Outdoor Cat Vs Indoor Cat: Are you one of those who are at the crossroads of making a choice between having an outdoor cat or an indoor cat? Here is what we have gnarled about this subject matter that will clear the confusion and help you make a choice.
Table of Content
What You Should Know About Outdoor Cats?
Although leaving your cats to roam and have a good time touring the neighborhood and making new feline friends. This level of freedom can pose a dangerous life to outdoor cats.
When cats go outdoors, they stand at risk of being injured and exposed to infectious diseases such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Not only that, they get into fights and 90% of the time they get wounded. Some get hit by cars or killed. Some in a bid to try new recipes end up drinking poisons such as antifreeze.
Cats who spend their lives outdoors live an average of just 2 to 5 years.
What You Should Know About Indoor Cats
Indoor cats are those that are kept confined and are allowed out only on outdoor enclosures or during leash walking. This protects them from the fury of humans, wildlife, and toxic environments.
Because they are protected, indoor cats tend to live longer, about 10 to 15 years of age.
Although this sounds good, indoor cats are too jelly and could barely do anything rather than relax, eat and meow. And by doing so they are prone to obesity and other related illnesses which will cost their owners a fortune to get them back to good health.
Read Also: Cat Pregnancy | All You Need to Know About Cat Gestation Period
Is It Better To Have An Indoor Or Outdoor Cat?
Making a choice of keeping an Indoor or outdoor Cat is totally up to you. But we will let you know what we have noticed from research and what those who have either of these cats say about them.
Outdoor Cat owners work with the perspective that allowing their cats to go outside gives them a better quality of life you know, like socializing, making new friends, trying out new food recipes, and seeing more about life than a fancy house.
On the other hand, indoor cat owners feel that when their cats stay indoors, they stand less chance of contracting diseases. Therefore they believe that indoor cats are healthier.
Although we know that both have their disadvantages we cannot also rule out that they have great advantages as well.
Is It Cruel To Keep Cats Outside?
Well yes, it is cruel to keep cats outside especially when they do not want to be outdoor cats. Just like any other animal, cats who are left outdoors without supervision are vulnerable to car accidents, attacks by other animals, cruel people, and exposure to diseases.
None of these things sound nice in itself so it’s absolutely cruel to keep your cats outside unsupervised.
What Is The Difference Between Outdoor And Indoor Cats?
One of the major differences between an outdoor cat and an indoor cat is the swiftness in acquiring the disease. Outdoor cats can readily pick up parasites such as fleas, ticks, ear mites, intestinal worms, and ringworm. Such a tendency is low in indoor cats because they are always cared for and often go for examination at a veterinarian clinic.
Secondly, indoor cats will easily run into a car on the road because they do not in any way know how to avoid cars. On the other hand, outdoor cats are experienced with the road and therefore can avoid being struck and killed by one.
Poisons are easier to be swallowed by outdoor cats in their quest to try new street recipes, however, that is greatly avoided by pet owners of indoor cats.
Read Also: How to Take Care of Newborn Cats
Are Cats Happier Outside?
Most cats are not happy outside because they rarely survive the stress, life-threatening hazards, toxic environment, cars, toxic plants, poisons, other cats, and wild animals.
Do Cats Need To Go Outside To Be Happy?
As long as you play with your cats in a pool of toys fagr are all good and happy. They do not need to go out.
Should I Let My Cat Be An Outdoor Cat?
The only good thing about allowing your cats to venture outdoors is the variety of opportunities for physical activity. Indoor cats do not get more of that.
Do Indoor Cats Get Depressed?
Yes, indoor cats often get depressed due to no dynamism in play or environment. That the outdoor cat enjoys in excess so they often get depressed.
Do Outdoor Cats Need A Litter Box?
Yes, outdoor cats who roam the streets often love having their own litter box. Outdoor litter boxes make for happier neighbors, too. If a person is concerned that cats are using their flower garden or front yard as a toilet, an outdoor litter box is a solution.
Conclusion
The choice to have an outdoor cat or an indoor cat is totally yours to make. Some weigh the options and know which you can handle.
References
- https://pets.webmd.com/ – Should You Have an Indoor Cat or an Outdoor Cat?
