Category: Pet Advise and Care

Information on pet care, feeding, health care and behaviour.

Indoor cats are safer but are they happier?

Some animal behaviourists, animal welfare organisations and experts are advocating that cats should be kept permanently indoors as they will live longer, healthier and happier lives by being protected from external dangers and do not suffer any physical, mental or behavioural harm by doing so. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) even claim that an indoor cat can live four times longer. The Australian RSPCA have coined the catchphrase: “safer at home don’t let them roam” and calls the procedure “cat containment“. But is it another example of us imposing a lifestyle on animals that suits our requirements and interests rather than what is in the animal’s best interests?

The biggest favour we can apparently do an “outdoor” cat is to make it a permanently “indoor” one regardless of whether the cat necessarily agrees with the decision. By being indoors we protect them from being killed in road accidents, annoying neighbours, being attacked by other cats or animals, getting trapped, catching diseases, getting lost and stops them eating other animals. These are all practical and sensible reasons, particularly if you live in countries like Australia and New Zealand where you do not always have any choice but to keep them contained.

The issue is becoming very complicated and has developed into a situation where we seem to have a variety of categories or species of felis catus or domestic cat:

  • the purely outdoor cat;
  • the purely indoor cat;
  • the free to go as you please cat;
  • the inside cat occasionally caged outside to get a piece of R&R from indoors.

Some cats resist containment.

The problem is that some cats stubbornly resist being kept indoors and according to experts often persist in mewing and howling, pestering to go out or trying to dash out an open window or door at every opportunity and causing distress to the owner. In this situations it is advised we should do all we can to keep them entertained. If this fails we should put them in outside cages or enclosures for short periods to experience the great outdoors and satisfy their yearning for freedom. This seems to contradict the presumption that indoor cats suffer no mental or behavioural harm.

But being an indoor cat can also have its risks such as falling to its death from balconies or open windows which is well documented or in many countries being put through painful operations such as being declawed.

A contained cat is obviously safer but whether it is happier is another question.

Realistically most cats prefer to live predominately indoors out of choice and many have a nervous and timid disposition making confinement not a an issue as they love the seclusion and stability, but it is in the nature of most cats to want to roam or at least to have the choice of going out and returning when they choose. We would all be safer if we stayed indoors and never went out particularly our children but as we have discovered in the Covid-19 pandemic lock downs, it is not necessarily good for our mental and physical health so we cannot be sure how it affects cats.

So what is best? The lifestyle of an owned cat is always going to be dictated by the situation of the owner. If the owner lives in an inner city high rise apartment or in a detached house in a secluded rural area the cat will always be forced to adapt to markedly different ways of life because of the limiting options available. They are all individuals and therefore the best course of action might be to get to know a cat’s character and preferences first before imposing a lifestyle on them of our choosing. It is probably worth the risks if it makes your cat happy. Suggesting that all cats should be kept permanently indoors or caged may be a step too far.

Why the U.S. veterinary profession is happy to declaw cats.
The right to roam, cats cannot trespass

Coronavirus: a time to stand by our pets.

While we struggle to combat this terrible virus our companion pets will need all the support we can give them over the next few months because through no fault of their own, they could be subjected to wide ranging and long-lasting negative welfare implications. It is important that we do not succumb to misinformation and paranoia over the risks of transmission of the virus from them.

Most scientists appear to support the notion that there is no compelling evidence animals can pass the virus to humans even though this pandemic apparently began with a jump from animals into humans because of the unsanitary conditions in Asian markets and of cultural eating habits. But human nature being what it is, many of us are quick to panic.

Asian wet market showing live seafood.
The animal to human contagion that caused the pandemic is believed to be linked to Asian wet markets.

Some pet owners around the world are allegedly abandoning or killing their pets. There have been lurid reports of Chinese owners throwing dogs and cats to their deaths from the balconies of high rise apartments through fear of being infected by them after media news that a dog, a cat and a tiger supposedly tested positive. Cats have been particularly singled out as being able to transfer the virus on their fur which could potentially cause a backlash towards them.

Pets and animal charities face long term effects from the pandemic.

With most animal rescues temporarily closed to adopters, the unlucky inmates face even longer incarceration and with staff numbers and visitors reduced to just essential workers, may suffer mentally from isolation from human contact. Some shelters have seen an increase in demand for pets from people seeking companionship during their enforced stay at home and are taking the opportunity to offload as many animals as possible. There is criticism that this is misguided and many fear that when everyone returns to their normal routine it could add to an even bigger influx of unwanted animals.

Unwanted dog, rescue dog
Many animals will have to remain in shelters for months longer due to coronavirus restrictions and may suffer stress and anxiety through lack of visitors and attention.

Not a time to consider renouncing our pets.

At any given time there are always thousands of owners looking to rehome their unwanted pets and with no facilities to take them to owners may take the easy way out resulting in a scenario of mass abandonment. The aftermath will be stray cat and dog populations increasing in many countries and a backlog for many months to come. This could result in increased euthanasia due to lack of space particularly in countries with high rates already such as the USA and Canada.

Animal welfare and rescue charities are already suffering a huge reduction in income and the present climate is not ideal for fund raising appeals when so many humans are suffering hardship. The major animal charities with their much criticised large contingency funds will no doubt continue to function adequately, while those with their hand to mouth approach to funding may well struggle to survive or even close permanently leading to more pressure on the larger charities.

Lions, Kruger national park
The lions of Kruger national park take the opportunity of the coronavirus lockdown to take an undisturbed nap on the roads. Photo: Richard Sowry

While wildlife may not be missing us one bit, but our companion pets are seeing a lot more of us, particularly those once home alone. They are getting the bonus of 24/7 attention from owners, although they shouldn’t get too accustomed to it.