Outdoor cats face significant welfare risks from traffic, predators, and disease. Balanced assessment helps owners make informed decisions about cat lifestyle.
The outdoor versus indoor cat debate involves genuine welfare trade-offs. Outdoor cats face real risks - traffic, predation, and disease - but benefit from behavioral freedom and environmental complexity. Indoor cats avoid these risks but require active enrichment provision to maintain welfare. The optimal solution is individual to the cat, their environment, and the owner's ability to provide indoor enrichment.