For most people that have pet cats, letting them outside for a little while is no big deal. And while some like to let their cats come and go as they please, others will control their feline's outdoor activities to a set time of day.

But one woman has been left at her wits' end after her neighbour began monitoring her cat's movements - as she believes it's cruel to be letting the moggie outside in the current cold weather.

The woman explained she lets her cat outside every morning, and he explores the area around her house for a little while before meowing at the door to let the woman know he wants to come back inside.

However, the woman's neighbour has begun letting the cat into her house because she thinks the woman is being cruel by allowing him to go outside in the cold - despite the woman having a heated cat box by her door for the moggie to relax in if he gets a bit chilly.

In a post on Reddit, the woman said: "My cat, Salem, likes to go outdoors. Every morning I let him out and he will come back to my door and meow to let me know he wants in.

"My neighbour on the second floor has taken him into her place several times, even though I said not to, because then he will go to her door. She says it's way too cold for him outside, but I have a heated outdoor cat house for him at my door and he howls as soon as the sun comes up to be let out. Plus, I'm always right inside if he needs me he will meow.

"Anyway, now Salem will sometimes meow at her door because she kept letting him in. She sent me a text the other day to, 'come and get your f***ing cat,' and 'you shouldn't have him in the freezing weather'. So I went down and got him.

"I still want to let him out because that's what he likes but I'm scared that she will come up and yell at me. How do I talk to her and compromise on a plan for Salem to not annoy her? I don't want to feel like I'm attacking her because I understand that it would be annoying having a cat meowing at the door."

Commenters on the post understood the woman's desire to let her cat get some fresh air, but also pointed out it can sometimes be a negative thing to allow cats outside, as they can harm wildlife and catch illnesses

Others suggested she invest in a cat patio enclosure that will allow her cat to roam around an small outdoor space, without him being able to leave her property.

Someone said: "Make a cat patio enclosure. Cat gets to be outside but doesn't leave your patio."

As another added: "Some countries say letting your cat outside is horrible, other countries say never letting them outside is cruel. My cats hate outside so I got it easy. Is it possible to build a catio outside your door for your cat to be outside but not roam everywhere?"

Source:
courtesy of MIRROR

by Zahna Eklund, Audience Writer

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