Domestic and feral cats kill billions of birds and small mammals annually worldwide. Managing the tension between cat welfare and wildlife welfare requires evidence-based approaches that consider both.
Cats kept permanently indoors can develop frustration and anxiety if not provided with adequate environmental enrichment. Outdoor access provides exercise, sensory stimulation, and behavioural expression that many cats find important. However, outdoor cats face significant welfare risks including road mortality, cat fights, disease, and predation. Wildlife killed by cats experience acute suffering regardless of whether the cat is well-fed. The welfare interests of multiple species must be considered in outdoor cat management decisions.