We all know that cats pose a huge threat to native animals and birds. Australia's 5.3 million domestic cats kill a total of 546 million animals each year in Australia. What is less known is that allowing your domestic cat to roam outside exposes it to considerable danger and the risk of a shortened life.
About two-thirds of all Australian cat owners have had a cat die while wandering. The main risks are traffic accidents, fights and falls.
Our recent research review found that keeping your cat home at all times is not only good for wildlife, it is much safer for your cat.
Losing a cat is tragic. But there are other risks too. Many owners rack up large veterinary bills while their cats suffer from lifelong health problems. Our review also found that this situation is not unique to Australia, but reflects the global risk faced by cats in the wild.
What are the risks?
Collar-mounted cameras provide a feline view of the dangers faced by stray cats. In a study of 55 free-roaming felines in the United States, 25% were at risk of poisoning from eating or drinking while away from home; any substance could be dangerous. Almost half (45%) crossed roads, 25% encountered other cats, 20% crawled under houses, and 20% explored storm drains.
This isn't just American feline bravado. When cameras were installed on 37 cats in New Zealand, 59% drank outside the home, 40% ate outside the home, 32% crossed roads and 21% were at risk of falling by climbing on rooftops.
Australian cats are no exception. In one study, 428 radio-tracked cats crossed a road on average 4.8 times per day.
What are the results?
If you're a fan of The Simpsons, you may remember the fate of their family cats: Snowball I and Snowball II died along the way, Snowball III drowned, Coltrane (also known as Snowball IV) fell to his death, and Snowball V is still with us. The reality is uncomfortably similar. Our review found that trauma (mainly traffic accidents, fights, and falls) kills or injures many free-roaming cats around the world.
In a recent UK study, traffic accidents were the leading cause of death among cats under one year old and eight years old.
This is consistent with European estimates, which suggest that between 18% and 24% of cats are hit by a car during their lifetime, and around 70% of those incidents are fatal. The victims are usually under five years old and are mostly men. The risks are greater for those who are not neutered, as they tend to roam more widely and more frequently.
Love and status offer no protection. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's cat Paddles, known colloquially as New Zealand's first cat, died after being hit by a car in 2017.
The dangers go far beyond traffic accidents. Stray cats face serious infectious diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and frequently fight, often developing abscesses that can kill and require expensive veterinary treatment.
While it is difficult to quantify cases of deliberate human cruelty to cats, there is global evidence of deliberate poisoning and injury to stray cats, many of which die before receiving medical intervention.
In a study that followed 55 stray cats in Western Australia for just eight months, two were poisoned, one lost a front paw in a traffic accident, one fractured two canines in a fall, and two required veterinary treatment for fight-related injuries.
Putting all of these factors together, we estimate that outdoor domestic cats have a lifespan at least 2 to 3 years shorter than the indoor domestic cat population. Those who survive accidents or illnesses may have lifelong disabilities.
How can risks be reduced?
The easiest way to protect your cats is to contain them on your property, just as Australians do with other pets. There is a lot of advice available on how to keep cats happy and healthy while they are contained.
It is important to note that containment does not mean keeping your cat inside at all times. Backyards can be modified with rollers on top of fences to prevent leaks. Some owners enclose part of the garden to create a “catio” (an outdoor cat enclosure) that allows their cats to enjoy fresh air and sunshine while still being safe.
About the authors
Mike Calver is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Murdoch University. Heather M. Crawford is a research assistant at Murdoch University and Trish Fleming is a professor at Murdoch University.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Many cats can also be trained to walk on a harness or leash, allowing them to be taken on supervised outings. A recent report from Norway found that providing controlled access to the outdoors is often important for maintaining cats' well-being.
Cats need to be entertained when they are at home. They enjoy outdoor views, toys, scratching surfaces, spaces to climb and sit on the ground, and opportunities to play. They are naturally solitary animals, so hiding places are useful.
If cats cannot go outside to the bathroom, they will need two indoor litter trays. Since cats are finicky, the trays should be cleaned frequently. In multi-cat households, provide one litter tray per cat, plus one extra. Place the trays in separate, quiet places and never next to the food plate.
Responsible cat ownership
Australians love their cats. In 2019, about a quarter of Australian households owned a cat. By 2025, that figure had increased to a third. During the same period, households reporting keeping their cats indoors increased from 36% to 48%.
Maybe we're finally valuing our cats like we value our dogs and listening to the sage advice of Australian songwriter and singer Eric Bogle: “Oh, you who love your pussy, make sure you keep it inside. Don't let it argue with a truck, the truck will surely win. And on the busy highway don't let it play or frolic. If you do, I warn you it might be CAT-astrophic.”
