Some pet owners believe their cat’s life will not be fulfilling if they cannot roam outdoors. But consider the hazards a free-roaming cat can encounter—getting hit by a car, contracting infectious disease, being attacked by predators, fighting with other cats, getting lost. Cats have more to gain by living indoors—namely, a longer, healthier life. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team dispels five common myths about indoor cats, and provides tips on how you can help them live a happy, fulfilling life.  

Myth #1: Indoor cats have nowhere to climb

Fact: Cats are natural climbers, and pursue prey from high vantage points in the wild. But cats can climb inside, and you can create plenty of vertical climbing spaces throughout your house where your cat can explore new heights, including:

  • Cat trees — A cat tree enables your cat to climb, scratch, and stretch. Cat trees come in a variety of sizes and configurations, and many provide your cat the privacy and safety they crave while observing their domain below. 
  • Perches — A suction-mounted window perch provides your cat a place to watch the outside world go by. In addition, after spending their morning entertained by bickering birds and scampering squirrels, your cat can snooze in the sunshine, safely in their window perch. 
  • Shelves — Floating shelves offer your cat a whole new view of their surroundings without taking up precious floor space, which is especially useful for small living areas. Take down the Picasso print, and use the vacant wall space to install floating shelves your cat can ascend.

Myth #2: Indoor cats are destructive

Fact: Destructive behavior is not normal indoor cat behavior, and can indicate they may be feeling out of sorts—physically or temperamentally. Usually a bored cat demonstrates destructive behavior, which likely indicates they need appropriate scratching surfaces.  Scratching enables cats to maintain their nails, mark their territory, stretch, and relieve stress, and this activity is essential to a cat’s mental and physical wellbeing. You cannot expect your cat to curb the behavior completely, but you are not required to sacrifice your furniture to support their scratching habits. Instead, encourage appropriate scratching by placing multiple scratching posts of various sizes, shapes, and textures throughout your house. When choosing a scratching post that is right for your cat, consider the following:

  • Position — Provide vertical and horizontal scratching posts that allow your cat to stretch various muscles. For your cat’s maximum stretching benefit, provide scratching posts that are tall enough for them to fully stretch. 
  • Material — Most cats prefer scratching posts covered in rough material, such as sisal, which is ideal for nail maintenance. Purchase scratching posts in various textures, such as wood, rough fabric, or cardboard, to prevent boredom, keeping your cat entertained.
  • Location — Cats often scratch around sleeping areas and room entrances to claim their territory by leaving pheromone-laden scent markers. Encourage your cat to use their scratching posts—not the couch—by strategically placing them near these often-frequented areas. 

Myth #3: Indoor cats miss hunting

Fact: Cats have an instinctual need to hunt, and you can satisfy that behavior indoors by encouraging them to hunt for their food. Engage your indoor cat’s hunting instincts by introducing:

  • Food puzzles — Fill a food puzzle with treats or food, and let your cat figure out how to reach the tasty morsels. You can create a food puzzle using a few small cups, and placing treats under one while leaving the others empty. Encourage your cat to sniff out the treats, and figure out how to knock over the cup to get their reward.
  • Interactive toys — Your indoor cat cannot hunt an outdoor rodent, but interactive toys are great for igniting your cat’s natural prey drive. Feather wands, motion-activated mice toys, or a simple cardboard box allows your cat to imagine they are hiding from, stalking, and pouncing on prey.

#4: Indoor cats can never be allowed outdoors

Fact: Your indoor cat can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while avoiding the potential hazards of roaming free outdoors. Your cat may enjoy a catio—an outdoor enclosure that gives them the freedom to wander and explore within a secured area. Some cats are amenable to wearing a harness and leash, allowing you to take them on walks. However, you must have patience and time to leash train your cat, and keep in mind that not all cats enjoy the experience, and do not cooperate. 

#5: Indoor cats do not need veterinary care

Fact: All cats need regular preventive care for their long-term health and wellbeing. Indoor cats are not immune to diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cancer. Indoor cats can also contract viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections from other pets in the home, or from contagions you carry inside on your shoes and clothing. During an annual wellness exam, your veterinary professional ensures your cat’s vaccinations and parasite preventive medications are up to date. In addition, through preventive care, your veterinarian can detect and treat your cat’s potential diseases in their earliest stages—when the outcomes are best. 

The great outdoors is anything but great for your cat’s health and safety, and by creating a cat-friendly environment—with plenty of enrichment opportunities—your cat can enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life indoors. Ensure your cat’s vaccinations are current by contacting our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team to schedule a wellness exam.