Providing safe outdoor access for cats through catios, secure gardens, and leash training significantly improves welfare compared to full indoor confinement while managing road and predation risks.
Cats evolved as outdoor animals and experience genuine welfare benefits from access to complex outdoor environments, including sensory stimulation, hunting opportunity, and territory expression. Fully indoor cats without adequate enrichment frequently develop stress-related health problems. Secure outdoor access through well-designed enclosures or supervised walks achieves the welfare benefits of the outdoors while managing the safety risks of free-roaming.