Introduction
Even though our cats live with us, you may get the feeling that your cat isn’t entirely tame. Oftentimes cats simply do as they please! They eat when they like, sleep where they like, and cuddle up to us whenever they’re in the mood. This is totally normal and natural, and we can actually increase our pets’ happiness by helping shape their environment in order to give them the freedom to be comfortable. One of the main ways we can do this is to allow them to choose when they can go outside. In this article we’ll discuss the pros and cons of being indoor and outdoor and how cat doors are an effective solution that can provide balance for your feline.
Background
First, we should cover some background. I have many friends whose cats are purely indoor cats – they never go outside – and I have friends whose cats are essentially barn cats, spending their days outside whether it’s warm or cold. Both of these lifestyles are completely fine, but it depends on the cat. Just like with people, we need to be attuned to their individual needs. If you have noticed that your cat is having behavioral issues or is acting strange, the lifestyle difference between indoor and outdoor cats may be having an effect and is worth the research. When my cats, Pearl and Rio, are cooped up inside, there is a noticeable difference in their behavior. We’ll take a quick look at the effects and benefits of both lifestyles for house cats.
Indoor Cats
Indoor cats often have a longer overall lifespan than outdoor cats. This is due to a variety of factors. Indoor cats are exposed to less diseases, predators, and harmful environments in general. If your cat remains primarily indoors you are able to monitor their nutrition and diet much more carefully, and are able to stop them from ingesting anything potentially harmful found outdoors.
However, indoor cats tend towards boredom much more quickly than outdoor cats, which can eventually lead to behavioral issues such as scratching furniture, general depression and lethargy, and chewing on dangerous items such as electrical cords. Additionally, because most indoor cats never have the chance to learn how to survive outdoors and have the tendency to wander outdoors when allowed, indoor cats are especially at risk if ever left alone outside. Due to the lower amount of activity indoor cats have, they are also more at risk for becoming obese than outdoor cats. Indoor cats usually need designated playtime, toys, or even another cat in order to keep them stimulated. When it’s cold outside and my cats are stuck inside more often, they need much more attention and need toys to keep them from chewing up the furniture! You should consider keeping a cat indoors as prioritizing their physical health.
Outdoor Cats
Outdoor cats are afforded much more freedom than indoor cats and are able to tap into their instincts more frequently than indoor cats. Being outside provides a stimulating environment that allows them to explore the full range of their natural tendencies. Despite having been domesticated thousands of years ago, cats are still animals and ultimately being outside is the most suitable environment for them. You can give them tastes of the outside by, for example, putting a cat tree by a window, but any method short of actually letting them outside doesn’t fully scratch the itch and release their pent-up energy.
Unfortunately, being outside also subjects them to the natural food chain. Being outdoors alone for young cats under 6 months specifically can be dangerous. Outdoor cats are at a much higher risk of contracting diseases, becoming prey for predators, or getting injured by human activity such as cars. Outdoor cats may ingest harmful chemicals or become stuck in unfamiliar places. My own personal cat has come back home so dirty that his usual black and white fur is entirely black! You should consider keeping a cat outdoors as prioritizing their mental health.
Solution
So what is to be done? Clearly, there are benefits to both approaches to keeping our feline friends happy and healthy. The key is finding the right balance. Just as it is for children, the balance depends on the cat, meaning that cats need proper access to the outdoors for emotional health reasons but also need the safety of the home. As any owner of an indoor-outdoor cat can attest, cats will try to come inside and go outside at all times throughout the night and day. However, products such as cat doors provide an effective solution in allowing them to choose for themselves when they want to be indoors or outdoors. The most tested and true of them is the simple cat door, which allows them to come and go as they please.
The traditional problem with such cat doors is that they can allow freedom to the wrong animals, where other animals can easily wander into your home. Or, if you have a dog, it can prevent your other pets from sniffing around in the litterbox when they’re not supposed to. Products such as NineLivesCo. automatic cat door are more advanced, and can even recognize if it is your cat or not. Granted they’re slightly more expensive, but they are practically essential in creating security for the home and your pets
The benefit for your cat can be immediate. While not all cats need to or even want to constantly come in and out, if they are anything like mine then they can benefit greatly from having the ability to make their own decision.
A preexisting article by PetMD highlights the importance of also training your cat to be aware of the cat door. Any cat owner knows the frustration of buying your cat a new product just to have them completely ignore it. They highlight using positive reinforcement in the form of treats to entice the cat through the door so that they can see its purpose. Additionally, using toys or simply opening the door can go a long way in getting them to understand and use the door.
Summary
There are pros and cons to allowing housecats to allow cats outside versus keeping them inside. The key is to find a balance that works for the individual cat. Especially in households with multiple cats, cat doors provide the freedom for each cat to decide when and how to meet their individual needs. Consider a cat door as a similar investment as allowing a child to have their own room or their own car; it gives them the option to be autonomous in meeting their needs. Simple products such as automatic cat doors from NineLivesCo. provide a hassle-free way to get in and out of rooms and the house without disturbing the homeowner. If you’re uncertain on what is best for your cat, it may be worth your time to simply take the leap and see how your cat responds! I remember I was nervous at first too when my young cats first started venturing outside. Now, it is a core part of their lifestyle and a core part of my own daily ritual watching them come and go.
