The Domestication of Cats
Cats were first domesticated in the Near East around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. According to an article on The Evolution of House Cats by Scientific American1, wildcats were drawn to early human settlements in the Fertile Crescent region to feed on rodents attracted to stores of grain. These wildcats beganbreeding with domestic cats, gradually becoming more comfortable around humans. Selective breeding eventually produced the distinct physical and behavioral attributes of domesticatedcats.
As described in The Natural History of the Cat by the Alley Cat Alliance2, while cats originally had a working role in ancient societies as pest control, over time theytransitioned into being valued as companions. Their popularity as pets grew in Egypt, India, China, and the Roman Empire. Today, cats are kept primarily for companionship and enjoyment as cherished family pets. Though they retain their skilled hunting abilities, they nolonger need to work for their keep.
The Natural Behaviors of Cats
Cats are natural hunters with strong predatory instincts. In the wild, cats hunt small prey like rodents, birds, and insects. They have excellent vision and hearing to detect prey movement from far away. Once detected, cats engage in stalking behaviors – hiding, creeping slowly, and pouncing to catch their prey. They like to play with their food before killing it. These predatory behaviors are still present in domestic cats, even if they don’t need to hunt to survive. You’ll often see pet cats batting around toys, chasing laser pointers, and bringing “gifts” of prey into the home.
Cats are also territorial animals that patrol a certain range or territory in the wild. According to nidirect.gov.uk, a male cat’s home range may cover over 200 acres, while a female cat’s territory is typically around 20 acres. Within their territory, cats patrol and scent mark regularly to deter other cats from entering. They feel most secure when their territory is stable with no unknown animals. This territorial behavior translates to house cats wanting to prevent neighborhood or feral cats from entering their yard or home.
Providing for a Cat’s Needs
Cats have a number of physical and psychological needs that owners must provide for. According to the ASPCA, cats require regular access to fresh water, nutritionally balanced food, proper shelter, veterinary care including vaccinations and parasite control, affection, mental stimulation, and opportunities for safe exercise and play (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/general-cat-care).
Beyond basic necessities, cats also need environmental enrichment to keep their minds active and prevent boredom or stress. This can include providing cat trees, scratching posts, toys, puzzle feeders, and changing up toys available to keep things interesting. Owners should set aside dedicated play time every day using interactive toys like feather wands and laser pointers. Providing access to windows with interesting views also provides mental stimulation (https://icatcare.org/advice/thinking-of-getting-a-cat/).
Cats are very territorial and can suffer anxiety from changes to their environment. It’s important to keep food, water, litter boxes, scratching posts, and resting areas in consistent locations. Maintaining a predictable routine also reduces stress for cats.
Letting Cats Roam Outside
Cats naturally enjoy and benefit from having outdoor access, as it allows them to explore their environment and provides increased physical activity. However, letting cats roam freely outside also poses risks and dangers.
One of the greatest dangers for outdoors cats is the threat of injuries or attacks. Outdoor cats face hazards from vehicles, predators, poison, contagious diseases, and territorial fighting with other cats.[1] Studies show outdoor cats have a significantly shortened lifespan compared to indoor cats, due to these risks.
Outdoor access also threatens vulnerable wildlife populations. Cats are natural hunters and can devastate local ecosystems by preying on birds, reptiles and small mammals. This impact is further amplified since outdoor domestic cats are not reliant on hunting to survive.
Keeping cats exclusively indoors eliminates these risks and dangers. Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years — nearly three times longer than outdoor cats.[2] Indoor environments are more easily controlled and enriched to meet a cat’s needs. With proper care and enrichment, indoor cats can lead happy and stimulated lives.
Impact on Wildlife
Cats can pose a significant threat to local wildlife if allowed to roam outdoors unsupervised. Studies show that domestic cats kill billions of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians each year in the United States alone.[1] Cats are natural hunters with quick reflexes, allowing them to readily capture and kill small animals even when well-fed. The predation rate increases exponentially for each additional cat in an area.[2]
Birds are especially vulnerable to cat predation. Experts estimate cats kill between 1.3-4 billion birds per year in the U.S.[3] Cats tend to be opportunistic hunters, so common backyard birds like robins, chickadees and sparrows are frequent targets. This loss of birds can disrupt local ecosystems. Rodents like mice, voles and chipmunks are also common prey for outdoor cats.[1]
Reptiles and amphibians have been impacted as well. Cats have contributed to the extinction of at least 33 species, including birds, mammals and reptiles.[3] Allowing cats to roam freely outdoors clearly poses risks to vulnerable wildlife populations already under pressure from habitat loss and other factors.
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380
[2] https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.10073
Creating an Enriched Home Environment
Providing cats with an enriching home environment is key to their health and happiness when kept indoors. According to the ASPCA, “Environmental enrichment involves making simple modifications to allow your cat to engage in natural feline behaviors.”
Here are some tips for enriching your cat’s indoor space:
- Provide ample territory for your cat by offering access to multiple rooms or levels of the home. Cats like to patrol their territory and benefit from having vertical space to climb and perch (Oliver Animal Hospital).
- Offer places for your cat to scratch like scratching posts and cardboard scratchers. Scratching allows cats to mark their territory and stretch their muscles (ASPCA).
- Provide toys that stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts like interactive wand toys, treat balls, and plush mice. Rotate toys to keep your cat interested (Drake Center).
- Consider setting up puzzle feeders or hiding treats around the home for your cat to “hunt.” Work their brain by having them search for food (ASPCA).
- Set up cozy perches near windows with views of birds and other outdoor activity. Cats like to observe the outdoors from a safe spot (Oliver Animal Hospital).
With some planning and effort, you can create an enriching indoor environment that keeps your cat active and engaged.
Providing Outdoor Access Safely
While cats benefit from having access to outdoor spaces, there are some precautions cat owners should take to ensure their cat’s safety. Some options to provide outdoor access include:
Leash walking – With proper training and introduction, many cats can be walked on a leash and harness. This allows them to explore the outdoors while staying safe and supervised.
Enclosed ‘catios’ – Cat patios or ‘catios’ allow cats to experience the outdoors from the safety of an enclosed space. These can be built onto homes or as standalone structures in yards.
According to this article, supervised garden time can allow cats to explore while being monitored. Owners can also provide outdoor perches and enclosed hiding spaces to enrich their cat’s environment.
With planning and supervision, owners can find ways to provide their cats enriching and stimulating outdoor access safely.
Routine Vet Care
Regular vet care is crucial for keeping cats healthy and happy. One of the most important aspects of vet care is spaying/neutering. Spaying/neutering helps prevent certain cancers and diseases, reduces spraying and marking behaviors, and prevents unwanted litters of kittens that may end up in shelters. According to the ASPCA, spaying/neutering “will help your cat live a longer, healthier life.”
Vaccines are another key part of routine vet care. Core vaccines like rabies, feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia help protect cats from highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases. Vaccines should be administered on a schedule recommended by your vet based on factors like environment, lifestyle and risk. Annual vet exams provide a chance to keep vaccines up to date.
Annual exams allow vets to monitor your cat’s overall health and wellbeing. The vet will check vital signs, assess body condition, examine the mouth, skin, coat and ears, listen to the heart and lungs, palpate the abdomen, and check joints and muscles. Bloodwork and other diagnostics may be recommended based on exam findings. Exams can help detect issues early when they are most treatable.
Dental care is another aspect of routine vet visits. According to the ASPCA, by age 3, 70% of cats have some form of dental disease. Regular dental cleanings and exams allow vets to assess oral health, clean tartar, and treat issues like gingivitis. Poor dental health can lead to infections, tooth loss, and even problems in other organs.
With regular vet care including spay/neuter, vaccines, exams and dental cleanings, cat owners can help ensure their pets stay healthy and avoid preventable issues as they age.
Commitment and Lifestyle Factors
Cats can live 10-15 years on average, so bringing one into your home requires a long-term commitment to care for them throughout their lifetime (1). Before deciding to get a cat, carefully consider if owning one aligns with your lifestyle, housing situation, schedule, and budget.
Cats require daily interaction, play time, litter box cleaning, and feeding. If you work long hours or travel frequently, owning a cat may not be feasible unless you can arrange for a petsitter. Cats are lower maintenance than dogs overall, but still require dedicated care and attention.
Make sure your living space accommodates a cat’s needs. Cats need exercise and mental stimulation, so a small apartment may not suffice unless you can provide enrichment. Cats also need vertical space like cat trees, shelves, and window perches. And housing costs like pet deposits should be accounted for (2).
While cats are relatively low cost pets, you still need to budget for food, litter, toys, vet visits, pet insurance, grooming/supplies, boarding if traveling, and emergencies. And as cats age, healthcare costs tend to increase.
Take time to reflect on if adding a cat to your home is a commitment you’re ready to make. Their wellbeing depends on you for the next decade or longer. If your lifestyle can accommodate a cat’s needs, the bond and companionship can be very rewarding.
(1) https://www.ccspca.com/blog-spca/education/should-i-get-a-cat/
(2) https://icatcare.org/advice/thinking-of-getting-a-cat/
Making an Ethical Decision
When deciding whether to have a cat, consider your lifestyle, commitment level and how well you can provide for the cat’s needs. Cats require attention, space to roam and play, and a safe environment. While some cats adapt well to being kept indoors, others become bored or depressed without outdoor access. Weigh the risks and benefits of letting a cat go outside – it may satisfy their natural instincts but exposes them to dangers. Provide enrichment activities and supervised outdoor access when possible.
Consider whether you can commit to caring for a cat for potentially 15 years or more. They require substantial time, effort and money for food, litter, vet care and other expenses. Do not just get a cat for amusement if you cannot fully commit to meeting its needs.
While wildlife impacts are a valid concern, responsible ownership with access to an enriched indoor area and some supervised outdoor time can provide good cat welfare. If prepared to make the required commitment, having an indoor cat is generally considered ethical. But declining to have a cat you cannot properly care for is also an ethical choice.