Keeping pet cats indoors serves the best interests of cats, birds, and small mammals. Indoor cats live longer and healthier lives than their outdoor counterparts and can be equally content with some help from their owners. The Ohio State University’s Indoor Pet Initiative offers valuable advice about addressing cats’ needs. Window perches and screened enclosures can give house cats a safe taste of the outside world. Owners can satisfy cats’ natural instinct to hunt with toys chosen to model their pet’s preference for particular kinds of prey.
Birds and other wildlife face many stresses in our suburban environment. Keeping cats indoors can play a significant role in reducing them.
Many thanks to Rosemary Jann, Virginia Master Naturalist and indoor cat owner, for allowing choosenatives.org to post her article.