keeping cats indoors can be a controversial topic. Some cat lovers believe that it’s not natural to keep cats indoors, and that they should have the freedom to go outdoors. However, the fact is that indoor cats live longer and healthier lives, and contrary to what outdoor cat proponents believe, indoor cats can be perfectly happy as long as cat guardians provide a stimulating environment for them.
The following seven reasons are strong arguments for keeping cats indoors:
1. indoor cats are safe from many diseases
Cats who roam free are at greater risk for contracting infectious diseases such as feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline distemper, and a variety of zoonotic diseases and parasites.
2. indoor cats are safe from predators
Even though cats are prey animals, they are fairly low on the food chain and can easily become prey to coyotes, raptors, and wild dogs. even with a full set of claws, outdoor cats are at a disadvantage when they encounter predators, and declawed cats are at even greater risk.
3. indoor cats do not get hit by cars
Cars kill more cats per year than the number of cats that are killed in U.S. animal shelters. Cats in crowded cities are at the greatest risk, but even cats in more rural areas are not safe, and are typically not as “car savvy’ as cats who live in urban areas.
4. indoor cats don’t get lost or stolen
Even though accidents happen, indoor cats have a much better chance of never getting lost or stolen. In the same vein, they are also safer from human abuse. Sadly, outdoor cats are often a target for cat haters.
5. indoor cats make better neighbors
Outdoor cats tend to roam, and if your neighbors aren’t cat-friendly, this can cause problems, which, in some cases, can result in the cat being picked up by animal control, or worse.
6. It’s easier to monitor an indoor cat’s urinary and gastro-intestinal health
Outdoor cats won’t always use the litter box inside the home, thus making it impossible for guardians to be able to monitor urine output and consistency of stools. This can lead to life-threatening complications resulting from urinary blockages.
7. indoor cats can get exercise and stimulation
Keeping cats indoors doesn’t mean that cats can’t exercise their hunting instinct. It’s up to cat guardians to provide a stimulating environment with plenty of cat trees, window perches and scratchers. daily playtime not only keeps kitty exercises and active, but is also a wonderful way for cat and human to bond.
Don’t take risks with your cat’s life. provide a safe and stimulating indoor environment to keep her happy and healthy well into her senior years.
This article was previously published on Answers.com, and is republished with permission.
Ingrid King
Table of Contents
1. indoor cats are safe from many diseases
2. indoor cats are safe from predators
3. indoor cats do not get hit by cars
4. indoor cats don’t get lost or stolen
5. indoor cats make better neighbors
6. It’s easier to monitor an indoor cat’s urinary and gastro-intestinal health
7. indoor cats can get exercise and stimulation
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19 comments on 7 reasons to keep Cats Indoors
Joyce says:
September 21, 2017 at 4:34 pm
I’m so heart sick today. Broken. Angry. Sad.
I’d been mourning a week for a cat I just felt met a tragic end, but even though I felt it in my heart. I had no proof. until this morning.
One evening, a little over a year ago I ran across a cat I thought was a stray. He was an older boy but not in the least bit afraid, laying on gravel as if it was the most comfortable mattress ever. He seemed confident and loving. playful and purring. He stood up and walked beside me a few houses down, to my home.
I was walking back from a block party so there were many people for me to inquire about this little (actually big, stocky) guy. A few seemed to know that he belonged to the people directly across the street from where he was lounging. There was no car in their driveway as there usually was, and I hadn’t seen them at the block party so I figured he got out of the house and they weren’t home.
When I got inside my home I began feeding my 4 cats and the “stray” could see this through the low window near my front door. I didn’t know how long his parents were away so I took a plate of food out for him. He eagerly ate it all up and proceeded to whoosh in & out and around my legs. He lay down, but got up everytime I made a move to go back inside.
By midnight he was still there and so I grabbed some treats and took him home. no one answered the door so I opened the back gate and left thenullnull