Concern for cat safety and native wildlife conservation has led to growing discussion around keeping cats indoors. But what does this change mean for feline welfare - and for the people who care for them?
We’re proud to share the results of a Companion Animals New Zealand–led study that explored exactly that question. The research followed sixteen cats and their owners through a four-week transition from outdoor to indoor living, monitoring both cat behaviour and owner experiences to understand how both parties coped with the change.
What the study found
Throughout the study, cats wore HeyRex2 activity monitors to track their behaviour, while owners completed surveys and daily diaries about their cats’ wellbeing and their own experiences.
The findings revealed significant individual variation: approximately two-thirds of cats (10 out of 15) showed minimal behavioural changes or adjusted within the three-week indoor period (first week was baseline outdoor access).
However, about one-third displayed stress-related behaviours such as overgrooming, inappropriate elimination, excessive escape attempts, and signs of anxiety. Notably, the activity monitor data showed no significant changes in sleeping, running, or scratching patterns between the outdoor and indoor phases.
The transition proved challenging for owners, too. Many reported difficulties with constant monitoring to prevent escapes, household management complications (especially during Summer), feelings of guilt, and uncertainty about managing the change. Even among cats that adapted well, some owners found the process ‘somewhat difficult’. When asked whether they would continue keeping their cats indoors after the study, around 40% (6 out of 15) said they intended to do so.
However, six months later, only 23% (3 out of 13 respondents) were still maintaining indoor-only living, with most cats returning to outdoor access within one month of study completion.
One size doesn’t fit all
The results highlight that there’s no single right approach when it comes to housing cats. Each cat - and each household - is different. Some felines appear to adjust quickly, while others need more support and time. Importantly, some cats that struggled initially were kept indoors successfully, while some that adapted well ultimately returned outdoors based on owner decisions.
For those considering transitions, the study suggests that some key factors influence success:
Practical guidance to help manage challenges (such as monitoring entrances and managing escape attempts) and maintain positive routines.
Environmental enrichment, such as climbing structures, toys, and safe outdoor enclosures, to allow cats to express natural behaviours.
Realistic expectations about the challenges involved for both cats and owners
Recognition that household circumstances and individual cat needs may create barriers even when the intention to keep cats indoors exists.
Why this research matters
This project is one of the first in New Zealand to examine the actual process of transitioning outdoor cats indoors - rather than simply comparing indoor and outdoor cats. It provides valuable insights into real-world implementation challenges, highlighting that owner perceptions, housing variables, and household dynamics can pose significant barriers to successful indoor transitioning, even when cats themselves may be adapting.
The findings can inform future cat management strategies, welfare policies, and public education campaigns, helping ensure any changes made for conservation reasons are also positive for cats and their guardians.
The study also builds on CANZ’s previous research into how New Zealanders view outdoor access for cats, helping us better understand both attitudes and behaviours around responsible cat ownership.
A collective effort
We extend our sincere thanks to:
Dr Susan Hazel and Dr Gosia Zobel for leading the study, with valued contributions from Professor Nat Waran and Dr Renee Railton during their time at CANZ.
Julia Henning for her collaboration and input in developing the project.
The cats and their guardians who took part — your involvement made this research possible.
HeyRex, for supporting behavioural data collection and loaning half of the monitoring devices.
And our funders — Companion Animals New Zealand, Healthy Pets New Zealand, and the University of Adelaide — for their generous support.
It truly takes a village to make meaningful welfare research happen.
Read the full paper here free for the next month: Who Let the Cats in? Evaluation of the Transitioning of Cats to Indoor Life by Renee Railton, Julia Henning, Rina Hannaford, Gosia Zobel, Natalie Waran, Susan Hazel :: SSRN