Indoor or Outdoor Cats?

This argument has been raging for years: should cats live indoors or be allowed outdoors?  There are many reasons why people allow there cats to go outside: the cats get more exercise, they do not scratch as much inside, cats like to hunt, cats do better, cats hate being inside.  But there are many valid reasons for cats to live indoor exclusively and never step foot outside.  Talk to five people and you may get five different answers as to the best life for cats.  Let’s look at each – starting with outdoor cats.

Life outdoors- even for just short periods – can be deadly.  Cats allowed outdoor are more at risk of catching illness.  Diseases such as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) have no inoculation and no cure.  Cats are more at risk of being hit by vehicles. They can become food for wild animals such as coyotes (which adapt well to our suburbs).   

They are more likely to get into fights and develop abscesses from bites.  They are more at risk of irate neighbors sick of cats digging up gardens and sleeping on cars.  They are at risk of theft and torment.  In some communities, you can be held liable for any damage your cat does off your property.  In others, people may be able to trap or even kill cats causing damage.  

The average lifespan of the outdoor cat is about five years. (Remember, averages take into consideration the kitten killed very young when outside and the cat who makes it into senior year and goes outside).  Outdoor cats have a greater chance of contracting and carrying Toxoplasmosis.  Toxoplasmosis is very bad for women of childbearing age as the parasite can be harmful to a developing fetus leading to things such as retinal problems or hydrocephaly.  

Even healthy cats can harbor the parasite. Unspayed or unneutered cats that go outside also add greatly to overpopulation and even feral colonies develop – creating a health risk.  Outdoor cats are a danger to wildlife – especially in the spring when young animals are just learning how to live.