Can I Keep My Cat Indoors All the Time? Vet Approved Advice & Tips
By Lorre Luther
Updated on
If you have a cat at home or are considering adopting one, you may be considering keeping your pet indoors all the time, as some animal welfare organizations recommend limiting unsupervised feline outdoor access. But is it harmful to keep cats indoors all the time? Indoor cats tend to live longer and healthier lives than outdoor pets, and keeping cats inside may also help cut down on small mammal and bird predation.
Cats are incredibly adaptable creatures, and as such most are perfectly capable of happily living indoors, provided they have a suitable physical environment and receive plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. But the real evidence is in the life expectancy statistics. Outdoor cats usually live 2 to 5 years. Indoor pets often survive 15 to 17 years.
Are There Things I Can Do to Keep My Cat Happy & Healthy?
There are several ways to support indoor cats’ health and well-being, including providing an appropriate physical environment, providing your pet with toys, and ensuring your cat gets enough exercise.
1. Cat Trees & Beds
Creating an inviting physical environment that meets your cat’s natural needs can go a long way toward providing a healthy place for your buddy to thrive. Cats in the wild are predators and prey, so they are often most comfortable when resting in high places, as it allows them to see and escape from danger well ahead of time.
Providing cats with cat trees, cat shelves, and other inviting places where they can observe the world from far above often gives cats a sense of safety and comfort. Cat beds are soft, comfortable, and accessible, and they are a requirement if you want your cat to limit their sofa napping time.
2. Scratching Posts
Cats also need sufficient outlets for instinctive behaviors such as scratching. Cats scratch to keep their claws in top shape and mark their territory. Cats have scent glands in their paw pads, so they leave behind traces of pheromones when they scratch. Because cats have such acute senses of smell, they often rely on scent to identify people and places.
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3. Cat Toys
Toys and other enrichment activities are also beneficial to indoor cats. Cats generally require anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour of daily exercise. Most do best with multiple short play sessions since many simply lose interest after 10 or 15 minutes. Older cats may be happy with a few gentle daily play sessions. Bengal cats and other high-energy breeds may require far more activity to stay happy.
Plush toys filled with catnip provide cats with something to rabbit kick and toss about. Teasers allow cats to stalk, chase, pounce, and burn a few calories. Interactive toys allow cats to bat and chase with abandon when you are not around to entertain them. There are even electronic toys you can program to engage your pet at scheduled times! Food puzzles tempt cats to use their natural skills to “liberate” treats. Playtime also provides social engagement, which is also vital for the feline’s well-being.
The 3 Ways for Cats to Safely Enjoy the Outdoors
Cats can enjoy supervised outdoor access in several ways, including catios, enclosures, and walks! While some indoor cats are content with a cozy window perch to observe the trees and birds, others enjoy regular supervised outdoor access.
1. Catios
If you live in an apartment with a balcony, a secure catio will allow your pet to spend time safely outside. They’re enclosed outdoor spaces where cats can sit, nap, or explore. Caticos can be small enough to fit outside a window or large enough to cover most of a balcony. Some designs allow your cat to let themselves outside to sit and enjoy a bit of sun, and others provide a safe way for your cat to take in the air while you’re tending to your garden or reading on your balcony.
2. Large Enclosures
Cat enclosures tend to be larger and let cats safely spend time in backyards. There are many options, including sturdy wooden enclosures, tents, tunnels that stretch around the yard, and playpens. Cats should always be supervised when enjoying outdoor enclosures to prevent accidental escapes and incidents with roaming animals.
3. Walking With Harnesses
Some cats love going for walks; they get fresh air, a bit of exercise, and exposure to interesting smells. It is also an enjoyable way to spend time with your cat. It’s often relatively easy to train cats to walk on a leash. Harnesses are better choices than collars for walking cats as they fasten under your cat’s tummy and neck to keep your buddy from wiggling out and escaping.
They also distribute weight, so if your cat pulls on the leash, it will not put pressure on its neck. Getting cats accustomed to wearing a harness is often the most challenging part of the entire process! Start by allowing your buddy to become accustomed to the harness indoors. Once your cat is fine wearing their new contraption, add a leash and take things outside. Follow your cat’s lead, and do not be surprised if your pet lies down a few times to bask in the sun’s rays.
Are All Cats Better Off Indoors?
No. Feral cats or animals uncomfortable around humans often become stressed and anxious when brought indoors. Adult feral cats generally do not make great pets or housecats, as most were never socialized to accept humans and avoid contact with people.
Most truly feral cats do best when living outdoors in environments with access to an appropriate shelter. Feral kittens can often be socialized and adopted if raised with lots of loving human contact. Stray cats who have not been alone for long are often happy to return to indoor life under the right circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor cats get natural exercise and mental stimulation but often live much shorter lives since they are vulnerable to being hit by motor vehicles and at higher risk of being injured in fights with other animals.
They are also vulnerable to communicable diseases. Indoor cats live longer and are generally safer from physical dangers but do not receive the same amount of mental stimulation and exercise. Indoor cats can be perfectly content and healthy when they get enough physical activity and have fun toys to keep them busy. Most thrive when they can access plenty of toys, scratching posts, and vertical play spaces.
Featured Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock
