We often see cats jumping onto the windowsill, continuously meowing at the outside world, naturally making us think they long for outdoor life. Many owners are happy to take their cats for walks during free time or simply let their cats roam outdoors. Before domestication, cats were wild animals, so this practice seems reasonable. However, research shows that nowadays, cats do better living indoors.

　　Ecologist Jennifer McDonald and her colleagues conducted a small survey in the UK. They asked cat owners how many dead animals their cats brought home on average each month and observed the cats' daily lives. Most people either greatly underestimate their pets’ hunting tendencies or overestimate their hunting skills.

　　Researchers say this could relate to the "ownership effect," where humans tend to imagine their possessions in the way they hope them to be. Therefore, owners who want to see their pets hunt usually overestimate the number of prey, while those who think their pets are gentle underestimate the dead animals at their doorstep. In fact, cats are predatory animals—adorable predators. Over thousands of years, they have learned to catch and kill small animals. Their entire bodies are built for hunting. Their nature drives them to hunt, whether they're about to pounce on a plush toy mouse or a real one. Indoor cats are happier if they can pretend to catch birds through the window or have many plush simulated prey toys to attack. Of course, outdoor cats enter hunting mode.

　　This statement is not an attack on cats. It is simply a fact. At the end of the day, our pets are happier if we can see their true nature and still love them, allowing them to safely unleash their wild side. We will be happier too. The environment also improves.

　　So, each cat kills fewer than thirty prey per month, which doesn’t sound like much. But imagine if a town has one hundred cats, then over three thousand small animals die each month in that town, not counting the animals’ natural predators. Also, you should realize that cats do not naturally occur in most ecosystems, meaning they have no natural enemies. The sudden presence of many cats can disrupt the local ecological balance.

　　Therefore, outdoor cats may cause ecological damage. Biologists find it hard to estimate the number of prey animals caught, so they struggle to demonstrate this impact to the public. The overall result is that cat owners seem unaware or unwilling to realize how greatly their cat’s hunting habits affect the local ecosystem.

　　Overall, cats that stay indoors live longer and are healthier than those who often roam outdoors. Hunting is a risky business, and cats don’t always win. Outdoor cats may fall into very dangerous situations if they mistake their prey. They can also catch fatal diseases and parasites from prey, meaning your cat could bring fleas, ticks, or rabies virus home along with the torn-up rats.

　　The outside world also holds many man-made dangers. Cars are one of the leading causes of death for outdoor cats. If a cat crosses the street at the wrong moment, even a less busy road becomes very dangerous. Considering all factors, the American Veterinary Association strongly recommends keeping cats indoors to ensure their safety and protect the local environment.

　　Cats active outdoors sometimes don’t come home without supervision. This doesn’t mean they choose to live somewhere else—some are kidnapped; others are found dead or injured. Thieves or gangs roam neighborhoods looking for what they call "friendly dogs and cats" to sell to dogfighting trainers or laboratories. In this world filled with homeless people, mentally ill individuals, narrow-minded neighbors, bored youngsters with baseball bats, rat poison, and spilled antifreeze, the number of missing animals yearly is shocking. Rational people say, “But he wants to go out.” “Our neighborhood is very safe.” “Keeping her inside is cruel.” Yet, they would never let a child go out alone.

　　Many terrible lessons warn us not to let cats go out alone. In Pompano, Florida, many lost cats and dogs are caught for dogfight training in huge warehouses. In South Dakota, a fur trader was found selling cat skins. In Washington, a cat went out for a usual stroll but returned with burns caused by cooking oil. In California, a woman searching for her two cats found they had both been shot with arrows. Before I understood this truth, my cat went missing for three days, and when I found it lying barely alive on the back doorstep, its lungs and ribs were severely injured. Today's concrete jungles are too dangerous for these fragile, trusting little lives.

　　So, how can cats be made to feel safe staying at home?

　　1. Interesting Toys

　　Aluminum foil balls shaped into kinetic “mice” and laser pointers can excite even the laziest cats. Cat toys available all day long will make your cat a dancer and a magician changing the cat.

　　2. Scratching

　　Cats love to scratch. This helps remove broken nails, stretch muscles, and mark their “territory.” The best way to save your furniture is to provide plenty of things you “approve” for them to scratch. Cat trees and posts, cardboard boxes, and creative “cat tracks” (a ball placed inside a plastic channel lined with scratching pads) are also good choices.

　　3. Provide a Room with an Outside View

　　Windows are cats’ TV—placing a bird feeder next to a window can entertain cats for a long time. If the windowsill isn’t wide enough, you can make or buy a soft-padded perch to place on the sill. Note: Ensure the window is secure enough so cats won’t slip and fall. Also, roll up curtains and similar items to prevent cats’ legs from getting caught.

　　4. Hallways Also Please Cats

　　An enclosed porch or a bay window area is a great place for cats to safely engage with nature. If your yard has a fence, another good method is to cover the fence with netting to keep cats inside your yard.