Cat parents often struggle to decide between an indoor or an outdoor lifestyle for their beloved furry companion. With health and happiness being the focus points, both indoor and outdoor living options have something to offer to your feline friend. But which option should you choose for your cat? If you are also a pet enthusiast or cat parent struggling to make a choice, like many other pet parents, this article will be a good read for you.
Keep reading to learn about the positives and risks of both the indoor and outdoor lifestyles for cats, and ways to give the best of both to your cat.
Indoor lifestyle for cats
Key benefits
Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years, and many pet enthusiasts are of the opinion that it is more humane to provide them with an indoor lifestyle. Some of the benefits indoor cats enjoy include:
- Safety from threats: Indoor cats are protected from the outdoor threats like car accidents, harmful weather conditions, predators, accidental injuries, etc. Sometimes, humans can also harm cats through acts of cruelty or theft. Staying indoors protects cats from these human threats as well.
- Longer lifespan: Studies suggest that indoor cats often live twice as long (sometimes, even longer) as outdoor cats. The consistent care they receive and security from outside dangers improve the longevity of indoor cats.
- Fewer health issues: An indoor cat has comparatively fewer chances of catching parasite infestations (from fleas, ticks, worms, etc.) and viral infections from other infected animals roaming outside.
- Lower environmental impact: Cats tend to kill and prey on small birds and other wildlife due to their hunting instinct. You may prevent the negative impact on wildlife and the environment by keeping your kitty indoors and restricting them from hunting other animals.
- More quality time: Indoor cats get to spend more time with their humans. This helps strengthen your bond with your furry family member.
Risks involved
While indoor cats definitely get more care and continuous monitoring, there are also some risk factors involved with this lifestyle. Here are a few risks indoor cats face:
- Boredom & behavioral issues: Indoor cats get bored in the absence of adequate stimulation. They may become moody or feel stressed. You may also observe destructive behavior, like scratching furniture, over-grooming, etc., in your indoor cat.
- Less physical activity: Indoor cats get less physical exercise and thus are prone to health issues like obesity. This, in turn, can result in more serious problems, such as diabetes or joint problems in indoor cats.
- Indoor hazards: An indoor lifestyle is not completely safe for cats. Your indoor kitty may get harmed due to accidental ingestion of toxic plants, human medications or cleaning products. They may also end up swallowing small objects, which can choke them.
Outdoor lifestyle for cats
Key benefits
While an indoor lifestyle is comparatively safer, an outdoor lifestyle for cats also offers many benefits, including:
- More avenues for exercise: Outdoor cats can roam around freely, and get more avenues to get involved in physical activities, like walking, running, climbing, etc. This helps you keep your cat in good shape and avoid the risk of obesity and related diseases.
- Satisfies instinct: Cats can pounce and chase small animals while outside. This helps satisfy their natural hunting instinct.
- Access to natural environment: Cats are curious creatures. When outdoors, they can explore places, experience fresh air, sniff around, and enjoy light. Access to the natural environment can add to their happiness.
- Fewer behavioral issues: The physical activities they do and the mental stimulation they receive outdoors can improve cats’ mood. And a happy cat is less likely to get involved in destructive activities.
Risks involved
For pet lovers who advocate for cats’ free movements, it is not all happy and healthy, as outdoor cats have a considerably lower life expectancy compared to their indoor counterparts. Here are some risks involved with an outdoor lifestyle:
- Encounters with dangers: Outdoor cats are more exposed to threats like cars (injury or death), predators (coyotes, foxes, birds of prey, etc.), fights with other animals, and more. They may also end up ingesting harmful chemicals or poisonous plants.
- Environmental threats: In extreme temperatures (hot or cold), outdoor cats are exposed to risks, like frostbite, heatstroke, dehydration, etc.
- Exposure to infections & diseases: Outdoor cats are vulnerable to infestations from parasites, like fleas, ticks and worms. They may also contract infectious diseases, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), which are transmitted through close contact with infected cats.
Taking the middle road
While neither indoor nor outdoor lifestyle is a completely perfect option for your fur baby, here are the ways that can help you take the middle road and provide the best of both lifestyles to them:
- Go for safe outdoor enclosures: Build or get a catio (cat patio), which will help cats enjoy nature’s sounds and sights without being exposed to outside risks. You can also create a cat-proof enclosed area or provide your cat with a screened porch, so that they can enjoy the outside environment while being safe from the hazards.
- Provide leash training: Train your cat to walk on a leash. This will help you let them explore the outside environment under close supervision. You can also try taking them out in a screened backpack to let them enjoy the beauty of nature while staying safe.
- Opt for parasite preventives: Cats having even limited outside exposure can get multiple parasite infestations. Keeping them on vet-recommended parasite preventives helps you ensure their year-round parasite protection. There are various oral and topical parasite treatments & preventives available, e.g., Revolution Plus Topical Solution, Credelio Cat Chewables, etc. Take the help of your veterinarian to start with the one that suits your cat the best.
- Provide indoor enrichment: To avoid boredom in your cat, provide them with interactive play toys (wand toys, feather teasers, or laser pointers), puzzle feeders, cat trees, window perches, etc., which may help keep them occupied and entertained even while indoors.
Summing up
The dilemma of whether to opt for an indoor or outdoor lifestyle for cats does not have an absolute answer. Neither of the lifestyles can be ideal for your cat individually, and keep them completely safe and healthy. While both have their own benefits and risks, it is a good idea to go for a balanced lifestyle that gives them the safety of an indoor environment without missing out on the fun outside.