How to provide outdoor enrichment for cats in ways that reduce risks to both the cat and local wildlife.
Providing safe outdoor access for cats combines two welfare goods — outdoor enrichment for the cat and protection for local wildlife. Catios and cat enclosures represent the most comprehensive solution, providing weather, natural light, and environmental complexity without the risks of free roaming. The design of effective outdoor enrichment matters: a catio that is simply a wire cage provides little improvement over indoor life, while a well-designed catio with plants, climbing structures, water features, and varied substrates provides genuine enrichment. For cats that cannot have a catio, leash walking, screened window access, and sensory gardens offer partial but meaningful alternatives that improve indoor welfare without sacrificing wildlife protection.