I also feel that cats must be allowed to be cats. It is emotionally healthy for them to spend time outside. I have two cats and live in an area that also has coyotes. I allow mine out during the daylight hours and try to get them inside in the evenings and in bad weather. My big black cat (Harley) even insists on using the outdoors instead of a litter box, which is GREAT... LOL.

My cats act more like dogs, they sit by the door when they want outside, and when outside they love to tag along as we fish or go for walks around the lake. If I stop to visit with someone, the cats will just lay down about 10 ft away and wait for me to continue on our walk. They seam to know where they are safe and spoiled and do not venture too far from the house.

I've had cats that I kept inside all the time and all of them seamed to have emotional and behavioral problems. My calico female was very scared of everything and would bolt over nothing at all. I was afraid she would take off and get hurt, so I did not allow her out until this summer (she is now two). The cat was so freaked out before we started letting her go outside that we lovingly called her "Kittiot" for Kitty Idiot... HeHeHe However, now that she is allowed to roam... she is acting normal and no longer bolting around scared to death. If she does go missing, we just send Harley out with instructions to find her... and before long they will both be in the front yard waiting to be fed. (Harley to just tooooo COOL)

So I agree, if at all possible cats should be allowed to roam.

If I had known haw fucking cool you were I would have sent you more free stuff. Yes, despite our love for them we must let them be themselves.

My wif and i have 4 cats, all indoors and they don't mind it a bit. We have lost too many cats to coyotes. I believe that pets tend to take their human's attributes. My wif is home all day so i think that it makes it easier for them, plus we have a blue heeler that herds them around all day. Cats will be cats anywhere they are.

I have always believed a cat should be able to go in and and out at will. Felt wrong to shut them away. Since living in coyote country however, I have amended my opinion a bit. It was one thing when we lived in Half Moon Bay and the cats went in and out through the cat door. We lived on a very quiet street and had a large backyard with lots of plants to hide in and play. My Cindy used to be a fantastic huntress and Ares (our big fat cat) would catch moles and regularly eat 3-4 a night (and still eat his food...no mystery why he was huge). The 3 cats didn't venture very far. Our yard was the territory and guarded rigerously by all 3. Our worst worry there was the raccoons. Those "little bears" had no fear and attacked our neighbors dog (austrailian shepard). Our black cats were smart enough to come in the house and yowl through the glass door at the raccoons. Ares...well is a special kind of cat. He would go try and play with them. He treed them a couple times. I don't think they ever expected a cat to jump on their backs and nip at them to goad a good game of chase. Each time made me a little freaked. I couldn't take the raccoons on but here was this big fat cat treeing them. If any of the raccoons had turned and swatted, Ares would have been toast.
When I moved to Phoenix, honestly, it was too hot most of the time. My cats preferred to be in. It was a relief to move to New Mexico where the temperatures have been much milder. So the cats were let out again. Weekly, however, we were hearing about cats being snacked by coyotes or smacked by javalinas. Our first neighborhood it wasn't so much of a problem but we have moved to the outskirt of town now. Every night you hear the packs of coyotes roaming and howling. I kinda like it, but now the cats are only allowed out when I am out with them...same as I do with my kids. Too many coyotes, rattlesnakes and javalinas to let me just let them roam. But they seem happy enough. The territory is reestablished and when we are going inside they run to the door when we open it for them. I think it was just a matter of adjusting