Keeping your cat in or letting it out:
The great debate
By Liz Farley
Board member
Four months ago our family decided it was time to adopt a cat from the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We visited the shelter for weeks, meeting and playing with the cats trying to decide on our perfect match. In the end we ended up with our little Be-be. She has transitioned into our home beautifully and we are so happy to have her. We love her as though she has always been ours.
Like all of our pets, we want what is best for Be-be and the great debate for us right now is whether or not to let her outside. With the lovely weather we have had recently we found her sitting in the windows more, standing by the door when the dogs go in and out and standing by the sliding glass door watching the dogs while they played.
My heart has been breaking for her thinking that she lived in a tiny cage for three months until we found her and now we are keeping her confined to our small house day after day. We want to let her out but we don’t want something to happen to her either. Research just had to be done and I thought I would share my findings with you this week.
First, I was pleasantly surprised that we are not alone. Many people have debated or are debating this very question. They have the same questions and fears that we do.
Like any topic, there are pros and cons to both sides. With that, the information I will provide below and the decision we make for our cat may not apply or be best for your cat. Think about your cat’s behaviors, personality and physical ability. See how your cat fits into the pros and cons listed below and do the research. Is it best to let your cat in or out?
The most common risks associated with letting your cat outside:
• Shorter life expectancy. On average most articles stated four years less than an indoor cat’s life expectancy;
• Injury caused from roadways, other animals and other humans;
• Poisoning from outdoor gardening or vehicle chemicals and even from eating poisoned prey;
• Diseases from contact with other cats (especially fighting) and the environment can lead to infections with, for example, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, cat flu or enteritis viruses;
• Infestation from fleas or other parasites;
• Loss. Cats can become lost easily in many ways from climbing into a car unknowingly, moving in with a friendly person nearby or just simply losing their way too far from home; and
• Stress. Some cats may find it very stressful to be outside. Testing your cat with small jaunts outside may help you to best determine how your cat feels about this big new world.
The most common advantages, or pros, for letting your cat outside:
• Regular exercise, which is always a plus for your cat’s health;
• Good behavior. Most cats who are allowed outside are less likely to develop bad behaviors like clawing, urination in the home and stalking other animals or humans. They also tend to be less frustrated and bored;
• Social contact with other cats and humans. This can make your cat healthier and happier;
• Rodent control around your home and gardens; and
• Litter boxes will not be used as much or at all with an outdoor cat.
So what are we to do? Some websites suggested a screen tent or some sort of enclosure to allow your cat the best of both worlds — making it large enough to let the cat roam, relax and be outside but also keeping them safe from harm. I’ve also read that some people only let their cats out when they are outside, almost as we do with dogs. Another suggestion was only to let your cat out on a strict schedule, luring them back home at feeding times to keep them near.
For the indoor cat many people set up bird feeders outside windows, fish tanks (with lids tightly on) and kitty cities/condos in their home to give their cats a three-dimensional environment of their own. Always having an array of toys including moving toys, mind puzzlers and food puzzles to keep your indoor cat occupied and their mind sharp as well.
With all of this being said, the great debate is certainly not over in our home. We have much more research and trial to do.
Please consider adopting an animal from the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle. Have your pets spayed or neutered!
