Researchers have identified a straightforward way to help your cat live longer: keep it indoors. Experts estimate that outdoor pet cats have lives at least two to three years shorter than those kept contained.
The Hidden Dangers of Roaming
While cats are known predators of native wildlife, allowing them to roam outside exposes them to significant dangers. In Australia, the 5.3 million domestic cats kill 546 million animals annually, but the risk to the cats themselves is often overlooked. About two-thirds of Australian cat owners have experienced a cat dying while roaming, with top risks including road traffic accidents, fights, and falls.
A research review published in The Conversation confirms that keeping cats at home is not only good for wildlife but also much safer for the felines. Losing a cat is tragic, and many owners face high veterinary bills for lifelong health conditions caused by roaming.
Global Evidence of Risks
Studies using collar-mounted cameras reveal the hazards free-roaming cats face. In a U.S. study of 55 cats, 25% risked poisoning by eating or drinking away from home, 45% crossed roads, 25% encountered other cats, 20% crawled under houses, and 20% explored storm drains. Similarly, in New Zealand, 59% of 37 cats drank away from home, 40% ate away from home, 32% crossed roads, and 21% climbed onto roofs. Australian cats are no exception: one study found 428 radio-tracked cats averaged 4.8 road crossings per day.
Deadly Outcomes
Trauma from road accidents, fights, and falls kills or injures many free-roaming cats worldwide. In a UK study, road traffic accidents were the leading cause of death for cats from under one year old to eight years old. European estimates suggest 18–24% of cats are struck by a car during their lifetime, with about 70% of those incidents fatal. Victims are often under five years old and predominantly male, with higher risks for unneutered cats.
Even high-profile cats are not immune. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's cat, Paddles, died after being hit by a car in 2017.
Infectious Diseases and Fights
Roaming cats face serious diseases like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and frequent fights that can lead to abscesses requiring expensive veterinary treatment. Deliberate human cruelty, including poisoning and injury, is also a global issue. In a Western Australian study of 55 roaming cats over eight months, two were poisoned, one lost a front leg in a traffic accident, one fractured canine teeth in a fall, and two needed treatment for fight injuries.
How to Protect Your Cat
The simplest way to protect cats is to contain them on your property. Backyards can be modified with fence-top rollers, and owners can create a "catio" — an outdoor enclosure — for fresh air and sunshine. Many cats can be trained to walk on a harness for supervised outings. A Norwegian report found that controlled outdoor access is important for cat wellbeing.
Indoor cats need entertainment: outside views, toys, scratching surfaces, climbing spaces, and hiding spots. They require two indoor litter trays cleaned frequently, with one tray per cat plus an extra in multi-cat households, placed away from food.
Responsible Ownership on the Rise
In Australia, cat ownership rose from about a quarter of households in 2019 to a third by 2025. Over the same period, households keeping cats indoors increased from 36% to 48%. As singer Eric Bogle advises: "Oh you who love your pussy be sure to keep him in. Don't let him argue with a truck, the truck is bound to win."
