The Case for Indoor Cats: Health, Happiness & Wildlife Protection

Cats only need a cosy indoor environment, not wide-open spaces. Behaviour specialists agree: two kittens and a substantial cat tree create a healthy, engaging home where cats can thrive without ever needing to roam outdoors.

“Many cat professionals will confirm that having two kittens, plenty of perch positions and a good scratching post is more than enough to enrich your cats’ lives,” Crighton says. “This, alongside dedicated play time and plenty of snuggles, will keep them safe and happy. With a little creativity and love, even single kitten and cat homes can be purrrfectly content living indoors.”

Indoor life reduces risk from traffic, predators, and disease. Additionally, it protects our biodiversity, as roaming cats cause the deaths of millions of native wildlife species annually in Australia. It’s a win-win for pets and parks. Sadly, it is the pressure on Australia’s precious wildlife that cats pose that leaves a lasting negative impact on all of our feline friends.

“The message is clear for those considering welcoming a friendly feline into their lives, but are torn between the outdoor freedom – the fact is cats do not need to have free access to roam outdoors to live happy, carefree lives,” Crighton suggests. “If you want your cat to explore the great outdoors, consider training them on a harness to walk on a leash, or invest in constructing a cat enclosure for safe outdoor time.”

The statistics are rather shocking. According to the National Environmental Science Programme and the Science for Saving Species factsheet*3, pet cats that are allowed to roam and hunt are estimated to kill an additional 390 million mammals, birds, and reptiles each year.

“For many cat lovers, these types of findings can be evidence of the importance of considering keeping your cats and kittens indoors for life.”

Awareness Around Costs & Insurance

According to PetSure’s Pet Health Monitor 2025**, these are the top cat health conditions and average treatment costs:

1. Gastrointestinal issues – Avg $903 (up to $26,987)
2. Urinary tract disorders – Avg $1,459 (up to $38,769)
3. Skin Infections/Allergies – Avg $470 (up to $21,343)

Despite these risks, many cats, whether indoor or outdoor dwellers, are significantly underinsured, leaving their owners unprepared for costly veterinary visits in emergencies.

“Even indoor cats can suffer injuries,” Crighton says. “I know of this personally as my precious indoor Siamese broke her leg falling from a window shelf and getting caught in the blind to the tune of $4,000. Like most Australian cat owners, I was not insured at the time, and this took a rather big hit financially and emotionally.”

The Indoor Cat Facts

Keeping cats indoors saves lives—both for our feline family and native wildlife. It reduces disease, extends cat longevity, and debunks myths of indoor boredom. With the correct setup, indoor life is fulfilling, safe, and enriched.

• Extended Lifespan: Studies from the University of California-Davis state that indoor cats have a lifespan of 15 to 17 years, while the life expectancy of an outdoor cat ranges between 2 and 5 years.
• Safety and Reduced Risk: An international study of cat owners found that Road traffic accidents were the primary concern for owners of indoor-only cats in all surveyed regions and one of the main reasons they chose to keep their cats indoors.
• Behavioural Enrichment Prevents Boredom: Behavioural research on indoor cats has proven that a stimulating environment helps them satisfy their natural instincts, keeps their minds sharp, and prevents behavioural issues caused by boredom and frustration.
• Indoor Happiness Matches Outdoor: The Animal Humane Society showed that when pet parents enrich their indoor cats’ lives correctly, all cats can still express natural behaviours like scratching, chewing, and toileting. Without the right outlets, however, such as scratching posts, chew-safe toys, and clean litter areas, they can develop health or behavioural issues.

“The key to avoiding behavioural issues in indoor cats is creating the right environment,” Crighton says. “It’s not just about keeping your cat inside—it’s about bringing the outside world in. With a little creativity, you can give your cat all the joy, stimulation, and enrichment they would find outdoors—without the risks.”

Top Benefits of Indoor Living for Cats

• Safer, Healthier Lives: Indoor cats avoid traffic accidents, fights with other animals, exposure to toxins, and diseases, given that outdoor roaming exposes them to parasites and pathogens.
• Improved Longevity: Indoor-only cats typically live 12–15 years, compared to 5–7 years for outdoor cats.
• Wildlife Protection: A parliamentary report estimates that Australia’s pet cats are responsible for killing up to 390 million native animals each year.
• Reduced Disease Risk: Indoor cats have far lower risk of feline infectious diseases.
• Myth Busting: Indoor Boredom: Well-enriched indoor cats are just as mentally stimulated as outdoor cats.

“The majority of cat lovers are unaware of the exact impact their outdoor-loving cats can pose to our natural wildlife,” Crighton says. “Over the years, cats have been seen as the ‘easier’ option for pet ownership, as they are much more self-efficient at entertaining and feeding themselves; however, this notion needs to change. Cats can live wonderful indoor lives – and also keep the majority of that independence without the need of a cat flap.”

Sources

• *1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7316254/?utm
• *2 https://www.zoetispetcare.com/benefits-of-pets
• *3 https://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/media/eeufmpqx/112-the-impact-of-cats-in-australia-findings-factsheetweb.pdf
• ** https://petsure.com.au/pet-health-monitor/

Nadia Crighton

Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.

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