The owner of a kitten named Parsnip has sparked a debate on social media after revealing that she’ll be keeping him as an outdoor cat. Newsweek spoke to veterinarians to understand the pros and cons of this decision.

In a viral TikTok video shared in March under the username @theparsnipdiaries, the poster responds to a comment asking her to keep her kitty inside, explaining the reasons behind her choice—and detailing the precautions she’ll be taking.

“I appreciate that everybody is genuinely concerned for the little snip, which we are very very grateful for. Parsnip is an adventurous soul, and I would feel awful keeping him in the house 24/7 and never letting him explore outside.”

As the small orange and white kitten plays with her finger, she goes on to say that while she knows it may not the safest choice, she will do it responsibly.

“What I am going to be doing is giving him supervised outside time, on a harness, which we have started training for, and he’s always going to be supervised.”

When it comes to letting our felines outside, veterinarians are clear about the multiple risks they may face.

According to Dr. Sarah Vigil lead veterinarian and partner at CityVet, Brushy Creek, cats can benefit from going outside as it helps increase their physical exercise, provides mental stimulation, and exploration.

“As natural hunters, stalkers, and climbers, they love to explore, track bugs, and socialize with other animals or people. Additionally, outdoor access exposes them to sunlight, which helps increase their Vitamin D levels,” she told Newsweek.

While this all may sound good, it doesn’t come without risks. Roaming outside can shorten a cat’s life by over a decade. Pet MD explains that while an indoor cat may live 15-17 years, the life expectancy for outdoor cats is only 2-5 years.

One of the leading causes of outdoor cat fatalities, especially in urban or suburban areas can be getting run over by traveling vehicles, Dr. Nita Vasudevan, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance told Newsweek.

The presence of dogs, coyotes, hawks, and even other cats in the streets can cause injury or transmit diseases. Outside they are exposed to antifreeze, rodenticides, toxic plants, or chemicals, which can be fatal for your feline. They are also at higher risk for FeLV, FIV, fleas, ticks, and internal parasites.

Moreover, cats are natural hunters and can significantly affect local bird and small mammal populations.

“Always supervise outdoor time with leash training or secure enclosures (catios) that provide safe access to fresh air and stimulation. A secure backyard or enclosed outdoor space reduces risks while allowing some freedom.

“If your cat does go outside, ensure they’re micro-chipped and wear a breakaway collar with an ID tag. Always keep up with vaccinations, parasite prevention, and checkups to protect against outdoor-related health risks,” said Vasudevan.

The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 95,500 views and 11,500 likes on the platform.

Newsweek reached out to @theparsnipdiaries for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.

One user, Ciara, commented: “Locking something up cause you love it seems like a cruel love.”

Oliver King said: “He would be a national security threat if you let him out.”

Caithiggins168 added: “I actually think cats decide for themselves. I’ve had both indoor and outdoor cats, my current cats are rescues and I really struggled to keep them in. They are very happy knowing they have a home.”

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