Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have a house cat?

88 replies

NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 22:45

Posting here for traffic. More of a WWYD.
For the past 4 months I've been fostering a cat. As background, I've wanted to get a cat for a long time, but as I live on the first floor and on a busy road, I ruled it out. Then this came up as an emergency and I took her in for a friend as she (cat, not friend) had no where else to go. Anyway, She's going back to her owner next week and I already feel bereft! even though she can be an irritating little furry fucker!

She doesn't seem at all bothered by not going outside but I don't know how I feel about making that decision for a kitten/cat. I always thought it was a bit cruel.

Opinions?

OP posts:
Original poster
NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 22:47

I also want to mention that any potential car would be a rescue. I have 2 local animal shelters dying for people to take in abandoned kittens/young cats.

OP posts:
squoosh · 27/09/2015 22:50

How do you make a cat a house cat? I thought all cats demanded to roam out of doors.

squoosh · 27/09/2015 22:50

It does seem a bit sad for a cat to be stuck indoors.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 27/09/2015 22:52

As long as your house is big enough, it's fine.
As long as they are always indoor cats, don't let them out sometimes but not others.
I have several friends with indoor cats. They are ok...

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 27/09/2015 22:52

I don't know much about cats. I only coo at cute little kittens.Grin. But yes, I'd say it is cruel to keep indoors permanently. Would you like to kept indoors.

VimFuego101 · 27/09/2015 22:53

There are plenty of cats that are safer to be house cats - like ones that have FIV maybe, or older ones who just want to stay indoors and rest. I'm sure you could find one that would be a suitable indoor cat.

Curiouserandcuriouser30 · 27/09/2015 22:53

Sometimes rescue cats need to be kept indoors, some cats have compromised immune systems, or they might have other needs that mean they can't go outside or mix with other cats. I would look into it because you might be able to provide a good home. Speak to the shelters and see what they say.

Micah · 27/09/2015 22:54

Animal shelters often have cats that can't be let out- injury, illness, blindness, age, various reasons.

Phone and ask :)

I have a young cat who's scared of outside. He doesn't try to get out so I've not forced it. He's never made it to the doorstep before a noise has sent him scuttling back upstairs..

ghostyslovesheep · 27/09/2015 22:56

Yes Cats with FIV have to be indoor cats - please do rescue a lovely cat :)

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 22:56

Yeah squoosh that's what I thought. Both my previous cats went outside which is why I discounted the idea. FurryfuckerCaroline only stays in because I'm afraid to let her out on the main road, especially as she isn't mine. The arrangement was only supposed to be for a couple of weeks though and has stretched to 4 months and she genuinely doesn't seem bothered about going outside- no scratching at doors or windows or stressed out behaviour. In fact she just moves between bed, sofa and my lap depending on her preference.

OP posts:
HarrietSchulenberg · 27/09/2015 22:57

Cats can be very happy as house cats, provided you get the right ones. Some breeds ate better suited to it. My aunt has two Ragdoll cats in a first floor flat, and they were bred as indoor cats (although she got them from a rescue). They don't seem to give off "that" cat smell, and they are very content having the run of the flat.

catl1tterinmybra · 27/09/2015 22:58

My little old lady cat has never shown any interest in going outside. She was elderly when we got her and had spent a good chunk of her life fending for herself. When the rescue centre picked her up, she was so skinny & flea riddled that they thought she wasn't going to make it. She did, and 2 years later, apart from a spot of dementia, she's really well. The rescue centre has a scheme with older cats where they pay for their vet bills, as they can be difficult to get insurance for. We've only had to use it once.
I think that if you are going to get a rescue, then call around the smaller local centres and be honest about your living situation. I would expect you'll get matched to an older cat who either has never been out, or like mine, has really had enough of out! Older cats rock, in my opinion - much less likely to kill your curtains, and more in need of cuddles, if mine are anything to go by :)

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 23:00

Shelters I've enquired at have all been positive and said they're not too fussed about outside access as long as the cat is safe and loved. Which of course it would be.

It's more of a moral thing. I actually didn't think about illness or preference though. Possibly because the only indoor cats I know of are expensive pedigree cats whose owners want to "protect their investment" (actual quote)

OP posts:
Original poster
NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 23:03

Catl1tter yes they are both small local rescue centres I've spoken to and I know both are unable to take any more cats at the moment because too many are waiting for homes.

OP posts:
ShebaShimmyShake · 27/09/2015 23:03

Oh my, you must adopt an FIV positive cat. They are desperate for homes because nobody wants to adopt them. With the right medication and care they can live long and happy lives with few or no symptoms (like people with HIV), but they must not go out and must be kept either as only cats or only with other FIV positive cats. FIV CANNOT BE TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS OR OTHER ANIMALS - it affects ONLY cats. Shelters will often pay for vet bills, even food and litter if you take on an FIV cat.

If you can offer a home to an FIV positive cat, I implore you, please please do. They so rarely find homes.

dodobookends · 27/09/2015 23:04

Some cats actually prefer to be indoor cats - mine is one of those. She can go outside if she wants to, but hardly ever does.

Flomple · 27/09/2015 23:05

Yes, look for one who needs to be kept in and enjoy being a cat owner.

Our rescue cats are the polar opposite, they hate being indoors. I wouldn't pick a random cat and just decide to keep it indoors, it wouldn't be fair.

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 23:05

Sheba that's helpful, I'll look into that. I do not discriminate on grounds of illness!

OP posts:
EnthusiasmDisturbed · 27/09/2015 23:06

a cat makes a home a happier place

its a fact Grin

I know quite a few people with house cats all the cats seem very happy but its unfair unless they have always or need to live indoors. once they have passed kittenhood they are lazy balls of fluff and can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day

ShebaShimmyShake · 27/09/2015 23:09

Contact your local shelters. They will cry with joy on discovering someone happy to adopt an adult FIV positive cat.

catl1tterinmybra · 27/09/2015 23:13

DP has just said that if you get a choice of cat, please, please, please get a black cat, as they are always left on the shelf. And anecdotally, they are well cuddly :)

ShebaShimmyShake · 27/09/2015 23:22

Yes, that is true as well. Black cats take longer to rehome than any others, all else being equal. So if you can find an adult FIV positive black cat...

I have a black cat. Like every other black cat I have known, he is so friendly, so cute, a perfect ninja and I can trot him out on Halloween. He is beautiful.

Pobspits · 27/09/2015 23:22

We have a house cat because she can't be vaccinated due to medical issues.

She's 13 and has always been happy but recently she keeps sneaking out.

I'm not sure I'd willingly have a house cat again tbh.

Original poster
NancyCaroline · 27/09/2015 23:23

Euthanism I agree wholeheartedly with your entire post. I think my main issue is making the decision for a kitten that it will never go outside.

Catl1tter please assure your DH that I do not discriminate on colour either- FurryFucker is a tuxedo and she's beautiful and my beloved childhood cat was all black. In his prime he looked like a sleek small panther. He then went red in old age! Is that a thing? maybe he had a midlife crisis and used henna And yes he was a demon for a cuddle Grin

OP posts:
MargaretCabbage · 27/09/2015 23:24

I have four house cats with no interest in going outside (beyond poking their heads out of the window). I originally intended to keep them in until they were a bit older as I read that kittens are more likely to be run over but over three years later they have no interest.

We have two ceiling height cat trees as well as a few smaller ones, and there are cat beds on the top of all the wardrobes too, so they can run around and climb and have space to relax up high. We also have various toys, laser pens, feather sticks, dangly stringy things so they get plenty of exercise.

They are all very happy, healthy and affectionate cats.