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From
first time kitten owners to seasoned cat companions, cat
owners are divided whether or not cats should be allowed
outdoors. Traditional beliefs that cats need freedom
to roam are fading in the light of statistics that indicate
the indoor cats have a longer life span and better health.
Deciding whether or not a cat should be an indoors or
outdoors animal is up to individual owners but the pros and
cons provide substantial evidence toward indoor cats.
Statistics
indicate that the life span of an indoor cat is much longer
than an outdoor cat. On average, an indoor cat lives
twelve years but some cats can live for as many as twenty
years. In comparison, an outdoor cat’s life
expectancy is less than five years.
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The
pros of keeping a cat indoors outnumber the cons of an indoor cat.
Most are directly related to the health and safety of the cat.
The
first valid reason to make a cat an indoor pet is traffic.
Busy highways, roads,
suburban streets and country lanes all present a life-threatening
danger for cats. One accident can be fatal or cause serious
injuries.
Indoor
cats are not exposed to the host of poisons that many outdoors cats
encounter. Pesticides, home garden products, car and motor
products, discarded trash, spoiled foods, poisonous
plants and intentional poisonings are among the
poisoning dangers for cats that roam.
Danger
of contracting an infectious disease rises for the outdoor cat.
Many feline diseases including Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline
Leukemia (FeLV) are
transmitted from an infected cat to another. Cats who roam at
will encounter other cats and can contract either of these fatal
diseases. Free roaming cats often encounter problems
with other cats in the area & abscesses as a result of a cat
fight are ailment veterinarians see on a regular basis. These
are painful to the cat & can cost up to several hundred dollars
to fix. A host of other infectious diseases
thrive in the outdoor environment and among cats that may not have
been vaccinated.
Parasites
are another health issue for outdoor cats. Fleas are prevalent
through the world and can be carriers for disease. Some
diseases can be transmitted to cat owners. In
Australia, Paralysis
Ticks can infect cats,
if not treated ticks can cause death in cats.
Ringworm (which is in fact a fungus, not a worm) is
another disease that can adversely affect a cat’s health as well
as pass to human members of the same household. While not
deadly, ringworm can be quite hard to eradicate in the cat &
prevention is better than cure.
Outdoor
cats face other dangers. Dogs and wild animals such
as possums & snakes often prey on cats that
wander into the wrong territory. Australia has the
deadliest snakes in the world, and can quite easily kill a cat. Cruel
and sadistic individuals sometimes kill defenseless cats for sport
or pleasure.
Outdoors
cats are more prone to becoming lost. Less than 5% of cats
taken to animal shelters are reclaimed by owners. All outdoor
cats should wear either
safety collars with identifying information.
However collars often become lost. Microchipping
is the only permanent way to identify a cat. Theft
of animals to be used as lab animals, for the illegal fur
trade or in satanic rites is another threat for
outdoor cats.
Neighbours
who object to a roaming cat who may defecate or urinate in a flower
bed or vegetable garden are another problem solved with indoor cats.
Neighborhood spats often arise from issues involving cats – if a
cat lives indoors, then the potential for neighbor trouble is
diminished.
Traditional
views that cats require the freedom to roam outdoors have few pros.
The belief that indoor cats tend to be lazy and overweight is not
true and can be combated with scheduled play times. Outdoor
cat enthusiasts claim cats love the outdoors, which is often true,
but the dangers outweigh the benefits. The same cat owners who
promote the outdoors often insist that cats deserve their freedom.
Such
views, however, are outdated and outranked by most animal
professionals. The majority of veterinarians believe cats
should be indoor pets. So do members of most Humane Societies
and animal protection societies. Dangers to an outdoor cat far
outweigh any benefits and responsible cat owners are urged to do
what is best for the cat.
Cat
owners uncertain about keeping a pet indoors can give their cat the
best of both worlds by offering outdoor experiences in controlled
situations. Contrary to what most cat owners may think, it is
possible to train a cat to a leash and harness. It is easier
to train a kitten or young cat but all cats can be leash trained.
This allows cats to be walked in the same manner as many dogs and
offers outdoor exercise beneficial for both cat and owner.
Australia
is one of the leading countries in the world for skin cancer. Cats
are also susceptible to skin cancer. If you allow your cats to free
roam, or have them in the safety of an enclosure it is important to
be aware of this & offer the cat protection from the sun. Many
people who build enclosures have a shaded area where the cats can
enjoy the outdoors without the constant exposure of the sun.
Perhaps
the best solution of all is a cat enclosure where cats can enjoy the
outdoors in a safe environment. Many companies manufacture cat
enclosures but cat owners can also create their own. A cat
enclosure is simply an enclosed area that offers protection and
keeps the cat from wandering away. An ideal cat enclosure will
contain enough space to move, climbing options, and a resting area.
A shady area is best so that the cat can enjoy fresh area even on
the warmest days. Every cat enclosure should be covered with
material that can’t be breached by the cat. Nylon mesh and
chicken wire are two of the most inexpensive, effective options.
Concerns about formerly outdoor cats adapting to indoor life are
valid but a cat enclosure often solves this potential problem.
Cat
owners should also consider that indoor cats are healthier, often
happier, and live much longer than outdoors cats allowed the freedom
to roam. However, if you absolutely must allow your cat to
roam outside it is important to ensure the cat is brought indoors
from dusk to dawn. This is when our native fauna is at it's most
vulnerable to cats. Many councils in Australia now have regulations
in place for roaming cats, so it's important to ensure that you
check with your local council for their rules pertaining to outdoor
cats.
If
you are considering keeping your cat indoors, but would like to
explore the possibility of building a cat enclosure, please read our
page on cat
enclosures here. You will find many ideas from home built cat
enclosures to commercially built ones. Photos, tips & lots more.
Please
also read our article on keeping
indoor cats happy.
