As long as there is another animal to share the living space with (a cat left on its own in an apartment/house too often can get really effed up) I think keeping cats indoors is much better. And it's not even other animals doing harm to my cats its vehicles I'm most worried about. Had too many cats killed by cars in my life. It's hard enough when they die of old age. There's also the issue of already well-fed cats hunting and killing when they don't need to.

A cat who goes outside more will likely have a shorter life, but will also likely have a life filled with fun and adventure.

It depends..I have some strictly inside..because they are not street smart and totally will get killed...I have 3 that go out but usually come in at night to sleep..everyone is fixed so no babies..the other issue with allowing them outside is the negative impact on wildlife

Obviously, if your cat is an indoors-only cat, that's the best scenario. If they get used to going out, though, I think they're much happier having those adventures to romp and hunt as they please (just make sure they have a collar with contact info).

However, if you're going to let your cat out, make sure you live in an area that doesn't have dangerous wildlife like deer or coyotes. If you live by a busy road, that's also a bad idea. There are these things called "catios" though, which is like a cage you can set up on your patio or hanging out of your window so your cat can get outside time without wandering too far.

We tried to keep th cats inside, but they had other ideas. After a couple of weeks we discovered when they went outside we hardly ever had to change the litter box. Now, we have a cat door installed in the sliding screen door, so they can go in and out at will during warmer weather. Over the last few weeks it has been codl and raniing most days, and they may ask to go out, but they just sit in the doorway for a minute and then turn back to go inside. We have wimpy cats. They sleep on the heater vents.

Indoor only for me. Cats that are kept inside live twice as long on average than their outdoor counterparts. That's reason enough for me.

Not only do I think letting a cat roam around free is a risk to the animals health it is also potentially harmful to local ecosystems. Sure humans have destroyed a lot of them already but why let a pet wander freely and typically pointlessly predate local critters. Especially when those critters could be carrying disease or could be laced with poisons from others pest control regimens. A cat that kills and a mouse that has been exposed to rat poison is in danger of things like renal failure or acute toxicity.

We have three felines, one male orange tabby and a pair of sibling tuxedo cats one male and his sister. They enjoy the indoors but we have invented an enclosure to the outdoor screened in porch that they access independently through the small dog doors, all year around.

I have often pondered this question. But after much research I have decided indoor only for my 4 fur babys. Cats that are indoor are not exposed to the uncontrolled environmental diseases, predators, weather, and human interaction that could potentially shorten or end their lifespan. Outside cats can also harm the environment themselves destroying a plethora of bird and rodent wildlife. On the other hand, I absolutely believe they need lots of exercise, interaction, sunlight, and brain stimulation. So where-as I prefer to keep my 4 brats inside, they get a TON of playtime, toys, windows, and love and medical attention as needed. I still love and feed the outside stray community of neighborhood cats but I just don't feel adding my babies to it will benefit them.

I would like an inside cat. To go with my wifes 2 puppy dogs. Life would be complete if i had a cat to love.

I've had a number of cats over the years. They were indoor/outdoor cats.They all vanished. My one cat Zeus is a 100% indoor cat. He's happy and healthy. He will never go out-He's 7 now.

I think it is healthier for cats to have access to the outdoors.

As someone who has worked with animals most of my life, I can give you some stark examples of things that happened to animals that I've personally witnessed after the fact . All were pets allowed to roam unsupervised.
Most were cats - and some dogs.
Torn apart by coyotes or raccoons (many while in their own yard). Run over by cars. Tortured by teenagers. Poisoned by neighbors who don't fancy your cats in their yard. Also shot by neighbors - guns or arrows. Caught in leghold traps - often resulting in amputations, or worse. Shot full of B-Bs. Faces full of porcupine quills. Venomous snake bites. Intentionally drowned. Carried away by an owl. Killed by a dive bombing hawk. Drowned after falling in a well. Slowly starved to death after falling in a deep hole. Pet-knapped and sold to labs.
Picked up by animal control and taken to kill shelters - maybe you find them in time - maybe not.

Yes - depending on where you live, all these are possible, and more.
If you choose to let your pets out - know that you're choosing to risk their lives, and that one day they may not return. Do they deserve that ?
.

Outdoor cats live MUCH shorter lives around here, due to traffic, disease (rabies is endemic), and predation (mostly by coyotes - a truly horrific way to go). I keep mine indoors, but in a multi-level house with lots of enhancements to keep my cats safe and sane. Under these conditions, with top notch medical care, several have lived to 20 or very nearly so.