Keeping cats indoors

spider_duck · #1 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 02:53 AM

Hey all just wanted some advice

I REEEAALLY want a cat, but we live near the A470 and I've had a few cats get run over in my time and there's no way I could go through that again!

My housemates have two cats that live in their room 24/7 (apart from when they stay with their parents). Personally, I strongly disagree with them being cooped up in there all day as they are very nervous, and I'm scarred for life where one scratched me to pieces because he was afraid of being outside the room.

I could never persoally confine a cat to a room, but what about them being kept indoors if they have the run of the house? Ideally I would have fields around for them to play about and wander in such as my kittie who lives with my parents does, but there's nothing around here. Would keeping a cat indoors be cruel? I know quite a few people have housecats but I guess that most have the run of the garden?

I would cat proof the garden but we have a very low wall adjoining next door, theres no grass out there so its basically just a small area of concrete plus the landlord is miserable :S

I really just want to know peoples opinions on keepig cats indoors and wether it affects their happiness?

Sorry about the novel lol, thank you

xXFooFooLaFluffXx · #2 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 03:01 AM

i had 6 house cats in a flat and they are the most friendly happy ats ive ever known, they wont miss what they dont know. ive just rehomed them all cos dittas dogs and cat are used to havin the door open constantly so i couldnt risk it but ive been kept up to speed and they all continue to be happy

spider_duck · #3 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 03:06 AM

That's good to know, all my cats have had space to wander so I've never really had a housecat, bar a wild one that turned up, had two kittens on our tumble drier and decided not to leave lol If I did get a cat then I'd have to get everybody else's cosent (especially Lucifus-he keeps threatening to turn my hamsters into sausages

) and it wouldn't be for a while yet as we're switching rooms next week and I need to get my stack built before I think about anything lol

Are there certain breeds of cat that would be more suited to an indoor life? I've only ever had moggies

bampoisongirl · #4 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 03:16 AM

i hav 2 house cats soon 2 be 3 they r the most human attention seeking cats i no and i always give thm natural enrichment this is A MUST!

ichis-mom · #5 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 03:34 AM

i have a house cat she was rescued from someone i knew who wanted her stuffed instead so i bought her for £10 and as long as i spend time with her shes as happy as can be i make sure she has lots of toys and a scratch post but if you dont have much time i would suggest getting two for company

spider_duck · #6 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 03:40 AM

I'd get them loads of toys anyway wether they used them or not, at least I gave them the option (anyone else have a cat that would rather chase dogs than play with the very expensive toys you bought them?

)

It's interesting regarding getting two, that would be a very good idea, Im a home all day at the moment but there'll come a time when I have to go back to work.

Hmm, need to give this a lot of thought, I wouldn't want an animal to suffer just because I decided that I wanted one

Edit: Might sound a bit silly, but I've seen cat harnesses for sale. We do have a little park across the road, would it be a good idea to take a cat that lives indoors for a walk to get some fresh air? Or would they:

A) get too scared
B) want to go outside all the time?

Sorry about all the questions, Im new to house cats so I want to research this properly before making any decisions

ichis-mom · #7 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 03:49 AM

if you get two you should get them both at the same time as later on it can be hard to introduce one and if your home all day at the moment it can be so much fun watching two kittens play

spider_duck · #8 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 04:16 AM

i miss my kittys

I love my reptiles, rodents and have a weird obsession with inverts but I have and always will be a cat person

Think what I shall do is gather up any info I can, weigh out the pros and cons, and then speak to everyone else once the rooms are sorted

banana · #9 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 07:49 AM

My pedigrees are indoor cats and are fine.....

Most of my kitten buyers keep their new babies inside becaus eof outside dangers, roads, foxes, poisons etc and all are happy inside..

Some go for walks and some for supervised outings.

You need to keep in mind, if you do let them outside once they will crave going out again and again and it may make it harder to keep them in thereafter.

What kind of kitten do you wnat?

Fuzzball · #10 (**permalink**) 27-06-2008, 09:00 AM

I have 5 indoor cats and have never had any problems, like you I would worry too much if they went outdoors as there are always squashed cats down our road where they leave an open field and dont seem to realise they are now in the traffics way.

Out of the 5, 4 have never been outdoors as they came here as kittens, the other 1 has been outside before but apparently didnt like it. He wont go near opened doors but if I open a window too far he will try to get out, the other 4 dont bother at all, I think they are scared of the outdoor world!

We have a large scratch tree for them, beds everywhere (but they much prefer the larger dog beds!!) and toys hanging on elastic from just about every room!

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