Should You Keep Your Cat Indoors? | Tips From A Vet

A prevailing belief amongst some pet owners is that their cats “need” to go outdoors in order to get their exercise and alleviate boredom. But according to vets and statistical data, this is NOT the case. Keep in mind - we aren’t trying to shame anyone who believes that letting their cat go outside is a GOOD thing. After all, like many myths, it’s been ingrained in our belief system for many years.

In this video, Dr. Gary Richter challenges this common misconception, and explains the truth on why you should keep your cat indoors. So keep watching to find out how to keep your furry friend healthy, happy and active, while protecting them out of harm’s way!

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[cheezemonkeyeater]

I remember reading a study that said domestic cats are the most effective hunters in the world. They catch prey over 90% of the time they chase something, where the next highest successful hunting rate is down below 50%. They are shockingly effective killers.

[jssandler]

First cat I had lived a 16 1/2, indoors and outdoors. He had some occasional fights with neighborhood cats defending his territory, but the greatest injury he sustained was slipping on a shelf indoors. My current cat is indoor / outdoor as well, and fairly active at night. Initially I kept tabs on his location with a GPS collar. He's extremely cautious of people, cars, and dogs. So I think when cats are allowed to roam outdoors they do pick up a degree of Street smarts and skill that a long-time indoor only cat would not have. I am always a little bit nervous about him being outside, but given his nature I think indoor/ outdoor is a more fulfilling life for him than strictly indoors.

[doughooper]

A longer and healthier life sure. But is it a happier life? After all we could say exactly the same thing about you. The more you go out the more resources you use and the more difficult you are to the natural environment. So if you want to stay indoors all your life and play video games then go ahead. You will live a healthy life.

[lindseywooten]

Definitely indoors, I’d be afraid my cat would get lost or be stolen

[ilariaangelotti]

My cat is an outdoor cat, but with time i understood why it's important to keep cats inside. She's now 16 yo tho (and still kicking and gorgeous) and i'm not going to change her habits now, but for sure i want my future cats to be indoor ones.

[MissyQ]

When I was 5 years old, my first cat got killed by a dog. My second cat got run over by a train.
My cats are indoors only. They own this house. They just let me live here cuz I feed them. They only kill the errant mouse who dares to enter their domain. No bird killing.

[amybrown]

Our cat doesn’t even like to look outside 😂 sometimes it lays on the balcony

[geriysabelleray]

Im transitioning my indoor-outdoor cat to indoor only but he constantly makes low-pitched meows, it sounds like he's very sad. What should i do?? 😭😭 I've tried playing with him to keep him distracted but he doesn't seem interested unlike before.

[myfanwyrees]

I let my beautiful Birman cat, on an extending leash, into my back garden. All was fine until she was confronted by the local feral cat. Somehow she managed to escape her leash and was chased into a busy main road where she was struck by a car and I lost her.
I now have another Birman who will never go outside unattended. He has plenty of toys and I play with him. I also purchased a three wheeled Walker, with a shopping bag to the front. Since a kitten, I have taken him, whilst on a leash, for walks, whilst he sits in the shopping bag.
He looks out of the conservatory windows for hours.
He’d prefer to be outside but by keeping him indoors, I know he is safe.

[alexusrenee]

Let me just say I came here unbiased just looking for advice and to share my story with others. I have a cat that was raised indoors so we were very worried when he started showing interest in the outdoors that he would get lost or be too friendly to other wild animals. I noticed it wasn't enough anymore. My cat was showing signs of depression even with stimulation and he just wanted to sleep all day. Even with no words I could tell he was unhappy and it was hard to see. For the first few weeks I would monitor him and entice him with food when he was ready to come in. His demeanor changed completely. He would come to you everytime you sat down for cuddles and to be pet and you could pick him up longer. He always stayed near the house and just in case he gets a bit curious again he has a collar with information and a flea and tic collar as welll. I don't regret it. As long as he's happy anything is better than a lifetime depressed.

[tonyareed]

I did find this video helpful. I do have a question though. I am in the process of transitioning my indoor/outdoor cat to strictly inside after watching a coyote run the neighbors cat up a tree in broad daylight. I ran it off, saved the cat. Needless to say, he is very unhappy. I am working on more toys for inside, however, I did think of trying a harness on him. Will the tease of possibly having freedom outside again, only to find out he can not go where he wants only frustrate him more and slow the transition process? I do not want to lessen the quality of his life, even if it is risky.

[susanknarr]

I adopted a cat from a cat rescue 14 months ago. She was a pregnant stray and had a couple of older kittens with her. She lived in a house for awhile then relocated to a catio. She has been indoor until March when she ran right out. She has done that 3 times now. Came home the last 2. Right now she has been gone almost 2 days. I don't want her being a indoor/outdoor cat. Too many dangerous things out there. I don't know what else to do to keep her inside. I did get a stray male cat my trust and brought him inside almost 4 months ago. Not sure if he is a part of it. They do play some.

[sagebrooks]

My cat was born outside I live in a woods of New Jersey so from time to time I let him outside to go play onlyfor1 hourof the time and when I go to the door I'll call him back he comes right home with no gifts is this ok 4keepn my babby happy

[christinam.]

My adored cat was killed by a car today. He was only six years old. I'm devastated. I'm not making that mistake again

[michelleproctor]

My cat is 22 going on 33 she’s always been a out door cat never been sick she just lost her hearings but we do have 6 Acres not in the City

[caydenwhitney]

my cat ally has been an all outdoor cat for 7-8 years now and she’s still alive and she is really heathy and we bring her into the vet every month to check her and she’s fine outside last time she was inside was for less than 20min like 2 1/2 months so i’m not sure what’s better for them

[lukemitchell]

i would like to keep my cat indoors as i worry about dangers but she wines near the door, any more tips

[helenmclean]

It took me months and, a great deal of patience, to train my Birman kitten to go outside.

Firstly, ensure you live in a safe environment.

If cold, make them a coat from an old jumper sleeve.

Take them out, on a leash, and permit them to seek out their territory; back and front. Walk with them and never drag.

Purchase an extending dog leash and clip it to the harness which will give them more space to explore whilst still under your supervision.

Teach them to NEVER permit a stranger to pick them up. My neighbour helped me out with this one.

Ensure they come when you call and reward them when they do.

I had her aged twelve weeks and spayed at six months. Whilst she was in recovery, I did, of course, keep her indoors.

Once fully recovered, I commenced training. She now had all her vaccinations, and was keen to go outside.
My young daughter left her bedroom window open and, unbeknown to me, my kitten, jumped out. I was mortified and thought I would find her dead. Thankfully, I didn’t. I called her from the front and the back. To my amazement, she came in via my front door, completely unscathed!
If I had not permitted her to roam around outside, she would never have found her way home and would have been terrified.
She is now ten months and loves to come with me into the garden.
I love to watch her just being a cat and she is in her element.
She is my second Birman cat. I trained my first cat in exactly the same way and he lived to the grand old age of eighteen years and five months. It broke my heart to lose him but, it gave me comfort, in the knowledge, that he had a truly wonderful life.
Once last thing. “Always ensure that your cat is indoors during the night. It’s far too dangerous for any cat to roam at night”.

[johngore]

I had two cases s that were outdoors 50% of the time they left bed to 18 and 21. I have two new cats now but they only go out 3-4 hours a day and they are in by late afternoon.

[namjesushehe]

i live in an apartment with my cat we have a patio and we put fake grass and some fake plants there and he really like it