Dr Ben Simpson-Vernon has shared his views on whether it is cruel to keep cats indoors at all times, with important advice for owners on how to support their feline friends' natural instincts and indoor cat health15:50, 17 Jun 2026When it comes to looking after cats, some owners prefer to keep them indoors permanently, while others give their feline companions complete freedom to wander. But is there a correct approach?‌A vet has weighed in on the discussion, turning to social media to examine the lifestyles and wellbeing of both indoor and outdoor cats. Dr Ben Simpson-Vernon opened a video by acknowledging that felines get a "bum deal" because too many people "really don't understand" them and how they behave. The expert went on to explain that he has heard from countless cat owners over the years who believe it is "irresponsible or selfish" to allow them outdoors. "However, it's only in the last few decades that indoor cats have become a thing."‌Dr Simpson-Vernon continued. "People decided it's too dangerous for them outside as there's too many cars on the road and too many other cats that might harm them, or they might kill a lot of wildlife."‌Content cannot be displayed without consentYet that may not be ideal for your pet, the vet suggested, as he highlighted that staying indoors goes against their nature. "You have to remember that cats are not small dogs," Dr Simpson-Vernon advised."They essentially domesticated themselves over thousands of years coming gradually closer to human settlements - and humans tolerated them because they caught pests - we wanted them to hunt."‌As a result, cats have evolved and developed instinctive behavioural traits suited to outdoor living and roaming across relatively vast territories, the vet pointed out. "But now, that territory might be a one-bed flat they share with two other cats and the only creature they will be hunting is the odd fly that gets in through the window," he said.Dr Simpson-Verson cockuded his clip by acknowledging that an outdoor lifestyle "isn't without it's problems" and that, naturally, cats can still lead perfectly happy lives indoors."I see lots of cats whose owners put in a lot of time and effort to make sure they are kept mentally stimulated and as active as possible," he said.‌The vet closed: "I also see a lot of outdoor cats with cat-bite abscesses from fighting with a neighbour's cat - but I also see a lot of male indoor cats develop a blocked bladder because they are overweight and stressed. So I guess what I am getting at is this dogma that the 'only way to keep a cat nowadays is indoors' is just not correct."Should Dr Simpson-Vernon's views have left you feeling worried, however, animal specialists Nexus-Pets have stepped in to put minds at rest. "Keeping a cat indoors isn't inherently cruel," they state online. "In fact, many cats live long, stable, and genuinely happy lives inside the home when their basic needs are properly met."Nexus-Pets continues: "The key factor isn't whether they go outside, but whether their indoor environment still allows them to behave like a cat-climb, scratch, explore, play, and stay mentally engaged rather than bored or frustrated.Article continues below"That said, adjustment can be more difficult for cats that are used to outdoor access. These cats may initially struggle with the loss of freedom to roam and hunt, and they often need extra time and environmental enrichment to feel fully comfortable indoors."They added: "So the real question isn't simply whether keeping cats indoors is cruel, but how well their indoor life is designed to support their natural instincts - and what vets and research actually say about their wellbeing in a properly enriched home."