Facts in this article have been sourced from reputable organisations, direct conversation with owners and also life experience.
In recent years we have seen the gulf between the two arguments surrounding this debate widen. For the purpose of this article I am going to focus mainly on the differences in opinion between cat owners in the USA and those in the UK. Whilst there are different factors affecting cat ownership in many other countries too, it would appear that the main contributors to this debate specifically come from these two countries.
The majority of cats in Britain are outdoor cats (domestic cats allowed to come and go as they choose), around about 85-90%. The same can be said for American indoor cats (cats that never go outside or only under supervision) but it is important to point out that these numbers do actually in fact also represent the number of pure breeds in each society. In Britain about 10-15% of domestic cats are pure breeds which are also probably kept as indoor cats. The opposite can be said for America. Opponents to the indoor argument have to consider the fact that an outdoor cat in the States will have a much shorter life expectancy than an outdoor cat in Britain. Similarly, proponents to this idea must understand that cats in Britain who are allowed outside often reach their late teens and even early twenties.
INDOOR CATS
In the United States, it is considered the norm to keep your cat locked indoors away from the dangers of the outside world. Many rescue centres will only allow adoption of cats on the strict proviso that they are kept indoors. It is also the popular opinion among Americans that an owner is irresponsible or careless if they let their cats roam about outside unsupervised. Whilst this attitude would shock the majority of Britons, it is perfectly acceptable and understandable considering the vast differences between local environments. The outside world in many parts of America is a very dangerous place for small animals such as cats. Below, I have listed the main dangers that have been pointed out to me by many American cat owners.
- Fights with other cats or animals
- Dangerous traffic
- Eating poisonous spiders or insects
- Attacks from dogs
- Diseases such as Feline Leukemia, FIV, rabies
- Cruel humans who cause harm
- Hunters
- Other predators such as Coyotes, Bobcats, birds of prey etc
However, it would appear that indoor cats can also face many dangers mostly caused by their owners. These dangers include injuries sustained by falling heavy objects, as cats are curious creatures and love to climb and explore. Also, cats can chew through wires or eat other small and dangerous objects such as rubber bands, toy parts and other plastics. A lot of cats also sustain injury from doors being closed on them when darting through them as they can do. The main danger posed to an indoor cat however is stress and boredom caused by owners that work during the days and also lack of exercise. It is now possible in the United States to buy behaviour controlling drugs such as Valium or Prozac type drugs for a cat that is stressed or depressed. To be fair, the majority of caring cat owners will allow their cat to exercise regularly by providing them with an exercise wheel for instance. This is a newly designed concept that involves a structure similar to an oversized hamster wheel. The majority of pure bred cats in America are Bengal's and this breed requires an awful lot of exercise, hence the wheel craze. A lot of American owners do not think twice about taking their cat to the park on a lead for a bit of a run around either, something that would turn almost every head in Britain! There is also the method of "fencing in" your garden to create a safe environment for your cat to stretch his legs, an idea adopted by many Americans who still insist on supervision but like to let the cat out occasionally.
OUTDOOR CATS
On the other side of the planet, you have cat owners in the UK, the majority of who think it is cruel and unnatural to keep a cat from going outside. Many take the view that really, if you cannot afford the cat the necessity of going outside due to certain circumstances, you should not take in a cat as a pet. This is a view that is voiced strongly by British owners and also by rescue centres and associations. As opposed to the American rescue centre stance, a cat association in the UK is not very likely to rehome a cat to a house that does not have access to a garden, unless however there are specific reasons why that cat should not be let out.
