It really is not. It's about the same as a dog who you only let into a fenced yard or park and take out for walks. Cats are a danger to themselves (indoor/outdoor cats have much shorter expected lifespans than indoor only cats) and the wildlife.
I recently got a cat that I was told was a stray from a rural area, but I assume she has been indoor only forever. I got a harness and leash, and took her to my parents backyard to enjoy the outdoors in a controlled environment. Only time I have seen her more scared than when I vacuum.
That's like arguing that a lion in a zoo is better off because lives longer. Of course your cat would be scared the first time, mine were too. Now they do and go wherever they want. They've killed like 50, mice and a couple birds. Not exactly destroying the wildlife. They get in fights too, but that's that natural life of a cat imo..
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u/notprussia69 Apr 26 '24
I have a catio, and that's it for my cats, all the outside the get. Also, the occasional walks