For many owners, shutting the cat flap for good can feel like an act of cruelty.
But a new study suggests our feline friends adapt to indoor life far better than many people think.
Researchers found most owners who moved their outdoor cats permanently inside said the transition was easier than expected.
Many also reported becoming closer to their pets after making the change.
However, there were some initial challenges – as cats became more vocal, scratched at doors and windows or appeared frustrated during the adjustment period.
Lead author Dr Julia Henning, from Adelaide University, said the findings challenge the perception that cats cannot adapt to an indoor lifestyle.
‘Many people worry that keeping a cat indoors will be stressful for their cat, but our findings suggest that the transition was often easier than expected,’ she said.
‘Owners certainly faced some challenges during the transition, particularly in the first few weeks, but most found these were temporary and that the long-term benefits far outweighed the difficulties.’
There were some initial challenges – as cats became more vocal, scratched at door and windows or appeared frustrated during the adjustment period, the study showed
For the study, scientists surveyed 87 owners whose cats had switched from an outdoor lifestyle to living exclusively indoors.
More than two-thirds said the process turned out to be easier than they had anticipated.
The biggest motivation for bringing cats inside was keeping them safe from traffic, attacks by other animals, disease, parasites and poisoning.
Owners also wanted to reduce the threat their roaming pets posed to local wildlife, particularly birds.
After making the switch, many said they enjoyed greater peace of mind, were better able to monitor their cat’s health and spent more quality time with their pet.
In many cases, owners also felt their bond with their cat had grown stronger.
The study found around half of the cats settled into indoor life within just a few weeks, with younger animals adapting more quickly than older ones.
However, the adjustment was not entirely without its challenges.
The biggest motivation for bringing cats inside was keeping them safe from traffic, attacks by other animals, disease, parasites and poisoning (file image)
Some cats became more vocal, scratched at doors and windows or appeared frustrated during the first few weeks indoors.
Owners also worried about keeping their pets entertained, maintaining litter trays and preventing weight gain.
Many admitted feeling guilty about restricting their cat’s freedom and feared their pet would become bored or unhappy.
Despite these concerns, most said the benefits far outweighed the temporary difficulties.
Senior author Dr Susan Hazel said these findings highlight the importance of supporting both pets and their owners.
‘Keeping cats indoors offers significant benefits for their safety and welfare, but successful transitions depend on supporting owners as much as their cats,’ she said.
‘Our research shows that owners often need reassurance that the behaviours they see during the transition are temporary and that there are practical strategies – such as providing climbing spaces, scratching posts, toys and opportunities for play – that can help cats adapt successfully.’
Writing in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science the team concluded: ‘The majority of participants found the transition easier than expected, perceived their cat as happy post-transition, and stated that they would keep future cats indoors.’
A separate study previously found that cats like to play fetch with their owners.
Researchers discovered four in 10 cats enjoy retrieving toys and objects, with breeds that have links to the Far East most likely to want to play.
An online survey of more than 8,000 cat owners revealed that 41 per cent reported their cat would sometimes, frequently or always retrieve items that they threw – significantly higher than previous estimates.
Scientists found that cats are more likely to display fetching behaviour if they are generally more active and playful, and if they live indoors.
Although cats of all breeds sometimes engage in fetching, it is more common in Burmese, Siamese and Tonkinese cats, they discovered.
