It is a touchy subject and one that almost everyone has an opinion on: Whether cats should be allowed to live outside or not. There are many viewpoints on each side of the debate and there are definite pros and cons to each.

Pros:

  • Increased Activity – Studies have shown that having a cat outdoors increases it’s level of activity and therefore, increases health benefits such as a decrease in weight which leads to a lower risk of diabetes and other health issues. Outdoor cats have more areas to roam and explore and are able to get more activity in throughout the day.
  • Increased Stimulation – A large yard with many trees, bushes and plants is a great mental stimulation for cats. They can explore, hide and play to their heart’s content.
  • Decreased Pest Population – Have moles, mice or other unwanted rodents? Cat’s help control the pest populations around your home. It’s never fun to see one of the “presents” that they leave for you, but would you rather have that in your kitchen?
  • Greater Chance at Life – Many cats would not be able to live if they weren’t given a home outside, such as a barn or shed. A lot of farmers take these cats in to help control the unwanted pests on their land. This keeps the cat out of the shelter, and possibly saves their life.

Cons:

  • Diseases – Your cat is not the only creature outside and they do stand the risk of contracting a disease. Some are spread by other cats such as Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids. Other diseases, such as Rabies, can be spread by wild animals. A regular course of vaccinations should help prevent most of these issues.
  • Parasites – Your cat stands the chance of contracting external and internal parasites such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, tapeworms, roundworms, coccidia, etc. However, most of these preventable with a monthly dose of flea and intestinal parasite prevention such as Revolution.
  • Other Dangers – Cats with a complete set of claws are able to defend themselves pretty well, but not against everything. Depending on where you live, there are wild animals such as coyotes, foxes and wolves that are a risk to your pet’s safety. There is also the chance that your cat could get too close to the road and get hit by a car.

There are many alternatives to allowing your cat to roam free outside. For instance, you can purchase a Kittywalk Tunnel online for safe outdoor exploration. You can always build your own also! Check out this awesome design from Cuckoo 4 Design. Check them out on their website for more ideas and how-to’s.

The Bottom Line

There are many pros and cons to having an outdoor cat, or even having a partially outdoor cat. It is important to weight these in your mind before you make your final decision. If you do decide to let your cat live outdoors, whether it is full or part time, please make sure they are negative for feline leukemia and aids, up to date on all vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and on a monthly parasite prevention. This is the responsible pet-owner approach and will help not only control the feral cat population, but help keep your pet (as well as others) healthy.