Indoor cats live far longer than outdoor cats after all. Providing stimulating cat toys and “trees” for adventure and play—like the Frisco 52-Inch Cat Tree or the KONG Naturals Cat Scratcher—gives your indoor cat many of the same benefits of outdoor recreation, and will keep your furry friend from becoming a bored cat with nothing to do. Toxins and poisons: Outside cats also face danger from coming into contact with toxins, such as antifreeze, that are often ingested because they have a pleasant taste. A number of these diseases can be serious or potentially fatal. 3 Build a cat enclosure. Let’s take a closer look. Fact: If your cat is overweight, the safest way to help her trim down is by … In 2008, 65% of survey participants said they keep their cats strictly indoors (Rowan, 2012). Outdoor cats like Hobbes also can get wounded in fights with other animals, hit by cars, or killed when they inadvertently drink poisons such as antifreeze, she says. Outdoor Cat Run – Perfect Compromise between Indoor and Outdoor. Typically, indoor and outdoor cats can eat the same diet, but the indoor cat might gain more weight because it’s not as active. If you’ve decided to keep your cat indoors, but want them to reap some of the benefits of being an outdoors cat, here are some ideas to engage your kitty. I have an outdoor cat. Your cat’s lifestyle increases their risk of certain health conditions, so whether she's an indoor or outdoor kitty will change the kind of risks she's exposed to. Indoor cats also live much longer than outdoor cats. To help you find a cat that’s more suited to living only indoors we have described each breed as being a typical “house cat” or “outdoor cat”. Like many cat lovers, you may have thought about letting your cat go outside. Gina Gentilozzi never thought twice about keeping her three cats indoors, particularly because she has some unpleasant memories about her own childhood pets. Make Indoors Interesting. In fact, the record for the oldest house cat is over thirty years, while outdoor cats are sometimes lucky to see five years old. Pros and Cons for Outdoor, Free-Range Cats Whenever you adopt a new cat, try to keep them indoors. It’s much easier to go from an indoor to outdoor cat than to go from an outdoor to indoor cat. We may think of our feisty felines as good hunters who are capable of taking care of themselves with sharp teeth and claws. While cats have individual preferences for favorite types of toys, most enjoy the thrill of getting any new toy. Parasites can be very difficult to eradicate from your pet, from humans and from your home. A cat’s prey drive is so strong that even well-fed cats may naturally enjoy hunting birds or other small animals. Just like indoor cats, outdoor cats can also suffer from diseases and syndromes that cause vomiting — not to mention the fact that they are at risk for eating many disgusting or toxic things. Outdoor cats can have an impact on wildlife populations, especially when threatened and endangered species are concerned. Playing, chasing and mutual grooming and snuggling can fulfill your indoor cat’s need for exercise, companionship and affection while you are at work or away from home. Many nature-loving cats aren’t eager to forgo outdoor adventures and relocate indoors. 3 Build a cat enclosure. Owning a cat is a wonderful thing, but there are many questions that need to be entertained before you can select your new friend and decide how they will live. Space this out to every half hour and every 2–3 hours. One side is horrified that anyone would ever let their cats outside, given all the hazards (traffic, predators, disease, deeply disturbed cat-hating humanoids). Personally for me the best way of life is a little bit of both. Sadly, some people have been known to shoot cats with BB guns or arrows, while some cats end up being trapped, abused and killed in the name of “sport” or “for fun.”. “I’ve worked in emergency clinics when a cat comes in that obviously belongs to someone,” Cruz says. Most problems, such as getting hit by a car or having a wild animal like a coyote after them -- it seems most of the problems occur at night,” says Bernadine Cruz, DVM, associate veterinarian at the Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in Laguna Hills, Calif., and member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The indoor cat diet, which often involves grazing on an open bowl of food all day, plus a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to obesity and may predispose a cat to diabetes. “They have blankets in the wintertime and lots of food and water,” McWhorter says. Or, they may think it’s cruel to keep cats cooped up inside, forced to spend their days staring out the window. © 2021 American Humane. If you live in town or in city a indoor cat is always safer from traffic and all, but if you have a large lot, outdoor is always the better choice. EcoFLEX Albany Outdoor Feral : Pocket-friendly. Perhaps some of the biggest risks to the welfare of an indoor-only cat are not physical welfare risks but instead, risks to the emotional wellbeing of the cat. A lot of cat owners feel guilty about keeping their cat inside, and worry that they are depriving their cat of natural instincts or fresh air and sunshine. Ultimately, creating a safe space inside often requires limiting exposure to outdoor threats. Indoor outdoor cat life expectancy There is a difference between indoor and outdoor cat life expectancy, so unless you really need to allow your cat to go outdoors, it might be best not to. Cats are commonly attacked by loose dogs and wild animals, such as coyotes, raccoons, foxes and even alligators (depending on where they live). The indoor environment, in comparison to the outdoor environment, is generally considered to be more predictable and monotonous. Indoor cats also live much longer than outdoor cats. However, just like children, they may get bored with it after a few days. Indoor or outdoor cat is something only you yourself can answer, it really is a choice that you make for your cat with no right and no wrong answer. Place a cat tree or perch near a window so she has a good view, then place a bird feeder outside so she has some up-close-and-personal action. The 2-year-old grey tabby would “meow his head off” and tear up the furniture whenever he was kept indoors. 2 Be firm. For the same reasons as above, conflict between cats in the home can be affected by one or more of the cats spending time outdoors. Outdoor Cats: Pros and Cons. Outdoor cats are always a lot healthier than indoor ones. Dr. Jeff Levy, DVM, CVA, owner of House Call Vet NYC, also discourages owners from keeping cats outdoors. What do the experts say about the best way to keep your cat safe and happy? You can use our cat directory to help you find the best indoor or outdoor cat breeds. “And outdoor cats bring you home dead things and I don’t like that either.”. It can also eliminate a desire for your cat to come inside. 1 Start as you plan to continue. 1 Start as you plan to continue. American Veterinary Medical Association. In some cases, they may be up in a tree for days until they become so severely dehydrated and weak that they fall and suffer severe, serious or fatal injuries. It is easier to opt for an indoor only cat right from the start than to convert an outdoor cat successfully into an indoor one. Enjoying these types of toys with your cat for several minutes each day is an ideal way to interact with your cat and provide much-needed exercise and playtime, while allowing an appropriate outlet for her natural prey drive. Cats who are kept indoors can reach the ripe old age of 17 or more years, whereas outdoor cats live an average of just two to five years. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Indoor cats should be provided with appropriate surfaces on which to exercise their natural instinct to scratch. There are a lot of dangers that face cats living an outdoor life. Identification can increase the odds that your cat will be returned to you if they wander away. Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years, while outdoor cats live on average 2-5 years This handout is intended to help you sort out the pros and cons associated with each lifestyle so you can rest assured your cat That’s why it’s important to keep indoor cats active by providing scratching posts, perches, and a variety of toys to get them running and climbing. Place one where you want the litter box to permanently reside, and put the transitional box at the door the cat once used to exit the house. WebMD discusses the positives and negatives of indoor and outdoor cats. Below we give tips on how to do this. According to the AVMA, indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. Cats who are kept indoors … Try putting some of the toys away while you leave others out, and then rotate them every few days to give your kitty the “new toy” excitement without the expense. If you buy an Omlet Outdoor Cat Run your pet will be able to enjoy fresh air and exercise, with the added safety and security of a fence between them and the dangers beyond. If you’re bringing in a stray cat or if you’ve decided your exclusively-outdoor cat should now live indoors, you can’t just bring her in and let her have the run of the house right away. The Lifespan of an Indoor Cat By contrast, the lifespan of an indoor cat is typically 12 to 15 years. One such question is the environment that you will be able to provide for the cat. He adds that the extreme climates of the outdoors can be very hard on a cat. Cat And Kitten Care: The Indoor Vs Outdoor Cat Debate. Deciding whether your cat should be an indoor cat, an outdoor cat, or something in between is a decision that should be based on each individual. "Give your kitty plenty of indoor options to express their natural behaviors," the Humane Society advised. Below we give tips on how to do this. In fact, the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 10 to 15 years, whereas the lifespan of outdoor cats are way shorter — averaging just 2 … Because of this, an outdoor cat can successfully become an indoor cat, and the reverse can happen as well. American Humane is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. A slow start is key! If you do make the decision to have an outdoor cat, it’s important to take precautions to ensure that your cat is safe. 1 Kress, Steve (2008). Did you make the choice or was it decided for you? “We don’t let him go outside when it’s dark,” she says. Table of Contents hide. An outdoor cat who comes to the veterinarian and is sick or vomiting is a true challenge because the possible causes are many. They are also at increased risk of infection, disease, road accidents, and animal attack. Injuries from wild animal and stray dog attacks are very serious and often fatal. Infectious parasites are about two and a half to three times more prevalent in outdoor cats compared to indoor only cats. Keep her on a leash or secured in a cage or other confined space where she can’t get out (and other cats can’t get in). By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Overweight Cats: Diets and Associated Health Risks, Fat Cats, Overweight Cats, Overfeeding Cats, Cat Exercises, Planned Pet Exercise. Statistics show the lifespan of an indoor cat is much longer than an outdoor cat. Regardless of if your cat lives inside or out, a healthy, balanced diet, regular veterinary exams, and full vaccinations are key to preventing illness and helping your cat live a long healthy life. In general cats thrive on a mixture of indoor and outdoor time. I totally agree with you. The indoor/outdoor cat debate is very controversial among animal caretakers and humane societies. Once Valerie LaRussell and her husband, Greg, let their cat Odie outside for a “playdate” with a neighbor’s cat, there was no going back. The key, again, is making sure the indoor environment is just as interesting as outside — and … It’s important that your cat become acclimated to their indoor home, first. “One of his eyes was closed shut before, and he had an abscess on his back one time from where he got into a fight with something.”. Friends for your feline. Indoor Cats vs. “I really didn’t want four cats in the house, and they [Calvin and Hobbes] were accustomed to being outside,” she says. Cats may also end up accidently exposed to rodent poisons when they hunt and eat rodents that have recently ingested poison bait. Feeding outdoors can attract wildlife and other cats. An indoor cat may live 15-17 years, while the life expectancy for outdoor cats is only 2-5 years, according to researchers at University of California-Davis. Jane Brunt, DVM, veterinarian and owner of the Cat Hospital at Towson and the Cat Hospital at Eastern Shore, Md., and executive director of the CATalyst Council. We don’t recommend that you ever declaw a cat, but sometimes people adopt cats who are already declawed. A cat's hunting instinct is just that—an instinct. This Balinese cat is outdoors, … Diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV) , or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) , rabies, cat flu are going to be more likely in a cat who has access to outdoors and interacts with other cats. For Gentilozzi and McWhorter, the choice was relatively easy, but many other pet owners struggle with the decision of whether to keep their cats indoors or outdoors. They are immune to certain diseases, hunt more and can defend themselves better. It's an emotional, never-ending debate, and I'll admit to mixed feelings. You’ll notice that many shelters will list that a kitten may … Table of Contents hide. 2009 Jul 17 [Epub ahead of print]. The life expectancy of an indoor cat is typically at least 12 years although they can live up to 20 years. Every cat is different; this could take from two weeks to … In fact, the record for the oldest house cat is over thirty years, while outdoor cats are sometimes lucky to see five years old. If your cat is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and has a decent collar, you can allow for a day or so before ramping up your search. “Whenever possible, try to get them in at night. Calvin and Hobbes have their own little houses. On average, an indoor cat lives 10-15, but some cats can live for as many as twenty years. Once you get the go-ahead from your vet, start by training your cat to use a litter box and scratching post outside so it … Fact: Many cats have successfully gone from outdoor-only or indoor/outdoor to indoor-only. Ways to engage your indoor cat. 5 Harness train your cat. Although the impact made by one cat might not seem like a big deal, it is important to think about the total impact of all the cats who are allowed outside. Another reason for indoor cats’ longevity is that it’s easier for their owners to identify health problems early, before they become life threatening. A totally outdoor cat (such as a feral or community cat) has certain basic needs, such as a windproof and rainproof shelter, to survive the seasons. They might be afraid that their indoor cats will become fat and lazy. Ways to engage your indoor cat. “AVMA positions address animal welfare concerns.”. “One day he came in and he had part of his jaw missing,” recalls his owner, Lisa McWhorter. Loose cats are estimated to kill hundreds of millions of birds each year, yet birds are believed to be only 20 percent of the wildlife stray cats kill.1 Birds are especially at risk around homes with feeders and birdbaths.1. I've always had outdoor cats, my gf has always had indoor cats and we want to get a cat. Make sure an adult supervises your kitty’s outdoor time to ensure strays cannot come into contact with her. Although living inside is generally considered healthier, indoor cats need special care, too. Contributions to American Humane are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by applicable law. Many of these cats may carry diseases that can be passed on to your cat if he or she comes into contact with them. Audubon Living: Cats. Unlike most European countries where the majority of cats spend their days outdoors, Americans are increasingly keeping their cats permanently indoors. There are plenty of people who are unable to let their cats out, for various reasons. Table of Contents hide. Unlike most European countries where the majority of cats spend their days outdoors, Americans are increasingly keeping their cats permanently indoors. Bottom line: Ultimately, the decision of whether to have an indoor or outdoor cat is up to you. Indeed, this debate seems to be more prevalent in the United States, as in many other countries, cats are allowed free access to the outdoors. Your cat could easily catch one of them if they come into contact with an infected animal. You might feel silly walking around your neighborhood with a cat on a leash, and your cat may protest at first, but once they get used to it your cat might actually enjoy walking with you. Common examples include: 1. feline leukemia (FeLV) 2. feline AIDS (FIV) 3. A number of these diseases can be serious or potentially fatal. “We treat him for fleas every 30 days, and we take him to the vet for his regular check-ups.” Those check-ups include vaccinations for diseases such as rabies and feline distemper, as well as heartworm medications. The indoor cat to outdoor cat transition can be a lot easier if your cat has a safe spot he can go to outside. J Feline Med Surg. Your cat’s lifestyle increases their risk of certain health conditions, so whether she's an indoor or outdoor kitty will change the kind of risks she's exposed to. “Considering the potential dangers outdoors, an indoor lifestyle is much safer for cats,” Brunt says. Exercise Needs– Keeping your indoor cat mentally and physically stimulated is important. For a cat, one of the best parts about living outdoors is the constant stimulation from all of the sounds, smells, and movements. Petplan takes a look at the pros and cons of keeping your cat indoors or letting them go outdoors. Here are some great ways to ensure that your cat enjoys a happy, healthy life inside your home: Many cats enjoy the company of other cats or in some cases, dogs! Many of these cats may carry diseases that can be passed on to your cat if he or she comes into contact with them. McWhorter is well aware that Hobbes and his sister, Calvin, lead a riskier life than her two indoor cats, Lucy and Ricky, but she inherited them from her home’s previous owner and was afraid it would be hard for them to make the transition from outdoor to indoor cats. Is it ever okay to let your cat outside? The indoor/outdoor cat debate is very controversial among animal caretakers and humane societies. Let’s look at the issues surrounding indoor vs. outdoor cats: The American Feral Cat Coalition estimates that there are approximately 60 million feral and homeless stray cats living in the U.S. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. There are a lot of dangers that face cats living an outdoor life. 2 Be firm. Most vets will recommend keeping your cat indoors, but if you do want your cat to stay outdoors, make sure your pet is safe by keeping up with all scheduled vaccinations, parasite prevention, and bringing your outdoor cat indoors at night. Related: 7 Best Indoor Cat breeds. Gleich SE, Krieger S, Hartmann K. Prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus among client-owned cats and risk factors for infection in Germany. As evidence, indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. Outdoor cats endanger surrounding wildlife, particularly birds. Cats have individual preferences, and many prefer to have a variety of scratching posts and surfaces, so be sure to offer your cat several types in multiple locations around your house. A great way to stimulate a cat’s hunting instinct is to provide your cat with a prey-like toy, such as a laser toy or kitty fishing pole. Some indoor cats do seem to yearn for the outside world. Common examples include: While usually not life-threatening for cats, several common parasites can be picked up by your kitty when venturing outdoors, including: These parasites can cause a variety of moderate to severe symptoms, such as scratching, skin infections, vomiting and diarrhea. Trees: Trees can be a source of some danger for cats who climb to a place where they are afraid or unable to climb down. Unfortunately, cats may be good hunters, but they also often wind up being hunted. Feral cats, for example, can have feline immunodeficiency diseases. Declawed cats can’t defend themselves from dogs, other cats, or predators, making the outdoors even riskier. This beautiful item is not only pocket-friendly, but it … Bernadine Cruz, DVM, associate veterinarian at the Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in Laguna Hills, Calif., and member of the American Veterinary Association. Space this out to every half hour and every 2–3 hours often up! 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