Is your cat owner suitable for staying at home or going out? It turns out that it depends on the personality

2bebetter
7 min readJun 9, 2024

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The cat at home is always staring out the window, seemingly curious about everything in the outside world. Before you relent and decide to open a window and let him out, consider the consequences of letting your house cat, which has lived its entire life indoors, suddenly venture into the unfamiliar outdoors. Suppose a domestic cat that has never been outside is suddenly brought outside. In that case, it may be frightened by the unfamiliar and noisy new environment and may be at a loss as to what to do, and may even be in fatal danger. But if your cat was brought back from the wild, or is a “free-range cat” that is used to walking outside every day, then you may feel that the cat was born to be allowed to move freely and should not be restricted to the home.
However, both indoor cats and free-range cats have their advantages and disadvantages, and there is no absolute answer to which one is better for cats (it still must depend on the cat’s habits, surrounding environment and other factors). Therefore, in this article, we put forward some key points for reference by owners who plan to let their domestic cats become semi-free-range cats to see whether your cat is free-range and what are the risks of free-range cats.

1. Will free-range cats be healthier?
For free-range cats or wild cats, because they run and jump outdoors every day, their body functions and posture will be better than those of indoor cats that are generally inactive. “Outdoor cats eat better food. Suitable for their bodies, like raw meat,” the veterinarian said. However, outdoor cats also have more opportunities to encounter threats such as parasites, food poisoning, and infections. the veterinarian also said, “Compared with outdoor cats, which are easily exposed to more bacteria or viruses in the environment, indoor cats are usually less likely to contract feline sepsis or feline AIDS from fighting with cats.”
Another veterinarian also said, “Even outdoor cats need to be vaccinated every 1–3 years. But it still depends on the personality of each cat. Some cats just can’t stand being kept indoors. If they are forced to If kept indoors, it will become depressed and even fight with their owner.”

2. So is it safer to keep cats indoors?

In addition to being more vulnerable to the threat of viral infection, outdoor cats are also prone to dangers such as attacks from cars, cats competing for territory, and other predators. In fact, according to the ASPCA survey, the survival rate of outdoor cats is only about one-quarter that of indoor cats.
But what should you do if your cat still wants to run outside to play or always burrows out when you are not paying attention? In addition to letting it be, it is best to take it regularly for vaccinations, deworming, and neutering to minimize any risks of various infections that may be encountered.
Another veterinarian also said that he often encounters cases where indoor female cats that sneak away to play outside end up bringing back a belly full of kittens.

3. Are there any other risks that outdoor or free-range cats may encounter?

Cats have a natural tendency to hunt small animals, so if you have the habit of free-ranging cats or feeding stray cats regularly near your home, you must also consider the small animals nearby because your cat is outdoors The threat posed to them by running away. “You can hang a bell or a bright collar around the cat’s neck, or let it go out for a walk every evening because during this time the birds have rested in the nest and are less likely to interact with your cat. Cats have head-on conflicts. “
If you have a habit of feeding nearby birds, you might want to consider letting your cat become a free-ranging cat. Because when you let the cat out, you’re building a slaughterhouse for the nearby birds. Since everyone loves animals, I believe you must consider not only the happiness of your cat but also the survival rights of nearby native species.

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Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

[Opening Scene: A cozy living room with a cat staring out the window, followed by clips of cats exploring the outdoors.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Is your cat better suited for indoor life or the great outdoors? The answer depends on their personality.”

[Cut to an indoor cat looking curiously out the window.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Your indoor cat may gaze longingly at the outside world, but before you let them out, consider the potential dangers.”

[Scene 1: Risks of Suddenly Letting an Indoor Cat Outside]

Narrator (Voiceover): “A cat that has spent its entire life indoors might be overwhelmed and frightened by the noisy, unfamiliar outdoor environment. This can put them in fatal danger.”

[Show a cat hesitantly stepping outside, looking startled.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “However, if your cat was rescued from the wild or is used to roaming outside, you might feel they need the freedom to explore.”

Photo by Manja Vitolic on Unsplash

[Scene 2: Health Benefits and Risks for Free-Range Cats]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Do free-range cats enjoy better health?”

[Interview with Veterinarian]

Veterinarian: “Outdoor cats get more exercise, which keeps them fit and their body functions well. They often eat raw meat, which is natural for them. But they also face threats like parasites, food poisoning, and infections.”

[Cut to clips of outdoor cats hunting and encountering potential dangers.]

Veterinarian: “Compared to indoor cats, outdoor cats are more exposed to bacteria and viruses, and they risk contracting diseases from fights.”

Narrator (Voiceover): “Even outdoor cats need regular vaccinations every 1–3 years. Some cats, however, can’t stand being confined indoors and may become depressed or aggressive.”

[Scene 3: Safety of Indoor Cats]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Is it safer to keep cats indoors?”

[Footage of indoor cats playing safely.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Indoor cats are protected from viral infections, cars, territorial fights, and predators. According to the ASPCA, outdoor cats have a survival rate only one-quarter that of indoor cats.”

[Cut to a cat owner watching their cat trying to sneak outside.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “But what if your cat still wants to go outside?”

Veterinarian: “Make sure they are vaccinated, dewormed, and neutered to minimize risks. Supervised outings or using a leash can help.”

Narrator (Voiceover): “Unsupervised trips can lead to unwanted pregnancies for indoor female cats that sneak outside.”

Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash

[Scene 4: Environmental Impact of Free-Range Cats]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Are there other risks for free-range cats?”

[Footage of cats hunting birds and small animals.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Cats are natural hunters, and free-ranging cats pose a threat to local wildlife. To mitigate this, consider using a bell or bright collar and let them out at dusk when birds are less active.”

Veterinarian: “If you feed local birds, letting your cat roam freely can be harmful. Balancing your cat’s happiness with the well-being of native species is important.”

[Closing Scene: Balanced view showing both happy indoor and supervised outdoor cats.]

Narrator (Voiceover): “Deciding whether to keep your cat indoors or let them explore outside depends on their personality and environment. By taking the right precautions, you can ensure a healthy and happy life for your feline friend.”

[Ending text on screen with a call to action.]

Text on Screen: “Like and subscribe for more pet care tips! Share your thoughts in the comments below. How do you keep your cat safe and happy?”

[Fade out with soft music.]

Photo by Jari Hytönen on Unsplash

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2bebetter
2bebetter

Written by 2bebetter

"Exploring love & relationships. Providing advice, insights, and inspiration to inspire you to find & maintain healthy and fulfilling connections."

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