Top 10 Reasons To Keep Your Cat Indoors

by Dr. Michael Fagan

10.  Cars.  Self explanatory.  I see a road-killed cat between home and work at least monthly.

9.    Coyotes.  They like to eat cats. (We have a patient who was rescued from a coyote's mouth!)

8.    Owls.  Seriously, you wouldn’t believe the damage an owl or other raptor can do even if it misses. (We treated a dog with wounds from an owl attack!)

7.    Worms.  Your cat can bring home parasites that can infect your kids.

6.    Birds and other small wildlife.  Cats in the US kill 1.4–3.7 billion birds a year, 7-20 billion mammals, as well as snakes, lizards, frogs, etc.

5.    Other large wildlife.  Raccoons and foxes can transmit rabies and raccoon poop can carry dangerous parasite eggs.  Oh, and they have sharp teeth, too.

4.    Other cats.  Cat fights can cause abscesses and eye injuries, and can transmit Feline Leukemia or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, for which there is no cure.

3.    Toxoplasma.  Cat poop in the garden is the largest source of human exposure to this microscopic parasite.  Bonus item if you live near the ocean:  toxoplasma from cats washes into the ocean and infects sea lions with catastrophic effects.

2.    Tiny little bugs.  Indoor cats almost never get fleas or ticks.  Almost.

1.    Life!  Outdoor cats have an average life expectancy of about 4 years.  Indoor cats average well into their teen years.