Like most people, I always appreciate coming across a friendly neighbourhood feline. I love cats as much as any other cat person, but there’s no denying that outdoor cats wreak havoc on local ecosystems no matter how friendly they are. Letting your furry friend outdoors is not just cruel — it’s damaging to local wildlife.
It makes sense that someone would want to let their cat roam around outdoors. If you’ve ever owned a cat, you’ve likely seen it stare out your windows longingly or even cry at the front door. You may have heard people say it’s more cruel to keep their pet indoors when it wants to be outside, but I promise that isn’t the case. An outdoor cat’s lifespan is two to five years due to exposure to wildlife, vehicles, and diseases. They’re also unfortunately at risk of animal cruelty from strangers. Compare that number to the 13–17 years that indoor cats live and ask yourself if it’s really worth it.
Even if you’re unconcerned about the health of your cat, it’s worth considering the impact felines have on local ecosystems. Cats kill around 40–140 million birds per year in Canada. They’ve also led to the extinction of 34 global bird species. Nature reported that in the US, cats kill up to 22.3 billion mammals per year. Many of these deaths are from stray or feral cats, which means domesticated cats that went missing. Stray and feral cats are also sometimes euthanized if they come to a shelter without a known owner. Remember that cats did not evolve to live along roads and highways — traffic accidents are a major cause of death for outdoor cats, and they’re almost entirely preventable if you keep your cat inside.
The cats we’re familiar with nowadays originate from ancient Egypt, and lived off an entirely different food system than in North America. Your outdoor cat is quite literally an invasive species. No matter how much it cries or claws at the front door, remember that it’s in their best interest to keep them indoors. And despite what you may think, it’s very possible to transition an outdoor cat to indoors. The BC SPCA has a guide for making this transition, which also includes building instructions for a “catio.”
Your pet deserves to live a happy life, but it must actually be alive to enjoy its time on earth. As temperatures begin to drop and we enter the winter season, think about how you can give your furry companion the best chance at longevity.
