Maybe if you have a big house, but I keep seeing people keep cats or dogs in small houses or even apartments and it feels so sad, it's a kind of animal abuse. If you can't give your pet a good life you should not get a pet.
What if it’s a small apartment, but the life is a significant albeit marginal improvement over life in a shelter? Would it make a difference if it were a shelter where animals are killed after a certain period without being adopted?
Please note that I’m on purpose phrasing this to be a bit contrarian. Not trying to rattle any cages (no pun intended), just found myself initially agreeing with you and then not being sure anymore.
I grew up with many cats, all outdoor. I have since known many cats that are kept indoor only. The indoor pets lead happier, less stressful lives. We tend to forget that it is a jungle out there, and even domestic animals have territorial fights and pecking orders. Indoor only cats live comparatively peaceful and stress free lives.
Zoo keepers sometimes experiment with giving their tigers or other big cats larger enclosures, but that can increase their stress because now they have a bigger territory to patrol.
Growing up my cat would get antsy and stressed if she hadn’t gone outside in a day. I can see how people can mistake this for needing space, but it wasn’t relaxing for her. She had to go out to remark her territory, and seek out any stray cats encroaching on her space. Noticeably very stressful for her! In the end when she couldn’t retainer her territory anymore, she went in fast decline.
If you're in the new world (the Americas) house cats are an invasive species that, when let to roam outside, harm the native small animal population. Cats shouldn't be left outside to roam free in this situation.
was thinking of getting a cat but maybe not anymore...