Average life expectancy of indoor and outdoor cats...

[Logan]

My indoor/outdoor cat is quite experienced, I guess. But I completely understand the risk of allowing her and her brother outdoors. Mimi is 15 years old, and Butter, we think, is around 6-7 years old. They obviously like it here because they don't venture far out of our yard.

[Grace]

Originally posted by Fox-Gal
Maybe the study needs to have a third category: Life expectancy of a indoor/outdoor cat, with proper care. Not that I don't think that the study is right, but sometimes studies are too black and white. They most likely did full outdoor cats and fully indoor cats not acounting for the half and half group.

I think that's why I was so surprised - I was thinking of mine who are indoor/outdoor in a safe environment and a reasonable amount of supervision. All of mine who have been indoor/outdoor were not exposed to the outside for several months after we got them, and then were closely watched.

And right now they are more indoor than out - epecially in inclement weather.

[Tonya]

My friend (she's also my brother's roomate) has two outdoor only cats. Indoor/outdoor doesn't bother me, but outdoor only?! It irks the heck out of me. Jeff lets the cats in whenever she isn't home. She recently found out and yelled at him...told him that if he can't follow her requests, he can find another place to live.

[heinz57_79]

I think another factor adding to outdoor life expectancy is vaccinations. If the cat is vaccinated there's a lesser chance of it contracting a fatal disease or virus. Also, if it's an indoor/outdoor cat you'd think the owner would notice of the cat was sick and would take it to the vet, which would add to life expectancy, assuming, of course, that the ailment was curable. But that leads back to vaccinations.

[Kirsten]

Well, I think I will mention that possibility of a third category in my article. Would like to know if the study has included the ferals though.

K&L, 1 - 2 years was what I've once read, and I guess that was referring to ferals also.

BTW, I didn't work on the article today, it's too hot and my brain is boiling!

Kirsten

[PayItForward]

Inside/outside cats live nearly as long as inside only cats plus they have a much more interesting & varied existence.

The studies you have quoted returning average life span of less than 10 years, includes feral cats, strays & very young kittens.

If a study looked at inside/outside cats who were older than 6 months, neutered and trained to be outside, the average life expectance leaps to 15 years to 18 years, the drop from the slightly higher life range for inside cats, takes into account the 2% lifetime chance a cat has of dying on the roads.

In reality if the cat is well cared for there is very little difference between an inside/outside cat and an inside only cat.

I think I will do a study on the issue when I start by cat behaviourist course in October.

[kuhio98]

Kuhio was an indoor/outdoor cat. She lived just over 17 years. But, she had all her vaccinations and regular checkups. She came in contact with lots of wild animals -- squirrels, mice, ermine's, etc. but no cars, thank goodness.

[Grace]

Yeah - all of ours have their vaccinations up to date. And we (I) tend to notice immediately when something is not quite right.

The only one we've had who died before his time was Henry - he was just over two years when he died. We never sent any tissue samples off, but the Vet thought West Nile might have been the cause.

[K & L]

I think a lot depends on locations and situations. We live in a VERY busy city where I see cats dead on the side of the road frequently. We also have some sick individuals who love to do terrible things to them. We use to let ours come and go through the doggy door until a some things happened to a couple of our cats. Luckily it wasn't fatal but scary enough to close the doggy door forever! Good luck on your report!

[Kirsten]

Yes, I think it depends a lot on where you live! Germany is a very closely populated country, so I think the chances for outdoor cats are not so good. There are exceptions though. Some cats are just lucky or have good instincts.

Good luck on your report!

Thanks a lot! I haven't started yet because the heat here makes me dizzy and gives me a headache. Just too hot to use my brain!

Kirsten

[smokey the elder]

Indoor/outdoor cats who go outdoors during the day only, and are microchipped and vaccinated can do just fine. Our rescue group recommends only letting them out if it's a quiet (traffic wise) area, and they are altered so they don't bring home any "surprises". Maintenance is higher, since they have to be dewormed and deflea'd periodically, but some cats just cannot tolerate being indoors all the time.

[catmandu]

The Avearge life span,for an uncared for Stary Cat,is about 5 years,andthey are very hard years,bothered by Mean People,and predators,and by hunger,and the elements! And beig dirty,which cats loathe,more than anyhthing!

[DogLover9501]

Tigger is an inside/outside cat, he sleeps inside, and stays inside all day if he wants to, but also is allowed out when he wants to(unless its dark).

He doesn't venture, he doesn't leave the yard often, I guess he's too lazy

And he is almost 8 years old.

Also, the site is looking good!