The Facts

One decision every cat owner must make is whether or not their feline friend should be allowed outdoors. It's important to consider that the average life span of a totally outdoor cat is about a year and a half, while a cat that resides completely indoors is expected to live upwards of 15 years. This stark difference in life expectancy highlights the significance of keeping cats indoors, especially when you think about animal shelter statistics that show how many pets end up in shelters due to outdoor-related incidents. 

You are likely aware of the obvious dangers like car fan belts, tires, toxic plants, dogs, and cruel people. However, some life-threatening dangers include: 

Diseases that have no vaccines, such as Feline AIDS, or vaccines that are not reliably effective against diseases like Feline Leukemia; 

A cat can contract heartworms through mosquito bites; 

Antifreeze has a sweet taste and is irresistible to cats. A cat that walks through a small pool of antifreeze and then cleans its paws could ingest a fatal dose; 

Cat collars that do not provide breakaway or stretch releases have led to choking or hanging deaths; 

Fighting among outdoor kitties not only spreads disease but can also result in painful abscesses requiring medical attention (an untreated abscess can kill a cat); 

Cats can ingest toxoplasmosis while eating prey that has been exposed. This can not only be fatal for a cat but is also contagious to humans and can result in severe birth defects; 

Fleas, ticks, and mites can carry life-threatening diseases, and getting rid of them in your home can be expensive and time-consuming; 

Ringworm can be contracted by a cat while digging in the dirt outdoors and is contagious to humans; 

Cats do not observe property lines, and your neighbor may not have qualms about shooting, trapping, or poisoning your family pet. 

Instead of allowing your cat outside, consider providing a window perch for them and putting out a bird feeder for entertainment. You can also create a safe outdoor enclosure or a screened-in porch to give kitty a taste of the outdoors while ensuring their safety. Additionally, participating in North Carolina pet adoption programs can help find homes for outdoor cats and promote the spay and neuter importance in reducing the stray population.