It’s wonderful to have a cat in your home, but you’re unsure which cat to have: indoor or outdoor cats and how they’ll live. One of the queries is about their living surroundings.

When it comes to the territory you want your cat to explore, you have three options: indoors or outdoors cats, or both. Cats, of course, desire to be free. Is it, however, secure? Furthermore, your cat’s surroundings can have an impact on their behavior, health, and lifetime. Read on to learn everything you need to know before deciding whether to let your cat roam free or confine him to the house.

Health Issues

A cat’s lifestyle raises the risk of various health disorders, regardless of whether it is an indoor or outdoor cat. Because indoor cats are less active, they are more likely to develop diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and heart disease. Cats that spend a lot of time outside, on the other hand, are at a considerably higher risk of developing a whole new set of issues.

 

Owners of outdoor cats will tell you that they brought home kittens with missing skin or eyeballs as a result of fights with other animals or cruelty. Unfortunately, they are more susceptible to feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus infection. An outside cat can also bring in parasites such as fleas, which can then invade your home. Ingesting harmful compounds like antifreeze or rat poison can potentially poison it. As a result, outdoor cats face greater threats than indoor cats, and their life expectancy is significantly shortened. Indoor cats live 10 to 15 years on average, but outdoor cats live only 2 to 5 years.

Behavior

 

Allowing cats outside may reduce behavioral issues such as urinating outside of the litter box, stalking, and “attacking” people in the house.

Because they’ve scratched trees and other objects outside, they’re less likely to scratch furniture.

 

 

What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Having an Indoor Cat?

Indoor cats have the following advantages:

• Longer life expectancy
• On average, there are fewer injuries.
• Still a completely content cat, thanks to enrichment activities.

Indoor cats have the following disadvantages:

• Some cats may be scavengers who are always trying to get outside.
• It’s easier for cats to get bored.
• It’s possible that it’ll become overly reliant on the owner’s attention.

What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Having an Outdoor Cat?

Advantages of an outdoor cat include:

• There are numerous activities to keep your cat’s body and mind busy.
• There will be no more wrangling with the cat about not going outside.
• Because they’re outside more, there are fewer litter box messes.

The disadvantages of having an outside cat are as follows:

• Average lifespan is significantly reduced.
• Injury is more likely to occur (and therefore increased vet bills)

Ensure that outside kitties are safe.

Some individuals believe that allowing cats to roam freely will improve their quality of life. However, most experts believe that keeping cats indoors is the better option.

If you still want them to live outside, make sure the following conditions are met:

• Your cats should be microchipped in case they are apprehended by animal control or brought to a veterinary clinic.
• Use a flea and tick preventive all year.
• Before it becomes dark, try to get your cat inside.
• Vaccinate your cat on a regular basis.
• Purchase pet insurance since outdoor cats will necessitate extra visits to the veterinarian.

At the end of the day, it’s your choice and your cat’s. To make your decision right now, you have the major features of indoor and outdoor safety, as well as additional considerations. Make sure you’re doing what’s safest and best for your pet.