Indoor Cats
As the name suggests, indoor cats live indoors. This means they don’t go outside… ever! Indoor cats eat, play, sleep and go to the toilet (in a litter tray… ideally!) inside the home. Popular indoor cat breeds include the Persian, Russian Blue and Ragdoll due to their low activity level and relaxed temperament. There are a number of pros to keeping an indoor cat including:
- Lifespan: Indoor cats tend to live longer than outdoor cats. In fact, the average lifespan of an indoor cat is between 12-20 years (although nutrition, care and genetics play a big part in this too).
- Safety: Indoor cats are less likely to sustain injuries, be attacked by another animal (a territorial cat or dog perhaps) or get hit by a car. It’s also uncommon for indoor cats to become lost or stolen.
- Health: Cats kept inside aren’t as exposed to fleas, worms, ticks or sick and unvaccinated animals. There’s also minimal chance of an unplanned pregnancy in indoor cats who aren’t neutered.
- Emotion: Indoor cats are typically less anxious than outdoor cats as they are familiarised with their surroundings.
- Interaction: You’re more likely to notice any behavioural or health issues if you and your cat are around each other all day.
- Environmental impact: Indoor cats won’t be outside killing birds and subsequently contributing to a known environmental crisis.
- Grooming: If your indoor cat is long-haired, their coat will be free from dirt and debris.
It’s no secret that cats like exploring and scratching, and it’s in their nature to hunt. But, if your home is the only place they can do this then your soft furnishings are likely to take a hit. With that in mind, if you are particularly houseproud then an indoor cat maybe isn’t the pet for you. Other cons of indoor cats include:
- Boredom: Indoor cats are prone to becoming bored and frustrated. It’s important to ensure your cat is entertained throughout the day with toys and other activities (scratch posts and hiding places etc) to prevent restless behaviour.
- Increased sensitivity to change: Most cats enjoy a certain level of stability and can therefore become irritable when small changes are made around the home.
- Increased stress: Without access to the outdoors, indoor cats require a safe haven within your home to retreat to when stressful situations occur. Increased feelings of stress may result in them clawing at your chairs or marking the furniture and walls.
- Exercise: Indoor cats need encouragement to reach an adequate level of daily exercise to combat obesity. This will come from you, their owner, so it’s important you have the time to interact with your cat.
Outdoor Cats
Outdoor cats will split their time between the home and the great outdoors. Kittens need to be at least five months old before they go outside on their own giving them time to have their vaccinations (and they’ll be almost fully grown by this point). If you have recently welcomed an adult cat to your family however, they’ll need to be kept inside for at least two weeks to settle in. This will give them the opportunity to get used to their new surroundings before they step out into the big wide world!
Popular outdoor cat breeds include Burmese, Siamese, Korat, Norwegian Forest and Oriental. Generally speaking, outdoor cats will be more mentally and physically stimulated thanks to Mother Nature with plenty of smells, sights and sounds to engage your cat’s senses! Additional pros to having an outdoor cat include:
- Exercise: Outdoor cats get more exercise which supports their mental and physical stimulation (as we have already mentioned), and it also helps them maintain a healthy weight and, in turn, reduces their risk of obesity.
- Minimise cat-related smells in your home: Once your cat learns to do their business outside, that’s what they’ll stick to.
- Express their natural instincts and promote good behaviour: One of the key benefits to letting a cat outside is that it provides an outlet for their natural instincts. They’ll get to climb and scratch on trees (saving your sofa), patrol their territory and put their hunting skills to the test! As a result, their behaviour around the home should also improve.
There are also a number of cons to having an outdoor cat as a pet:
- Safety: Outdoor cats are at a greater risk of being attacked by predators, dogs and other territorial cats. They’re also more likely to be hit by a car or come across toxic chemicals in public places (antifreeze, fertilizers or rodent bait).
- Diseases: Outdoor cats are more likely to be exposed to a number of serious diseases including FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), feline leukaemia and rabies.
- Parasites: An outdoor cat can easily pick up fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites.
- Unwanted presents: Outdoor cats kill an astounding number of birds every year. Not only does this contribute to a known environmental crisis, but you may also find their assassinations left on your pillow as a gift!
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to deciding between an indoor or outdoor cat. While indoor cats often encounter fewer physical risks, you could argue that outdoor cats have a better quality of life. But if a cat is never exposed to the outdoors then surely they’ll never know what they’re missing out on? Of course, this is always open to debate.
Regardless of whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, Rooke’s can help you get feline-ready! We have everything cat owners need from food, treats, toys and collars to beds, litter trays, scratchers and travel accessories. Pop in store and visit our cat-friendly team who will be on hand to help you get your kitty care covered.