Inside or outside?

I disagree with a lot of people about this. Are cats better off indoors or outdoors? I would never let my cats outdoors. There are cars and dogs, and they could get taken by someone who thinks they are strays. Also, they could get bitten by an animal with a disease. Just wondering what other people think about this. :seesaw:

When I was growing up our cat would go in and out all day. I don't remember ever having any problems with it. After I got married we got a cat and my DH wanted it to stay inside. It seemed that the cat was more active in the house than the cat I had growing up who would come in and just lie still on your lap. I prefer letting the cat go in and out.
Heidi

I keep mine inside mainly because we live way too close to Route 22 to take the chance of them getting hit. They seem pretty content inside. The few times one of them has gotten out they haven't strayed far - thank heavens.

I grew up with a cat that went in and out. He got hit once and he crawled under our steps and it was a week before my sister heard him cry out. But after taking him to the vets and getting him fed etc he was ok. Once someone poured black oil over him what a mess I remember my dad and I having to bathe him, must of got into something at someones house for someone to be so mean.
I now have two cats and they are housecats because I live near a busy road plus have the need to keep them safe after having a dog hit out here. My cats love to play with their toys and each other. DH built them a bench to lie under our big window so they can sit and watch birds and bunnies outside. They seem quite happy and content and never ask to go outside.

I think it really depends on where you live. I also think it is quality VS quantity. It is a proven fact that the average life expectancy of a cat drops dramaticly when it becomes an outdoor cat (for all of the reasons mentioned above and more) and some cats are happy never to go outside (we have one of those) and we also have a cat that would destroy the house if we tried to keep her in. She is way too active and NEEDS her outdoor time. In the winter when it is cold she spends much less time out and you can tell in the spring that she is ITCHING to play outside