Yes, it is okay to keep your cat at home all of the time, as long as you make sure that you provide them with an environment that is optimised to meet their physical and mental needs, allows and encourages the expression of normal feline behaviours, minimises stress, and promotes good health and welfare (see the RSPCA Australia safe and happy cats guide for more information).
Keeping cats contained in an environment that meets the cats’ physical and mental needs helps them thrive rather than just survive and strikes the right balance between cat welfare, safety, and longevity, while also safeguarding the welfare and survival of wildlife and reducing community impacts from roaming cats.
Contained cats do not have to live totally indoors. Ideally, all cats should have the benefits of access to the outdoors in a safe escape-proof contained outdoor environment, as this helps to provide a more complex environment that increases the cat’s opportunity for choice, activity, and stimulation, which has significant benefits for the cat’s physical and mental well-being.
Effective steps must be taken to mitigate stress experienced by cats and to assist them with the transition to containment including seeking veterinary or behavioural advice where necessary.
Visit the RSPCA Australia Safe and Happy Cats website for more information.
