Cats: Indoors or Outdoors or Both?

Ever wonder what goes on behind closed doors? Healthy, safe cats live out their entire lives, for one thing. If you want your cat to live to a ripe old age, the best thing you can do for it is keep it inside. By allowing your cat to wander, without your supervision, makes it susceptible to any of the following life-shortening, often painful tragedies:

• Being hit by a car
• Ingesting a deadly poison like antifreeze or a pesticide
• Being trapped by an unhappy neighbor
• Being attacked by a roaming dog, cat, coyote, fox, or a bird of prey
• Encountering an adult or child with cruel intentions

Some people believe there are good reasons to allow their cat to be outdoors without their supervision, so we've included a number of these objections along with our comments and suggestions.

"But I have a six-foot fence."

Unless you have installed special cat fencing or hot wire, about ninety-nine percent (99%) of all cats will be able to scale your fence and escape.  If you do have special fencing, make sure that it can keep other cats or animals from getting into your yard to injure your cat.

“But my last cat went outdoors and he loved it."

Your cat may enjoy being outdoors, but by allowing him to go outside unsupervised; you're putting him at risk for a shortened life span. The expected lifespan of an indoor-outdoor cat will depend on several factors, including the type of neighborhood you live in and sheer luck. But, on average, cats who are allowed to roam outdoors often don't live to see age five. Cats that are always kept safely confined can live to be 18 to 20 years old.

"But my cat's litter box smells."

Scoop your cat's litter box daily!  Use a finely granular, scoop able litter and provide 3 – 4 inches of litter.  Wash the litter box with dishwashing soap and water on a monthly basis; the use of strong-smelling chemicals and cleansers may cause your cat to avoid the box.

 

"But my cat likes to sun herself."

Your cat can safely sun herself indoors by lying near a window. If you're really intent on letting your cat outdoors, put her on a harness and leash and stay with her while she's taking in the rays.  Or buy the new cat strollers and take her on a nice stroll!

"But I can't keep him in."

Keep your windows closed or install screens. Remember to always keep your doors closed and teach your children the importance of keeping the doors closed, too. If there are enough interesting things for your cat to play with indoors, he'll enjoy being indoors. Be sure to provide him with a scratching post and safe toys to bat or carry around.

If you decide to let your cat live outside all or part of its life, follow these rules:

• Have your kitten “fixed” or neutered as early as 8 – 16 weeks to ensure that your cat is not exposed to diseases and/or pregnancies with breeding.  Also, unaltered kittens, especially boys, are prone to wander as hormones began to surge. 
• Place a properly fitted collar and identification tag on your cat.   Have your cat microchipped as a secondary form of identification.
• Spend time with your cat daily to check for general health.
• Consult your veterinarian about proper vaccinations for your cat’s increased health risks.
• Provide a cat house for your outdoor cat.