Should I Keep My Cat Indoors?

Choosing to Keep Your Cat Inside

Having a house cat can seem like the right choice for many families; it keeps them safe from cars, predators and getting lost on their way home. It also means that you won't get any 'presents' from their hunting trips!

These are all valid reasons for choosing to keep your cat as a house cat, however it can come with some problems too such as:

• Becoming clingy - If you have no other cats in the household, your cat could become overly clingy and reliant on its owner. This is because it will not get the stimulation it can get from exploring the outdoors, nor will it meet any other cats that it can find companionship in, and you may not be able to give the extra attention your cat will need because of this. 

• Becoming overweight - An indoor cat may not be able to get all the exercise it needs in order for it to remain in good shape. Outdoor cats exercise frequently during their exploration and hunting, something that an indoor cat misses out on. 

• Escaping - The outside world can seem like a very exciting place to a cat who only knows its own house. Your cat can become overly curious about going outside, and make a quick escape to see what it is all about. This is especially dangerous for a house cat, as he or she will have no 'street smarts' and so has a higher risk of running into danger, getting frightened by loud noises, such as cars driving past, and also getting lost.

Choosing to Let Your Cat Outside

If you feel that you would prefer to let your cat experience the outdoors, and let him or her enjoy their time using their natural instincts, there are of course benefits and risks to making that choice.

They will definitely get plenty of exercise, control the rodent population around your home, as well as exhibit better behaviour as a result of using up a lot of energy exploring. Most cats enjoy being allowed outdoors, although there are some that prefer the safety of their home, and so they should be kept indoors.

For the more adventurous cat, there are some dangers involved, such as:

• Becoming injured - the almost certain proximity to traffic means that your cat could suffer an injury; this is even more true if you live near a busy road. Other animals as well as people can also pose a risk to your beloved kitty. 

• Catching an illness - unfortunately due to being outside and having more risk of encountering other cats, your outdoor cat will be more prone to falling ill. 

• Getting lost - due to your cat's tendency to explore lots of different places, your cat may stray too far from home and be unable to find its way back. He or she could also become locked in someone's garage due to its curiosity, if the owner doesn't notice him or her.

If you do decide that letting your cat roam free is the right choice, make sure to keep them safe by:

• Only letting them out during the day, as there is a higher risk of danger at night 

• Get your cat a safe collar with your details on it so you can be contacted if your cat needs you. 

• Chipping your cat if possible, as it is another way of keeping him or her safe 

• Worm your cat regularly and ensure all of its injections are up to date and correct. 

• Consider neutering your cat to prevent unwanted pregnancy, or your Tom getting into too many fights.

As you can see, there are many pros and cons to each decision, so there is no right or wrong answer here. You need to decide which choice is the best one for you, and for the wellbeing of your cat.