The complex welfare and conservation tradeoffs of indoor-only vs free-roaming cat ownership, with evidence-based guidance.
The indoor-outdoor cat debate involves genuine competing welfare and ethical concerns. Outdoor cats have higher opportunities for natural behavior - hunting, exploration, social contact - but face risks of road mortality, disease, and predation that significantly reduce lifespan. Indoor cats avoid these risks but may suffer from boredom, obesity, and frustration if enrichment is inadequate. Conservation concerns about cat predation on wildlife add an ethical dimension beyond individual welfare. Supervised outdoor access or enriched indoor environments represent a reasonable compromise.