Whether a cat should be kept as an outdoor, indoor or a mix really depends on the individual cat, its history, behaviour and owner management. It certainly is possible for your cat to live happily indoors. Indoor cats are less likely to get injuries or catch diseases from fighting with other cats and are less likely to be in car accidents. For those cats that live both indoors and outdoors, one management strategy is to keep them inside from dusk until dawn as cats tend to fight and wander more at night. If there is an issue with your cat wandering next door and disturbing neighbours, another strategy is to consider the use of an Oscillot fence to help keep the cat within your own backyard.
A kitten/cat that has only ever known an indoor environment is likely to cope well with living permanently indoors as they have never known any other lifestyle (ie have never experienced the outdoors).
Where cats are contained, steps must be taken by owners to ensure that adequate exercise and environmental enrichment are available. Access to an escape-proof enclosure (non-electrified) can greatly increase the opportunity for activity and stimulation for confined cats.
Is it possible to make an outdoor cat learn to live indoors?
A cat that has experienced living outdoors may become distressed if suddenly kept totally indoors. In these cases cats may begin to display behavioural problems due to the stress of confinement and their health and welfare may become compromised. Cats that are used to living outdoors may be kept indoors from dusk until dawn as a way to minimize risks (as cats are nocturnal and tend to fight/ wander more at night). A gradual reduction in the amount of time that the cat spends outdoors will allow them to adjust to an indoor lifestyle over time.
Indoor living tips
Here are some measures you can take to ensure that your home is a feline-friendly, stimulating environment where your cat is unlikely to get bored.
- Make your home a feline-friendly, stimulating environment where your cat is unlikely to get bored.
- Provide plenty of toys to keep your cat amused - it is a good idea to have a variety of toys hidden away so you can give her different toys to play with on different days (ensure all toys are safe for cats, avoid string toys as these can cause an intestinal obstruction).
- Cardboard boxes with holes cut into them are great for hide and seek games. Your cat's favourite games will be the ones that involve you as she will be able to use her instinctive pouncing behaviour and will release pent up energy by chasing.
- Make sure your cat has a scratching post to distract her from sharpening her claws on your furniture. You may want to provide plants such as cat grass to interest your cat and distract her from your pot plants. Be aware that certain common plants, such as lillies, are fatally toxic to cats and make sure that these are not present in your house.
- Play with your cat and give them plenty of attention
- Cats love to bask in the sun; make sure your cat has a nice sunny spot to lie in and window sills to sit on so she can keep an eye on the outside world.
- Access to an enclosed run so your cat has safe access to the outdoors is recommended (non-electrified). In our RSPCA shelters we use Catnip enclosures. You can find examples of their products at the following website, including some enclosed patio areas: http://www.catnip.com.au/
- Make sure that your cat always has access to clean litter and fresh water.
We also advise that you have your cat desexed as this will reduce territorial behaviours, such as fighting and spraying. Despite keeping an indoor cat you will still need to have her microchipped and registered with council so that if she does slip out and become lost she can be returned to you.
This website provides general information which must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice, including veterinary advice. We make no warranties that the website is accurate or suitable for a person’s unique circumstances and provide the website on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.
