Designating a cat as indoor or outdoor has more to do with your intentions for them than any specific trait they possess. Low-energy, mellow, and affectionate cats tend not to be good candidates for a life outside. On the other hand, the more energetic and inquisitive breeds will love their time outdoors while making excellent family or indoor cats as well. It’s not uncommon for outdoor cats to be great candidates for on-leash walking, too. For those looking for pest control, outdoor cats make great barn pets as long as they’re given adequate shelter and are kept far from roads. Remember, even outdoor cats may still want your affection from time to time. They may even bring you dead rodents as a gift. For this reason, it’s even more important to vaccinate your outdoor cat and keep them on year-round pest protection. Select from the popular breeds above to learn more, or use our Breed Explorer to find the outside cat breed you’re looking for.