Why Keeping Your Cat Indoors Is Safer
Tempted to let your cat embrace their outdoor nature? While the fresh air, freedom and ability to roam like their ancestors might seem like the right idea for your furry friend, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of letting your cat outside.
The Risks of Roaming
While it might seem like a no-brainer to let your cat roam outside and utilize their natural instincts as hunters and tree climbers, there are real dangers that come with an outdoor lifestyle. Outdoor cats have shorter lifespans than indoor ones — oftentimes by years. Cats are master escape artists and curious by nature, which means traffic hazards, disease, parasites and predators are all a major threat to your cat when outdoors. Keeping your cat indoors dramatically reduces these risks and helps them live a longer, healthier life by your side.
Keeping Indoor Cats Happy
Just because your cat stays inside doesn’t mean they can’t have a life full of enriching stimulation and fun. There’s many ways to turn your home into your pet’s own personal jungle gym to recreate outdoor fun inside a safe space. Invest in window perches, cat trees with scratching posts, a variety of interactive toys and treat puzzles to keep your cat entertained and prevent boredom. Play with your cat at least twice a day, and make sure any string-like toys are put away safely after play to avoid being ingested. Even safe outdoor alternatives, such as the viral “catio” or pet strollers with attached leashes (no breakaway collars for this one!) can let your cat smell all of the outdoor smells and admire the birds without the added risk.
Let’s Keep Orange Inside
To help raise awareness about the importance of keeping cats safely indoors, we’ve created the #orangeinsideinitiative. Our campaign encourages cat lovers to keep their companions protected indoors. When you spot a cat wearing an orange collar outside, it means they’re an indoor cat who has lost their way. Whether you’re a lifelong indoor advocate or just learning about the risks, #orangeinside is a way to show your commitment to feline safety and help spread the word.
At Dr. Elsey’s, we believe that an indoor lifestyle is not only safer for cats — it’s also healthier. You don’t have to choose between safety and stimulation. With a little creativity, you can give your cat a full, enriched life indoors — one filled with play, comfort and connection.
Learn more about our #orangeinside campaign to keep cats safely indoors here!
