Are indoor cats happy and healthy?

Whether it's a choice an owner makes or one that a cat enforces, the majority of owners will categorise their cat as an "indoor' or "outdoor" cat.

Of course, some cats land somewhere in the middle, but generally, they'll either spend more time outdoors or indoors.

Outdoor cats typically seem free and happy, but this is a common misconception; cats won't get sad because they aren't outdoors. It's a lot more complicated than that.

Some cats will enjoy going outside, but the outdoors means owners need to be aware of more physical risks. But the reverse raises fresh concerns, too.

Questions like "are indoor cats happy?" and concerns about whether "it is cruel to keep a cat indoors" are common. We explore whether indoor cats can lead fulfilling lives and address common challenges and misconceptions.

Let's start with the central question: are cats happy living indoors? 

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Are cats happy indoors?

Yes, cats can live a full, fulfilling life indoors. It isn't about whether the indoors or outdoors makes cats happier; it's more about if your cat is getting what they need emotionally and physically.

Assuming a cat has their needs met and is adequately stimulated, they'll have no issue thriving in your four walls. Of course, some cats enjoy the outdoors, but the right indoor environment will still give them what they need to thrive.

There are misconceptions that indoor life is limiting for cats, but it just depends on the environment. For example, an indoor environment can have everything a cat needs, like:

• Bonding with their owner

• Enrichment and stimulation

• Managed care

• Opportunities for instinctual behaviour

• Territorial needs

That's why knowing how to set up a cat-friendly space is an important early step when you're thinking about adopting a cat.

Indoor cats are typically safer, too, and they're protected from dangers like diseases, parasites, predators and traffic. In fact, the life expectancy for indoor cats is between 12 and 18 years, while for outdoor cats, it's between two and seven.

Is it bad to keep a cat indoors?

No, it isn't. It depends on the environment an owner creates and if this meets the needs and personality of their cat.

Signs your indoor cat is happy

• Affection, like rubbing their body against you and kneading

• Engaging with healthy habits like grooming

• Exploring

• Good appetite

• Open to playing

• Positive social interactions

• Relaxed body language

• Showing their tummy

• Slow blinking

• Vocalisation, like meowing and purring

A lot will depend on your cat's personality, though. You know your cat best, and if there are sudden changes to negative behaviours and other symptoms, it's worth talking to your vet.

Key factors to keep your indoor cat happy

Environmental enrichment

Keeping your cat's environment stimulated and varied is essential. It gives cats the chance to act out their "natural" instincts, like hunting and searching.

Things like interactive toys and puzzles, cat trees, climbing shelves and window perches for bird-watching can give them a chance to exercise and act out these instincts without missing the outdoors.

Our guide on how to play with your indoor cat (which comes with some toy recommendations) can help.

Regular play and exercise

Regular play and exercise with your pet is vital for everyone, but it's really important for indoor cats. They don't get as many opportunities for exercise, and unless you've trained them to go on a walk with you, you'll need to arrange specific times.

We recommend regular, interactive play sessions with different types of toys. Try to see which ones your cat enjoys the most. Some like laser pointers, others like automated toys, and some will always love that weird and ragged plush they bonded with early on.

Mental stimulation

Mental engagement is as important as physical stimulation. You can try things like:

• Playing mental games, like hide-and-seek with treats

• Positive reinforcement training to teach tricks and new commands

• Rotating toys

• Using puzzle feeders

Providing comfort and safety

Cats will become unhappy indoors if it isn't the right environment. We recommend creating quiet, comfortable resting spaces for them and avoiding stressors like loud noises, too much foot traffic and frequent visitors, if possible.  

Routine and consistency

Cats thrive on consistency and routine. We recommend keeping them to a regular feeding and play schedule, which makes sure they're getting enough stimulation on a day-to-day basis.

This provides your cat with a framework for activity that they'd naturally get when they're outdoors and makes sure they won't get bored.

Of course, don't just stick to those scheduled play times - if your cat is in the mood to play around and you're free, take those chances!

Common challenges for indoor cats and solutions

Common challenges for indoor cats include:

• Boredom and destructive behaviour - When cats are bored, they can get destructive, so addressing this behaviour early on is important. Providing puzzle feeders, interactive toys and climbing structures can ease boredom. Our guide on calming down an aggressive cat can help.

• Health issues - Just because your cat is an indoor cat doesn't mean they're immune to health problems. They're still prone to things like dental disease and parasites like fleas and worms. Keep those vet check-ups regular!

• Litter box problems - Litter box training can get difficult, so make sure you know what you're doing and go in prepared. Cats can encounter problems for various reasons, but we recommend picking the right litter type, regularly cleaning the litter box and chatting with a vet to rule out any medical issues.

• Needy behaviour - A lack of stimulation and exploration opportunities can lead cats to become overly dependent on their owners. We recommend providing opportunities for exploration in the home, like climbing trees, and keeping your cat confident and mentally stimulated.

• Scratching - This is a natural behaviour for cats, but you don't want your home to get damaged. We recommend providing plenty of scratching posts if your cat tends to do this. Our guide on cat scratching discusses things in more detail too.

• Stress - Loud, busy homes can sometimes contribute to high levels of cat anxiety and stress. It depends on the cat, but if they are getting stressed out, make sure they have a separate, calm space to chill out in.

• Weight gain (and a lack of exercise) - Without a proper plan, indoor cats can get a lack of exercise. We recommend learning the basics about pet nutrition, knowing how much to feed your cat and getting them on a regular playing or exercise schedule.

Do outdoor cats have any advantages, then?

First, let's categorise outdoor cats into two groups:

• Indoor/outdoor cats - These are cats that spend time indoors and outdoors. It's pretty fluid - it doesn't need to be an even split.

• Outside-only cats - These are cats who spend the vast majority or all of their time outdoors.

Advantages of indoor/outdoor cats

Sometimes, we see our cats staring out of the window, and we think they're meant to be roaming, wild, and free. Are we keeping them imprisoned? Cats stare out of the window for lots of different reasons (they stare at the wall sometimes too); it doesn't mean they miss the outdoors.

But it can affect us. 32.9% of cat owners who let their cat outside said it's because their cat indicated they wanted out.

Other worries about indoor cats are that they're more prone to obesity, which some data suggests.

But that data doesn't mean cats are unhappier or that outdoor cats are healthier. It just means that indoor cats may be prone to obesity, which has multiple causes.

Researchers have yet to prove that cats are happier outside. But one thing is for sure: the outside does pose more danger.

If your cat likes to spend time in your garden, make sure it's pet-friendly.

Advantages of outside-only cats

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of positive data on outside-only house cats. Most data revolves around wild (feral) cats.

It's generally a more dangerous lifestyle. Cats that live outside may be at increased risk of:

• Accidental poisoning

• Attacks from other animals

• Disease exposure, like the feline leukaemia virus

• Eating something they shouldn't

• Parasite exposure, like fleas and ticks

• Vehicle incidents

It's why outdoor cats tend to have a shorter life expectancy than indoor cats.

Oh, and don't think of your outdoor cat as just being at risk - they can be the predator, too.

In certain areas, they can cause damage to ecosystems.

Generally, data suggests the outdoors is more dangerous for cats; there aren't any real, distinct advantages.

If you want or have an outdoor cat, make sure it's microchipped. It's a legal requirement anyway, but especially important if your cat wanders outdoors.

Can you make an outdoor cat happy indoors?

Yes, it's possible, but it needs a lot of patience and gradual changes.

First, make sure the indoors is comfortable, stimulating and safe for your cat. It's hard for a cat to transition to indoor life if they're stressed out there.

Then, gradually introduce your cat to indoor life. You must do this slowly, or it can put your cat off being indoors.

Then, using a mix of mental and physical stimulation with positive reinforcement training, your cat can gradually enjoy time indoors.

After a while, your cat should adjust to spending more time indoors. If you can't make it work, we recommend seeing a behaviourist.

Indoor vs outdoor: weighing up happiness and safety

In the end, a lot depends on a cat's personality. But all cats can meet their needs indoors. Outdoor living carries clearer risks, but if your cat is destined to be an outdoor cat, it can get difficult to acclimatise them to indoor life.

Indoor living, though, if managed correctly, can provide greater overall happiness - it's about building an environment where your cat can thrive.

You should regularly assess your cat's happiness and wellbeing, no matter where they like to spend most of their time. Inform your vet about any sudden changes.

Whether your cat is indoor or outdoor, cat insurance can help. With extensive vet fee cover, 24/7 access to video vet calls and a host of ManyPets Perks, we're sure your cat will be purring away. 

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