Study examines adaptation of outdoor cats to indoor living

A study involving 87 pet owners in Australia and New Zealand suggests that transitioning outdoor cats to an indoor lifestyle is often successful. According to the research, over 40% of cats adapted to indoor living within just a few days, while approximately 25% required several weeks. Only 12.6% of the cats studied experienced significant difficulties during the transition.

Researchers noted that the change in environment often leads to positive behavioral shifts, with many cats becoming more sociable and seeking increased attention from their owners. Beyond pet safety—which 75% of owners cite as a primary motivator—the shift to indoor living has ecological implications. Data from the United States and Poland indicate that free-roaming cats pose a significant threat to local wildlife, contributing to the deaths of billions of birds and mammals annually. In Poland alone, studies suggest cats may kill up to 500 million vertebrates per year.