Any owner wants to ensure that their pet is happy, healthy and safe and for the most part, this is easy to do. However, it does become a little trickier for cat owners because cats tend to be more independent than dogs or other pets. A lot of pet owners really struggle with the decision of whether to let their cats out or not. Some cats are perfectly happy staying inside all of the time, and others crave a bit of freedom, but how are you supposed to choose? Read on to learn more.
Natural Instincts
Cats do indeed have an innate instinct to explore and hunt. This is why a lot of owners like to let them out because the outside world caters to these instincts perfectly. If you don’t want to let your cat out, then this is something that you will need to be mindful of in order to ensure that your cat is mentally stimulated. Cats are predators, and they love to hunt, which is why a lot of them bring back mice or birds. If you are keeping your cat inside, then it is imperative that you find a way to allow them to imitate this behavior through play in the home.
Exercise
Cats are obviously more difficult to exercise than dogs. You can take a dog for a walk, but cats don’t tend to allow this; they don’t like the leash. Allowing your cat outside gives it an opportunity to explore the neighborhood and get the exercise that they need. It is harder to ensure that an indoor cat is getting the exercise it needs – especially in a smaller property. Again, it is going to come down to how much you play with your cat; that is how it is going to burn off its excess energy. It is also worth considering how much and what your cat is eating too. Obviously, even if your cat is going out, it still needs to be fed high-quality food like Reveal.
Socialization
Outdoor cats are far more likely to socialize with other cats, which does fulfil an important psychological need for them. Unless you have more than one cat, then your indoor cat is not going to have the same opportunities, making them rely on you to fulfil their social needs. On the other hand, however, outdoor cats are more likely to pick up infections and parasites from others, and without spaying and neutering, there is also the chance of unwanted kittens.
In The End
Keeping a cat indoors won’t do it any harm; it simply feels a little unfair to keep them cooped up all of the time. But, if you are fulfilling all of their needs – as outlined above – then keeping them inside is perfectly fine. There are obviously added dangers for outside cats like cars, predators or any other number of accidents that could befoul them. However, letting them out does also have its own advantages in terms of exercise and socialization. In the end, it comes down to your cat, some cats simply don’t have an interest in going out or the temperament, or perhaps their medical conditions mean that keeping them in would be best.
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