Pet Cats in Mexico City

[JOCUK]

We most probably moving to Mexico City and want to bring our 3 cats with us - leaving them behind is not an option!
I've had a search and done quite a bit of google searching but most posts seem to be about the process of actually getting pets to Mexico which I think I'm clear on: my question is more about their quality of life in the city - do many people keep cats as pets?
They are used to going out as they want, I would keep them in at night once in Mexico but is it safe for them to be out in the day (particularly if I'm around) we wouldn't let them go out whenever they wanted.
I know it's the norm in the US to keep cats indoors but ours are used to going out and would not be happy being indoors all the time.
Any thoughts appreciated.

[Longford]

Originally Posted by JOCUK

We most probably moving to Mexico City and want to bring our 3 cats with us - leaving them behind is not an option!
I've had a search and done quite a bit of google searching but most posts seem to be about the process of actually getting pets to Mexico which I think I'm clear on: my question is more about their quality of life in the city - do many people keep cats as pets?
They are used to going out as they want, I would keep them in at night once in Mexico but is it safe for them to be out in the day (particularly if I'm around) we wouldn't let them go out whenever they wanted.
I know it's the norm in the US to keep cats indoors but ours are used to going out and would not be happy being indoors all the time.
Any thoughts appreciated.

1. I wouldn't bring a pet of mine to Mexico with me.
2. If I had a pet, including a cat, I wouldn't let roam freely ... at any time.
3. You probably won't see many cats moving about on the street. Especially not near a street vendor selling tacos.

[JOCUK]

Originally Posted by Longford

1. I wouldn't bring a pet of mine to Mexico with me.
2. If I had a pet, including a cat, I wouldn't let roam freely ... at any time.
3. You probably won't see many cats moving about on the street. Especially not near a street vendor selling tacos.

O.k thanks - sounds like they'd only be out under strict supervision if at all. We would have to make sure we have private outside space as well....So I take it eating the street vendor tacos is not advisable either then

[TundraGreen]

Originally Posted by Longford

1. I wouldn't bring a pet of mine to Mexico with me.
2. If I had a pet, including a cat, I wouldn't let roam freely ... at any time.
3. You probably won't see many cats moving about on the street. Especially not near a street vendor selling tacos.

I don't have a pet but...

Lots of people bring pets to Mexico. You do need some paperwork.

I see lots of cats roaming around mostly at night. I don't know whether they have a home or are feral. Most are pretty wary of people. Not letting pet cats roam freely is good advice, anywhere actually.

[conklinwh]

Not sure if true but when we got our two kittens 3 years ago, we were told the following.
-Totally outside cats-less than one year
-Inside/outside cats-about two years
-Totally inside-normal lifespan
Now we live just outside a small town on about 2.5 acres. We do let them roam during the day but they rarely leave the property. We close them in for the night. So far, 3 years.
Think it helps that we have two medium+ dogs that we introduced when kittens and they get along fine. Expect that this deters the foxes, coyotes & bobcats that might come calling as well as the odd stray dog.
In Mexico City, I would expect that you would want a well contained area if you let them out.

[sparks]

I live in the country and my cat prefers outside at night because of the rats, mice, lizards, frogs, snakes and bats he can kill. Not exactly country because I have close neighbors but close enough. In the Lake Chapala area the same thing with a larger population but no idea how far he ranged.

In Mexico City .... they would be indoor cats unless you have a house with a yard or walk them on a leash

My cat is Mexican for 4 years now

[JOCUK]

Originally Posted by sparks

I live in the country and my cat prefers outside at night because of the rats, mice, lizards, frogs, snakes and bats he can kill. Not exactly country because I have close neighbors but close enough. In the Lake Chapala area the same thing with a larger population but no idea how far he ranged.

In Mexico City .... they would be indoor cats unless you have a house with a yard or walk them on a leash

My cat is Mexican for 4 years now

Thanks - we would definately need to have some outside space so I could give them a bit of outside time. In the UK it's very rare for any cats to be completely indoor - probably because there are no real outside predators.

[conklinwh]

You are probably in a more civilized area than we are. One reason we like them in at night is that they are successful at catching and playing with birds, ratons, lizards and baby rabbits. Unfortunately, they like to bring them alive, mostly, to show us.

[JOCUK]

Originally Posted by conklinwh

Not sure if true but when we got our two kittens 3 years ago, we were told the following.
-Totally outside cats-less than one year
-Inside/outside cats-about two years
-Totally inside-normal lifespan
Now we live just outside a small town on about 2.5 acres. We do let them roam during the day but they rarely leave the property. We close them in for the night. So far, 3 years.
Think it helps that we have two medium+ dogs that we introduced when kittens and they get along fine. Expect that this deters the foxes, coyotes & bobcats that might come calling as well as the odd stray dog.
In Mexico City, I would expect that you would want a well contained area if you let them out.

Those are scary stats! I suppose totally outside means basically wild though? Ours only go out to go to the toilet and come back in unless it's really nice in which case they lie in the garden. Definately not going to be letting them roam freely at night.
We are considering getting a dog once we're settled as I would be working at home (wouldn't be fair here with us both out full time) so as you say maybe that would help with keeping them safer

[maesonna]

There are many loose dogs, both homeless ones and dogs whose “owners” let them roam the streets. A cat outside would be at risk of falling prey to one of them no matter how carefully you watch it—the only way I can imagine it being safe is if you have a private enclosed garden. Even then, loose cats could climb the wall and drop in to visit your kitties.