When your cat roams, they
take more risks than you think.

Some cat owners think it’s natural for a cat to roam, or cruel to keep them inside. But just like dogs, with adequate love and care cats lead happy and fulfilling lives at home. If you’re considering containing your cat to your property there’s never been a better time to do it. Containment is one of the best things you can do to keep your cat safe.

Keeping your cat contained can add years to their life and improve their health.

So, what does ‘containment’ really mean?

Containing your cat means always keeping them on your property. You don’t have to keep your cat indoors to contain your cat safely. There are now many options that allow your cat to still enjoy the fresh air outside!

These include cat nets, catios, cat proof fencing, cat enclosures, cat runs, or bringing the outdoors inside with a variety of enrichment aids.

Enrichment is something we do to add interest, choice, variety, and complexity to our pets’ lives. From socialising and playtime, to toys, treats, puzzles, noises and smells - getting creative with enrichment for your cat can be a lot of fun and a great activity for kids!

Whether your cat is kept indoors or will have contained outdoor access, enrichment is important to make your cat feel happy and content.

Purchasing some cat toys (or making your own) is a good start. Rotating the toys available for your cat to play with will keep them interesting. Spend some time with your cat by playing games that allow them to display natural behaviours such as stalking, luring and pouncing. If your cat has never played with toys before this might take some getting used to.

Cats also love to sharpen their claws! Providing a scratching post or board, or something for them to display this natural behaviour, is a great way to add complexity to their environment.

We also recommend creating some high spaces and hiding places for your cat to retreat to throughout the day. You could even occasionally hide treats in these areas as a little surprise. This helps keep their environment interesting and fun.

Remember to never leave string, wool, rubber bands, hair ties, or other small toys and items out on the ground unsupervised – some cats may swallow them which can cause serious problems!

Please see the references page

Resources in other languages can be found on the RSPCA Website using the links below:

• Korean
• Hindi
• Chinese
• Arabic