The Cat-Proof Screen
Remember my cat, Bingley?
Well, Bingley does not go outside. From the first, I have been very torn about this. On the one hand, yes I know cats are healthier and live longer on average if kept indoors. But the quality of that life is a question. Is a cat that lounges on cushions all day a fulfilled cat? Is he getting to express his essential kittiness?
Am I, in short, his jailer?
I've been thinking about this more since we moved; we now live on a very quiet street in the middle of farm country. Perfect for cats, and indeed there are several strolling about (including the neighbor cat, whom we have dubbed "Wilson"). But it's also the heart of Lyme tick country. And it's very uncertain where I'll be next year. Maybe I'll be in Connecticut; maybe I'll be living in a city apartment. I've heard that once cats have been let out, they pine if kept indoors all the time.
Also, Bingley is very sweet and cuddly. I wouldn't want him to become a tough streetcat. But is that fair to him? Thus far, I have put off the decision, keeping him indoors in the meantime.
But Bingley has decided to take matters into his own paws. My landlady is very proud of the "cat-proof" screens she installed on the two sliding doors in our house. They're scratch-resistant.
I came in through the screen door a few minutes ago and slid it shut behind me quickly so Bingley couldn't get out. But he apparently decided he wasn't gonna take it anymore. And he launched himself, four paws forward, directly at the center of the screen. With this effect:
(ETA: 1:12 minutes into this video you will see the exact move Bingley used.)
Amazingly, having achieved this, he was so pleased with his own success that he didn't even run away, just let me catch him and bring him right back in.
The problem remains, however. This is a cat who REALLY wants to go outside. Pet owners, what do you think? What do I do?
Well, Bingley does not go outside. From the first, I have been very torn about this. On the one hand, yes I know cats are healthier and live longer on average if kept indoors. But the quality of that life is a question. Is a cat that lounges on cushions all day a fulfilled cat? Is he getting to express his essential kittiness?
Am I, in short, his jailer?
I've been thinking about this more since we moved; we now live on a very quiet street in the middle of farm country. Perfect for cats, and indeed there are several strolling about (including the neighbor cat, whom we have dubbed "Wilson"). But it's also the heart of Lyme tick country. And it's very uncertain where I'll be next year. Maybe I'll be in Connecticut; maybe I'll be living in a city apartment. I've heard that once cats have been let out, they pine if kept indoors all the time.
Also, Bingley is very sweet and cuddly. I wouldn't want him to become a tough streetcat. But is that fair to him? Thus far, I have put off the decision, keeping him indoors in the meantime.
But Bingley has decided to take matters into his own paws. My landlady is very proud of the "cat-proof" screens she installed on the two sliding doors in our house. They're scratch-resistant.
I came in through the screen door a few minutes ago and slid it shut behind me quickly so Bingley couldn't get out. But he apparently decided he wasn't gonna take it anymore. And he launched himself, four paws forward, directly at the center of the screen. With this effect:
(ETA: 1:12 minutes into this video you will see the exact move Bingley used.)
Amazingly, having achieved this, he was so pleased with his own success that he didn't even run away, just let me catch him and bring him right back in.
The problem remains, however. This is a cat who REALLY wants to go outside. Pet owners, what do you think? What do I do?