Cats are unique to dogs in that most times, letting your cat wandering the neighborhood at night is perfectly acceptable. But have you decided whether to let your cat be an indoor-only cat or to allow them some outdoor freedoms? Here are a few things you should consider.
Most cats will want to go outside no matter what you ultimately choose for them, but some, specifically cats that have previously been allowed outside, can make things even more complicated. It's almost as if they don't particularly care about your decision either way. Therefore, the best thing you can do for yourself and the anxiety of your cat is to stay consistent from birth with them, or at the very least from the point where you adopt them. It is easier to convince a cat to stay indoors at all times if you've been keeping them inside since they were a kitten.
The upsides of making a cat an indoor-only feline are pretty numerous. First, this will reduce a lot of dangers in your cat's life. Cars, coyotes, and cat-based diseases are all that common inside your house. Because of this, indoor-only cats have on average a much longer lifespan than a cat that's lived outside his whole life, or even part of it. Indoor cats are also cleaner and have almost no chance of dragging in an unwanted dead mouse or bird or rolling in dirt and tracking it inside on your carpet.
However, keeping your cat indoors at all times will increase the need to clean the litter box as they won't have any other option for taking care of their waste. Outdoor cats have a lot more "natural" places to do their business, but an indoor-only cat has just the one (hopefully not also including your sneakers). Outdoor cats are also generally thinner as they're far more active than indoor cats. This is mostly because of the limiting space a house can provide, as well as the increased level of activities in the outside world.
The tough choice then is really all up to longevity, though nothing guarantees a long life no matter what you do. I've seen indoor-only cats fall ill and pass away at young ages and outdoor-only cats stay around for years and years. My sad personal experience has an indoor/outdoor cat turned indoor-only cat passing away at only seven-years-old from getting out one night and drinking some anti-freeze someone had placed on their doorstep because they were unhappy with all the cats in the neighborhood. Basically, there's no telling what will happen.
Therefore, look at the options you have available to you and plan accordingly. Will your cat be happier inside or outside? Do you live near a busy street or in the country? Do you mind a dead snake on your doorstep every now and then? Just remember to choose wisely.
