Road traffic is the leading cause of premature death in outdoor cats, and balancing the welfare benefits of outdoor access against traffic mortality risk requires evidence-based decision-making.
The outdoor access welfare decision for cats involves genuine competing welfare considerations. Outdoor cats express natural behavioral repertoires including hunting, territory exploration, and choice of environment that enrich their lives. Indoor-only cats face behavioral restriction and enrichment requirements that may not always be adequately met. However, the traffic mortality risk in urban environments is severe — a significant proportion of outdoor cats are killed by vehicles during their lifetime. The resolution most consistent with welfare evidence is managed outdoor access through catio structures, secure garden enclosures, or supervised garden time that provides environmental enrichment without traffic exposure. This approach honors both the behavioral benefits of outdoor access and the safety imperative of traffic risk reduction.