Indoor VS Outdoor Cats

Touching on the everlasting debate on what environment is best for your cat

In 2024 it was recorded that one in four households owned a cat however there are varying opinions on choosing to keep their cat indoors or outdoors. This is a long lasting debate, so lets weigh up the pro's and con's of indoor vs outdoor cats.

Indoor cats

There are many factors to consider to keeping your cat indoors like living conditions, personal circumstances and natural cat behaviour. Indoor cats have an average life span of 15 years (much more than outdoor cats) this is most likely mainly due to less exposure of dangerous situations. However, you could experience some behavioural issues.

Pro's

• Reduced Risk: If you live in busy city then you might consider to keep them indoors as there is a much lower risk of getting run over, getting into fights which can spread disease, or getting stolen.

• No Unwanted Presents: Even with the domestication of cats; once a hunter, always a hunter. So, with indoor cats not being able to hunt, they aren't going to bring home mice or rats to your doorstep.

Con's

• Boredom and Increased Stress: With their natural prey drive, they can become very easily bored and agitated if they don't receive enough entertainment at home. This can lead to pent up energy that can be released through aggression, therefor they will need plenty of games to satisfy their needs to hunt, catch, kill, and eat. To look at some new games to play, read our recent blog: Our Favourite Pick of Cat Games You Need to Try. With no cat flap to escape out of when situations become stressful, they must have a specific place that is their safe haven that will make them feel protected.

• No Socialisation: If you have no other pets for them to practice socialisation with, this can lead to them becoming more sensitive to change. If they get used to the constant stability of being an only child, indoor cat, they may not deal well with introducing another pet, small children, moving house etc.

• Exercise: Indoor cats tend to be more overweight then outdoor cats as they aren't getting as much exercise. So, don't overfeed and make sure to play with them regularly.

Outdoor cats

With letting your cat be outdoors, you are satisfying all their natural behaviours like hunting and foraging so they will be behaviourally healthier. However, outdoor cats have an average lifespan of 2-5 years.

Pro's

• Behavioural Health: An outside cat is usually a happy one. This is because they get to socialise, hunt, discover new things and go back to their primal instincts. This means they will have their needs satisfied.

• Physical Health: They will be getting in all the exercise they need to keep them fit and healthy so you don't have to put aside as much time for play than you would an indoor cat, so outdoor cats are great for owners that have a busy schedule and can't spend as much time playing.

Con's

• Exposure To Dangers: In the outside world cats will most likely encounter a range of potentially fatal situations like, cars, diseases and injuries from fighting, toxic chemicals used on fields/gardens, parasites like worms, ticks and fleas and even nasty people that could be looking to steal them.

• Extra Measures Needed: There are lost of things owners can do to minimise the risks however it may take a few extra steps, taking up time and even money. For example, planting cat friendly plants in your garden if you have one (this could minimise the risk of them trying to eat poisonous/toxic ones) and installing a cat flap so they can roam freely. It would highly benefit both you and you cat if they are microchipped, up-to-date with vaccinations and neutered. However, this should go for all cats. On top of that, you could use a safety collar which comes undone should they get trapped somewhere i.e climbing a tree/fence, and a reflective collar is even better for the night time hunters.

In conclusion there is no right or wrong. It is all dependant on what the owner desires. For each choice, there are tips to keep them happy and healthy both mentally and physically. It's down to you to meet the needs of your cat whether they are indoor or outdoor cats.