Cats – Keep Indoors or Go Outside?
The Dilemma: Keeping Cats In and Safe or Letting Them Enjoy Outside?
Cats are animals that enjoy going outside. But the great outdoors holds many dangers for the domestic cat. An experienced cat owner considers the options available.
Many years ago, almost everyone let their cats go outside. Indeed, especially in rural areas, many were put out at night! They were expected to fend for themselves and catch their own food, and keep down the rodent population at the same time. But things have changed, and many people now keep their cats indoors at night for safety, and some cats are not allowed out at all. So what is best?
The Indoor Cat
There is no doubt that it is safer for a cat to live indoors. It will not be run down by a car, attacked by a wild animal, or stolen, if it never goes outside. On the other hand, it is debatable whether an indoor cat can actually be a happy cat. Cats still have wild instincts; they want to hunt and play. Younger cats in particular have a great deal of energy. Once a cat has been an outdoor cat it is unlikely to tolerate an indoor life. But many owners say that a cat which has always been kept indoors will settle to that way of life – it won’t miss what it never had. Certainly if the owner lives on a main road, in a flat, or somewhere else where the outside world is very dangerous, this may be the best option. But purely indoor cats need to be provided with a large amount of stimulation. So the owner should provide play area, toys, and hiding places, so that the cat does not become bored or frustrated. And if he or she is out most of the day, perhaps she should consider having at least two cats, as one indoor feline could become very lonely.
The Outdoor Cat
Most cats love going outside. However, in some areas this is obviously not a good idea. If the owner lives near a main road, in a flat with no outside access, or on a fast country lane, perhaps the cat will need to be confined. However, on the whole cats are not stupid. Most of them learn to cope with traffic, and work out how to get home, even if home is upstairs in a flat. Attacks by dogs or wild animals are rare; most cats can take care of themselves. And, even in the case of pedigree cats, cat theft is thankfully still very rare. Perhaps some owners keep their cats in for their own sake rather than the cat’s! On the other hand, accidents do happen, so allowing the cat outside at any time may not seem to be sensible, except in a very safe area. Maybe there are other solutions….
Supervised Excursions
Some cats are only allowed out in the daytime, or only go outside when the owner is at home to keep an eye on them. This can be an excellent compromise. The cat gets to have a more natural life and a great deal of fun, but the owner can ensure that it is safe. A four-way cat door can ensure that the cat can come home if it does wander off and can’t immediately be found.
An Outside Run
One way of keeping a cat safe while allowing it some freedom is to have a completely enclosed outside run. These can be bought from a number of companies, or individually made by a joiner or anyone with reasonable DIY skills. One option is to attach the run to the back door, so that the cat has its own back garden, with a cat door leading into it. One owner made a cat run like this for her multi-cat household, with another door from the run to the main garden. Both doors were four-way, so that she had a number of options as to where the cats were allowed to go.
The Cat-Proof Garden – Ultimate Solution?
Perhaps the safest solution is to completely cat-proof the garden. This can be done in a number of ways, either with commercially bought products or DIY. Basically, the garden needs to be enclosed with a fence, with wire at the top which bends inwards at 45 degrees, then at 45 degrees again. The principle is similar to that of a lobster pot, in that the angle at the top is such that the cat cannot escape.
If such a fence is built properly, it should not be an eyesore, provides the cat with both freedom and safely, and allows peace or mind for the owner. It is the Ultimate Solution!
