Providing cats with outdoor access involves trade-offs between the welfare benefits of environmental enrichment and the risks of road traffic, predators, disease, and wildlife predation that owners must carefully consider.
The welfare case for outdoor access is strong: cats confined indoors without adequate enrichment show chronic stress indicators, while outdoor cats express a much wider range of natural behaviours. The safety case for restriction is also strong: outdoor cats face real mortality risks. The resolution is not binary - partial outdoor access, supervised access, enclosed gardens, and enriched indoor environments all reduce risk while maintaining welfare benefits. The right balance depends on individual cats, local environments, and owner circumstances.