The debate between indoor and outdoor cat keeping involves genuine welfare trade-offs. Evidence-based approaches help cat owners balance safety and enrichment needs.
Cat welfare in the indoor-outdoor debate depends on individual cat, environment, and management. A cat with outdoor access in a rural area has different welfare prospects than one in urban traffic. Indoor cats denied sufficient enrichment develop chronic stress behaviours including overgrooming, aggression, and inappropriate elimination. The welfare of wildlife killed by cats is also relevant - each year, millions of birds and small mammals suffer injuries from cat predation. Enriched indoor environments, catios, and managed outdoor access under supervision represent welfare-positive approaches for both cats and wildlife.