Do cats really need to go outdoors?

Every time I ask people why they let their cats outside, the answer is unsatisfactory:

1. He/she was a stray.

2. He/she cries at the door.

3. He/she likes it out there.

4. He/she was let out by his/her former owners.

5. I had a cat who went outside and lived 18 years.

Sorry, but none of those reasons are convincing. I want to know why people think just because they like the outdoors and/or came from there, cats need the freedom to leave the house. If feral cats can learn to love an indoor-only lifestyle, why not the former strays and cats who could go outside at other homes? Why do people think they can't train their cats to be happy indoors and stop sneaking outdoors even if patience is required? What makes people think it is inhumane to keep them inside 24/7 when home is where they get food, water, shelter, and attention? I just want to know what their logic is, not start a cat fight here.

I don't want to judge anyone as a bad cat parent who is not neglecting cats as defined by the law (denying food, water, and shelter) or keeping them in cages all day like collectors do. However, without scientific evidence cats who stay inside 24/7 are suffering and cats permitted outside are healthier at all times than indoor cats no matter what dangerous situations they get into, I have no reason to believe letting the cat go out is a necessary part of cat care. So I want to find out from the people who let their cats go outside what medical benefits they have seen that I do not. If there is no health benefit, why does anyone believe it is inhumane to make cats stay indoors? I only want the facts that justify the assusmption cats need to go outside just to be healthy and well-cared for because those produce the happiness, love, and quality of life a cat desires.

I have no issue with cats going outside into a cat proof yard, enclosure or harness/lead. Roaming free I don't like, risks of injury aside it's just absurd that a pet be allowed to roam the neighbourhood, bothering neighbours or other indoor cats upset by those outdoors.

I also don't see the point of owning a pet that you rarely see because they're out wandering about.

I think people think that way because it's convenient.  Its easier to let the cat out than deal with redirecting them.

Some cats may take a bit longer to acclimate to inside living, but it is well worth the wait.  You gain a lifetime of peace of mind that you are doing right by your cat.  Yes, cats get sick, but you have at least prevented all the dangers the outside holds for them.

Again, people who think their cats cannot be happy outside are, IMO, not making the effort to make the inside more desireable.  Outside enclosures are wonderful things.  My cats have one that is accessable all day to them.  They are the perfect alternative.

EmilyMayWilcha said:

Every time I ask people why they let their cats outside, the answer is unsatisfactory:

1. He/she was a stray.

2. He/she cries at the door.

3. He/she likes it out there.

4. He/she was let out by his/her former owners.

5. I had a cat who went outside and lived 18 years.

Sorry, but none of those reasons are convincing.

<snip>

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In my view if a cat is somewhat mature and used to going out, it will suffer if not allowed out.  I had a cat like that - he sould go out to toilet even when he was up to his armpits in snow.  (I found the evidence when the snow melted!)

Keeping him in would have been cruel, and he wasn't very happy when the back garden got cat-proof and he couldn't climb the garage to get out.  It took some time (and his condition deteriorating) for him to stop looking thtough the mesh, and to stop trying to stage an escape every time I opened the front door.

With me, I could never, ever let my cats out. Not in this neighborhood at least. There's a train track just behind my apartment complex, and I live on a very busy road, 4 lane road. Too many risks of them getting killed.

Plus, my neighborhood is almost city-like. There's lots of shopping and less residental. There's not a lot of foliage for them to hide in if needed.

if I lived in a quieter area, I'd consider a large enclosure for them, but still would never let them roam free.

Jennie was outside when I rescued her. She'd been outside for at least 8 months, and probably longer. When I took her in, she wanted nothing more to do with the outside. I take my cats out, harnessed, into a protected yard. She didn't even want to do that, at first. She likes it now, though.

Most cats can learn to accept being inside. For some cats it may take work and a strong belief in the human that they are better off inside. I believe cats are safer and healthier inside, and I need peace of mind, knowing that they are safe, and my cats will always be indoor only (with the exception of the fenced protected supervised outings)

My friend has always let her cats out. She is sick now, and we don't know what's going to happen to her. Though she knows my cats are the best taken care of of any pets she knows, she will not ask me to take her cat, should something happen to her, because she knows I will not let him out.

I have 5 100% indoor cats and have few problems at all. The things you are doing for them keeping them inside are preventing them being injured or worse by cars and feral animals and you are also limiting their exposure to deadly diseases such as FIV and avoiding unnecessary vet bills for cat fight injuries .... the list goes on. They adapt extremely well to being kept indoors as long as they have plenty of climbing and playing stuff and clean litter. Over the years my lot have all graduated to using the same litter box. Great for me - change one instead of 5!!!!

While I think most tame cats should be kept indoors, there are some who will never adjust. We had a cat when I was a teenager who I'm pretty sure would have killed himself trying to get out, if we had ever tried to keep him in. I never got the chance to try to teach him to stay in, because my dad won't keep a cat in "against his will", but I don't think it would have been possible with him.

Also keep in mind that in some European countries, it's culturally considered cruel to keep cats inside. If everyone around you was letting their cats out, if shelters wouldn't adopt to you if you wouldn't let the cat out, etc., you'd probably think it was cruel to keep cats indoors, too. Cultural norms are powerful things.

And while I do keep my cats infor their own safety, I don't think that staying inside is always in the best interest of the cat. Let's think about the state of housecats in the U.S.---they're mostly bored. A lot of people have their cats de-clawed so they won't wreck the furniture (because they're bored). Obesity is rampant (because they're bored). The #1 cause of death among indoor cats is inappropriate urination (because they're bored and stressed from being de-clawed and fat). Unless the owner makes a conscious effort to keep their cat mentally stimulated, I'm not convinced indoors is always better.

Those are all generalizations, though. I know many many many indoor cats who are not bored or overweight or mistreated or overfed.

I also know cats who are allowed to roam. Some are obese. None have nice coats. All are either riddled with parasites or have to be de-wormed regularly. Most have been hit by a car or gotten into a disabling fight at least once. And then, oh the screams over the vet bills. Many have disappeared.

I read in a UK based forum. In the UK, the belief that cats should be "free" is beginning to change. Just about everyone who posts in that forum now advises people to keep their cats inside. It makes me so happy to see that.

But those are generalizations, too. Our cat had a beautiful coat and was very muscular. He was never hit by a car (really, most? I'm surprised they survived) or in a "disabling" fight (although he sure fought plenty). He died at the vet of age related causes. Of course he had to be de-wormed regularly, but so do the dogs and I'm not keeping them inside because of that.

No, my comments are actual observations, of the cats I know who are let outside, not general.

A generalization would be for me to say that all cats who go out are ignored and not well taken care of, because if the owners think it's okay to let them out, they must not care very much. But, while I know some cases of that, it's not what I think about everyone who lets their cats out.

However I read in many pet forums. Not a day goes by that I don't see at least one post by someone whose outdoor cat has gone missing, come home poisoned, beat up or injured in some other way, or found dead, presumably trying to drag his or herself home. Just because it hasn't happened to everyone who lets their cats out, it doesn't mean it won't.

My cats, too are well muscled healthy happy, fit, and indoors. They do not get a lot of "exercise" outside. They get their exercise inside, with interactive games, and plenty of places to jump and leap.

And not a day goes by that we don't see several posts by someone who wants to get rid of their cat because it's peeing on everything, being aggressive with humans or other pets, or being destructive. I suspect just as many cats die of being kept indoors as those who die from being allowed outdoors. It may be a tidier death, but still.

Mind you, I'm not saying that all cats should be allowed out. And I definitely think that kittens ought to be raised in a way that will help them grow into contented housecats. And that, even for cats who need to go outside, enclosures should be used whenever possible. I'm just saying that the individual cat's needs should be considered instead of a blanket "all cats should be kept indoors" knee-jerk reaction.

it depends. if you have a back yard with a cat fence -- such as cat fence-in, purrfect fence, or similar homemade fence -- that is an ideal situation. this is what the hemingway cats have in key west. they use the purrfect fence and put revolution on the cats. the cats can roam inside and outside as they please. and frolic in real grass and dirt and scratch real trees.

an outdoor enclosure or leash-walking is next best. this is what the cats have at best friends animal society in utah.

it's a tough call, especially with rescued strays and abandoned cats. and there are hazards -- cars, cat-haters, poisons,etc. in urban areas and predators,etc. in rural areas.

many here try to simulate a natural diet -- raw, grain-free, etc. but what about simulating a natural environment?

     Quote:

Willowy said:

While I think most tame cats should be kept indoors, there are some who will never adjust. We had a cat when I was a teenager who I'm pretty sure would have killed himself trying to get out if we had ever tried to keep him in. I never got the chance to try to teach him to stay in because my dad won't keep a cat in "against his will," but I don't think it would have been possible with him.
 

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Your point about cultural differences is understandable, but you are totally wrong about boredom.

1. Cats scratch furniture because they are marking their territory. It is a feline instinct. Declawing opponents don't say let the cat out. They say train your cats to use a cat scratcher and tolerate their nail clippers.

2. Obesity has many causes including huge appetite, being a former stray, loving food, and medical conditions. Also, leaving dry food out and only feeding kibbles are huge contributers. How many cats eating wet or raw food are obese?

3. Inappropriate urination has many causes including medical conditions, life changes, and litterboxes not being cleaned. It is not the cause of death in any cat - the medical problem causing the inappropriate urination is. Also, the #1 cause of death in indoor cats is kidney failure.

4. The owner can easily keep a cat mentally stimulated in many ways: a cat tree, another cat, interactive toys, videos, and a window perch as well as the usual petting. He/she can also grow cat grass and buy catnip leaves for plant-loving cats.

detmut said:

It depends. If you have a back yard with a cat fence -- such as cat fence-in, Purrfect Fence, or similar homemade fence -- that is an ideal situation. This is what the Hemingway cats have in Key West. They use the Purrfect Fence and put Revolution on the cats. The cats can roam inside and outside as they please.and frolic in real grass and dirt and scratch real trees.

An outdoor enclosure or leash-walking is next best. This is what the cats have at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah.

It's a tough call, especially with rescued strays and abandoned cats, and there are hazards -- cars, cat-haters, poisons, etc. in urban areas and predators, etc. in rural areas.

Many here try to simulate a natural diet -- raw, grain-free, etc. But what about simulating a natural environment?

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Some cats at BFAS are ferals who could never be tamed, so they have to be outside. I would be shocked if BFAS lets all cats go outside if so many of them don't need to. As for the Hemingway cats, the fact that they can live outside does not mean all cats should be allowed to.

I think you misunderstand what I mean by "cause of death". I don't mean as a direct cause of death. I mean they're put to sleep because of behavioral problems. Millions of cats are killed every year--in shelters and at vet's offices--because of behavioral problems, the most common of which is inappropriate urination. Ask any vet's office how many cats are brought in every week to be killed for behavioral reasons . Most of which could be solved if the owners provided a more stimulating environment, or were flexible enough to allow the cat outdoors.

As far as I can tell, all of the Best Friends cat houses include outdoor areas. Enclosed, of course--they couldn't have hundreds of cats running loose! Also, ferals who can't be tamed don't all have to be outdoors. I have 5 ferals living very happily in my house. 3 of them have warmed up to me slightly, but I've never touched 2 of them, except when they were still out from their spay/neuter surgeries.

Willowy, I know about cats being surrendered to shelters because of inappropriate urination. But even including them, it is not the #1 cause of death, directly or indirectly. Also some of those cats go to good no-kill shelters or foster homes and other are adopted. You imply all cats who are surrendered to shelters because of inappropriate urination are euthanized, which is no more true than saying I am a boy.

"Ethanasia" due to being unwanted is the #1 cause of death in pet cats. What makes them unwanted? Frequently inappropriate urination. There are very few cats surrendered to shelters for inappropriate elimination who get out of there alive. Are YOU going to deliberately adopt or even foster a cat who has been known to pee on stuff? Even some "no-kill" shelters will kill cats with litterbox issues, because they're considered unadoptable (for them, "no-kill" means not killing adoptable animals). Only a sanctuary will keep them.

Anyway, you asked why some cats need to go outside. I gave my answer. If you've already made up your mind I don't know why you made a thread about it :dk:.

Willowy said:

And not a day goes by that we don't see several posts by someone who wants to get rid of their cat because it's peeing on everything, being aggressive with humans or other pets, or being destructive. I suspect just as many cats die of being kept indoors as those who die from being allowed outdoors. It may be a tidier death, but still.
Mind you, I'm not saying that all cats should be allowed out. And I definitely think that kittens ought to be raised in a way that will help them grow into contented housecats. And that, even for cats who need to go outside, enclosures should be used whenever possible. I'm just saying that the individual cat's needs should be considered instead of a blanket "all cats should be kept indoors" knee-jerk reaction.

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Hum.... IMHO I read posts more often on the bridge of cats who ran away and have been hit by a car, or got lost and have never been seen again, or got mawled by dogs......
As far as people wanting to get rid of them? Boy have I seen every reason on the book?
Sure, peeing outside of the litterbox is a big one...... But when someone wants to give the cat away? Not a kitten anymore and got a new puppy will do it. Or moving.... Or getting married and new hubby is not a cat lover..... Or new roomate is not a cat lover.... Or downsizing.... Or the cats are old, and not enjoying life.... now I got these new kittens and they are oh, so much fun! So I am keeping the kittens..... For goodness sakes, I have even seen they don't match the new furniture!
It is SAD, but true.
IMHO cats not going outside have nothing to do with innapropriate uriantion..... therefore nothing to do with innapropriate urination shelter surrender.
IMHO it is totally a personal choice to let them out or not..... But the risks are out there and they are plenty. It can and DO happen any day, out of the blue.
I had cats who were strays, outside cats, who lived from 3 years, to 12 years outside..... and with attention and care they adjusted just fine to a 100% inside only life :dk:
Would they enjoy going outside? I am sure they would..... Do they misse it? My cats don't even remember what it is anymore..... so they don't..... And I rather have them safe.... and yep, they are pretty darn happy in here

EmilyMayWilcha said:

     Quote:

Your point about cultural differences is understandable, but you are totally wrong about boredom.

1. Cats scratch furniture because they are marking their territory. It is a feline instinct. Declawing opponents don't say let the cat out. They say train your cats to use a cat scratcher and tolerate their nail clippers.

2. Obesity has many causes including huge appetite, being a former stray, loving food, and medical conditions. Also, leaving dry food out and only feeding kibbles are huge contributers. How many cats eating wet or raw food are obese?

3. Inappropriate urination has many causes including medical conditions, life changes, and litterboxes not being cleaned. It is not the cause of death in any cat - the medical problem causing the inappropriate urination is. Also, the #1 cause of death in indoor cats is kidney failure.

4. The owner can easily keep a cat mentally stimulated in many ways: a cat tree, another cat, interactive toys, videos, and a window perch as well as the usual petting. He/she can also grow cat grass and buy catnip leaves for plant-loving cats.

Some cats at BFAS are ferals who could never be tamed, so they have to be outside. I would be shocked if BFAS lets all cats go outside if so many of them don't need to. As for the Hemingway cats, the fact that they can live outside does not mean all cats should be allowed to.

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wasn't talking about the ferals, but even they are not allowed to roam free at best friends. the domesticated cats at best friends are only allowed out in a connected outdoor enclosure, and some are leash-walked. i am not advocating letting non-feral cats roam free, but i see nothing wrong with safe outdoor access. when i die, i hope to be reincarnated as a hemingway cat as they are the only ones allowed on the indoor furniture.