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 14 2021, 07:30 PM

You do realize sending cat to a shelter is like death sentence? As nobody wants to adopt them and they are probably put to sleep after a while?

I have asked around outside and it seems that many people do keep cats in cages.

But why when online, it surely looks like people want to put on a facade, and won't admit to doing this?

Hmmm.....

But go and look at petshops and the cages they sell and then tell me what you think

I don't know, I guess I was hoping to hear of anyone's experience with keeping cats in cages, but it appears, at least on the internet, that such people do not exist.

I did search such topics in Mr Google and also read ONLY the same preaching (don't keep cats in cages, etc, etc). I understand it, really I do, which is why I said....it's a difficult decision.

I don't pretend to be some cat expert, in fact I don't even keep any cats at all.

I just happen to like cats although the people who call the shots in my house do not, and I also help the cats in my neighborhood after being aware of how short their lives are out there (which is why we never get buried by cats), their mortality rate being so high.

But in the past.....I have seen with my own eyes, how some people actually do keep cats permanently in cages, and not only that, they cram them up in small cages or keep many in a chicken coop. Don't ask me to give details if you want to judge the guy who kept his cats (maybe 10 of them) inside a chicken coop. He lives near the jungle and if he were to let them roam free, they would all be gone faster than you can say meow.....

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 14 2021, 11:33 PM

Hey guys,

What is your opinion about neutering your cat? I know many experts and people say to neuter is best, but it may also make your cat depressed. If you search up on this subject, it does seem like some cats do seem to get depressed....same like humans.

But cats have a strong urge to mate (especially most male cats), and I'm finding that the "community cat" I mentioned before earlier, is no longer keen to stay in the cage and really wants to get out....

He also doesn't want to stay at his usual home, and will wander off for days if allowed to escape. I'm afraid he may not want to return ever. As you know, we don't really own our cats....it's either they want to stay or not.

Once found, I notice he is marking new territory and sniffing the air......and being quite hostile with most other stranger cats. Getting into fights and trouble is exactly what we don't want!

So looks like cage life is not for him in the long run. I am considering to neuter him but I'm not sure if this is the best route.

But it seems like the only way. Otherwise, he is getting restless being in the cage now that he feels better after his long stint in the clinic.

According to the other "owners" that now care for him at their house, he was never like this and very homely. Now he seems intolerant of other cats (those people feed other cats too) and just seems like he wants to get away from them.

Any opinions? Will neutering him make him more homely, less restless, and more friendly with other cats. Mind you, he was quite alright with them BEFORE he went for his long stay at the clinic.

Now his former home is like a new environment to him (although he seems to recognize his former human care-givers).

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 21 2021, 01:57 AM

That sounds bad.

So it's neuter and then straight to the cage forever, or else do not neuter and then let him roam and potentially have a short life....

Can you elaborate on this? I never heard before that before neutering must also vaccinate them.....

I didn't know all this, and it sounds scary....

But you said kitten only, what about for adults?

I suspect my cat has either FIV or FLV, although it seems controlled now. Because cat is locked up in cage, so he doesn't wander here and there....

After locked up so long, he actually gained weight and seems quite healthy now.

But still want to go out of cage....

I'm willing to let him go out, but he may not come back, since he found his new found freedom.....

Already the last time, he seems chill not coming home and I don't know he got even eat or not.

There is the risk his earlier health issues will return.

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 23 2021, 01:06 AM

Anyone got experience using a pet tracker device?

I saw some for sale on Shopee but so cheap dunno how effective....maybe it is just a toy.....

Vaccination may be dangerous for cats who have FIV and/or FLV as their immune systems may be already compromised?

Vaccines introduce a mild form of the virus into the body right?

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Apr 25 2021, 01:07 AM

What about chemical castration for cats? Is it available in Malaysia?