Should Cats Go OUTSIDE?

Opinions are divided. Here, a veterinarian weighs in on cats' need for enrichment versus the risks of their spending time outside.

- by JENNIFER BILLOCK

When Jennifer Cassidy goes near her patio door, her cat, Sesame, kicks up the charm, rubbing against her legs. The message: “It’s time to go outside!” However, “cats do not have a biological requirement for outdoor access,” says Jo Myers, D.V.M., a practitioner with online pet health platform Vetster. They do, though, need to be able to express themselves through natural cat behaviors such as playing, climbing, exploring, and scratching. “If those needs are met indoors, many cats live very content, healthy lives without roaming outside,” Myers says. “It depends on the individual cat, the home, and how well that cat’s needs are being met.”