Pros, Cons, and Major Safety Considerations
Is your indoor cat begging to go outside?
It’s normal for you to feel a little terrible about keeping your cat indoors all the time if they show interest in going outside. Unaware of what is waiting for them outdoors, many cats will “becausek” to go outside. Although it can be challenging to completely recreate the outdoors, many cat owners are able to give their cats interesting indoor environments through the use of enrichment activities, lots of windows, cat-friendly plants, and some of the outside alternatives we discuss below.
However, you should always put your cat’s safety first because there are some serious concerns involved with letting your indoor cat go outside. Below are some helpful tips for letting your cat safely explore the outdoors along with an explanation of these.
Benefits of indoor cats compared to outdoor cats
Many cat rescue organizations and vets demand that potential adopters commit to keep their animals indoors. This makes a lot of sense, especially in terms of your cat’s safety and wellness.
According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, indoor cats typically live for 10 to 15 years as opposed to merely two to five years longer than outdoor cats. This is due to the fact that cats are susceptible to a variety of external threats, such as parasites, sickness, traffic, predators like coyotes, toxins, and other animals.
By keeping your cat inside, you can safeguard it from these potential risks. You also have the possibility to spot any health issues early on because you spend so much more time with your cat. You can lessen the likelihood that your cat may wander off or be discovered by animal control or other people by keeping them inside. You also contribute to the preservation of natural species because even well-fed cats have a penchant to pursue birds and other tiny prey and can seriously harm wildlife in your area. It is estimated that domestic cats kill about 2 billion birds annually in the US alone.
If you still need more evidence that keeping your cat indoors is preferable to letting it wander freely outside, consider how many risks there are compared to benefits:
Pros
- Additional space for running and exercising
- Increased exposure to sunshine and clean air exciting and fresh scents
Cons
- Outdoor wildlife may be more susceptible to contracting diseases, suffering injuries, or passing away as a Result of other creatures, vehicles, chemicals, parasites, and other factors.
How to Give Your Cat Permission to Explore the Outdoors Safely
Even if a cat spends all of their time indoors, they can still benefit from being outside if they have access to a sunny windowsill. If you place a cat tree in front of your cat’s favorite window or suspend a hammock bed there, your cat will have a more comfortable place to relax and watch the birds and squirrels. And if you have a screen in place, open it in good weather so they may also take advantage of the breeze.
Make sure to let your cat out as safely as you can, even if you insist on doing so. This includes:
- Accustoming your cat to using a leash and harness when you go for a walk outside.
- Building or purchasing a mesh cat cage, sometimes known as a “catio” (you can get a ton of roomy and secure outdoor cat enclosures online).
- It’s important to keep your cat’s heartworm and flea/tick medications up to date and to let your veterinarian know if it spends time outside so they can perform any necessary yearly screenings.
- When your cat is outside, you should always keep an eye on them and never let them wander off by themselves.
Undoubtedly, there is a good balance between keeping your cat indoors all day and exposing them to the dangers of life outside. You might even be able to teach your cat to use a leash for walks and other activities, depending on their temperament. Alternately, you might just have a friend who is content to join you periodically as you relax in the backyard and take in the sunshine.
In any scenario, safety should come first. Also, pay heed to your cat’s signals. Many cats are quite happy to spend their entire lives indoors, while others could be fine to gradually get used to going outside while wearing a collar and leash or exploring a tiny patch of grass while you’re around. Keep your cat inside if in doubt and use common sense to err on the side of safety.
READ NEXT: Reasons Why Cats Hate Water
