Letting cats roam outdoors is a hot topic, for sure.
For years, bird lovers and cat lovers have clashed over whether cats, not native to the U.S., should be allowed to roam. Cats that live in the wild or indoor pets allowed to roam outdoors kill from 1.4 -3.7 billion birds in the continental U.S. each year. Wow!
Outdoor cats are also exposed to significant dangers – cars, coyotes, raccoons, dogs, parasites, poisons – and tend to die at an earlier age. The average lifespan for an outdoor cat is 3 to 5 years.
Indoor cats live longer (13-17 years, on average), but face more issues with boredom and obesity, which can lead to behavioral and medical issues.
It’s important to make an informed decision about whether to keep your cat indoors or outdoors. This article at Pet Health Network helps you weigh the pros and cons.
Catios and Cat Yards
If your cat wants to go outdoors but you want to keep kitty safe, consider a catio or cat yard.
An abundance of alternative designs abound for homeowners, renters, and apartment dwellers, from do-it-yourself designs to kits from companies like Purrfect Fence. These ingeneous enclosures allow cats to enjoy sunshine and fresh air, work out their wiggles with exercise, and keep their hunter minds sharp – without putting them or wildlife at risk.
Here are some ideas, and here are a few more.