Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and Outdoor Risk Assessment

Outdoor cat access involves welfare trade-offs between natural behaviour and safety risks. Understanding these helps owners make informed decisions about outdoor access.

Key Facts

Outdoor cats face risks from vehicles, predators, infectious disease, and toxins
Life expectancy for outdoor cats is significantly shorter than for indoor-only cats
Road traffic is the leading cause of death in outdoor cats in many urban areas
The welfare benefits of outdoor access including exercise and mental stimulation are genuine
Managed outdoor access through secure gardens or catios provides benefits with reduced risk

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor access is a genuine welfare benefit but carries real risks. Managed outdoor access strategies including catios and secure gardens provide enrichment benefits while substantially reducing mortality risk.

What You Can Do

Assess outdoor risk based on your specific environment including traffic and predator density
Consider managed outdoor access including catios or secure garden areas
Keep cats indoors at night when road mortality risk is highest
Ensure cats are microchipped and neutered if they have outdoor access