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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

House/indoor cats

20 replies

tvlover1234 · 01/08/2015 06:47

Has anyone got house cats?? If so do yoy let them out into the garden and take them for walks? Are they more affectionate than regular outdoor cats??

Looking into a house cat as outdoor cats terrify me. I'd worry they'd be ran over or in a fight or run away constantly! X

OP posts:

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favouritewasteoftime · 01/08/2015 06:56

If your have a garden a cat-proof fence to create an enclosure is a good compromise. E.g www.purrfectfence.co.uk
I'd you get a kitten or a cat that has never known the outdoors they will be quite content as indoor cats whereas a cat who is used to roaming outdoors would be miserable confined inside 4 walls.

tipsycat · 01/08/2015 07:01

I have a Siamese and a Burmese house cat. I love oriental cats and find them much more affectionate that normal domestic moggies. Most breeders of Oriental cats will insist that you keep them indoors - they have little road sense so too risky to let them out. Are you drawn to any particular breed of cat?

larnieperty89 · 01/08/2015 07:04

My cat was a house cat for many years as we lived in a busy city by a busy road & my worry was him getting knocked down. We didn't let him out at all because then I felt he would know about this other world & be unhappy when we brought him back indoors - what he doesn't know about he couldn't long for etc...He was always a very happy guy indoors because I guess that's all he knew. I think the trouble could be an indoor cat will be very cautious of going outside and they may not want to step out. Maybe if you are deciding on a house cat just keep it as that. If you are worried about him/her being knocked down keep them in at night that's what I do now, my cats in before it gets dark. I did hear once cats are more likely to be run over at night when they're out on their hunting spree.

midnightvelvetPart2 · 01/08/2015 07:06

I have an indoor cat, she's a rescue and used to go out in the garden in her old place but our garden isn't cat proof and we have foxes and big bruiser cats a couple of doors away so she doesn't go out at all. It was also a condition of the shelter that she was rehomed as an indoor cat.
I have to be aware, I can't leave doors or windows open anymore but if they are open a crack she will sit there and sniff the breeze
I've also got her a cat tower in case she wants to be out of reach from the kids and she sleeps up there too.
She's affectionate, she's not a lap cat but will lie next to you on the sofa.
When I was first doing the sums to make sure we could afford her, I noticed that the insurance for an indoor cat is much less, because an indoor cat won't have the fights /accidents /parasites of an outdoor cat. Also I only defeat and worm her once a year instead of once a month, or extra when she goes into a cattery. She's going next week as we are on holiday as indoor cats can get quite lonely and the shelter said she be cant be left on her own for longer than a night as its not fair.

tvlover1234 · 01/08/2015 07:54

Thanks all. Tipsy I love Persians ans Ragdolls. Siamese also, I heard they're very vocal which suits me! Lol.

I have been looking on rescues and edging towards them as I would love to help a rescue. There is always someome that will have a kitten but older cats are always overlooked.

I really would like an affectionate cat. Not the ones that ignore you as I have a lot of love to give!

Also with house cats how are they being left alone whilst I work? I'd be working 9-5 but I hace an hour lunch at either 12 or 1 which I would come home as I don't live far. X

OP posts:

QforCucumber · 01/08/2015 08:01

Our cats are in the house alone from 7:30 -4:30 thetre fine. Our garden is cat proofed so when we get home let them into the garden and we have some toys for them there.
They get fed at 7am and 5:30pm and have biscuits down all day. The door to the lounge is closed though as we have new sofas and they claw at them, free run of the rest of the house

maybebabybee · 01/08/2015 08:07

I have two indoor birmans. We live in rented accommodation so don't let either outside as we can't cat proof the garden. When we buy our own place we'll cat proof the garden and let them out but they honestly don't show much interest. Pedigree breeds IMO are often better suited to being indoors than your standard moggy (having owned both). My Mum has a gorgeous rescue kitty and he'd be bouncing off the walls if he had to stay inside.

I can't speak for all indoors but my two are certainly the most affectionate cats I've ever owned or met.

I would get two - I don't think it's very fair to have just one indoor cat unless you're home all day as they get a bit under stimulated.

code · 01/08/2015 08:10

Lots of people have indoor cats and I understand they are happy as they know no different. They need quite a lot of stimulation though and I would worry that you're out most of the day. Maybe an older pair would be best, or build a large garden enclosure or cat proof the garden. I took on burmese kittens with an expectation they would be indoor, however they are much happier going out and seem to have the same street smarts as the local moggies. They are scared of cars and don't dash into the road, etc. it helps that our street is quiet and low risk. I would only keep a low activity breed indoors unless you have a massive house.

tvlover1234 · 01/08/2015 08:19

Don't have a huge house but it is a 3/4 bed with only two of us here. Lounge. Kitchen diner and conservatory.

How do you cat proof the garden BTW? I just look into this.

Having only ever had dogs I am.a newbie to the cat world. I was thinking possibly 2.

X

OP posts:

QforCucumber · 01/08/2015 08:32

Our we used brackets from screwfix, cable ties, a staple gun and garden netting. Goes all the way around.
We have 2, 6 year old male and 3 year old female. Love them both their personalities are great!

House/indoor cats

RugBugs · 01/08/2015 08:40

We have three indoor cats (2 Burmese and a Burmilla), they do require lots of stimulation and high places to pounce on you from.
If you are after older cats the specific breed clubs often have cats that need re-homing.

PolterGoose · 01/08/2015 10:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SaltaKatten · 01/08/2015 10:57

I have a rescue cat and we don't let her roam. Our previous cat dissapeared and to be honest, Ruby is pretty clumsy and a bit daft. However, she really does want to go out and will attempt to open the door to the garden. I've bought a harness and leash and we go for walks around the garden. She loves it and seems content with this compromise.

tvlover1234 · 01/08/2015 11:04

I'm.open to adopting an older cat and just giving them a nice quiet home. :-) hoping outside wearing a harness sound good x

OP posts:

stripytees · 01/08/2015 17:37

Mine is a rescue who had never been out when I adopted her as an adult kitty. We now live in a house and have a harness for her to explore the garden. She's perfectly happy indoors though.

I read about cats going missing and getting run over in the local FB group several times a week, I think it's completely irresponsible to let cats roam in a city.

Ladyconstance · 01/08/2015 18:26

I've had an indoor rescue cat for about 10 years. Midnight, mine likes to sniff the breeze too: the scent of freedom! She's very content being indoors and also being left when we're at work. So much so that she carries on sleeping when we come through the door. But she insists on cuddles in the evening to make up for it. Just going into our garden is exciting for her! She's not a hunter killer cat fortunately and satisfies her cat need to climb by prowling on bookcases and window sills.

RubbishMantra · 01/08/2015 18:58

I have a Moggy and a Devon Rex. Mog likes to roam about in the gardens backing our terrace, little Devon has never left our tiny courtyard. He's very athletic, monkey like in fact, but obviously doesn't feel the need to roam. I'm getting him used to a walking jacket/harness thingy so I can take him for walks in the park - he loves meeting new people. I'm mulling over whether to see if he'd like to be a therapy cat.

Putting up some deep shelves covered in carpet for them to use as platforms are good for indoor cats. They get to utilise much more space. Cat trees and lots of interactive toys as well. A lot of good quality cat foods have foods specifically designed for indoor cats. Off the top of my head, Royal Canin. Oh, and cat salad! Grow a catnip plant and some cat grass (oats and barley) in pots for puss to nibble on.

Here's Little Monsieur in his walking jacket.

House/indoor cats

tvlover1234 · 02/08/2015 00:17

Beautiful cat. Love the harness!! Xx

OP posts:

tipsycat · 02/08/2015 07:45

Siamese can be very vocal - you can have quite a conversation with mine! I'm my experience, Siamese demand lots of attention from you, they do not like being ignored and will keep coming back to you for stokes and kind words! They like sitting on your knee, but not so much being cuddled or carried around. Burmese are more accepting of cuddles - mine is happy to be carried around and picked up by anyone. The Burmese likes to sleep with my daughter - either on her pillow or under the duvet with her. I've also had a Ragdoll - he was lovely, but lacked the intelligence of an Oriental! If I were you, I'd definitely have 2 - one would be lonely while you're at work.

tipsycat · 02/08/2015 07:48

Siamese can be very vocal - you can have quite a conversation with mine! I'm my experience, Siamese demand lots of attention from you, they do not like being ignored and will keep coming back to you for stokes and kind words! They like sitting on your knee, but not so much being cuddled or carried around. Burmese are more accepting of cuddles - mine is happy to be carried around and picked up by anyone. The Burmese likes to sleep with my daughter - either on her pillow or under the duvet with her. I've also had a Ragdoll - he was lovely, but lacked the intelligence of an Oriental! If I were you, I'd definitely have 2 - one would be lonely while you're at work.

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