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AIBU?

To keep an indoor cat?

129 replies

AnneNonimous · 02/04/2013 12:11

DS and I have lived in our new flat for a few months now, and as a person that has always had cats I feel that's what's missing! I'd love to get a kitten for us but I don't have a garden so would need to keep it inside with a tray. I know people do this so I'm just wondering if people thinks it's fair? And I'd be very interested to hear from people who have inside cats and how they keep them happy and healthy.

TIA

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Sallystyle · 02/04/2013 18:15

It's not cruel if the cat doesn't want to go out, Seeker.

I can keep my door open and they don't want to know. They aren't missing anything. I am not doing it for my selfish reasons, we also have tons of bird that nest in our garden and birds that use our feeders, I don't want my cats in the garden disturbing them.

I am pretty sure they are just as happy as my cat who used to get into fights and had abscesses which needed draining, not to mention my old cat at home who had major surgery due to his whole side being ripped open as he got caught on a wire fence. He was lucky to survive and my vet at the time said he sees countless cats with injuries from being outside.

I came across a cat who had been run over not so long ago, eyes popped out, disgusting sight. Why would I want to risk that when I can keep mine safely in and have them happy being so.

It is cruel if you suddenly stop one from going out but if they have never been out then that is totally different.

EmpressMaud · 02/04/2013 18:16

Oh goodness, I'm quite excited somebody has a Pixiebob. They're quite lovely, though have only ever seen them in books. There were only a couple of breeders and they were scarce in the UK (some years ago now), that I was last aware of.

prettybird · 02/04/2013 18:18

Siamese, aloof and not so affectionate?

I've had Siamese all my life (ok, since I was 4, but I'm 52 on Saturday!) and we've always described them as "dog-cats": demanding of attention and affection in a way that is more dog than cat like, wanting to go for walks with you, craving company.

It's why Siamese breeders often recommend having them in pairs, especially if the owners work, as they are not as self-sufficient as most "normal" cats.

Our current male will talk to anyone and is soppily friendly (our worry is that he is a very handsome cat and would be laughably easy to "lift"), while his "sister" is a true lap cat - sit down and without even noticing it, she's on your lap and settled as if she's always been there.

countrykitten · 02/04/2013 18:19

RunRabbit well you must think me a cruel owner then as I do not let my Raggy out as a rule (and if I do I am there and it is for a short period of time on a sunny day) because something WOULD happen to him!

I honestly think that if a kitten has never been outside then they won't be unhappy and feel the need to go outside.

EmpressMaud · 02/04/2013 18:20

We used to have a Si-Rex who like to go out (in the summer) on a lead and harness. He would sit in the garden with us, too.

countrykitten · 02/04/2013 18:20

prettybird I guess that there are variations within breeds. Our Meez is nowhere near as affectionate as our Raggy.

Sallystyle · 02/04/2013 18:23

Runrabbit, it has nothing to do with paranoia, some cats, like ragdolls wouldn't last a minute outside, that isn't paranoia. Cats fight, cats get run over.

Plus, mine would get stolen. He is a massive white ball of fluff with sky blue eyes. Everyone falls in love with him, he would get stolen I am sure.

Sallystyle · 02/04/2013 18:23

My mum has Siamese cats and hers are like little dogs. They never leave her side.

My ragdoll isn't as affectionate as others.

prettybird · 02/04/2013 18:29

Absolutely.

I have also noticed (confirmed by our breeder) that the females tend to be slightly more aloof and self-sufficient (more cat like?) than the males. We happen to have a particularly affectionate female (chosen that way as a kitten) - and a particularly stupid soppy male. His predecessor was the same. But that could also be due to the characteristics that their breeder encourages (our first pair were siblings, the 2nd two were bought at different times but from the same breeder).

I like having a male/female pair but if I had to choose, I'd go for a male, even though they have a much wider range of territory, with the risk that that involves.

StatisticallyChallenged · 02/04/2013 18:31

I would never let mine out - call me paranoid if you want. Unfortunately one of mine got out in December. She had never shown any inclination whatsoever to go out but we were staying with family, and a friend visited them and brought her lurchers. Who (unsurprisingly!!!) chased the cats and one of them shot out an open door or window.

We hunted high and low for her before finding her body in the garden. She had been killed by a fox.

The 3 I have now are very content house cats. They show no inclination to be outside. I'm also pretty sure they would get nicked!

countrykitten · 02/04/2013 18:39

Oh no SC that is dreadful.

JulieCarp · 02/04/2013 18:41

I have lots of cats and have had 2 great big boys(moggies) who were indoor cats by choice.
Current cat will now sit outside the door for a few minutes but if the door is closed
Best bet is going for a rescue who is known to prefer the indoor life.

SarahStratton · 02/04/2013 18:46

Maud, FailCat is, without a shadow of a doubt, the thickest and noisiest cat I have ever met. I'm talking brainstem only working thick, and his favourite amusement is to simply stand and SHOUT VERY VERY LOUDLY FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. He is infinitely more irritating than a yappy dog, but we love him for all his many, many shortcomings. He makes us laugh, he's so bloody stupid.

I lost my last 2 cats when we were burgled at our old house. They left the patio doors open, our cats got out and were run over. I'd never let a cat outside now, my parents have lost 2 cats in the last 5 years, and they live in a very rural area. My cats have plenty of room, plenty of interaction, and plenty to do. They are very happy cats. They don't go outside even if the door is left open, most indoor cats don't, they are very content with their warm, comfortable lives.

ClaraOswald · 02/04/2013 18:53

My two are 99% house cats. They get supervised access to the back garden which has chicken wire on the high gate to prevent escapes.

They don't seem to mind.

SarahStratton · 02/04/2013 19:02

Maud, FailCat is, without a shadow of a doubt, the thickest and noisiest cat I have ever met. I'm talking brainstem only working thick, and his favourite amusement is to simply stand and SHOUT VERY VERY LOUDLY FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. He is infinitely more irritating than a yappy dog, but we love him for all his many, many shortcomings. He makes us laugh, he's so bloody stupid.

I lost my last 2 cats when we were burgled at our old house. They left the patio doors open, our cats got out and were run over. I'd never let a cat outside now, my parents have lost 2 cats in the last 5 years, and they live in a very rural area. My cats have plenty of room, plenty of interaction, and plenty to do. They are very happy cats. They don't go outside even if the door is left open, most indoor cats don't, they are very content with their warm, comfortable lives.

SarahStratton · 02/04/2013 19:03

Oops, not sure how that happened

FairPhyllis · 02/04/2013 19:23

I would talk to a rescue about your situation. They do sometimes rehome cats who have only ever known an indoor life, or who are elderly or FIV+ and need to stay in. The problem with a kitten is it may grow up into a frustrated hunter or escape artist.

Might be an idea to think about getting a pair though, so they can entertain each other.

midori1999 · 02/04/2013 19:29

We have an indoor cat, a Ragdoll. She won't even jump a stairgate FFS, so she wouldn't be able to get very far if we let her out... she does sometimes run out the front door, gets to the front garden and looks bewildered and mews to be collected and brought back in. She happily goes in the back garden if it's warm and sunny though and hangs around with the dogs out there. She's perfectly happy being inside only, she has toys, scratch posts/cat trees and chases flies/moths etc if she's occasionally feeling very energetic.

On the other hand, we got a Mog kitten who had never been outside as a companion for her and by 12 months old it was obvious she'd never be happy as an indoor cat and our cat actually prefers being a only cat, so as we were moving to a city my friend now has the Mog and she lives an outdoor life.

SlowlorisIncognito · 02/04/2013 20:25

Many rescues will have cats considered unsuitable for an outdoor life, some may even be kittens so this is definately something to consider.

I think allowing a cat into a situation where it could easily be run over and caused pain/suffering is more of a welfare issue than keeping a cat indoors (possibly with some outside access) and meeting all its needs. Cats are damaging our native bird species (in particular), so letting them roam is also a welfare risk. Also, if you live very near to a zoo you should not allow your cat to roam as they can transmit diseases to large/wild cat species such as lions and tigers which may be more serious for them as they do not have so much imunity.

As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to meet your animal's behavioural needs, yes, but needs such as hunting can be met in other ways- as is done with carnivores in zoos. You also have a responsibility to keep you animal free from pain, disease and distress. When allowing a cat completely unresticted access to the outside, they are much more likely to get injuries or diseases or get poisoned.

As domestic cats are descended from African Wildcats it is not unreasonable to think that they may not be able to tollerate the extremes of British winter weather.

ditziness · 02/04/2013 20:35

Something to consider though, all the people I know have houses that stink of cat piss. I don't think they realise, they are all clean, house proud stylish people. but it's really really obvious and really stinks

ditziness · 02/04/2013 20:40

I mean all the people I know who have indoor cats have houses that stink of cat's piss

Even if everyone on here with an indoor cat disagrees and says that my house doesn't smell, I bet they do. It's like when you smoke, you can't tell how much you smell x

countrykitten · 02/04/2013 21:14

Oh well I HAVE to say it! My house really doesn't stink of cat piss - the trays are well out of the way in the boot room my house stinks of five muddy, wet dogs instead

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EmpressMaud · 02/04/2013 21:20

I'm tempted by the idea of a Pixiebob now (have been googling breeders ) they sound adorable.

We have a covered litter tray with filter, which lives in a back porch. It might smell strongly if not changed or washed frequently, I suppose, or if you have cat who likes to spray elsewhere.

countrykitten · 02/04/2013 21:25

Snap - they are pretty good trays (OP for when you get your cat) but they still need changing every day and cleaning properly too.

midori1999 · 02/04/2013 21:31

Before I had cats I never noticed anyone's house smelling of cats piss.

That said, I'm with countrykitten, the smell of wet muddy dogs in this house must override any cat piss smells... houseproud I am not...

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