"Steve G" wrote in message
om...
Fan wrote in message
. ..

The statistics show that an indoor cat lives much longer than an
outdoor one because of the dangers of living outdoors.

Well, no they don't,

Well, yes they do.

because there are (AFAIK)


Apparently, that's not far enough.



no reliable statistics
that detail the longevity of indoor and outdoor cats.


Sure there are! There have been several major studies spanning almost 50
years, conducted in different parts of the country, published in
peer-reviewed veterinary medical and behavior journals and texts, as well as
in peer-reviewed wildlife journals that prove beyond a reasonable doubt
indoor cats generally live *three* to *four* times longer than outdoor cats.
To date *none* of these studies have been refuted.


Feel free to
provide a cite to prove me wrong though...


"A cite"? How about three?

Comfort A,
Maximum ages reached by domestic cats.
J Mammol 37:118-119, 1956

Kolata RJ, Kraut NH, Johnston DE,
Patterns of trauma in urban dogs and cats: a study of 1,000
cases.
J Am Vet Med Assoc 1974 Mar 1;164(5):499-502

Childs JE, Ross L,
Urban cats: characteristics and estimation of mortality due to motor
vehicles.
Am J Vet Res 1986 Jul;47(7):1643-8)

Keep in mind, urbanization with more people living in cities with their
cats, and the number of motor vehicles have increased dramatically since
1956, 1974, and 1986. Therefore, these studies grossly underestimate the
current mortality rate and overestimate the life expectancy of outdoor cats
in the 21st century --- and they will only get *worse*.

"Free ranging cats in the United States have an average lifespan in the
general population of only 3 to 5 years; indoor cats have an average
lifespan of 12 years and frequently live longer than 20 years "
Karen L. Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D.

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behavior

Department of Clinical Studies School of Veterinary Medicine University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, In: Epidemiology; Chap 2, pg 5,
Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals; 1997, Mosby ISBN
0-8016-6820-4. (Dr. Overall's statement is also supported by the above
cited studies)



"The average lifespan of an indoor cat is around twelve to fourteen years,
..while outdoor cats are lucky to reach double digits."
(Excerpted from The Cat Who Cried For Help, Dodman N, Bantam Books, New
York).
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Professor of Behavioral Pharmacology and Director of
the Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and
internationally known specialist in domestic animal behavioral research (and
ironically, a Brit who are usually outdoor fanatics).

Q.E.D.