Indoor Vs Outdoor Cats – Weighing the Pros and Cons
Cats are notoriously discerning creatures and have been known to spend a lot of time weighing the pros and cons of living indoors vs. the great outdoors. Indoor cats, on average, live longer lives than outdoor ones. But is it best to keep them locked up all the time? Or can they lead happier, healthier lives by going outside?
The debate on whether or not to allow cats to roam freely is a controversial one. Many shelters require potential adopters to agree to keeping their cats as indoor-only cats, while many veterinarians discourage letting them go outside for safety and health reasons. However, it is ultimately up to the owner to decide how they want to raise their pet. The most important thing is to provide the cat with a safe, healthy environment, regardless of which lifestyle choice they choose.
According to this study, owners consider a variety of factors when making the decision on whether to let their cat outdoors: These include concerns about road traffic accidents, litter box odour, and the ability of their cat to get enough exercise and mental stimulation. In addition, owners often express concerns about the potential for their cat to become a prey item and/or a vector for disease transmission, wildlife depredation, and the risk of exposure to parasites or diseases.
Some owners also prefer to keep their cats as indoor-only pets because they are concerned about the impact on wild animal populations, particularly the risks of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infecting other animals and potentially humans as well. Other considerations include concern about the risk of indiscriminate feeding and grooming by their pet, concerns about the impact on native species, and concerns about the impact of cats on their own garden or lawn.
Other owners may be concerned that their cats are not as streetwise as those who go outside regularly and could easily become lost, startled by passing vehicles or jump into a car or another home; they might also not be able to cope with the behavioural challenges of an outdoor cat such as territorial aggression and urine spraying. It is, therefore, important for these cats to be vaccinated, have regular veterinary examinations and to be spayed or neutered to reduce their chances of unwanted pregnancies and infectious diseases.
If an owner still wants their cat to go outside, a catio can be a good option as it provides the freedom of being outdoors in a secure enclosure. However, it is essential to ensure that the catio is maintained and that the cat is properly vaccinated and has been spayed or neutered to minimise the risk of unwanted pregnancies as well as infectious diseases such as fleas, ticks, ringworm and mosquitoes. Alternatively, the cat can be free to wander in the garden, but must be fully supervised at all times. Regular monitoring for signs of stress and illness is also important to identify early.
