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Cats and Dogs Belong Anywhere but in your house?

Comments (123)

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Posted 09/23/2009

It depends entirely on the dog or cat and the owner.  I think a toy poodle should be sheltered inside, a lab may come in but I think should spend much of it's time outdoors.  I do  think people should have the forethought to consider the type of lifestyle they want before they choose their pet, etc.  We have all "non-shedding" small breeds because our yard isn't fenced and we enjoy having the dog's inside and hate pet hair on everything.  I hope in the future to have a fenced yard and get a large lab or golden, which will be an outside dog.  But I do not enjoy going over to people's homes with shedding animals inside.  Even if they are a meticulous cleaners, the pet just rubs up against you and it's hair is everywhere...yuck!


Bren-USMC wife '04, DD-06/06 9#9oz, DS-09/08 10#13oz, DD-09/10 9#1oz DD-11/13 8#1oz.  Four NCBs! ^5 Angels^ 

( o )( o )-'07, '09, '11!

Posted 09/23/2009

Growing up in the South, I had a wonderful dog who NEVER came inside the house.  But when we moved to the Midwest and wanted a dog, we had to come to accept the fact that any dog would have to be inside sometimes because of the climate.   It was hard for me to get used to the idea---I had always thought it was gross to have animals inside. 

So our black lab is outdoor/indoor, but he seems to prefer to be in the backyard. He  will go to the back door and whine to be let out. Out there, he can prowl the yard for squirrels, chase bees and butterflies, soak in the sun, and say hello to other dogs that are passing by. And he gets an hour walk most days and sleeps inside. So I still think animals belong outside, but I am okay with a little compromise.


E, mama to DS (10), DS (8), and DD (3), waiting for DS in September!

Posted 09/23/2009

We have cats and guinea pigs and they are all indoors. If I didn't want them in my home, I wouldn't have them.

I grew up with dogs and cats, and our cats were indoor/outdoor til they got hit or hurt or killed.

My baby girl loves her kitties and having animals around may help prevent some allergies.

Honestly, after a day on the playground and daycare, DD is probably festering more germs than the pets. And I let her inside.

Posted 09/23/2009

My dog -medium sized, is like my daughter and is definately an indoor dog.

While, like all dogs, she enjoys being outside as much as she wants (we live in AZ, so perfect climate), I would never have a dog that just lived outside all the time. What is the point of "owning" an animal that strictly is outdoors. What the hell is the point? My sister keeps her dog outside all the time and seriously, its like she doesn't even own a dog. I find that cruel and pointless.


Posted 09/23/2009

I have a itty bitty white maltese (she weighs about 5 pounds, if that, and will get no bigger). She has her own room (well the laundry room with two safety gates up so she can't come out). We let her go outside and play of course, and when she comes in she stays right in that room. She is not allowed to just run around the house bc she is very hard headed and we don't want her pooping on the carpet and stuff.


Mother to DS Kaiden (09/05/2009) & DD Sariyah (02/12/2005)

Posted 09/23/2009

My mom was very anit-pet growing up, and to some degree it carried over.  We have two dogs that are outside dogs. There are times when I wish they were inside dogs, but I really don't think hounds make good inside dogs anyway.  And then I think about all the stinkiness and worry that I'll be one of those people that has a house that smells like a dirty animal, and they can't even tell.  We have brought them in and let them sleep in the master bath if it's really cold, or we will put them in the garage.

Why do you have them if you feel this way?



Posted 09/23/2009

"Well, I've never heard of someone getting sick from not washing their dishes for months on end, either. But I think we can agree that THAT isn't clean. Something doesn't have to make you sick for it to be unclean. :P"

Who doesn't wash there dishes for MONTHS on end????? I've never heard or seen this. And yes they could get sick from mold that would grow on it, not to mention if they were still eating off them. Using that argument has nothing to do with the debate here, like you said you hav enever heard of anyone getting sick from there animal.

My dogs do not slobber, ever. Nor do they have a messy eating area. They are groomed as should be and we wipe their feet if it is wet or muddy out but not when dry, my kids go out barefoot all summer so what's the difference.

As far as cats roaming the neighborhood, that peeves me too. I am always keeping an eye out so they won't get hit by cars and on top of that our neighbor has 3 cats that use our sandbox as their shitter! I am sick and tired of having to rake through it when my son wants to play in it and then who knows if I got it all. We will be tarping it next spring, because what else can we do??



Posted 09/23/2009


Our last house was a pet-free house and it was actually a huge selling point when we sold our house.

I always grew up with an "outdoor" dog and an "indoor" dog and an "indoor" cat and various other creatures as well, chameleons, lizards, turtles, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes (small non-venomous), rabbits, fish (tropical and fresh water)...I'm sure I'm forgetting something. 

We are currently trying to find a breed of dog we can all agree on and it will be an "indoor/outdoor" dog with most of it's time spent indoors.

I don't think I would have a strictly "outdoor" dog or cat...I like to be around them too much for that.



Posted 09/23/2009

All 3 cats are inside cats only.  My dog (a huge hairy golden retriever) is too (only goes outside to do her thing).   I want to interact with my pets, not tie them up in the backyard and forget about them.  Yes, they shed.  That's what vacuums are for (and grooming!)  I'm a big time animal lover, and don't see how my having animals in my house is anyone's business but mine.

Posted 09/23/2009

My dogs live inside.  My pup has her kennel in the kitchen (by the door) and my male sleeps downstairs most of the time.  The pup is 90% potty trained and the kitchen is the only place where it's easy to clean if she has an accident (although she is getting MUCH better).  I am a freak about cleaning the kitchen, esp with them in there. 

My cats are inside too. 

So is my bird. 

If you came over the only way you would know I have animals is to see them, you will never smell them or leave covered in their hair (well, unless you pet them). 


Everyday is a new journey! Teacher, Grad Student, Mommy, Wife. I'm AWESOME!

Chris + DH = C boy #1, 1/07+C girl #2, 10/10 Show support for Csection moms

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