While many cat owners consider their pets "outside cats," the fact is that cats kept indoors are much safer and healthier than their outdoor counterparts.

Free-roaming cats are bound to come in contact with other cats. Parasites, like fleas or ringworm, can be transmitted through these interactions, as well as communicable and infectious diseases—feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis, upper respiratory infections and even feline immunodeficiency virus.

Cats are territorial animals, and if challenged may fight to the death. If your cat roams free, he or she may not come directly home for you to take care of their wounds, which can lead to possibly deadly abscesses. Fighting is also a common way feline immunodeficiency virus is transferred among cats.

Aside from being careful around other cats, your cat will have to deal with possible attacks from wild cats, coyotes and wolves, raptors and owls, and, of course, dogs. It would be difficult for a domesticated cat to stand a chance against such larger and tougher predators.

An outdoor cat would also have to be very careful around roads, even quiet neighborhood or country roads. This is an additional danger for drivers who may get into accidents avoiding a cat in the road.

Neighborhood cats who roam free will eventually come in contact with less-than-tolerant neighbors—ones who may not appreciate cats considering their gardens giant litter boxes. There’s always the possibility of someone calling animal control to pick up your cat.

In fact, an outdoor cat may eventually roam far enough that an observer would consider your cat a stray. A kind neighbor might take in your cat, or animal control may pick up your cat on a routine search.

It’s a safer bet for your cat to remain indoors as much as possible. There are many ways for your cat to get outdoor time—like supervised jaunts in an enclosed backyard, or even walks on a cat leash. These compromises will keep your cat happy and safe.