Should I keep my cat indoors or let it outside?

The outdoors is full of risks a cat cannot avoid — cars, dogs, foxes and other predators, fights with other cats, and poisons such as antifreeze and rodenticide.

Outdoor access also exposes cats to infectious diseases including feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis and rabies, as well as fleas, ticks and intestinal worms. Free-roaming cats are far more likely to be hit by traffic, stolen, injured deliberately or simply lost, and they kill large numbers of birds and small wildlife.

That said, an indoor-only life only works if you meet your cat's needs. Boredom and inactivity lead to obesity, stress and behaviour problems such as scratching, spraying and night-time yowling. Provide daily interactive play with wand toys, tall cat trees and window perches, puzzle feeders, scratching posts and a rotation of toys. Two cats often keep each other company.

If your cat clearly wants the outdoors, give it safely. Train it to a well-fitted harness and leash, build or buy a secure catio or screened enclosure, or cat-proof a balcony with netting so it can watch the world without touching it. Supervised outdoor time in a fenced, covered run is a good middle ground. If your cat already goes outside, at minimum keep it in at night, microchip it, and keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date. For most homes, indoor living plus enrichment is the healthiest and longest-lived option.