The ideal way to do this is to have your cat live indoors, with plenty of climbing space (including vertical space), safe toys, hiding areas, scratching posts, food/water stations and litter trays, along with daily safe access to the outdoors within your property.
The BC SPCA recommends that cats live indoors.
Indoor cats have a longer life span than those that go outside. Whether you choose to let your cat out or keep them in, know how to provide them with the best environment to keep them happy and safe.
Vets recommend that pet owners keep their cats indoors, instead of letting them live outside. Outdoor cats are more likely to catch varying illnesses, pick up parasites, and deal with potentially life threatening situations more than indoor cats.
Ideally all cats would be allowed access to the outdoors to express their natural behaviour. However, cats can adapt to living indoors, particularly if they are used to it from a young age. Some cats need to be confined indoors due to medical conditions and others prefer an indoor life.
In some areas, this is a curfew where cats are not allowed to roam freely after dark. But in other areas, cats must be kept on their own property at all times. Most areas will make an exception and allow cats onto council land if they are on a leash or in a carrier.
Cats can be kept indoors or go outdoors in a purpose built enclosure which allows them to explore the outdoors without the risk of roaming.
Bottom line: AHS veterinarians recommend keeping your cat indoors. But the decision is yours. If you choose to allow your cats outside, take the proper precautions to keep your kitty healthy and safe.
When can I let my cat out? Kittens need to be at least five months old before they go outside on their own. This gives them time to have all their vaccinations and they'll be almost fully grown. Adult cats will need at least two weeks to settle in so they have a chance to get used to their new surroundings.
Some people believe that letting cats go outside gives them a better quality of life. But most experts agree that staying indoors is the healthier choice for cats. If you want to give your cat the best of both worlds, you can try leash-training your kitty with a specially designed cat harness to help keep them safe.
Cats love to roam, especially at night. This is because they are creatures whose instinct is to hunt when it is dark outside, especially at dawn and dusk. Those are the times of day that a cat is most active.
They may sleep in caves or abandoned buildings, under porches and trees, or even in bushes. They will also sleep outside on open ground if no shelter is available. What do cats do at night? Cats are nocturnal, which means they are active at night.
The Life Expectancy of an 'Outdoor Cat'
While cats kept safe inside generally live for about 12 to 20 years, cats left to fend for themselves outdoors are usually dead before they reach 5 years old. If they're not hit by vehicles—the most common cause of death for cats allowed outside—they succumb to other dangers.
And unlike dogs, cats actually prefer smaller spaces and tend to find hideaways and corners to retreat when they need their space. Although cats may need a little less, a cat can happily live in one room only if they have everything they need.
Cats will usually stay within a 3-4 house radius from where they went out as long as they can find a place to hide within that area. They look for the first place to hide and then they stay there (sometimes for days on end) as long as it is safe and dry.
Feed your cat indoors. Instead of letting your cat back outside as soon as they're finished eating, keep them inside for increasing periods of time. If you're starting your cat's retraining during the winter, a warm, dry bed to snuggle in may be just the ticket to convince them to stay inside.
Start off slow – only let your cat outdoors for 10 minutes at a time at first, then bring them indoors. Supervise your cat during the first few times of outdoor access. When you call them back inside, use a happy tone of voice. Give them a treat when you bring them back inside.
Cons of Indoor Cats
Because cats enjoy roaming and exploring, keeping them inside can lead to boredom. Some indoor cats also experience depression and separation anxiety. To prevent these issues, you must take steps to meet your cat's needs.
The answer is clear when you realize that the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 10 to 20 years, whereas cats who go outdoors typically live only 2 to 5 years. Cats who are allowed to roam outdoors face huge safety and health risks, and sadly, some pay for that freedom with their lives.
Uncontrolled outdoor access is associated with a number of welfare concerns for companion cats, including increased risks of disease and parasites, injury or death due to traffic, predation or ingestion of toxic substances, and getting permanently separated from their owner.
An overnight curfew protects your cat from danger. Cats have accidents involving cars, dogs and unkind people primarily at night. They are also more likely to hunt at night, putting themselves and wildlife at risk of injury or death.
Domesticated cats
Responsible cat owners in Australia keep their cats indoors at all times to prevent them from killing native animals.
All cats, including those referred to as 'working cats' are included in the 24-hour cat curfew. If you live on property and treat your cat like a working cat you are required to effectively constrain it before 1 July 2023. Helpful resources are available via Animal Welfare Victoria here.