Why Keeping Your Cat Indoors Is One of the Best Things You Can Do
Giving cats the freedom to roam outside may be enticing to cat owners as it allows the feline friends to explore all the different smells and receive an abundant amount of stimulation (or you just enjoy the occasional critters they bring back home 👀). However, for anyone looking to bring in new cats into their home, Nabi Cat Cafe and our rescue partners, Scritch Kittens and Kitten Rescue 101 highly recommend (and require for any cats being adopted out of our lounge) them to be raised indoors only for multiple reasons:
Diseases 🦠: While your cat is out enjoying their own little picnic, they're likely to come across other cats (including strays and feral cats) as well as smaller prey such as mice and cockroaches. Unfortunately, not every encounter is a friendly one. Outdoor cats have a much higher chance of being exposed to diseases and parasites such as feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), fleas, ticks, worms, and ringworm. Even a seemingly harmless interaction can put your cat's health at risk.
Helping Reduce Cat Overpopulation 🐈: It's no secret that communities everywhere are struggling with growing stray cat populations. Every week, we receive emails and phone calls asking if we can take in stray cats or unexpected litters of kittens. As much as we'd love to help every single one, the reality is that rescues and shelters often don't have enough space or resources (*nabi cat cafe does not intake cats directly, but only through our rescue partners. Contact us for a list of resources if needed instead*). This is also why spaying and neutering is so important. Every cat adopted from our lounge is already spayed or neutered, just like those from many rescues and shelters. However, not every outdoor cat has been. If an unspayed cat is allowed to roam, there's a good chance they'll contribute to more unwanted litter, adding even more cats to an already overwhelmed rescue system.
Death of and harm to wildlife 🐦: We wish we could say otherwise, but over the years we've seen far too many heartbreaking cases of cats that never made it home after encounters with coyotes, birds of prey, and other predators. At the same time, cats are natural hunters and can have a significant impact on local wildlife by catching birds, lizards, and other small animals. Cats are incredibly agile and resourceful, and many do make it home safely. But when it comes to their safety and the wildlife around them, we think it's worth considering the risks and choosing the safer option of keeping them indoors.
Injury/death by cars 🚗: Cats naturally love to explore and establish territory, but roads and traffic aren't dangers they always recognize. It only takes a split second for a curious cat to dart into the street, and sadly, the consequences can be devastating. Keeping cats indoors is one of the simplest ways to avoid these preventable accidents.
Animal cruelty 😿: It's an uncomfortable topic, but animal cruelty is a reality. While no environment is completely risk-free, cats that roam outdoors are more likely to encounter people or situations that could put them in danger. Sadly, we've seen stories of friendly neighborhood cats being intentionally poisoned, injured with BB or pellet guns, or trapped by people who didn't want them wandering onto their property. Even if your cat is gentle and well-loved, not everyone they encounter will treat them with the same kindness. Keeping your cat indoors helps limit these risks and gives you greater peace of mind knowing they're safe at home.
We understand that not every cat starts life as an indoor cat. If you've adopted a cat that's used to being outdoors, be sure to keep them spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and speak with your veterinarian about the safest options for their lifestyle. If your cat loves the outdoors, a catio or secure outdoor enclosure is a wonderful alternative. They can enjoy the fresh air while staying safe from traffic, predators, disease, and other outdoor risks.
