Indoor Cats Vs Outdoor Cats: Know the Difference
Will your kitten be an indoor or an outdoor cat? By understanding her natural instincts, you can make sure she has a happy life wherever she roams.
One of the most pressing questions feline parents seek an answer to is - whether to let their cats roam free outdoors or is it better to confine the furry munchkins indoors. While kitties love strutting outdoors since they are genetically predisposed to roam and hunt in the wild, certain dangers can be fatal for your precious fur baby. But keeping your cat confined within the four walls at all times might not be healthy for your fur kiddo. They can not only become morose but also fat or obese due to the lack of physical exercise.
At the end of the day, what all cat parents want is a healthy and happy fur baby. So, if you are worried about whether to let your furry feline out or lock them inside, this article will guide you towards making an informed decision.
The lifespan of Indoor Cat vs Outdoor Cat
While the lifespan of cats is dependent on various factors like their breed, the average lifespan of an indoor cat has been observed to be considerably higher than outdoor cats. Indoor cats often enjoy a healthy cat lifespan between 12 to 15 years, whereas outdoor cats rarely outlive 8 to 10 years. In the wild, there are significant risks that potentially threaten the life expectancy of cats. Outdoor cats are often preyed upon by larger animals like dogs and foxes, or face the threats of starvation, harsh climates, diseases, and traffic. Indoor cats are usually protected from such risks.
Cat Health
Indoor and outdoor cats, both face the risks of contracting diseases to some degree, but the diseases can more often be fatal in outdoor cats. While outdoor cats can contract fatal diseases more easily, indoor cats can tend to become obese due to lack of exercise.
Diseases
Some of the diseases commonly observed in cats include:
Feline AIDS
Feline AIDS is a consequential disease most commonly experienced by outdoor cats. However, in addition to being fatal, feline AIDS is worrisome for cat parents due to its contagious nature.
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
FIP is a viral disease more commonly observed in feral and outdoor cats and manifests in symptoms like blood poisoning, fever, shock haemorrhage, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Once detected, FIP worsens rapidly and can kill the cat within months.
URI (Upper Respiratory Infection)
Upper respiratory infection is quite common in outdoor cats. Although URI is not fatal, it can put significant strain on your kitty’s immune system, making it susceptible to other diseases.
Parasites
Some of the common parasites to affect indoor vs outdoor cats are:
Roundworm
Roundworms are intestinal parasites that cause gastric infections, characterized by diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, lack of appetite, and weight loss.
Tapeworm
Tapeworm is a disease-causing parasite found in the lower intestine of cats and can be easily transmitted to healthy cats from sharing an indoor cat litter tray. Outdoor cat litter can also attract tapeworms, increasing the chances of transmission.
Hookworm
Outdoor, as well as indoor cats, face the risks of coming in contact with hookworms from cat fleas and infected faecal matter.
Letting Your Cat Outside Safety Concerns
Mentioned below are some of the safety concerns that you should consider before letting your cat out:
Risks of disease and parasitic infection
Unlike outdoor cats, indoor cats are comparatively protected from diseases and parasites. Outdoor cats run the risk of falling ill by ingesting toxic substances or drinking from contaminated sources. Outdoor cats also come in touch with diseases like feline AIDS, feline leukopenia, and diseases borne by insects like ticks and leeches.
Accidents
Roadside accidents are one of the most common and serious outdoor threats faced by cats. Therefore, uncontrolled outdoor access is a grave safety concern among pet parents who live next to highways or roads with busy traffic. Other accidents, such as falling from high ground or getting injured while climbing are also more common among outdoor cats than housecats. When it comes to indoor cats vs outdoor cats, those staying indoors enjoy a comparatively safe and secure life.
Predators
Outdoor cats often face significant risks from predators such as hawks, dogs, raccoons, and coyotes. So, unless you are sure your neighbourhood is safe from larger predatory animals, letting your cat go on outdoor adventures is best avoided unless you are accompanying it.
Getting separated
It is not always the best idea to let your fur baby go on a walk on its own, especially in a new neighbourhood as an unfamiliar environment can cause it to lose its way. If your kitty is prone to going on outdoor adventures, get them microchipped and tracked with GPS collars so that you know where your precious munchkin is at all times.
How to keep your cat stimulated?
Cats are free spirits, and being held inside can cause indoor cats to feel stressed and even depressed. Being confined inside the outdoor cat house can also cause them to lose their temper, making them feel annoyed and restless. So, it is also vital to make sure your indoor cat receives sufficient physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. You can pick up some of the beneficial tips to keep your indoor cat stimulated from the list mentioned below.
- Making playtimes an important part of their everyday routine. Games like hide and seek and fetch can allow cats to rely on their feline hunting instincts and keep them entertained. You can hide treats for them to hunt and find too, as part of a game.
- Outdoor cats prefer to keep their claws sharp by scratching them on the barks of trees. Let your outdoor cat house cats keep their claws sharpened by getting them scratch pads or posts.
- Kitties love to climb to vantage points and outdoor felines often climb trees or fences. To ensure that your indoor cat doesn’t miss climbing, you can get it a climbing post or a cat tree.
FAQ on Indoor Cat Vs Outdoor Cat
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Q:
Can you toilet-train a cat?
A:Yes, it is possible to toilet-train your cat. With patience and by following the right methods, you can train your kitten to use the toilet and keep it clean too! But it might take a little longer than litter training.
Q:Do you have to train a cat to use the litter box?
A:Yes, a cat needs to be trained to use the litter box. Generally, a kitten learns from its mother to pee and poop in the right place. But you too can train your cat by getting them used to the litter box.
Q:How can I train my cat to use the litter box?
A:- Keep the litter box in a proper place
- Put enough litter in the litter
- Put the kitty in the box so that it gets accustomed to the litter box
- Try making changes to the litter box if the kitty doesn't use it
Q:How long does it take to train a cat to litter?
A:Kittens have to be placed in the box many times for several days to get an idea of the litter box. It might take longer to train adult cats. On average, it takes around 4 weeks to train a cat to litter.
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