Pet Health Community

Is it better to have an inside cat or an outside cat? This is a question I get all the time. But it really depends on the animal and the pet owner's situation.

Personally, I would prefer if all cats stayed inside and never went out. It's a rough and scary place out there, even in the best neighborhoods. Outdoor cats are up against cars, other cats, dogs, wildlife, and more. And don't forget all the parasites cats can pick up from being outside, or the possible exposure to both natural and man-made toxins. Not a day goes by in my practice when we are not treating an injured cat due to one of these hazards.

With that being said, I do understand that the outdoor-indoor decision is not always so black and white. My family cat, Sally, was a stray barn cat that someone brought to my office. She had just had kittens and had already lived a tough life outside. I fell in love with her. So I had her spayed, vaccinated, and cleaned her up. I brought her home to live with my family, and my plan was to keep her inside for the rest of her life. She would have regular meals, a clean litter box, and kids to play with -- a perfect and safe life.

My plan lasted all of one week. For the first week, she was happy indoors and loved all the attention. She got along with my kids and my dogs. But then she started standing by the door, wanting to get out. Having been a barn cat, she had some real street smarts. So when I tried to slip in and out of the front door, she learned to hide across the room and dart for the door when opened. And she was fast, so she got out often.

One day, when as I was trying to get her back inside, I noticed how she was just sitting on our deck, looking happy in the sun. Right then I realized that my everyday struggle to keep her inside was no good for either of us. She was much happier going outside. So I rethought my plan and concluded that there are some pets you just cannot keep indoors. She was miserable being inside all the time. And as soon as we started letting her out -- making her an indoor-outdoor cat -- she was happy.

In appreciation for my change of heart, she rewarded us daily with "gifts" that she'd catch outside. The only problem was that her "gifts" were usually alive, resulting in our having to chase a chipmunk, squirrel, bird, mole, and even a snake out of our house. My wife still hasn't recovered!

As a veterinarian, I would love for all pets to live inside in controlled environments without the exposure to so many outdoor dangers. But for many animals this is torture. If you have a cat like Sally, the best you can do is try to protect it as much as you can. Keep its flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives current. Try to get it to stay in your yard away from cars, and watch it carefully for any signs of trauma or abscesses.

What has influenced you to allow or prevent your cat from going outdoors? What steps do you take to keep your wandering cat as safe, healthy, and protected as you can?