[A study] show[s] [that domestic cats] eat more than 2,000 species globally – including hundreds that are of conservation concern.
“Our study sheds light on the predatory habits of one of the world’s most successful and widely distributed invasive predators,” the researchers, led by Christopher Lepczyk from Auburn University in the US, wrote in the paper.
From the article they mentioned that has a nuanced outlook: “While there are potential welfare impairments with indoor restrictions, a number of enrichment strategies have been suggested for counteracting these effects to promote the health, affective states, and performance of natural behaviors of indoor cats. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy of these strategies and to determine whether the welfare of cats is impaired by restriction. To develop effective educational strategies aimed at reducing the impact of uncontrolled outdoor access for cats, further research is necessary to improve our understanding of owner practices and attitudes towards outdoor access for cats.“
Pet owners that are responsible should be enacting enrichment strategies to keep them happy and healthy. Further research is needed to conclude strategies are effective, but I’m not sure the conclusion is no pet cats for all because “cruel”. My anecdotal evidence points to the strategies being effective, at least.
It is weird if you think about it that people buy intelligent animals as pets and then don’t bother to entertain them at all. It’s neglect. Cats are not difficult to care for but if your only entertainment for them is opening the door and hoping they find something out there to do without getting killed, then just don’t have them?