Companion Animals

Cat Outdoor Access Welfare Research

Research confirms outdoor cats face higher predator stress but greater behavioural welfare from territory expression and hunting.

Key Facts

Evidence-based research supports welfare improvements in cat outdoor access welfare research
Millions of animals benefit from better companion animals welfare practices
Individual actions and policy change both drive welfare improvements
Science, advocacy, and consumer choice are all important levers for change
Progress is achievable and measurable across this welfare domain

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor cat welfare involves genuine trade-offs between risk and behaviour expression.

What You Can Do

Assess individual cat outdoor access risk carefully
Provide catios as indoor-outdoor compromise
Neuter outdoor cats to reduce roaming risk
Consult current evidence when making outdoor access decisions