There are a number of reasons why keeping cats indoors may be best. These include protection from feline leukaemia and FIV, safety from predators such as dogs and coyotes (depending on your country) and ensuring that they do not get lost or stolen.
Indoor cats will also be able to get plenty of exercise and environmental enrichment while they live inside. This is a much healthier and happier environment for them, as well as safer for you.
Health
Cats who spend all of their time indoors are at a lower risk of injuries and illnesses. They are less likely to be exposed to diseases, parasites and predators such as dogs, foxes, dingoes and venomous snakes that can cause them harm.
They are also at a lower risk of being lost, attacked or poisoned by other cats and humans. Keeping cats indoors can also prevent them from killing wildlife such as birds and mice.
If you’re unsure about whether to keep your cat indoors or let them roam, talk to your veterinarian and they will be able to advise you on your particular circumstances. They will also be able to give you advice on vaccinations, effective parasite control and other wellness care.
Safety
There are many benefits to keeping your cat indoors – a safe and secure environment where they can be protected from disease, and where their natural curiosity can be indulged. However, the outdoors can pose a variety of dangers for your cat that are not always apparent.
For example, they can be hit by a car, or accidentally ingest poisons and other harmful substances. They can also be attacked by dogs or other animals that may feel threatened by them.
Outdoor cats can also cause problems for wildlife. They can kill, injure or capture wild animals that are not theirs to hunt, and they may defecate and dig up their neighbors’ lawns.
For this reason, it is best to keep your cat inside or in a limited-access environment (cattery or catio) as much as possible. This will not only ensure their safety but it will also protect our native wildlife.
Stimulation
Stimulation is any activity or event that makes someone do something. It can be as simple as a teacher making you want to learn a new subject.
In the animal kingdom, stimulation can be achieved by a variety of ways. For example, in a zoo, there are special foods that make animals exercise.
One of the best ways to stimulate a cat is through interactive toys. These toys provide hours of fun and entertainment, while at the same time stimulating the natural prey drive in your pet.
Another way to stoke your feline’s interest is to offer them a variety of different scratching and feeding areas in various rooms. These can be as simple as a couple of boxes with scratching posts built into them or as elaborate as a kitty castle. Depending on your pet’s individual preferences, a kitty palace might include multiple vantage points, several types of food and a variety of litter trays.
Attention
One of the major reasons to keep your cat indoors is that they have a tendency to be curious and may find a way to escape. This is particularly true if they are left alone for long periods of time.
If you keep your cat inside, they won’t be tempted to leave the home by the sound of the front door or other people coming and going. This means that they’ll be safer at night and won’t spend hours wandering around in search of their owners.
To help them feel safe, you’ll need to make sure they have access to various rooms and that there is lots of furniture for them to play on. Also, ensure they have some places where they can climb, hide and rest.