Why Cats are Safer Inside
If you feel your cat should roam the great outdoors, you’re not alone. Many cat lovers feel their cat is happiest lounging in the fresh air or stalking unsuspecting prey. However, there are many reasons why it’s safer for your kitty to stay inside – traffic being one – and many cat owners are realizing the dangers of life outdoors.
In general, a cat who spends his entire life indoors will live many years longer than a cat restricted exclusively to the outdoors. If your cat has indoor/outdoor access, chances are he’ll live longer than the exclusively outdoor feline but he still faces increased risks to his health and safety that can impact his lifespan.
An Indoor Cat Is Relatively Safe from Many Diseases
Cats allowed free access to the outdoors invariably come into contact with other cats. Even casual contact can transmit parasites and more serious diseases:
- FeLV (Feline Leukemia)
- FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
- Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
- FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Mice your cat may eat or bring home can also cause a host of other dangerous diseases.
Rarely mentioned, but equally serious is the possibility of skin cancer from over-exposure to the sun. White and other light-colored cats can develop squamous cell carcinoma, a serious, painful disease.
Indoor Cats Do Not Get Hit by Cars
More cats are killed by cars annually than are euthanized. Even the most careful driver cannot avoid hitting a cat that runs across the street in front of a car. Even so-called “safe” country areas are no guarantee for cats. Speeding vehicles are a major source of untimely deaths for cats.
Indoor Cats Are Safe from Wildlife Dangers and Dog Packs
Outdoor cats are below wildlife predators in the food chain, and they are sitting ducks for owls, raptors, coyotes, and native big cats. Dogs running in packs will consider a cat fair game; even one large dog can easily overpower and kill a cat.
Remember that some dogs are also bred to attack; they are not really to blame when their instinct takes over. Even with a full set of fangs and claws, the cat rarely has a chance when caught outside, and declawed cats are even more at risk.
Unfriendly Neighbors
No one wants to think another person would harm an animal, but there is evidence to the contrary. Whether it’s on the news or via word-of-mouth, we’ve heard horror stories of neighbors poisoning other people’s pets or calling animal control to pick up a “stray” cat.
It doesn’t have to be a nearby neighbor that you even know either. One thing that many people don’t realize is how far their housecat is likely to roam. Now, you probably don’t leave your cat out all night, but even in the evening, your cat could wander far afield. That also makes them more at risk for predators.
If you’re concerned about your kitty being bored inside, then make the inside interesting. Get a kitty condo so they can go climbing. Play with your cat daily. Get some catnip. Indoor cats can live a rich and happy life, and you can help them.
Hopefully, now you realize the benefits of keeping your cat inside rather than allowing them to roam the streets. If you have a cat who insists on going outside, it is possible to transition your indoor/outdoor kitty to indoors only!
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