Transitioning a free-roaming cat to an indoor-only lifestyle may seem stressful, but new research suggests that most cats and their owners adapt more easily than expected. A survey of cat owners in New Zealand found that moving cats indoors is generally manageable, worthwhile and beneficial for feline safety and welfare—even when the change happens unexpectedly.
Most owners reported that transitioning cats to indoor living was manageable and worthwhile. Image credit: Natali Anderson.
“Our findings challenge the perception that cats cannot adapt to an indoor lifestyle,” said Adelaide University researcher Julia Henning.
“Many people worry that keeping a cat indoors will be stressful, but our findings suggest that the transition is often easier than expected.”
“Owners did face challenges, particularly during the first few weeks. However, most said these difficulties were temporary and that the long-term benefits of indoor cat living outweighed the initial problems.”
For the study, Dr. Henning and her colleagues surveyed 87 cat owners whose pets had transitioned from outdoor access to an indoor-only lifestyle.
Nearly 70% of respondents said bringing their cat indoors was easier than they had anticipated. About three-quarters also said they planned to keep any future cats indoors.
Cat safety was the leading reason for making the change, cited by 77% of owners. Concern for wildlife and moving to a new home were the next most common motivations, with each mentioned by approximately one-third of respondents.
More than 40% of owners said their cats adjusted to indoor living almost immediately, while around one-quarter reported that the transition took several weeks.
Approximately 13% of respondents said their cats had not fully settled into indoor life by the time of the survey. These cats were also more likely to be described as unhappy by their owners.
Many indoor cat transitions were not carefully planned. Nearly half of the owners said they made no preparations before bringing their cats inside. More than one-third reported that the change was prompted by an unexpected medical problem, safety concern or house move.
Despite the lack of preparation, most owners still described the transition as manageable. The findings suggest that many cats can adapt to indoor living even when the change happens quickly.
Owners did report several practical challenges, including keeping doors and windows closed to prevent escape attempts, cleaning litter boxes more frequently and paying for indoor enrichment such as scratching posts, climbing spaces and toys.
Spending increased in most categories after cats moved indoors. Veterinary costs were an exception: 36% of owners said they spent less on veterinary care once their cats no longer had outdoor access.
Guilt was also a common emotional challenge. Some owners continued to worry about whether they were meeting their cats’ needs or limiting an outdoor lifestyle that the animals had previously appeared to enjoy.
Most owners noticed few major behavioral changes after the transition. However, some reported increased attention-seeking, vocalization and playfulness.
The researchers also found that cats transitioned before the age of 2 adapted significantly faster than older cats. This finding suggests that moving cats indoors earlier in life may make the adjustment easier.
“These findings highlight the importance of supporting both cats and their owners,” said Adelaide University researcher Susan Hazel.
“Keeping cats indoors can provide important safety and welfare benefits, but a successful transition depends on supporting owners as well as their pets.”
“Owners often need reassurance that behaviors seen during the adjustment period are temporary. Practical strategies—including providing vertical spaces, scratching posts, interactive toys and regular playtime—can help cats adapt to indoor living.”
The study was published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
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Julia S.L. Henning et al. 2026. Owner-reported experiences of transitioning cats from outdoor to indoor living. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 304, 107120; doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107120
Source: www.sci.news