A vet has revealed whether people should keep their cats indoors or let them roam outside.
Ben The Vet, who is from the UK, makes videos on Tiktok, where he has more than 200,000 followers.
His videos tend to focus on animal welfare topics, as well as his experiences working as a veterinarian.
A recent clip, titled Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats? was accompanied by a caption that read: 'Do cats need outdoor access to be happy? Or should all cats be kept indoors?
“This is a more controversial issue than I expected and there are a lot of strong views on both sides. What do you think? '
During the clip, the vet said: 'Indoor versus outdoor cat, which is the right choice? Here are the pros and cons. '
Speaking first about the benefits of having an outdoor cat, he said: 'Life for an outdoor cat allows them to express the full range of their natural behavior and is probably more satisfying for a cat.'
However, he also pointed out that “there are many dangers [outdoor cats] have to contend with '.
UK-based vet Ben The Vet (pictured) made a video on Tiktok about the pros and cons of indoor versus outdoor cats
Ben explained: 'There is the risk of being hit by a car and killed or seriously injured.
'There is the risk of being attacked and injured by other animals, usually other cats, and usually fighting over territory.
'Outdoor cats are also much more likely to be exposed to toxins and infections such as FIV – which is the CAT equivalent of HIV – Cat flu and parasitic infections such as fleas.'
He noted that there are also environmental considerations.
Ben explained: 'Outdoor cats can hunt and kill vulnerable species of wildlife, such as songbirds.
'Having an indoor cat means you don't have to worry about this.'
He moved to indoor cats, saying their lives are “probably a lot safer.”
“But,” the vet said in the video, “it can be very boring, and as much as you can try to keep them mentally stimulated with games and toys and scratching. Variety of outdoor living.”
According to the vet (pictured), there are more dangers for cats that go outside, but indoor cats only require enrichment
'Boredom and frustration can lead to a higher risk of problem behavior in indoor cats such as destroying furniture, urine marking and sometimes even aggression. '
The vet noted that there may be a greater risk of specific health problems when it comes to indoor cats, citing obesity as one of them.
He added: 'Indoor cats, especially those in multi-cat households, have also been shown to be at higher risk of urinary tract problems, which are linked to stress and these can be life-threatening in male cats. '
Closing the video, Ben concluded, “So there's no right or wrong way to keep a cat.
'It depends on your cat's personality, where you ultimately live and your own views and priorities ultimately.'
Views among the video's commenters were mixed, with some saying they kept their cats indoors to keep them safe, and others saying they let them.
Several described the steps they had taken to try to keep their outdoor cats safe.
One wrote: 'We ended up spending a small fortune on a pet fence so they go out but can't wander. The peace of mind it gives me is worth every penny. '
Commenters shared mixed opinions on whether or not they believe cats should be left outside or kept indoors
In a similar vein, another wrote: 'We've created a safe outdoor area for ours, a full gym indoors and walkways to an outdoor dependent enclosure, I hope it's the best of both worlds.'
There were some viewers who had very strong feelings that cats should be kept indoors for their own safety.
A further viewer added: 'I see missing cat messages all the time, that and cats getting hit by cars. I've had cats myself and I was killed by a car. If I have another cat in the future, it will be an indoor cat. '
Meanwhile, another advocate for keeping the limes indoors wrote: “Every outdoor cat I had growing up died a horrible death. I have only had indoor cats as adults and they have had long happy lives. '
And another said: 'If you let your cat roam outside unattended, you don't own a cat. You give up ownership as soon as you take it out. '
