Cats (neutered ones) don't roam far from home when let outside, study finds

[Tigger]

https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2022/05/05/norway-cats-dont-roam-far-when-let-out-study/7491651762137/

Ever wonder where your cat wanders when you let it out? New research suggests
your kitty most likely sticks close to home.

Scientists used GPS to track the movements of nearly 100 pet cats in a
small town
in Eastern Norway when they were outside. All of the cats lived in homes
within
about two-thirds of a mile.

The cats spent an average of 79% of their outdoor time within 164 feet of
their
home, and the average maximum distance that the cats went from home was
1,154 feet -- less than one-quarter of a mile -- according to the Norwegian
University of Life Sciences study.

"Some individuals traveled relatively far, sometimes several kilometers, but
those were the exceptions," said study author Richard Bischof, a professor at
the university.
...
Cats probably spend a lot of time near their home resting, suggested study
author Bjarne Braastad, a professor of ethology, which is the study of animal
behavior.

"It is also worth noting that almost all the cats were neutered," Braastad
said.
"It will of course play an important role. Neutered cats are less likely
to roam."
...

[Ed Debevic]

I guess you didn't hear what happened to Jill's cat.


https://groups.google.com/g/rec.pets.cats.anecdotes/c/9loFPD-0v1w

jmcquown
Jun 28, 2020, 10:08:11 AM

I am heartbroken. I've always kept Buffy indoors, but with the way she
looks out the window, I thought I'd treat her to being in my back yard.
At first, everything was fine. Buffy hesitantly walked to about the
middle of the yard and sat down. She looked back at me and I smiled
lovingly. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge bird came swooping into my
yard and grabbed Buffy. I could hear Buffy howling in agony as they flew
away. I learned later from a neighbor that it was a white-tailed hawk.
The thought of Buffy being ripped to pieces has been too much for me to
handle. I am in a state of shock and will be grieving.