Cats: Indoors or Outdoors Lifestyle Best?

This is a big decision, and should be considered carefully. A cat that asks to go out is not a cat that needs to go out! Millions of cats spend their lifespan in an apartment or busy urban area without ever going past the doorstop, and are safe, healthy and comfortable.

It is wise to make a choice and stick with it. If you are inconsistent and let the cat out sometimes, and not at others, this is confusing to the cat and will tend to encourage her to hang around the doors just in case you will let her out. A cat that does not go outside does not seem to know what she is missing, so don’t feel that keeping her in is an inappropriate caregiver decision.

Cats do not need to hunt to have a normal quality of life. Some outdoor cats do not hunt. We also need to think of the impact of millions of outdoor cats on the populations of wild birds and mammals. In many cases birds species are endangered, especially the songbirds, so if your cat goes out, put a bell and safety collar on her to give the birds an even chance. Mind you, Tabby the perfect predator, can eventually learn to crawl stealthily along so as not to activate the bell!

Cats do not need to have offspring to enjoy a full life. Some old wives tales might have you believe that it is somehow important for the female cat to have a litter. This is not true.

Cats that spend time outdoors live a much shorter lifespan than indoor cats. Typical indoor cats now live to 15-18 years of age, and some much longer—up to the late 20’s, while outdoor cats unfortunately live on average about 5-8 years at best.

What are the risks outside?

• Outdoor cats are at high risk for cat fighting injuries, and in some areas risk attack by roaming dogs or coyotes. Sometimes the wound infections can be very serious. Serious wounds can cause permanent scarring or disfigurement, or worse. Cat fights are also an excellent way to transmit the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and close social contact with strays serves to encourage transfer of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). Even with vaccines, protection is not 100% for all vaccinated cats. These slow viruses are not treatable, and frequently infection will lead to chronic diseases and eventual death.

• Spaying females and castrating males is essential if they are to be outdoors. Otherwise, unwanted litters of kittens will be born, leading to further overpopulation. Intact toms are more likely to fight, and intact queens may become exhausted due to uncontrolled reproduction resulting in up to 3 litters a year!

• Parasites of all types live outdoors in soil, water, and in feces repositories in gardens that community cats have chosen as toilets. Fleas, ticks, mites, roundworms, hookworms, giardia, toxoplasma, tapeworms, and many others lurk outdoors and can cause diarrhea, debilitation or more serious effects. Many of these are also zoonotic (people and pets share them), so bringing home parasites also means risk for your friends and family members!

• Cats may also be hit by cars; this is (unfortunately) an all-too frequent sight at veterinary clinics. Obviously, this may lead to major injuries such as bone fractures, head, chest and organ injury, or even death.

• Cats may also take falls from high places in spite of their famous balance and reflexes. They may fall from trees, apartment balconies (high-rise syndrome) or other perches. Cats are also famous for getting stuck up high in trees, as your local firefighter will tell you!

• Poisons of many types are also a risk for roaming cats. Unfortunately, if you are not there to witness the nature of the poison exposure, diagnosis at the hospital can be very challenging, leading to delays in treatment or perhaps best-guess therapy based on symptoms if testing is inconclusive.

• Though it is hard to believe, we still have people in this century who dislike cats enough to hurt them. Roaming cats may fall victim to miscreants (bad people). Unfortunately, they do not understand humane treatment of cats, and may subject the cat to harm.

• Outdoor cats may fall victim to freak weather or just plain old bad weather—cold snaps, ice storms, tornadoes, and other natural risks can lead to harm.

• Cats that are only let out periodically may not develop the “street smarts” needed to keep safe and are at higher risk for injury than the feral cat.

Recent research suggests that as long as you provide lots of affection, attention, play time and exercise, climbing tree entertainment areas and toys, that the indoor cat will be a contented cat. A cat that does not receive attention may be a lonely cat, and if you have a busy schedule you might consider having a second cat to keep the other company at home. Cats are much more social creatures than we previously gave them credit for! But if we take just a little time out of our busy life every day to interact with them, the indoor lifestyle is the choice that leads to a longer, more worry-free lifespan. Obviously, if you have a working farm and have a cat specifically for rodent control, the outdoor life is the only one that is workable. Farm cats are “fat cats” due to the plentiful supply of food on the move and shelter provided by barns and sheds, so for outdoor living, they have it made in the shade!

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at Cathealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.

See these links for related topics:

Entertaining Cats Walk the Cat