Companion Animals

Companion Cat Indoor-Outdoor Management

Balancing the welfare benefits of outdoor access for cats against risks to cats and local wildlife.

Key Facts

Outdoor cats face higher risks of injury and disease than indoor-only cats
Outdoor access provides environmental stimulation and exercise benefiting cat welfare
Cat-proof garden fencing enables safe outdoor access with reduced wildlife impact
Curfews keeping cats in overnight significantly reduce bird and mammal predation
Neutering reduces roaming behaviour and associated injury risk in outdoor cats

Welfare Considerations

Managed outdoor access through cat-proofed gardens or supervised outdoor time delivers welfare benefits while reducing risks to both cats and local wildlife.

What You Can Do

Consider cat-proofing your garden to allow safe outdoor access
Keep cats in overnight when birds and small mammals are most vulnerable to predation
Fit cats with quick-release collars with brightly coloured Birdsbesafe covers