Should I Keep My Cat Indoors Or Outdoors?

As a rule indoor cats live much longer and healthier lives, an average of 12 to 20 years as opposed to the average 1 to 5 year lifespan of cats who live outside. For that reason, veterinarians currently recommend keeping your cat indoors.

Indoor cats do not face street hazards such as vehicles, other animals, diseases and (unfortunately) humans who dislike cats. If your pet is not spayed or neutered, which all cats should be unless they are specifically of breeding or show stock quality, indoor habitation will also reduce the cat overpopulation problem.

It may seem as though a cat would be less happy indoors than out, and people often wonder whether a cat that is glued to the window is longing to be on the other side of the glass. However, cats seem to simply enjoy looking at the activities that go on outdoors without necessarily needing to become a part of those activities.

The easiest way to have an indoor cat is to start with a kitten that can learn from an early age to live happily indoors. But whatever the age of your cat, if you do want to keep her content in her limited environment, you will want to make sure that her natural needs and instincts are satisfied. Be sure to provide a clean litter box at all times, as well as a scratching post and furniture on which she can climb and jump much in the same way that she would outdoors. You must also provide a good assortment of toys that your cat can hunt down and "kill" as an outlet for her natural predatory behavior. And, of course, she will need a little extra attention from you. Plan to spend at least 20 minutes twice a day in one-on-one sessions with your cat, petting her and playing games.

If you do want to take her outdoors occasionally, she can enjoy the activity safely by learning to walk on a leash. With patience and perseverance, this is not only possible, by highly advisable, as it will make your cat safer during necessary travel to the veterinarian or should you need to relocate your household. You can also provide an enclosed outdoor shelter so that your cat can enjoy being outdoors and still be protected.