Indoor and outdoor cats

It is needless to say that going outside can provide the cat with mental stimulation and physical activity; however, we need to consider this a little further. Knowing that indoor cats live on average for about 12 to 15 years and outdoor cats only about 5 years, here are a few points to consider that explain such a difference in the life span.

Bouncing around the street and the woods, your cat will be confronted by other neighbourhood cats, which can cause him stress. In some cases, such meetings may not always be friendly… In the countryside, for instance, your pet can easily come across wild animals such as coyotes and foxes. Also, roads are not a safe place for your companions, whether in town or in the countryside. Cats that live far from the city may not be as aware of cars and the hectic life, which puts them at greater risk of getting struck by cars when they roam around, exploring their surroundings.

There are various parasites outside that can infect your pet. Fleas are the most commonly known. However, there are also others such as mites, protozoa and worms lurking around, that can cause a lot of harm to your companions but can also expose your family to these same issues. Therefore, making it important to treat your cats regularly against parasites, whether they spend the full day outside or they simply relax a few hours a day on the balcony.

Cats that go outside can also spread viruses amongst themselves that can cause other, more serious health issues. For example, both the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which is similar to AIDS in humans and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV), attack the cat’s immune system. FIV and FeLV are usually transmitted through a bite from a carrier cat, there are, however, other less common means of transmission. By affecting the cat’s immune system, these illnesses make the cat more vulnerable to other health issues including infections, cancers, anemia, etc. No need to say that keeping your cat indoors, drastically reduces the risk of him contracting these two viruses.

Sterilization is also a key factor for the cat’s health, whether they live exclusively indoors or not. Outdoor cats, however, that are not sterilized, can aggravate the issue of stray cat overpopulation. This is a sad situation as it not only leads to the death of many homeless cats but is also a threat to multiple wildlife species that are is being hunted by these domestic predators.

This being said, what can be done to enhance the quality of life and provide a safe and fun environment for your indoor cat?

It is possible for your kitty to show you their hunting skills safely, inside the home. Mental stimulation should never be taken lightly as it provides many benefits to your animal’s health and well-being. A sedentary lifestyle, however, can lead to behaviour issues, obesity, stress and other serious illnesses.

This is why you must provide them with an environment that will provide mental stimulation and that allows them to express their species’ natural behaviours. It is important to supply a cat condo in one of the rooms to offer them a way to meet such behavioural needs and to keep them entertained. This will allow them to jump, play, find refuge in a hide out and even sharpen their nails! In addition, getting rid of traditional feeding bowls to use interactive bowls is also a good way to promote their species’ physical skills. It is also recommended to have short daily game periods with your cat that will be as entertaining for you as for your cat.