Is keeping a cat indoors or outdoors nicer for the cat?

Question

I recently lost a cat as he was run over at less than a year old. He was an indoor/outdoor cat on a large farm with a generally peaceful road nearby (and lots of land around our house before you get to the road.) Many people have told me that letting a cat outdoors is cruel, but I don't see it that way. Animals natrually live outside, as do humans. Nothing originally had sophisticated housing, and though there are health risks of a cat being allowed outside, diseases can be prevented. The only thing I'm now concerned about for my other cat is the car accident risk. However, in our farm we've kept totsally outdoor cats before and they've always been happy, lived for 13yrs and 10yrs, been affectionate and had no serious diseases.

What do you think - indoors or outdoors (or a mix of both) considering I do have ample space in my garden and don't live in a city?

And I'm not interested in what will be nicer for me. If I'm going to keep an animal for a pet, it is my responsibility to make sure that THEY are happy. Although other animals are different to humans, I know that I would not prefer being kept totally secluded from any excitement and risk purely because it might mean I live a 'safer' existence.

Thanks. I think in future I'll generally let my cats out in the daytime when I am around and can see them. This kitty got hit at night, which I think was probably part of the problem. Also because cats tend to roam more at night in my experience.

Answer 1

it is best for your cat to have them as indoor cats, they will die young and usually in a lot of pain if they are outside, there are cars to run them over as you know, that poor kitty. there are diseases, other animals that want to rip them to shreds etc. it's no life for a pet. if you feel your cat HAS to have outside time, leash train your cat and you can take him out when you want and you can contol the enviornment because you have the leash.

no cat should have to live outside, they should be loved and have a home to live in. anyone who truely loves their cat will keep them inside. anyone who doesn't truely love their cat will let them outside to die a horriable death.

Answer 2

A mix of both is best for the cat. Just like with humans, we all need some fresh air and sunshine. Cats are naturally curious and will wonder off outside. I always go outside with them when they are young and teach them where not to go. For a few of the more stubborn ones, I actually used leashes for a while. This broke them from running off or getting in the road. I know the neighborhood and aways keep an eye out for any dangers. I have not noticed an difference in lifespan between mixed, outdoor, or indoor. Parasites can just as easily come from a human and transfer to your pet. I had a few completely outdoor cats. They would briefly come in to visit, but they preferred the great outdoors. The youngest died of a heart attack at 11 years old. The oldest lived to be around 15. That's pretty much the same as indoor. I currently have a mixed that is 12 and is just as heathly as ever. Still, in my opinion, allowing your cat a mix of both is best for them. No one can stand being couped up all the time.

Answer 3

My family has had indoor, outdoor, and both cats. It all depends on the cat. We prefer indoor cats, but we have had about 5 cats that just would not stay inside...it's a losing battle if you have a very determined cat lol. In my experience cats live just as long outside as they do inside unless there is some kind of accident. My grandparents had a cat that lived to be 18 yr. old in human years. He went inside and out as he pleased, but was mostly outside. This cat had his tail ran over by a car b4 they got him, had been bitten on the neck by a rattlesnake, and attacked by coyotes twice. He died last year and when he died he was just lounging in there garden. He is the perfect example that you go when it's your time to go no matter how young or old. It's up to fate in the end. So my best advice to you is to try to see what suits your cat best. If you do keep him outside let him in at night or when it's cold, but don't force him just give him the option. If you force him into something that doesn't make him happy he could run away and get seriously hurt. Cats are stubborn creatures and rebel when pushed into things.

Answer 4

You still lucked out with the long life of the cat at the farm. The life span of an out door cat is about 2 to 5 years. The life of a indoor cat is 15 to 20. I added a link for you. There are many sights out there to help you with this. Good luck with your decision. Oh I have 3 all happy indoor cats.I find that they have such great personality's. Which you do not get to see when they are outdoors.

Answer 5

Know good cat owner or someone who actually cares about the well being of there cat. Would let it roam freely outside. The cat could get hit by a car, pick up disease or be picked up by a neighbor and taken to the pound or somthing like that or worse. It is also inconsiderate towards your neighbors for any cat owner to let it run lose. They kill birds at feeders, scratch up paint on vehicles buy sitting on them, and they will most likely get stuck with clean up duty if your cat poops in there yard. My advise keep the cat indoors. you will be doing it more favors as well as your neighbors. Thes idiots who let it run around outside do not have common sense. so dont listen to them. Your cat can get plenty of exersise indoors. It is a domesticated animal not a wild one.

Answer 6

I think it is ok to keep one cat inside as long as there is plenty of room for it , however it tends to be more sucessful if it is done from when they are kittens and they are desexed at six months. Breaking old habits is hard and if you have a cat that has been brought up outside and you try to keep it inside they will let you know when they want to go out!, if you want your cat to have acess to your house and you are not renting you could probably get a pet door put in so that at least it will be able to come inside especially during summer when it can get very hot during the daytime.

Answer 7

I personally live out in the country, but we have a menace of pack dogs out there and we're really not going to take any chances losing the kitty. And there is a road nearby which alot of cars come down, so we keep her inside.

I don't think keeping the kitty inside is cruel. If you give them things to play with, places to roost ( sleep ) and give them attention, they are usually content.

If you've lost some of your cats to cars, then that would certainly be a concern. You put so much time into them, and they give alot back in return, it's a shame to lose them to a car, don't you think? There is really no way to let them outdoors and keep them somewhat confined like a dog. Cats are ingenius and will find a way out.

If you think that you can let your cats out for reasonable periods of time without them getting into immediate danger, then I don't see any reason why you can't let them out. But if you have serious concerns about their safety, then I'd keep them inside. Perhaps you could purchase or build a kitty condo for them to crawl around on and "nest" in. They really do come in handy and keep your indoor kitties happy.

Best wishes.

Answer 8

I've had indoor and outdoor cats before.

INSIDE if you want them to be safe. But provide them with plenty of toys and playtime with you. At least two cats so they have a playmate.

Outdoors provides the chance of getting hurt, infections, worms, disease, parasites, bad people who want to hurt your kitty and other hazards that you CANNOT control, like rat poisons, antifreeze, etc.

I don't declaw my cats even though they are indoors only. That's like cutting off your fingers!!! I use a tin can with some pennies in it and shake it when they do something they aren't supposed to do.

I do fix them so they don't produce more little kitties.

Answer 9

My opinion is a cat is perfectly happy being kept in the house full time. If you start this while they are kittens they don't know any better. There is a bonus to having them in the house all of the time, they live longer and have less of a chance of getting hurt.
Hope this Helps.

Answer 10

Thank you for thinking of your cats.

The question on whether cats are happier inside or outside does depend on the individual cat. Those that like to be outside can be brought in at night so that they are safe. It is at night that cats are the most at risk.

There is another alternative for your cats that like the outdoors. Build them a cat enclosure.
A woman I know has built an enclosure that takes in her whole backyard to accommodate her many cats. The enclosure has a fernery, garden, shrubs and small trees. It is an absolute haven for her cats. All are safe and those that wish to stay outside are able to in comfort. Most of them are in their mid to high teens. She has had up to 20 cats at one stage, all desexed, and all have led long, comfortable and safe lives. The cats have the run of the property during the day, but at night they all come in to be fed and the gates are shut.
The walls are up to 20 foot high in places and it is covered over with wooden slats for a roof.
You dont have to go to such lengths, but you could do it on a smaller scale. It depends on how many cats you have.