Should Cats Go Outdoors: Opinion By Imgur User And Cat Behaviorist

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kalila courban
Jul 31, 2021 1:00 PM EDT

Imgur User and feline behaviorist "adrianaontherocks" is using Imgur as a platform to educate and answer questions about all things feline behavior. "Hi Imgur, I'm your friendly neighborhood feline behaviorist. If you're having a cat behavior issue, or are just curious about something cat-related, feel free to ask me about it and I'll see if I can help you out."

Today she tackles the question of the century. Should cats be encouraged to go outdoors? Or should they spend most of their time inside where it's safe and sound. Let's dig in and get some answers.

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    Hey there Mr. Cat. We bet you are wondering if you should be allowed to roam free in the great outdoors. Well we are here to explore the depths of exactly that question and hopefully circle back to you for some answers soon!

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    Font - Hi Imgur, I'm your friendly neighborhood feline behaviorist. Cats are often misunderstood creatures- I can't tell you how much misinformation I see out there about them. Part of this is because cats have NOT been studied scientifically nearly as much as some other species, such as dogs!
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    There is so much misinformation on the interwebs, don't believe everything you read! Do your own research on these matters, consult professionals, do your best to make informed decisions for your furry friends.

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    Font - Today's post is about whether or not cats should have access to the great outdoors, or if they should be kept indoors only. This is a hotly debated topic, and there are many passionate people on both sides. T have been yelled at by people for disagreeing with them, and called stupid, and worse. So if you want to do that in the comments, go ahead- I'm used to it. My opinion lands somewhat in the middle- while I would prefer most cats to live mainly indoor lives, there are situations where
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    Organism - The outdoors can be a dangerous place for a cat. Cats who are kept inside, on average, live 5-10 years longer than those who are allowed outdoors. Outdoor cats are exposed to disease, have the chance of being hit by a car, or getting attacked by a dog, coyote, or other dangerous wildlife. They can get in fights with other cats and potentially catch things from them. Having a cat who is outdoors a lot also provides more opportunity for missing signs of illness- you might not notice dia
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    Font - As my last point- and honestly the most important one- I would like to ask you to consider the birds. Outdoor cats have had a devastating effect on wildlife, of which not all are as prolific as the common rodents we employ working cats to help manage. Birds in particular have been hit very hard, and unfortunately domestic cats have contributed to the extinction or endangerment of many species. Because we want or need to support barn cats and stray colonies, we should try to keep the cats
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    Organism - Don't forget about all the wonderful forms of enrichment you can provide to your cat in an indoor environment, as well. If someone is telling me that their cat *has* to go outdoors because they are just *so* bored indoors, well, then I'm inclined to think that the person isn't doing a good enough job enriching their cat. All cats should have access to a variety of enrichment inside their home- daily play time, cat trees, puzzle feeders, scratching posts, catnip... the list goes on and
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    Organism - But what about quality of life, not just length? Being allowed to go outdoors can be viewed as some of the best enrichment there is. With so many things to smell, climb, hunt, and scratch, they can be in kitty heaven. Many people feel strongly that their cat is living their best life by getting to explore outdoors, and think it's worth the tradeoff. However, there are alternatives to letting your cat free-roam that still allow them to enjoy the outside world. Catios, outdoor enclosure
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