Key takeaways
- Many cat owners wonder whether keeping an indoor cat is a cruel option or a sensible lifestyle.
- As always, it depends on your personal situation. But to help answer the question, 'Are cats happy indoors?' we will explore this topic a little further.
- We offer our expert opinion about whether an indoor life is cruel before advising on the best ways to keep an indoor cat happy and the benefits and drawbacks of both outdoor and indoor cats.
Is it cruel to keep a cat indoors?
It's often asked whether it's cruel to keep a cat indoors. And the honest answer is that it depends on the situation. For certain cats, an indoor life can suit them well and sometimes even be a necessity. For example:
- Cats with disabilities: Blind, deaf, or physically impaired cats are likely to be safer if they are kept indoors. If they are let outside, they are more likely to be vulnerable to predators, involved in traffic accidents, and can become lost.
- Cats that are FIV positive: Feline immunodeficiency virus can be transferred between cats through bites, so if you have a cat with FIV, it's crucial you keep them indoors to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Rare purebred cats: Many cat owners choose to keep their purebred cats indoors to prevent them from getting stolen.
When is it cruel?
So, when is it cruel to keep cats inside? There are certain situations that may lead to a cat living an unhappy or unsatisfying life if they are kept indoors. This includes:
- If you live in a small apartment: A small house or apartment with no space to run or outside area may mean your cat isn't getting the physical or mental stimulation they need to live a happy life.
- If they have previously been an outdoor cat: If a cat has lived a free outdoor/indoor cat their whole life, then suddenly restricting them to the confines of a house can negatively affect their wellbeing.
- If they're alone a lot of the time: An indoor cat may struggle if they are left alone for long periods of time with no other way to entertain themselves.
How to keep an indoor cat happy
Sometimes, you may have to keep your cat indoors. This doesn't necessarily mean they will become stressed, as long as you make sure you do it right. There are many ways to keep your cat happy indoors, so don't feel guilty if you can't let them out!
Give them lots of space
To keep indoor cats happy, you need to satisfy their instincts, like hunting prey. And cats especially have huge prey drives, which means they will chase almost anything to find out whether it is prey.
Without the space to do this, they can become a little stir crazy. If you have a small house or apartment, try the following:
- Decluttering
- Opening doors to other rooms
- Adding things to climb to take advantage of vertical space, like cat trees
These small changes can make a world of difference to your indoor cat!
Ensure they are mentally stimulated
Outdoor cats will naturally be very mentally stimulated as they survey their territory, follow scents, and play or hunt. Indoor cats need more intervention to ensure they don't become bored and develop behavioral issues.
Try the following:
- Use puzzle feeders
- Introduce new toys regularly
- Interact and play with them
Keep them company
Indoor cats may want a little more attention in order to prevent boredom. When you're around the house, make sure you interact with them. Keeping your cat company can be simple, so try:
- Setting up a cat bed next to your work station
- Sitting with them when you're relaxing
- Not leaving them for long periods of time
- Investing in a cat sitter if you leave for over a day
Cats are sociable animals, so if they aren't meeting other cats or animals on outdoor adventures, they need to be surrounded by love indoors.
Indoor cats vs outdoor cats
Both indoor and outdoor cats can live long and happy lives. As a cat owner, it's your responsibility to make that decision for them. Below is a full assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of indoor only cats and free roaming cats, to help you decide what's best for your situation.
Benefits and drawbacks of outdoor cats
So, while we would generally recommend allowing your cats outdoor access so they get all the stimulation they need, we'll consider all the benefits and drawbacks to get an overview.
Benefits:
- It's likely your cat will get the exercise they need
- Your cat will be mentally and physically stimulated
- Cats that have outdoor access are less likely to be stressed or have behavior issues
- Your cat will have enough space to run and climb
- Your cat will be unlikely to experience boredom
Drawbacks:
- They are more likely to be in a traffic accident
- Vulnerable to theft
- More likely to be injured in territorial fights with cats
- Vulnerable to predators
Benefits and drawbacks of indoor cats
Choosing whether you will have indoor cats or outdoor cats is a huge decision and one that will impact the rest of your kitty's life.
If you keep your cat indoors for its early years, they are unlikely to be able to explore the outside world ever. This is because they won’t develop the kind of street smarts they need to navigate it.
This is why it's essential to really consider all the benefits and drawbacks alongside your own personal situation before making a decision.
Benefits:
- Your cat won't be at risk of theft
- Your cat won't be at risk of traffic accidents
- Your cat won't be involved in fights with other animals
Drawbacks:
- Your cat may become bored
- Your cat may become lonely
- Your cat could develop behavioral issues
- Your cat could experience stress and health problems relating to it
- Your cat may not get the exercise they need
FAQs
Final thoughts
So, to conclude, many cats can live long and happy lives indoors. But it's important to consider your individual situation. If you have a spacious home and can keep your cat company, then they will likely be very content indoors.
However, if your cat has previously had access to the outdoors, or if you live in a small apartment and are away a lot, they are unlikely to have a high quality of life.
