Outdoor access provides significant welfare benefits for cats but also exposes them to road traffic, predators, disease, and toxins — requiring careful risk management.
The cat outdoor access debate involves genuine welfare trade-offs. Outdoor access allows cats to express natural hunting, territorial, and exploratory behaviours, and is associated with lower rates of obesity and certain behavioural problems. But outdoor access also exposes cats to significant risks, including road traffic — the most common cause of fatal injury. The welfare-optimal solution varies by location: busy urban roads represent very different risk profiles from quiet rural settings. Catios and high-fencing solutions offer a meaningful middle ground.