If you compare an indoor cat’s lifespan to the one who roams recklessly outside, you will find a significant difference. Indoor cats typically live 15–17 years, while the outdoor ones can only enjoy 2–5 years. So, you can imagine how many threats they face outside and why a safe indoor environment is crucial.
The Dangers Facing Outdoor Cats
Encountering numerous threats is a daily routine for outdoor cats.
- Cats roaming on roads bear a lot of risk. Vehicles can be prime reasons for their injury or even death. It is also because they move very quickly, failing to give proper information of their direction to the traffic.
- Dogs, coyotes, or even larger birds are what they encounter daily. It causes them injury, while bites and scratches can lead to infections if not addressed early.
- They are more prone to diseases like feline leukaemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. These severe conditions have no cure.
- Harsh weather, toxic substances, and human-related dangers never leave a chance to bother them. For that reason, they live in constant stress.
What Are The Benefits of Keeping Them Indoors?
Cats kept indoors avoid many of these risks, so they can live longer and healthier lives.
- Indoor environments protect cats from physical dangers as they are no longer exposed to cars, predators, and hazardous weather.
- Owners can monitor their health and behaviour closely. It allows one to detect and address any concerning symptoms before it gets too late.
- Outdoor animals are not there to disturb or harm them—lower the risk of infectious diseases or parasites. It ensures fewer health complications throughout a lifetime.
- A well-designed indoor environment is enough to make them active and mentally engaged. It is not like they will only be safe and suffer from boredom.
How To Make a Better Indoor Environment?
You can give feather wands, laser pointers, or puzzle feeders-like stuff, so they can mimic hunting behaviours and be natural. More than that, they also want to climb sometimes and prefer some higher space. So, what you can do is add cat trees, shelves, or hammocks, which let them explore and relax.
Also, give them some space near the window so that they can observe the outside environment. Window perches are perfect in this case to make them feel comfortable while enjoying the scene. Secure options like catios (outdoor enclosures) or supervised walks also work. So, if you want to give them a taste of the outdoors without exposing them to risks, follow these practical approaches.
We Are Committed to Your Cat’s Well-Being
If you have also decided to keep your cat indoors, you love them so much and do not consider them an outsider just living in your home. For that reason, we discussed factors related to their physical, mental, and emotional needs within a safe environment. Applying these practices will definitely improve their quality of life.
All these hassles are necessary because if you really love your cat, their safety and well-being are as important as your whole family. So, we always encourage everyone to create a tailored environment for them so you can ensure their safety without making them feel bored. Thanks for being here, and we wish you and your lovely cat lifelong happiness.