Indoor vs. Outdoor Cat Kids: Who’s Greener?

Snuggling with your cat kid on the couch? Heartwarming. Being awoken at 3 a.m. by incessant meowing and scratching at the back door? A bit exasperating. Though your cat kid may be mostly content chasing Q-tips across the floor before sprawling across your lap, they’re still driven by instincts like hunting that beckon them outside. But how much of an impact does your cat kid have on the environment if they’re allowed to roam outdoors? And whether they’re inside or outside, how can you make sure you’re raising an eco-friendly cat kid? Read on for some facts and tips.

How outdoor cat kids impact sustainability

When they’re outside, cat kids often stalk, chase, and hunt pests like small rodents. Some cities like Chicago have even employed feral cats to help them curtail their rat population. But cat kids also hunt wildlife that’s integral to the ecosystem, particularly birds. According to American Humane , “loose cats are estimated to kill hundreds of millions of birds each year.” This can have a negative impact on sustainability and the environment in multiple ways, from increasing the population of insects those birds consume to disrupting the food chain for other predators. Free range cat kids can also spread diseases, particularly if their feces contain Toxoplasma-gondii, which can live for months in soil or find its way to water sources and infect marine life as well as people. And in addition to the effect an outdoor cat kid can have on the environment, the outdoors can have a negative effect on them — from encountering larger predators to being susceptible to fleas, ticks, and a range of illnesses. If your cat kid is especially restless, consider teaching them to walk on a leash with a secure harness — that way they can get their outdoor fix safely without disrupting your quiet time or the ecosystem.

How indoor cat kids impact sustainability

When your cat kid stays inside, they’re safer from outdoor hazards — and birds and other wildlife are safer from them. But their indoor habits still have an impact on the environment, from the toys they play with to the food they eat. You can practice eco-friendly cat care by purchasing sustainably made pet products created with organic or recycled materials. You can also repurpose cardboard boxes into cozy sleeping spots or elaborate cat castles. When it comes to mealtime, you can look for cat food that includes non-GMO products or even make your own from fresh and natural ingredients.

What is the best cat litter for the environment?

Want to positively impact sustainability by using the best eco-friendly cat litter? Your cat kid is wired to bury their business in nature, which is what makes Naturally Fresh so ideal. Our natural cat litter is made from crushed walnut shells, which looks like dirt and feels like home to your wild child. Our environmentally friendly cat litter is made using sustainable practices , and it’s a biodegradable litter that’s also compostable when disposed of properly. If you want to practice sustainable cat litter disposal, you can switch to environmentally friendly cat litter bags like BioBag or BeyondGREEN compostable cat litter waste bags .

If your cat kid is transitioning from outdoors to indoors and needs a little extra nudge toward the litter box, you can try our Herbal Attraction® formula. It contains a blend of natural attraction herbs that draws them in, and it’s sustainably made like the rest of our fresh and natural cat litter formulas.