Robert J. Holmes, BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS, FACVSc
Leslie Larson Cooper, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behviorists.

Cats can be happily kept inside all the time. Many people do so and would have it no other way. They say they have deeper and more satisfying relationships with their cats and that those cats are healthier and live longer. While living happily inside, cats are not getting hit by cars, being injured in cat fights, catching infections such as feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus (Feline “AIDS”), being stolen, hunting and possibly killing wildlife, urinating and defecating on neighbor’s properties, and harassing or being harassed by other animals. Clearly there are many good reasons for permanently keeping cats indoors and outdoors in a protected area.

An outdoor cat lives a more stressful life than an indoor cat, and stress leads to a myriad of physical and psychological disorders. When faced with a challenge, the cat “gears up”; the heart rate increases, blood flow to the internal organs increases, and stored sugar is released into the bloodstream, ready to meet increased demands for energy. Many of these immediate effects are triggered by the release of the hormone-adrenalin from the adrenal glands. The body is now ready to “fight” or “flee,” depending on the circumstances. If the challenge persists, other hormones are released, among them ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from the pituitary gland. ACTH in turn causes the release of still more hormones, such as cortisone and hydrocortisone from the adrenal glands. These hormones help to continue the supply of energy-sustaining sugars. Finally, should the perceived threat continue, the previously adaptive systems starts to break down. Chronic exposure to corticosteroids and other substances can cause organ systems to start degenerating, resulting in such negative effects as decreased immune response, stomach ulcers, and decreased growth to name but a few. Variation in the body’s response is based on the type of threat it is exposed to.

Outdoor cats on the street, or even in the country, are faced every day with territorial disputes, threats from other animals, people, cars, environmental noises which cause panic, and situations which generate pure fear and stress. Indoor cats generally live longer, healthier and happier lives than outdoor cats – a fact that cannot be disputed.

Some people feel that it is cruel to confine cats because they think of them as “free spirits” that should be allowed to roam at will because of their nature. They seem to give little thought to the possible consequences listed above. So, how can we resolve this dilemma? We can do so by enriching the daily life of the indoor cat to replace some of the stimulation and activity it would otherwise receive as a freeroaming animal. This environmental enrichment puts complexity, unpredictability and choices into a cat’s daily life. Without these things, many animals and people become frustrated in confinement and show signs of boredom – greater reactivity, irritability and exaggerated or unusual behavior.

Healthy and Happy Indoor Cat- Part 2- How is it Done?