Any worries living with a cat in lockdown as pet cats can come and go as they please.

Thanks suziewoozie, that clarifies things beautifully.

I know people are very worried at the moment by things that they would normally take in their stride, but I do think that we need to try not to overreact.

All sounds a bit 16th century to me.

notanan; I don't understand what you're expecting cat owners to do. I take it you don't have a cat yourself or understand how much pets can mean to people, especially now when people are in self isolation and lonely.

I know I’m in the tiny minority, But if you wouldn’t like a dog roam around, I really don’t think a house cat is any different. Keep your pets inside.

Labaik if you let your cat roam right now, it won't be welcome where it goes. Some people will lash out. Others will be affected by feeling unable to use their gardens. You put your cat at risk if you let it out now. You also limit what small amount of space people have that they can feel safe in.

Cats are classed as wild animals. They have freedom to roam as they wish.

I don't like or keep cats but my neighbour happily told me, from 6 feet away, she lets her cat out early morning so no one sees. Her reason was it won't use a litter tray and has to go but she didn't know where she does. I do she "goes" in my garden and I said so. All I got back was a shrug. I really dont want cat poo in my garden, especially now.

I don't have a cat. But I'm not going to freak out if I see a cat from a distance; will just take the usual precautions of hand washing, changing shoes when I come in etc. How are self isolating people supposed to now get hold of litter trays/litter etc. And, if they can't do you advocate euthanasia of all non house cats?

Cats are classed as wild animals. They have freedom to roam as they wish.

If you KNOW people fear cats right now. And you KNOW people are already in heightened states of fear and anxiety. And you KNOW that people are desperately isolating/protecting their properties right now...

.... and you let your cat roam

You KNOW there is an increased risk that it'll get something chucked at it! Still want to let it out?

wwm2 I understand that, I just disagree. Like I said, I know I hold a small minority opinion

I wonder just HOW the virus could be spread either from or to cats/dogs. I take it the OP was concerned she might catch something from a roaming cat(?)
I can see why dogs could be potentially dangerous because some owners allow their dogs to lick their faces, calling it 'kissing' (ugh) but cat's tongues are rough and they're not prone to licking faces as a general rule.
So where's the problem?
I wonder if birds can catch/spread it? No ones done any research on that (yet).
It's nigh on impossible to keep a cat indoors if its spent a whole lifetime free to roam - I think mine would devour the bricks and mortar to get out, well certainly they would wreck the place.

(ps - I love the Mrs Schlocome jokes, I imagine someone saying - 'may I stroke your pussy', and pussy replying 'I'm Freeee'

I HAVEN'T GOT A BLOODY CAT....but imo you're really upsetting the OP by what you're saying and inciting hatred in people that will possibly love to find an excuse to do unmentionable things to peoples pets. So, you're saying that every cat owner has to shut their cat indoors and obtain litter and litter trays.

All we need now is to find that mosquitoes can pass it from person to person in which case we might as well give up now...

ExD its is because cats (and not dogs) are known to catch/carry CV.

If you wouldnt like your neighbours letting themselves into your garden during lockdown, dont let your cat into theirs. You must realise that it wont be likely to get a tolerant reception right now.

Cats don’t belong to anyone they may reside in one house or another, and occasionally move house if it suits them.

I don’t have a cat residing with me btw

So, you're saying that every cat owner has to shut their cat indoors and obtain litter and litter trays.

I'm saying that no cat owner who lets their cat out right now in a built up area can expect their cat to be tolerated/welcome around the neighbourhood.

Let people have what little sanctity they have in their own gardens without CV carrying type mammals from other households traipsing through.

You know I'm disinfecting everything; quarantining deliveries, mail; not even going for a daily walk at the moment until this has peaked. But I am not going to sit in my garden hurling bricks at any stray cat that passes through...

People will react differently (and potentially out of character at this time)

If you do something that causes people extra fear in their own homes/properties, some will react. Some will react by panicing/retreating. Others will lash out.

Get a terrier

I'm sure I read somewhere that dogs were found to be infected to lesser extent but as I can't remember where, for the moment I'll stand corrected.

Actually, to be fair, I am trying to keep my free roaming cats indoors as much as possible, for their own welfare because of people getting paranoid and shooting or trapping them.

When do you forecast the shortage of cat litter will begin? It could eclipse the big loo roll panic!

A lot of people dont want your cats in their gardens at the best of times. This WILL ramp up 10 fold now.

Your cats are less welcome than ever. There will be a range of reactions to this from neighbour disputes to people feeling forced out of their gardens to no reaction at all to in some cases knee jerk reactions to make it leave/go away by throwing / waving things etc

Peoples homes and gardens are their whole world right now. Dont expect logic to prevail if they feel that space is now threatened.

Aren’t people cruel. Animals can’t possibly know about our rules and are entitled to reside in this world as well as our species. Our behaviour caused this but animals suffer.

Aren’t people cruel.

No people are scared and on the brink of "fight or flight" and it isnt going to take much to tip some people over.

If you have nothing left but the inside of your property. Anything that threatens that last feeling of safety can bring out all kinds of previously unseen reactions.

And that is exactly what roaming cats will do to people right now.

Strewth! My instinct is to say “get a grip” but I guess some people behave more irrationally than others.

We are all different.