There’s been a lot of talk about whether cats should be kept inside or let outside. Ben the Vet, a popular vet on TikTok, made a video where he talks about this.
He brings up the good and bad sides of both. Some people think letting cats roam is cool, but others think it’s risky. Let’s break it down and see what’s best for your cat.
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Outdoor cats can enjoy a richer, more fulfilling life
“Life for an outdoor cat allows them to express the full range of their natural behaviors, and is probably more fulfilling for a cat.”
Outdoor life seems to be a dream for cats. They get to be themselves — hunt, climb, and explore. It’s just more natural for them. Way more exciting than just lying around inside all day.
But outdoor cats face some serious hazards
“There’s the risk of being hit by a car and killed or seriously injured. There’s the risk of being attacked and injured by other animals, usually other cats, and usually fights over territory.”
So here’s the downside: the outside world can be dangerous. Cars, fights with other cats, you name it. It’s risky out there for them.
Outdoor cats are exposed to more health risks
“Outdoor cats are also much more likely to be exposed to toxic substances and infections such as FIV – which is the cat equivalent of HIV – cat flu, and parasitic infections like fleas.”
Outdoor cats can harm local wildlife
“Outdoor cats can hunt and kill vulnerable species of wildlife, such as song birds.” Having an indoor cat means you don’t have to worry about this.
So there’s this other issue with outdoor cats: they can hurt wildlife. Cats are natural hunters, and while that’s cool, it’s bad for birds and small animals. Keeping them inside solves that problem.
Indoor cats are safer, but can get pretty bored
Moving onto indoor cats, he said their lives are “probably a lot safer.” However, Ben also said in the video, “It can be very boring, and as much as you can try to keep them mentally stimulated with games and toys and scratching posts, which is all brilliant, it’s hard to fully replicate the variety of outdoor life.”
Indoor cats are definitely way safer. No cars to worry about, no fights. But they could get bored. No matter how hard we try to entertain them at home, it’s just not the same as the excitement of being outside.
Boredom can lead to problem behaviors in indoor cats
“Boredom and frustration can lead to a higher risk of problem behaviors in indoor cats like destroying furniture, urine marking and sometimes even aggression.”
If they get too bored, they can start doing annoying stuff like scratching your furniture or peeing in places they shouldn’t. Some might even get grumpy or aggressive. Keeping them entertained is key.
Indoor cats can get some health issues too
And it’s not just mental stuff — indoor cats can face health problems, too. Ben talks about how “Indoor cats, especially those in multi-cat households, have also been shown to be at higher risk of urinary tract problems.” These health issues can come from stress, which, let’s be honest, cats are pretty good at.
Also, they are more likely to gain weight. These problems can get serious if not taken care of, especially for male cats. So yeah, even though indoor cats are safer, they’ve got their own health challenges to deal with.
Indoor cats require enrichment to stay happy
“As much as you can try to keep them mentally stimulated with games and toys and scratching posts, which is all brilliant, it’s hard to fully replicate the variety of outdoor life.”
Indoor cats need stuff to do — like toys, climbing spots, anything to keep them busy. Otherwise, they’ll get bored and frustrated.
It’s ultimately about the cat’s personality and environment
Ben concluded: “So there’s no right or wrong way to keep a cat. It depends on your cat’s personality, where you live, and your own views and priorities ultimately.”
So it really depends on the cat. Some cats are chill with staying inside, while others need to be outside. It also comes down to where you live and what’s important to you. No right or wrong answer.
Mixed opinions from cat owners
People have different views on whether cats should be inside or outside. Some prefer indoor cats for safety, while others create safe outdoor spaces. One person mentioned spending money on a “pet protect fence” so their cats could enjoy the outdoors but stay safe.
Another shared how they built a safe outdoor gym and enclosure for their cat.
Some commenters felt strongly about keeping cats inside, recalling tragic experiences with outdoor cats. One said, “I see missing cat posts all the time…if I have another cat in the future, it will be an indoor cat.”
Others mentioned that all their outdoor cats had passed away in unfortunate ways, like being hit by cars, and now they only have indoor cats.
At the end of the day, people are divided. It’s all about what feels right for you and your cat.
