Dear Miss Behavin’: I would like to adopt a cat soon and I’ve heard different opinions on whether to keep my cat inside or let them be indoor/outdoor. Won’t they get bored being inside all day?
Good question! For the safety of your cat and for other animals outdoors, it’s best to keep your cat inside. It’s quite easy for an indoor cat to live a fully enriched life! The outside world is a dangerous place for a cat, where they are at a high risk of becoming seriously injured, lost, or sick. Being outside a cat could be hit by a car, eaten by another animal, become lost, or poisoned. Outdoor cats also have a negative effect on local bird populations and disrupt ecosystems due to the huge number of birds and mammals killed by outdoor cats every year. Keeping your cat inside ensures them a safe and full, healthy life. You can keep your indoor cat entertained by making sure they have plenty of cat scratchers, a cat tree or two for climbing, and ideally a place to look out the window. Playing with your cat gives them the exercise and hunting time they need and can also be bonding time between you and your cat. There are other ways to enrich your indoor cat as well, like building a catio or leash training them for walks outside! If you have a little time and patience, your indoor cat will be just as satisfied (if not more so) than one that is outside