All of the Reasons to Keep Your Cat Indoors

"Do you know where your cat is?"
You do if your cat is kept indoors all the time!

So you think it is OK for your cat to go outside? Your neighbor may not agree. Here's why:

Outdoor cats use neighborhood sandboxes, flower beds and gardens as litterboxes. Feces are the route most zoonotice (animal to human) diseases are spread.
Outdoor cats urinate on porches, steps, and houses leaving a distinct and offensive odor.
Outdoor cats are excellent hunters. They ruin bird-watching in areas where bird feeders and birdbaths are set out.
Outdoor cats tear up garbage.
Outdoor cats rip holes in screened windows and doors.
Un-neutered outdoor cats add to the ever-growing cat over-population problem.
Outdoor cats pose a hazard to motorists who try to avoid hitting them on roads.
Outdoor cats cause the same problems as dogs that are allowed to roam free. Would you want your neighbor's dog wandering around unleashed?

What can you do to make your indoor cat happy? Experts suggest providing indoor cats with outdoor amenities:

Plants that are safe to chew on such as grass, catnip, and herbs
Interesting toys that keep your cat occupied and provide exercise
Screened windows that allow your cat a breath of fresh air while keeping him safely indoors
Scratching posts and climbing trees allow them to scratch and climb without damaging furniture and curtains
Another cat could provide your cat with company and entertainment when left alone

These things can help keep your favorite feline satisfied and may also extend its lifespan. Remember, cats spend 18-19 hours per day sleeping, something they would have no problem getting done in a small house or apartment.

You may be asking yourself, "Should I allow my cat indoors?"

Many people have romantic ideas about the lives outdoor cats lead:

"Outdoor cats get to live by their wits."
"My cat is very independent by nature."
"That's what nature intended for them. Cats should be wild and free, not cooped up in a house all day long."

These statements are true for lions and tigers, were evolution has placed them at the top of the food chain; however, the same cannot be said of the domestic cat. Domestic cats has co-evolved with humans and they depend on us for care and protection.

Consider the following hazards to outdoor cats:

Outdoor cats often get hit and killed by cars. Death by motor vehicle accounts for roughly 65% of all outdoor cat deaths.
Outdoor cats are exposed to serious diseases such as:
- Rabies: a fatal disease which is transmittable to humans.
- Feline Leukemia Virus: has a vaccine but may not be 100%; this disease is always fatal.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): no vaccine; this disease is always fatal.
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): has a vaccine but is not proven to be effective; this disease is always fatal.
- Toxoplasmosis: transmittable to humans, especially dangerous for pregnant women.
Outdoor cats can be poisoned, either accidentally, or intentionally by malicious people.
Outdoor cats get injured by fighting with other cats, dogs of wildlife. They require more medical care than indoor cats for bite wounds, abscesses, and torn ears.
Outdoor cats can get seriously injured or killed in the fan belt of cars as they try to find warmth in cold weather.
Outdoor cats are at the mercy of the people they meet. They can be caught and used in laboratory experiments or as bait to train dogs for fighting.

Outdoor cats are simply not as protected as indoor cats.

The only way to keep your cat safe from outdoor dangers is to keep it indoors.