Both cats and dogs are domesticated animals, yet while it’s rare to see dogs left unattended to “take themselves for a walk,” it’s still common for cats to have unrestricted outdoor access, as many cat guardians view this as the “default” option. Although this trend has begun to shift in recent years, many cat owners still worry that keeping their cats indoors is “cruel” and will inevitably lead to boredom and frustration. Let’s address this concern today!
Do Cats REALLY Need to Go Outside?
First, we should ask ourselves whether our cats truly need outdoor space. The answer is “no.” Cats thrive on exploring their surroundings, engaging in mental and physical stimulation, and satisfying their instincts to hunt. However, they do not need to be outdoors to fulfil these needs.
Indoor cats can meet all these behavioural needs, but it requires greater involvement from their guardians. For indoor cats, stimulation, entertainment, and hunting opportunities no longer occur naturally. Instead, we must make a conscious effort to keep our cats engaged and active.
Therefore, it is not the indoor environment that makes cats unhappy; it is the lack of appropriate stimulation and care. Similarly, an indoor lifestyle does not cause obesity in cats—poor diet and lack of physical activity do!
Why Cats Should be Kept Indoors?
If you have read our other posts, you might already know that my cats are kept indoors. While we experiment with various forms of supervised outdoor access, Kala and Oscar never go out on their own—and they never will. Let me explain why.
Firstly, giving your cat unsupervised outdoor access is simply dangerous. While felines are incredibly agile and intelligent, they are not equipped to handle every situation they may encounter outside.
Secondly, I keep my cats indoors because I care about all animals, not just my pets. Given the chance, cats will hunt—they are hardwired to do so, and we cannot change that. Unfortunately, this predatory instinct can have a devastating impact on local wildlife.
The Dangers of Unsupervised Outdoor Access
Unfortunately, the outside world is not particularly safe and friendly to our cats. Every time your cat goes to roam freely outdoors, there is a risk they might get hurt or never return at all.
Traffic Accidents
One of the most significant dangers your cat faces outdoors is traffic. Cats don’t understand traffic rules, and too many reckless drivers put your pet at serious risk.
Getting Lost
Cats roaming freely can quickly become disoriented and lost, especially in unfamiliar areas. This puts them at risk of starvation, dehydration, and falling prey to other dangers without the safety of home.
Poisoning
Outdoors, cats are exposed to a variety of toxic substances, including antifreeze, pesticides, and poisoned bait. Even a small amount can be fatal, making the outdoors a hazardous environment for your pet.
Fights with Other Cats
Cats are highly territorial animals, which often leads to fierce fights with other cats. These encounters can result in serious injuries, infections, and expensive vet bills—all of which could be easily avoided.
Attacks by Larger Animals
As relatively small animals, cats are vulnerable to attacks from larger animals, including off-leash dogs and wild predators, which can result in severe injury or death.
Stress and Territorial Anxiety
The constant need to defend their territory and avoid threats can lead to chronic stress and anxiety in outdoor cats, affecting their overall well-being.
Diseases and Parasites
Outdoor cats are at a higher risk of contracting diseases and parasites like fleas, ticks, FIV, and FeLV. These health issues can be debilitating and costly to treat, and some can even be transmitted to humans.
Human Cruelty
Not everyone is a cat lover, and sadly, acts of human cruelty are not unheard of. To make matters worse, domesticated cats tend to be more trusting, making them easier targets than strays or feral cats.
Indoors Cats are Safer, But Can They Be Happy?
As you can see, keeping cats indoors is safer for them, but what about their happiness? As we have already mentioned, cats do not need outdoor access—they need stimulation and enrichment. As long as you can provide these, your cat can live indoors safely and happily.
At Whiskers in Motion, we offer plenty of informational resources to help keep your indoor cat active, engaged, and satisfied. If you need inspiration for enriching your indoor cat’s life, explore some of the resources below:
- A guide to creating a cat-friendly home
- Tips for making your indoor cat happy
- Ideas for playing with your cat when you do not have any toys
- Ethical solutions to satisfy your cat’s hunting instinct
Additionally, keeping your cat indoors doesn’t mean they cannot enjoy some supervised outdoor time. Leash walking can be a great way to let your cat explore safely. If you’d like to learn more, check out our guide on leash-walking your cat. Should your cat take to these outings, you might also be interested in our post on taking your cat to local parks, which will help you find safe and enjoyable spots for your adventures.
Finally, we also have a comprehensive guide on transitioning outdoor cats to an indoor-only lifestyle. It is based on our firsthand experience with Oscar, who used to be an outdoor cat before adoption! If your cat still goes outside on their own, but you would like to change that, be sure to check it out!