Should Your Dog Or Cat Be Indoors Or Outdoors?

So often people acquire a dog or cat before they give any thought as to where to keep them. Should they be indoors or outdoors or both?

When we take on the responsibility of owning a cat or dog, we need to take the time to consider the living arrangements for our pet. 

Many people adopt pets with the idea that they will be raising an outdoor animal. 

How many people in your neighborhood keep their dogs or cat’s outdoors at all times? 

The fact of the matter is, outside is not a safe place for a cat or a dog. 

When you adopt a pet, you need to make sure that you are ready to allow your pet into your home.

Outside is their natural environment

Yes, cats and dogs both will love being outside, it is their natural environment. 

Cats delight in chasing birds, climbing trees, and hiding in shrubs. 

Dogs adore barking at the neighbors, chasing squirrels, and digging. 

However, there are many dangers to keeping your pet outside at all times. 

Dogs tend to get more outside time in cats. 

Owners take their dogs out for walks, and in some cases allow their dogs, unsupervised access to the backyard from time to time. 

Cats are usually either indoor pets or outdoor pets.  

It's becoming more common nowadays, for owners to keep their cats indoors as they begin to realize the dangers of allowing their cat to live outdoors at all time. 

It is highly recommended that you keep your cats and dogs inside. 

For cats, you can help them explore their natural instincts inside by giving them plenty of places to run and play inside your home.  

Buy your cat a good scratching post with a high perch and install a window seat so they can gaze at the birds outdoors.

Outside Could Mean Danger

The biggest danger to your pets when they go outside is other animals. 

You never know when your dog or cat will encounter a stray or strange cat or dog from down the street. 

You know that your pet is properly vaccinated, but you do not know that health condition of other animals outside. 

In addition, if your dog or cat gets into a fight with another animal.  

Your pet can be seriously injured or harmed.  Unless you supervise your pet at all times when they are outside, you never know when your cat or dog will encounter a strange animal.

Other dangers of allowing your pet to live outside are cars and other people. 

A cat darting across the street late at night is a recipe for disaster. 

What if your dog gets loose from your yard and encounters a child?  

How will your dog react? You hope that your dog will be good and stay friendly. 

However, what happens if the child begins to taunt or tease your dog or poke a stick at him? 

If your dog bites or scratches another person, chances are, you will be responsible for your pet's actions. 

Many pet owners have found themselves in a serious situation when their dog or cat has acted aggressively when outdoors.

Advantages Of Indoors For Dogs And Cats

When your cat or dog stays indoors, you can also help control fleas, ticks, and the exposure to heartworms. 

This is not to say that you should not treat an indoor pet for these problems. All dogs, whether the event indoors or outdoors, should be on a monthly heartworm preventative. 

Both cats and dogs should also be treated with monthly preventative. 

It is important to remember though, if your cat or dog lives outdoors, you will have many more problems when it comes to fleas and ticks.


There are many reasons why you should keep your dog or cat indoors. 

Pets that are indoor pets live longer and healthier lives than pets that live outside. 

This includes all pets, once you make them an indoor animal; you need to protect them from anything that might happen if they get outdoors, they now depend on you to provide a home for them.

Knowing whether your cat or dog need to be outdoors or indoors can make their lives - and yours - much more pleasant and harm-free.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil Smith has written extensively on life (and how to deal with it) including 3 non-fiction books and numerous blogs. To read how he went from zero to hero while solving a ghostly mystery CLICK HERE in his non-fiction book.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------