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Are Outdoor Cats Okay?

by Petside Team

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Petside Advisory Board members sound off on letting cats outdoors in the spring.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, The Cat Coach: I do not recommend letting cats outside in any season unless they have access either to an enclosure, a catio or a back yard with a cat fence (non-shocking!). Cat fences are either free-standing structures or they are installed on existing fences. They keep cats safe inside their yards and other animals out.

Statistics show that cats who are indoors 24/7 live longer and healthier lives than those who are allowed to roam outside. Outdoor cats who go outside are exposed to many dangers that can shorten their lives and increase the vet bills. These dangers include: cats, dogs, other predators, cars, parasites, poisons and diseases. Outside cats also run the risk of being stolen.

Additionally, consider the neighbors. Not everyone loves and appreciates cats like we do. Some people don’t take favorably to cats in their gardens. Another down-side is that neighborhood cats often trigger behavior problems in cats who live indoors. Their presence can cause indoor cats to spray, develop litter box challenges or exhibit redirected aggressions towards other resident household animals.

Cats can enjoy the indoors as much and even more then the outdoors when provided with mental stimulation and environmental enrichment. A combination of interactive toys, high places to climb, scratching posts, daily play sessions and other enriching activities helps keep indoor living cats active, safe and happy.

Nancy Taylor, President and CEO, Bideawee: What side of the fence you reside on is going to be influenced by where you live, what your personal attitudes are toward your cat developing its natural instincts, and your tolerance for risk. Of course, your cat may think he/she has a say in this matter! 

On average, an indoor cat has a life expectancy of about 14 years. Outdoor cats? About 5 years! (Having said that, my cat is 18 years old, and he spent half his life living an indoor/outdoor life. Now he is a happy couch potato. )

When making a decision on whether or not to let Fluffy out, it is important that you become aware of the increasing risk factors for outdoor cats. 

Outdoor cats can use up their nine lives fairly quickly. Outdoor cats get hit by cars, can be victims of cruelty, and can be exposed to poison, toxins, and deadly infectious diseases like Feline Leukemia and Rabies. Outdoor kitties also get into altercations with other cats or animals and can sustain life-threatening injuries and infections. They can suffer from trauma, get caught in leg hold traps and become stuck in trees. Cats can wander and lose their way. I have several friends whose cats went out and just never came home. Who knows what had befallen them? 

If you and your cat decide that the outdoor life is calling, please ensure that you do your best to mitigate risk. Make sure that kitty is spayed/neutered. Vaccines for life-threatening transmissible diseases like Feline Leukemia, Panleukopenia and Rabies should be given in accordance with your veterinarian’s recommendations. 

Flea, tick intestinal parasite and heartworm protection need to be part of your monthly maintenance. Proper identification with a microchip and a collar is very important to ensure your kitty can get home if he gets lost or injured. 

While outdoor cats may live life in the fast lane, indoor kitties also need some environmental enrichment which allows them to express their natural instincts. This can help indoor cats from experiencing boredom and possibly exhibiting undesired behaviors. Interactive toys and challenging food puzzles are a good way to stimulate your cat’s senses and keep the weight off. My cat likes to watch TV and there are several good videos that keep your cat’s attention piqued.  In fact, there are now a few iPhone apps for cats! 

Part of being a good pet owner is making responsible, informed choices for your animals. Their health and safety are our responsibility.

Mike Arms, President Helen Woodward Animal Center: Of course not. You would absolutely be putting your pet in danger of being hit by a car, or hurt by another animal, or being lost forever.

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Petside Team

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Comments (7)

Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 05-16-2012 01:11am
I think most "outside cat" "owners" are people who want the joys of pet ownership without any of the responsibilities and costs, b/c it is so easy to just throw some food outside and forget about them. Most of the cats I trap and take to the shelter are these types. Their owners claim to love cats, but when I rescue them, they are flea ridden and sick. A lot of cat "owners" have some soul searching to do. They seem to be stuck in the 1950's era of pets when it was ok to let your pets roam and fend for themselves.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 08-26-2012 03:46pm
This is an unfair assumption. Some people do as you describe with their cats, but most don't. We let out cats out and they are very happy and healthy. We feed them indoors. We take them to the vet annually for their shots and other times as needed. We care for our cats a great deal and take very good care of them. Our vet even recommended us to the animal shelter when we adopted a new cat. So, please refrain from your unfair generalizations about people who let their cats outside. Cats are happy going outside - they natually desire to explore. And can lead happy and healthy lives doing so.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 04-30-2012 08:15am
We had two cats one loved the outdoors and went out when ever he could the other one stayed in. They both lived to 15years. I think it is pathetic the keep and animal bound up inside. They cannot go out and smell the grass and chase insects and do what cats should do. The article thinks only about the owner, vet fees etc. Think about the enjoyment of the cat out in the sun. Have we became that much of a scared society that we cannot let kids be kids and cats be cats. They need to experience life like we do. Just because people die in car accidents does not stop you driving a car for fly in a plane. So if some cats die because they go outside why should it stop others? Let you cat enjoy the fullness of life. The sun, the grass, chasing a mouse, being chased by a dog. They are all part of life.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 05-25-2012 09:16am
Finally some one with some sense. I am amazed by the myopic view of so called cat lovers that think cats only belong indoors. Yes, you might loose the pet you love to some unforeseen accident, but why do you think it is ok to imprison your pet in an artificial environment for only your enjoyment. Talk about self centered. There are so many rescue organization that will not let a pet lover have one of their animals if they won't keep it indoors, have a fenced yard, etc. I didn't realize the adventure was about how long you last....I thought it was about how much enjoyment one could get out of the short time we are all here. All you control freaks...please stay away from me.
jmuhj (Unverified)
Added 04-27-2012 03:15pm
While feral cats are generally thought to live best in managed colonies, for the rest of the feline population, in a word, "NO" -- as in "NO outdoors", in my humble opinion, and for the all the reasons stated above. Our cats must be protected from cars, fleas and ticks and other pests, dogs, and sociopaths. A good, enriched indoor life is the best responsible caregivers can offer in today's world.
Fun Paw Care
Added 04-27-2012 08:49am
Where do you get your facts from? Nathan Winograd and No Kill Nation site vastly different statistics about outdoor lifespan vs indoor lifespan. there are very slim differences, certainly not the wide margin that you depict. thanks http://www.funpawcare.com
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