The Different Kinds of Health Issues for Indoor & Outdoor Cats

There are more cats kept in Western households than any other animal, according to Dennis Turner in "The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior." Turner states that the pet cat population in 1996 in the United States was 59.1 million. Controversy exists over the best cat care practices. Many owners allow cats to go outdoors, while others keep cats indoors. The ASPCA advocates that cats be kept indoors only, with carefully controlled outdoor exposure, for longer life and healthier animals. There are health issues in both indoor-only and outdoor situations.

  1. Cat Diseases

    • Cats can be vaccinated against infectious feline diseases.

      Outdoor cats are more at risk from infectious diseases like feline distemper, feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, all of which are contracted through contact with an infected cat. Rabies can be acquired from any warm-blooded infected animal through blood or secretions from mucous membranes. Cats can be vaccinated against these diseases.

    Diet

    • Outdoor cats can eat vegetation if they wish.

      Indoor cats cannot graze on grasses and greens that outdoor cats can access. Outdoor cats also get vegetable matter through the stomach and intestinal contents of the herbivores they catch and eat. Provide indoor cats some vegetable matter as part of their normal diet.

    Injury

    • Coyotes can prey on outdoor cats.

      Outdoor cats are at risk for a greater variety of injuries than indoor cats. These include fights with other cats, dog attacks, attacks by predators like coyotes and owls, bites from prey such as gophers, venomous snake bites, car accidents, ingestion of or exposure to poisonous materials, and injury from sticktights and burrs. Indoor cats can be injured by things such as electrical or gas appliances, harmful household substances, poisonous houseplants or household chemicals, sharp or harmful household items, and other family pets.

    Boredom

    • Indoor cats benefit from interactive toys.

      Indoor cats can suffer from decreased opportunities to exercise and use hunting skills. Obesity can result, and cats may develop behavior problems. A variety of interactive toys can help stimulate and exercise indoor cats, as can cat condos. Provide cats with comfortable observation posts at windows or doors. Two cats can entertain each other and give opportunity for exercise.

    Parasites

    • Outdoor cats can pick up ectoparasites like fleas and ticks, which they then bring indoors. Indoor cats can also contract fleas if rodents are present in walls and attics for cats to catch.

    Abusive Humans

    • It is easier to monitor indoor cats for inappropriate human-pet interactions. Unsupervised outdoor cats can come into contact with cruel people who harm or steal cats.

    Grooming

    • Check regularly for too-long claws on indoor cats.

      Indoor cats need to sharpen claws on appropriate scratching posts. Inspect claws regularly and trim if necessary. Too-long claws can grow into paw pads, causing injury and pain. Indoor cats have greater problems with hairballs, as well. Brush cats and offer a diet formulated to prevent hairballs.