The question for pet parents over whether to allow their cats outdoors or to keep them indoors is one which elicits a barrage of responses from proponents on both sides of the debate.
The HSUS and most members of the animal welfare community are unequivocally in favor of keeping cats indoors, in addition two out of three veterinarians recommend keeping cats indoors* . Despite this, the idea of keeping a cat indoors is one that remains difficult to sell to many pet parents.
*Veterinarian study conducted by Jacobs Jenner & Kent in June 2001 for The HSUS.
There is strong evidence to support the view that indoor cats will live longer, safer lives. Indoor cats are estimated to live 12-14 years on average compared to a lifespan of less than 5 years for outdoor cats as outdoor cats are exposed to many dangers including:-
• Death or injury from vehicles;
• Accidental or intentional poisoning (including many lawn care and garden maintenance products);
• Death or injury while hunting wildlife (not to mention the death or injury that the cat itself causes);
• Disease transmission from other cats and wildlife;
• Exposure to and infection with parasites;
• Death or injury from dogs or other cats;
• Wandering away from home (the chances of a cat getting back to its original pet parents are not good, particularly as many cat parents do not microchip their cats, thus leaving the cats unidentifiable)
Despite these real and quantifiable risks, many pet parents remain swayed by their preconceived conceptions of the emotional needs of cats.
The following is a list of some of the arguments forwarded by proponents of allowing cats to go outside, together with some suggested responses:-
It would be cruel to keep a cat inside
The outdoor experiences that cats have been through priorto finding sanctuary in the care of the animal welfare community are, in general, unknown. However by the time a cat is ready for adoption it has become used to the security of an indoor environment and It would be cruel to put it back outside to revisit its past fears and experiences.
Cats are free willed animals and should not be kept indoors
The independent nature of cats is one of the characteristics that cat parents often find very attractive, however pet cats are domesticated creatures and rely upon their human caretakers to provide them with food, security and health care. Cats can (and will) demonstrate their free-willed nature inside quite happily, it is not necessary to expose them to the danger of the outside world to do so.
Cats will not scratch the furniture if they are allowed outdoors
This is not true. Scratching their claws is a fundamental requirement for a healthy cat, all cat owners should invest in an indoors cat tree/post to allow them to do so.
Outdoor cats do not need a litterbox
Again untrue, all cats should be provided with a litterbox inside the house to ensure that they maintain proper elimination habits – even outdoor cats will need to have annual trips to the veterinarian and may need to go to a cattery while their family is away.
Cats are lazy and will get fat if they stay indoors
As long as an indoor cat is given the correct amount of food, toys and other stimuli it will not get fat. In the wild cats are nocturnal hunters so will naturally sleep more during the daytime, their domesticated cousins have retained this trait.
Cats like to go outside
Cats like to be indoors sleeping safely in a warm and comfortable spot away from the noise and dangers of the outside! That having been said – an indoor cat’s enjoyment of the outside world does not have to be eliminated – just managed. Indoor cats generally love to sit and watch the outside world – window hammocks, cat trees with a view out of the window and screened in areas and windows all offer indoor cats a safe way to enjoy the outside world. Those who feel that their cat must actually go outside can investigate the various outdoor options such as leash walking and carrying baskets.
The Pethealth Post 