Cat owners are divided – should they let their pets brave the great outdoors, or keep them safe from harm by confining them inside? While the decision is up to each pet owner, there’s significant evidence to show that your feline is much safer when kept indoors.

 cat inside with man

A lot of cat owners feel guilty about keeping their feline inside; they worry about depriving them of a chance to assert their natural instincts, and to simply enjoy the sunshine. Of course, statistics show that indoor cats have a longer lifespan and tend to be healthier than outdoor cats. While the decision lies with each individual pet owner, for these reasons, there is a growing consensus among veterinarians that it’s safer to keep cats indoors. Here are some reasons why:

  • Environmental preservation: cats’ hunting instinct drives them to kill a host of birds, lizards and small animals, many of which are native to Australia.
  • Traffic: cats are particularly vulnerable to cars as it’s difficult to train them to be streetwise.
  • Diseases: many cats carry potentially fatal diseases that can be passed on to your cat if they come into contact with one another. These include feline leukaemia and feline AIDS.
  • Parasites: in Australia, paralysis ticks, if untreated can kill cats. Other common parasites that can be picked up from venturing outdoors include fleas, ticks, ear mites, intestinal worms and ringworm (which is actually a fungus).
  • Stray or feral cats: cats can be fiercely territorial and frequently get into fights. This often results in serious injury, as cat bites are prone to infection and abscessing.
  • Other animals: neighbourhood dogs and wild animals such as snakes and possums commonly attack cats. These attacks are serious and often fatal.
  • Skin cancer: cats of lighter colours are particularly prone to developing skin cancer from spending too much time in the sun. Tumours often appear in a cat’s ears, nose, mouth and eyelids.
  • Chemicals and poisons: cats face danger from coming into contact with toxins like pesticides. They also risk exposure to rodent poisons when they hunt and eat rodents that have recently ingested bait.

 

Indoor cat health

To guarantee your cat is happy and healthy while ensuring they don’t miss the benefits of the great outdoors, here are a few things you can try:

  • Build or purchase your cat an outdoor enclosure. This provides a safe, contained space that prevents your cat from wandering away. Chicken wire or nylon mesh are great materials to use if you’re considering making an enclosure yourself, as cats can’t breach them to escape. Ensure there is sufficient room with the enclosure so cats don’t feel confined or trapped.
  • Buy your cat a window box or perch from which they can get some sun and have a look at the outside world.
  • Walk your cat using a collar and lead[3]. This won’t be up every cat’s alley, but particularly kittens and young cats can be leash trained.