Indoor Vs. Outdoor Cats: The Best of Both Worlds!

Most cat owners will agree that owning cats is like taking care of your own human baby. From the moment you take these little kittens in your house, or in a more fitting sense, your heart, you’ll want the best for them, so they’ll grow happy, healthy, and away from harm. And just like raising a child, cat parents face the dilemma of endless decision-making, and probably one of the most common struggles cats parents go through is wanting to keep them indoors as to keep them safe, but at the same time, knowing that as natural hunters, they need to be let free. As stressful as it may seem, you need not worry. Instead, we recommend that you arm yourself with knowledge, patience, and deeper understanding, and you’ll realize it’s not as difficult as you first thought it was.

 

Remember That It Is About What Your Cat Needs and Not About What You Want

Oftentimes when making decisions for our sweet little feline babies, we tend to overlook the fact that they are their own individual. We sometimes see them as these cute, fluffy companions and forget that they are breathing, living, and thinking creatures just like we are. That being said, know that their experiences make them different from each other, and it’s one of the things to consider when deciding whether to keep them in or let them out. A cat born and raised indoors will cope differently from a stray rescued from the wild. Indoor cats will either be a little scared or extremely excited of venturing outside as they are not used to it. On the other hand, outdoor cats might feel restricted when you try to keep them in, even though you feel it’s for their own safety. It is your duty to find the balance to ensure that they are well adapted.

 

Accept That Cats Are Curious Creatures

Cats, as natural hunters, are always wary of their surroundings. And this makes them curious about almost everything. So eventually, an indoor cat would want to go out at some point. And just imagine when you let them out for the first time. It would be like putting them in an entirely different universe. They might not be as street smart as outdoor cats are at first. However, you should know that they are very intelligent creatures and with your patience, they can catch up to our outdoor fellas in no time. Evidently, it is helpful to weigh the pros and cons of letting your cats experience life outdoors to understand the best way to do so.

 

The Advantages of Letting Your Cat Outside

  • Enough exercise. No matter how big and wide your home is, it is just different when you let your cats play and run outside. This will help your cat avoid obesity which may lead to more serious health problems.
  • Cats are hunters. As mentioned, cats are hunters by nature, and being outside gives them more opportunity to put this skill to use. Hunting insects and other animals outside is much more fulfilling to them as there is more space unlike when they are confined in a room.
  • One big litter box. You may take advantage of the natural litter box that the outdoors offer, but make sure that it doesn’t affect others, namely, your neighbors.
  • Grass! There are a lot of plants that are beneficial to the health of your cats. Catnip, for one, can improve relaxation which may reduce their anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness.
  • Independence. Keeping cats indoors can make them very dependent on their owners. This can cause them stress at times of their owner’s absence. Letting them out helps them develop a sense of independence.

 

The Drawbacks of Letting Your Cat Outside

  • Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Being exposed outside, cats are more exposed to infectious diseases. So make sure to observe them after spending time outside. Look out for warning signs and should the need arise, contact the vet immediately.
  • Run-ins with other animals. Be it another cat, or an entirely different species, cats are most likely to fight with creatures they are unfamiliar with and can be physically and emotionally hurt from it.
  • Mating with other cats. This is crucial, especially to unfixed cats. Not only does it add to animal overpopulation, but your cat can also get diseases and even fleas and ticks from other outdoor cats.
  • Tragic accidents. Your cat can be hit by a car. Also, remember that not all people want cats. Some people can intentionally cause them harm.
  • Plants! Yes, there are plants that are deadly to cats. Make sure to do your research to avoid a trip to the vet after a day out.
  • Cat thieves. Yes, they exist. You may be surprised to find out that there are reports of cats being stolen all around the world.
  • Getting lost. Cats may get lost after being let out. So remember, the first few times that you let them out should be supervised.

 

Are the Risks Worth Taking?

Now that you have a clear grasp of the risks you’re taking when you let your cat out, ask yourself if you are willing to take those risks. More so, is it worth it to take those risks? If you feel that it is not safe for your cats to be let out, due to the factors that we have discussed, trust your gut, keep your cats inside, and just think of ways to humor and entertain them without having to go outside. On the other hand, if you decide that you’re ready to introduce them to the outside world, it is important to arm them and protect them as much as you can.

 

Minimizing the Dangers of the Outdoors

  • It is important that your cat has all the needed vaccinations. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
  • Microchip. Should your cat get lost, it is easier to find them when they are microchipped.
  • Get your cat fixed. Not only does it prevent unwanted pregnancies, but cats are also less likely to do unscheduled visits outside when they are neutered.
  • Set a time. It is helpful to condition your cats to go out only at a certain time of the day. Let them out when the streets are not busy to avoid accidents and let them inside before nighttime.
  • Access to your home. When you let your cats out, make sure that they can always come back in on their own. You wouldn’t want them to wander in case they get home, and you’re not there.
  • Get rid of deadly plants in your garden. Do some quick research, so you’ll know which plants are hazardous to cats.

 

Otherwise, Just Keep Them In.

In an entirely different situation, remember that it is okay to keep your cats inside if you feel that it is dangerous to let them out. At the end of the day, it is you who can decide which is safe and which is not. Staying inside will not make your cats less happy nor less healthy. It is also important to know the advantages and disadvantages of keeping your cats inside, so you can work around them.

 

Why You Should Keep Your Cats Inside.

  • They are less exposed to infectious diseases.
  • You can monitor what they eat, drink, and take.
  • They are safe from attacks by other cats, other animals, and people.

 

Challenges in Keeping Your Cats Inside

  • Your cat might be highly dependent on you and get frustrated should there be a time that you need to be away.
  • Obesity. Less activity means less exercise which can result in obesity.
  • Probably the most challenging part is actually making your cats stay inside. As mentioned, at one point, your cats will feel the need to go out and explore. And as the intelligent creatures that they are, they will find ways to do so.

 

Your Cats Are Not Less Happy Indoors

Now that you know the pros and cons of your cats living indoors, it’s much easier to make some adjustments to ensure that they will still be happy, healthy, and away from harm.

 

What You Can Do:

  • As you know how curious cats can get, provide toys and other materials that can stimulate this behavior.
  • Indoor plants. Who says grass only grows in gardens? Plant catnip in small pots and place them around your home.
  • Install scratch posts or walls.
  • Although your cats are indoor, still have them micro-chipped.
  • Make your home cat-friendly and remove things that can cause you cats harm i.e., sharp objects, poisonous substances, etc.
  • If you are able, provide your cat with a companion. They’ll have tons of fun for sure.

 

Now that you are more aware of the things you need to consider, it should be easier to make a decision. Don’t be too hard on yourself and know that life, in general, is a series of trials & errors. Whether you decide to keep your cats inside, or let them out, as long as you provide them with the love, care, and affection that they need, they should be fine, and you should be too. You don’t even have to decide now. Take baby steps, and one day you’ll be surprised you’re at where you always wanted to be as a cat parent.