There are many different things to consider when you own a cat and all of them can affect the health and happiness of the feline. most people would consider the basics, such as the food the cat eats or how much time they have to play. There is something else, however, that can really impact the feline and that is whether they will live inside or outside. This choice may not be as simple as you first thought.
First of all, there are some cats who love being outside and if you keep them inside all of the time, they will probably be by the door, letting you know about it. Those cats seem to love to roam and being outside can give them the chance to explore a little more of the world around them
At the same time, however, there are also some dangers of being outside that should not be ignored. Those problems could include other cats or perhaps some wild animals that could cause some obvious problems. There is also more of a chance for your cat to get into something they shouldn’t, including picking up fleas or other problems from other yards. You should also not ignore traffic, and this could be a real problem in some areas.
Some people may wonder if they are being cruel to the cat when they decide to keep them inside rather than allow them to roam free outside. When you consider the numbers, however, you might not feel so bad. About 2 out of 3 cats spend the majority, if not all, of their time inside of the house and they do just fine. In fact, those cats are just as happy and healthy as cats who get outside, not to mention they spend most of their time with their family. The statistics also show that you will shorten the life of your cat by letting them wander around outside. That is something that none of us want.
If it seems that your cat is just determined to go outside, despite your best efforts to keep them inside, you might need to consider taking them outside with you. Cat’s are perfectly capable of being trained and you can teach them easily to walk on a leash. Once they are comfortable walking on a leash, you can take them out anytime you want. It is great for the cat and even better, it gets you outside as well.
There are many things to keep in mind when you have a cat in the family and where they live is near the top of the list. It is a personal decision but when you consider everything on the subject, keeping them inside may just be the best thing to do.