Furbabies
Cat Care Site
Indoors Or Outdoors?
The average lifespan of an outdoor cat is 3 to 5 years. For an indoor cat, the average lifespan is 15 to 20 years.
Inside Or Outside?
| Indoor Cats | Outdoor Cats | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Safer, especially if you live close to busy streets | Larger area to exercise in |
| Can still watch and hear birds but can't harm them | Freedom to venture where ever he or she chooses | |
| Cats kept strictly indoors become happy loving companions | ||
| Less risk of being infected with serious diseases | ||
| Live much longer | ||
| Won't be run over, stolen, poisoned, trapped | ||
| Cons | Cat may want to go outside | Caught in traps |
| Furniture is more at risk of being scratched | Could be attacked by neighbouring cats or dogs | |
| Could be hit by a car | ||
| Easily stolen | ||
| Fight injuries | ||
| Kills wildlife (birds, rodents, reptiles) | ||
| Locked in sheds or garages | ||
| May mark territory in or near the house by urine spraying | ||
| Nuisance to the neighbours | ||
| Pick up fleas, ringworm, and other diseases more easily | ||
| Poisoned | ||
| Tortured by cruel people | ||
| Indoor/outdoor cats will not be as affectionate as totally indoor cats | ||
| Go to the Indoor Cats Page | Go to the Outdoor Cats Page |
References
Fogle B, Natural Cat Care, London: Dorling Kindersley, 1999
Gair A, Caring For Your Cat, London: Harper Collins, 1997
Page S, The Complete Cat Owners Manual, Australia: Readers Digest, 1997
Stewart R, Envirocat, Melbourne: Hyland House, 1997
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