When I was a kid my mom got two kittens from a coworker of hers, my family kept one and my grandma kept one. Though they were littermates, my cat died at 6 years old, and my grandma's cat is alive and healthy at 10 years. The main difference between these two cats is my grandma keeps hers indoors and my cat was outdoors. Many people have similar stories of outdoor cats whose lives were cut short or know people with cats who may not be aware of the risks, but these tragedies can be avoided. I plan to cover the many risks being outdoors poses for the animal and the counterarguments of using cats for pest control and how the outdoors can be enriching for cats.
First and foremost, being outside is dangerous for the cat itself. There's many dangers outside which most people are aware of but decide to risk anyway, but many people might not be aware of just how severe these risks are. One major risk is automobiles. In the study "Causes of sudden and unexpected death in cats" by T.F. Olsen from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine published in 2001, it was found 39% of sudden deaths were caused by physical trauma, 87% of these cases presumed to be from motor vehicles. None of these physical trauma deaths were indoor cats. Another risk outdoor cats face is illness. In a study by Amie Burling and her team in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association on feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in the US and Canada, it was found that the main risk factors for FeLV and FIV included being sexually intact males (not neutered), adult, and having access to the outdoors (2017). On top of the cat getting sick, they can pass these diseases onto their owners. A peer-reviewed article by Sarah Tan in the journal Animals states "Risk of transmitting diseases to humans is greater for outdoor cats, as indoor cats are less likely to be exposed to disease risks due to their reduced interaction with other wild animals and the environment" (2020). In a similar vein to disease, outdoor cats also have greater exposure to parasites. An analysis on the subject done by Kayleigh Chalkowski and her team found "Cats with outdoor access were 2.77 times more likely to be infected with parasites than indoor-only cats" (2019). This is one I have personal experience with as my cat died of lyme disease from a tick bite. Every time a cat is let outside it is faced with these dangers and poses the possibility of never coming home.
Despite all this, a common argument in favor of outdoor cats is that cats hunt vermin such as rats. However, this isn't as sound of an argument as it may seem, despite the pop culture image of cats being apex predators. Instead of cats, it appears ratting dogs are far more effective at dealing with rats. In the web article "The Best Dog Breeds for Killing Rats" posted to the National Canine Research Association in 2021 by Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, she points out that ratting dogs are far more effective at killing rats due to their selective breeding and temperament. Many breeds of ratting dogs are terriers, which might be a worthwhile topic to research for those looking for solutions to infestations. Their prowess at rat hunting is exemplified in the record noted by VCA Animal Hospitals: "A rat terrier holds the rat killing record of 2501 rats in a seven hour period in an infested barn" (Rat Terrier, 2023). In contrast, according to the Smithsonian "Over [a] 79-day testing period, local cats ambushed just three of [a] facility's roughly 150 rats—killing only two" (Solly, 2018). With numbers like these, Tom and Jerry might be a more accurate depiction of cats' ability to hunt rats than people might think. Despite their ineptitude in hunting rats, they're very good at killing birds. The 2013 study "The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife in the US" study by Scott Loss and his team, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, estimates that cats in the US kill between 1.3 and 4 billion birds annually. Instead of killing the pests they were sent out for, they're decimating local bird populations. Barn cats and other pest hunting felines appear to be less ideal of a solution than most people might believe.
Another common counterargument for outdoor cats is the enrichment that outdoors provides, which to be completely fair, is true. Banfield Pet Hospital says being outdoors can be stimulating for cats, but other sources show there are many alternative forms of enrichment for furry friends that can keep cats satisfied and safe indoors (Pros and Cons: Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats, n.d.). The Animal Humane Society offers the alternative of leash training, which may sound silly to those who have never seen it but can provide a safe way for cats to engage with the great outdoors under supervision of humans (Are Outdoor Cats Happier?, n.d.). Leash training doesn't have to be dog-only, cats can enjoy it just as much. Another option for allowing cats outdoors safely is catios, recommended by the Humane Society of the United States (Catios: The Benefits of Outdoor Enclosures for Cats, n.d.). Cynthia Chomos from Catio Spaces defines catios as "enclosed outdoor patios for cats... designed to keep cats safe while enriching their lives" (2019). This allows cats to independently explore bits of nature without the restrictions of a leash while still being in an enclosed space that is far safer than roaming the streets. An indoor option for enrichment is playing with cats. In a 2014 web article review of a study by veterinarians on correlation between cat behavior and play, Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado points out "owners who played with their cats for longer periods of time reported fewer behavior problems", and says she personally recommends playing with fishing pole toys, teaching cats tricks, setting out food puzzles, and having cat trees for indoor enrichment (2014).
Many outdoor cat owners are unaware of the risks posed to their cats or the ineffectiveness of pest control cats, but these risks can be avoided by bringing them inside. It's a difficult process and has many hurdles to overcome such as poor bathroom habits and door dashing, but in the long run is worth it in exchange for longer, happier, healthier lives.
References
Are outdoor cats happier? (n.d.). Animal Humane Society; Animal Humane Society. https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/are-outdoor-cats-happier
Burling, A. N., Levy, J. K., Scott, H. M., Crandall, M. M., Tucker, S. J., Wood, E. G., & Foster, J. D. (2017). Seroprevalences of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection in cats in the United States and Canada and risk factors for seropositivity. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 251(2), 187-194. Retrieved Nov 26, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.251.2.187
Catios: The benefits of outdoor enclosures for cats. (n.d.). The Humane Society of the United States; The Humane Society of the United States. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/catios-benefits-outdoor-enclosures-cats
Chalkowski, K., Wilson, A. E., Lepczyk, C. A., & Zohdy, S. (2019). Who let the cats out? A global meta-analysis on risk of parasitic infection in indoor versus outdoor domestic cats (Felis catus). Biology letters, 15(4), 20180840. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0840
Chomos, C. (2024, April 9). What is a catio?. Catio Spaces. https://catiospaces.com/catios-cat-enclosures/what-is-a-catio/
Delgado, M. M. (2014). Can playing with your cat prevent behavior problems?. What Your Cat Wants. https://whatyourcatwants.com/catsplayandbehprobs
Loss, S. R., Will, T., & Marra, P. P. (2013). The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. Nature Communications, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2380
Olsen, T. F., & Allen, A. L. (2001). Causes of sudden and unexpected death in cats: a 10-year retrospective study. The Canadian veterinary journal, 42(1), 61-62.
Pros and cons: Indoor vs. outdoor cats. (n.d.). Banfield Pet Hospital; Mars or Affiliates. https://www.banfield.com/Wellness-at-banfield/kitten-hub/indoor-vs-outdoor-cats
Rat Terrier. (2023). VCA; VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-breeds/rat-terrier
Robertson, E. (2021, May 29). The best dog breeds for killing rats. NCRAOA. https://ncraoa.com/dog-breeds-rat-killers/
Solly, M. (2018). Cats are surprisingly bad at killing rats. Smithsonian Magazine; Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cats-are-surprisingly-ineffective-keeping-urban-rat-populations-check-180970428/
Tan, S. M. L., Stellato, A. C., & Niel, L. (2020). Uncontrolled outdoor access for cats: an assessment of risks and benefits. Animals: an open access journal from MDPI, 10(2), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020258