Companion Animals

Outdoor Cat Road Traffic Risk and Welfare

Road traffic is the leading cause of cat injury and death in the UK, raising important welfare considerations for owners.

Key Facts

An estimated 230,000 cats are killed on UK roads each year
Young male cats are most at risk, particularly those recently rehomed in new areas
Road risk is highest at night and on fast roads without safe crossing opportunities
Cat-proof fencing and outdoor enclosures provide outdoor access without road risk
Neutered cats with smaller territories have lower road risk than intact cats

Welfare Considerations

Road traffic deaths represent a major preventable welfare burden for cats. While outdoor access provides important welfare benefits, road risk must be managed through safe garden design, neutering, and traffic awareness. Balancing outdoor freedom with road safety is a key responsibility for cat owners.

What You Can Do

Keep cats indoors at night when road risk is highest
Consider cat-proof garden fencing or outdoor enclosures for cats near busy roads
Neuter all cats to reduce roaming range and road exposure
Microchip all cats so that they can be identified if injured or killed
Engage with local councils about cat-safe road crossing infrastructure