Cathy M. Rosenthal

Animals Matter: The case for keeping pets indoors

Dear Cathy,

In your column “Dog size has big impact on lifespan” (June 23), Chuck wrote a letter about pet longevity with a focus on Great Danes. Your reply covered several areas of consideration, but you missed one thing: Pets who live indoors usually live longer, healthier lives.

I take issue when people say Fluffy or Fido “likes” or “wants” to be outside. Um, no, when temperatures are extreme, they don’t. It’s not just the weather; pets kept outdoors can be vulnerable to predators, both human and animal, get hit by cars, and so on.

What people don’t seem to get is that dogs, by nature, because of how they’re wired for survival, are very stoic animals, and they can be in an advanced state of illness/distress before their clueless owners notice. As a rule, by the time a dog lets you know it’s sick, it’s in bad shape.

Living outside in the elements also reduces lifespan. It’s too easy for people to ignore outdoor pets. If you have them inside, you notice right away if they seem “off.”

I took my dog Peaches to the vet one day simply because I didn’t like the way she was eating her food. Her liver values had gone wonky, and she needed medications and a special diet. If I had merely regarded her as a walking four-legged backyard decoration that poops, I would have never known she was sick.

A good way to figure out how long to leave a pet outdoors in summer is to go out in the sun with your dog and sit for a spell — with a coat on. Conversely, when it’s cold, do the same thing, but in your underwear and no shoes. You get the idea. Basic pet care isn’t rocket science.


Dear Linda,

I agree with you on all counts. I want to stress though, that you are talking about dogs and cats that live outdoors all the time versus dogs and cats who may spend some time outdoors during the day.

You’re right that dog and cat owners who leave their pets outside all day may not be thinking about extreme temperatures and may miss the subtle changes in eating or energy levels that can be key indicators of health problems. Pets that are allowed to roam also are more at risk of being injured or killed.

The best thing pet owners can do is allow their pets to live inside with their families. It has an impact not just on longevity but on their overall quality of life.
