The debate over whether cats should be kept indoors is one of the most contested topics in companion animal welfare, involving both cat wellbeing and wildlife conservation.
The welfare calculus here is genuinely complex. Outdoor access enriches cat life behaviourally and psychologically — exploration, hunting, climbing and territory patrol are species-appropriate behaviours. But the shortened lifespan of outdoor cats and the immense toll on wildlife complicate a simple pro-outdoor conclusion. Indoor-only cats are at elevated risk of obesity, boredom-related behavioural problems, and lower social stimulation. The emerging welfare consensus supports enriched indoor environments with supervised outdoor access through catios or enclosed gardens as the most responsible approach.