What about cats? (Tucson: house, neighborhood, scorpions)

[rebabeso]

Hearing a lot about all the "critters" in Tucson, which is great..I love animals. I have 3 cats, and 1 of them is an outdoor cat. I'm planning to bring them with me if I know they will be safe, and would like them to be able to go outside. Would they survive? I thought they may be a deterrant to some of the rodents or scorpions, but really don't know.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by rebabeso

Hearing a lot about all the "critters" in Tucson, which is great..I love animals. I have 3 cats, and 1 of them is an outdoor cat. I'm planning to bring them with me if I know they will be safe, and would like them to be able to go outside. Would they survive? I thought they may be a deterrant to some of the rodents or scorpions, but really don't know.

I'd suggest you convert the outdoor cat to an indoor cat!

[KimK]

I live in a very rural place. I have three cats who live outdoors and indoors. They do fine. I heard the same thing about them keeping scorpions at bay but no way. My cats could give a rip about scorpions. I have seen scorpions walk right by them and they are totally disinterested. We have a lot of rattlesnakes. So far, my cats stay away from them entirely. My dogs will stay back from the snakes but they bark and get all agitated. My cats just love a good kangaroo rat to play with over all this other nature stuff. All that hoppin is just too fun to ignore!

We have many coyotes and thus far, no problems. This time of the year, they really want to be indoors at night. Summertime I worry a bit more about the coyotes getting them at night but in summer I don't see the coyotes as much.

Our oldest is four years old and the youngest is a little over one year.

[azsundevil99]

We have 3 cats but they're all indoor. Since we've been here, we may have seen a half dozen scorpions in the house at most. Supposedly cats are immune to their venom but we can't vouch for that because I killed them before the cats had a chance. Although I have heard about giant hawks swooping down and grabbing small animals.....

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by azsundevil99

Although I have heard about giant hawks swooping down and grabbing small animals.....

It DOES happen, thus my suggestion. Coyotes wouldn't mind a snack, either.

[BillyBaroo]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

It DOES happen, thus my suggestion. Coyotes wouldn't mind a snack, either.

Owls too. That's why we got our puppies before we moved to Red Rock. That way they will have put on enough weight so they can't be carried off. Still have to watch for coyotes though.

I like cats, I had one for 15 years, but he was an indoor cat, except when he would sit on the porch. I don't like outdoor cats that are allowed to roam the neighborhood. They poop in my yard, make lots of noise, spread garbage around. Mostly I don't like them pooping everywhere they go and spraying on everything. I don't think we'll have that problem at Red Rock. Free roaming cats won't last long out there.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by BillyBaroo

I don't think we'll have that problem at Red Rock. Free roaming cats won't last long out there.

I don't think so, either!

[bwhatch2]

hi, i work at the humane society here in tucson. about all of our reports of missing/lost cats where indoor/outdoor cats. no one thinks their cat will be harmed. if you were to spend one day in our lobby talking with the people who have lost their outdoor cat, who never thought their cat would disappear, then you wouldnt need to ask if they would be okay. sure, cats living outside do fine in arizona, at least until they come up missing. i do sincerely hope you decide not to put your cats at risk.

bryan

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by rebabeso

Hearing a lot about all the "critters" in Tucson, which is great..I love animals. I have 3 cats, and 1 of them is an outdoor cat. I'm planning to bring them with me if I know they will be safe, and would like them to be able to go outside. Would they survive? I thought they may be a deterrant to some of the rodents or scorpions, but really don't know.

Interesting question, Rebabeso

One point to remember . . . your Wisconsin mosquitos are larger and more vicious than most of our critters.

All joking aside, depending on exactly where you settle, I would be a little cautious allowing a cat to just run wild. An afternoon supervised stroll would be ok but running wild, especially overnight, could be a little dangerous.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by bwhatch2

hi, i work at the humane society here in tucson. about all of our reports of missing/lost cats where indoor/outdoor cats. no one thinks their cat will be harmed. if you were to spend one day in our lobby talking with the people who have lost their outdoor cat, who never thought their cat would disappear, then you wouldnt need to ask if they would be okay. sure, cats living outside do fine in arizona, at least until they come up missing. i do sincerely hope you decide not to put your cats at risk.

bryan

Excellent point, Bryan.

Do you work at the facility on Kelvin?