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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Indoor cats

127 replies

Asleanna · 18/10/2021 22:44

I'm contemplating getting a cat but it would not be able to go outside. I'm torn on whether this is cruel?

YABU - cats are not OK just indoors
YANBU - indoor cats are fine.

I don't want to make a selfish decision so want what's best for hypothetical cat.

OP posts:
carwashthecat · 19/10/2021 07:59

We have 2 rescue cats both 💯 indoor.. they are perfectly happy.. wouldn’t contemplate letting them outside to roam.. killing local wildlife,( live in Australia) fighting, catching diseases/ticks etc.. not coming home because they have been run over .. so indoor is definitely best imo

Downthisroad · 19/10/2021 08:03

I had the same concerns as you - at the time I lived in a one bed flat with no outdoor space.

I decided to go to a rescue centre as they would do a home visit and if my flat was unsuitable, tell me.

We ended up adopting 2 cats - they were insistent that it was two as my partner and I were out all day. The cats had never been outside and lived a happy indoor life for years until we moved.

We now have a garden and let them out for short periods during the day - not even everyday. They don’t have free roam of the outdoors and seem fine with that. There’s no begging for me to let them out.

From my experience- cats can live happily inside and then transition to being outdoor cats without the need to come and go as they please.

RainCloude · 19/10/2021 08:03

I have an ex stray who is delighted to stay indoors now. If the doors open he just says no thanks, that life is over for me. No interest in going out. He sits in the sunshine by the open balcony door and doesn't attempt to leave. Also the vet is very positive about indoor cats. She says it's only in this country that people feel it's cruel but so many get killed on the roads. Obviously you have to provide clean litter and give stimulation. I'm at home loads so he has company.

user1471538283 · 19/10/2021 08:12

If it's for health reasons then a cat may be ok indoors and you could take it out on a harness.

But I really believe that cats should go out (or make a decision about going out). Both our cats go out and when we have moved and kept them in DBoycat's mental health has suffered. Not that he goes out all the time but he likes to go out when he wants to.

Both of them are very clean and private as well and so hate the litter tray.

One of my friend's keeps her cat inside most of the time and he is desperate to go out.

Aderyn21 · 19/10/2021 08:20

Mine are indoor - I think this is better than getting killed by a car or hurt outside. We have 2 so they each have company but also there is always someone at home, so they aren't lonely. We have tons of toys/huge cat tree/scratching posts. The cats are allowed to climb everything except the blinds and the Christmas tree!
They seem happy! And they are safe and healthy, not getting bullied by the neighborhood cats or kids!

TheUnbearable · 19/10/2021 08:23

We adopted a beautiful very small cat 9 years ago who was almost a year old. She is a very timid cat. She has access via a cat flap to the garden but she only likes to really go outside if we are with her. I have the back door open unless it is really freezing and she sits surveying the garden for hours.

I have been at home for most of the time we have had her and she always followed me about. Now DH is WFH mainly she sits on his desk, if I’m honest I’m slightly miffed but he was always her favourite. Whenever he got home from work she would run down the stairs. I joke she is his Mistress in plain sight.

Look at cats that are already indoor cats at a rescue.

The cat will choose you by the way.

Meruem · 19/10/2021 08:24

If there are chunks of time you won’t be around, I would definitely get 2 to keep each other company. Like a couple of pp’s, I have rag dolls and they are really clever in some ways, but they wouldn’t last 5 minutes outside. I have 2 siblings and they are together 90% of the time, be that sleeping next to each other or playing hide and seek or chase round the house. They have a big cat tree and lots of stimulating toys. Cat TV (on YouTube) is also really popular with my two. I also have places to sit by windows, where they can watch the world go by or get some sun.

HerRoyalWitchyness · 19/10/2021 08:33

I have 3 indoor cats. We live too close to various dangers (motorway, woods, river) and thrre are too many idiots who want to harm cats around where I live.
Theyre all happy and content cats. We have various cat trees of various heights, a box full of cat toys that we all use daily to play with the cats, litter trays everywhere. Our house is definitely set up for the cats more than it is people Grin

Trinacham · 19/10/2021 08:34

I do see both sides. I am someone who has 2 indoor cats, so I've voted that indoor is OK.

I think it has to be one or more of the following scenarios, otherwise the cat may not have a happy life indoors:
If a cat has been brought up indoors since they were a kitten.
If it is a certain breed that doesn't fare well outdoors.
If it has a disability that means outdoor life would endanger it.
Access to a catio or at least lots of stimulation with cat trees and toys in the home.
Company of another housecat.

I've had an outdoor cat that lived happily as an outdoor cat, she lived a long life and passed away at the age of 18. The cats I have now are Ragdoll cats. They are a breed that is very docile, very trusting, very needy and dopey, and not a streetwise breed. They would most certainly die one way or another being outside - most likely being hit by a car. They would be in no rush to get out of the path of a car.

gogohm · 19/10/2021 08:39

Our cat is mostly indoors but loves to sunbathe on a warm day when I'm in the garden and will go out occasionally alone, I couldn't keep her in 24/7 seems cruel. If you have an indoor cat why not lead train it so it can go for walks

Cattitudes · 19/10/2021 08:43

All depends on the cat. One of ours will only go out on a warm and sunny day and is never far from the house. If one day we shut the door and never let her out again she would probably be fine. The other one likes to come and go a lot during the day and is probably 50:50 in during the day, but always comes in to use the litter tray. Will literally come in, head for litter tray, have a wee then off again. I don't think he would be happy only being indoors.

Ponoka7 · 19/10/2021 08:44

Are you happy to come in off your long shifts and have to deal with changing cat litter, or the smell while you eat? There might be settling in, stress soiling outside of the litter, waking you during the night etc.
Speaking to rehoming is best and then you can be fully prepared. You need continuity in terms of what litter etc they already use. It's best to have time off work to settle them in, but go out during the day. Just in case you don't get much sleep. Some cats can be arseholes.

UltimateIrritant · 19/10/2021 08:58

One thing to think about is ventilation and security (for the cat) - Keeping windows and doors closed all the time is a pain in the posterior, esp if young children are around.

I would rather have a cat that either chooses, or has to stay indoors than make that decision for them.

Ours is a rescue cat. It is sad to see a cat with nose pressed to window that wants to be 'out there' but can't

eurochick · 19/10/2021 09:01

We have two indoor cats. They are a breed that is generally happy indoors (British shorthair) and have always lived indoors. We tried to take them outside on leads when they were kittens but they hated it and would run off when they saw the harnesses coming out of the cupboard.

We have covered litter trays and they don't smell at all unless we leave them too long between changing. We obviously don't have them in the dining room.

Trinacham · 19/10/2021 09:02

For windows, we use mesh screens. They are really good and strong. Been up for years now. Couldn't be without them in the hot sticky months!

Wheresmrpenguin · 19/10/2021 09:05

@Thriwit

I have an indoor cat. When I got her from the breeder I was told she needed to be an indoor cat - she’s got zero self-preservation instinct, and is simultaneously a striking pedigree and far too friendly to strangers. So big risk she’d either get into an accident or walk up to someone and be nabbed. She doesn’t seem to object to being indoors. Every so often she ‘escapes’ out of an open front door, but only takes a few steps before she stops and waits to be picked up and brought back inside. If you’re not quick enough, she’ll just sit there yelling at you.
This is exactly my 2 cats, I have ragdolls which are supposed to be indoors.

We let them out in the back garden sometimes in the summer and try and escape but don't get very far cos they're too stupid. They dash for the backdoor into the back garden but the front door they run about 1m and just flop looking confused.

ISpyCobraKai · 19/10/2021 09:06

Dd has two indoor cats.
1 she got at a year old and he had never been out, the other is an expensive pedigree, plus they live in a top floor flat.
I have three who can goo out, but only one does from about now until March and even then only for short periods of time.
Dd lived with the outdoors cats here for years and knows hers are just as happy as mine are.

Trisolaris · 19/10/2021 09:09

I have a rescue cat who I was advised to keep inside due to health reasons but in order to give her some outdoor time we got her a rabbit run which she adores. She can sit in the sun and eat the grass and when she is ready to come in she shouts at us to open the hatch and she runs into the house.

liveforsummer · 19/10/2021 09:11

Plenty pedigree cars come with a contract that say they must be indoor pets but you'll also find rescues who have some that say indoor only. With current demand and that specification you might be in for a very long wait though. Plus many/most won't rehome given your work pattern.

PurpleFlower1983 · 19/10/2021 09:11

Definitely go to a rescue, lots of then have signs saying can only live indoors. I have an indoor cat and she is fine.

MissCreeAnt · 19/10/2021 09:12

I personally wouldn't, but if you can find an adult that is not allowed out then you're not depriving it of anything.

I would caution against getting a pair though. Rescue centres push you to take on a pair, be sure it helps them re-home more cats, but ours had terrible problems with toileting in the house and our vet said it was probably because there were 2 of them sharing the territory. She said the problem would likely fix itself when one passed away. Sure enough it did. After 10 years of them pissing on the carpet.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/10/2021 09:17

I have Persians. They go out into an enclosed garden. They need to be inside as they are just not bright enough to go out properly. And they would get stolen.

Cuddlyrottweiler · 19/10/2021 09:18

@icedcoffees

Get an adult cat from a rescue that can't go out for some reason Smile
This.
AlfonsoTheDinosaur · 19/10/2021 09:35

YANBU. It depends on the cat's temperant - if you go to a rescue, ask for a cat who is suited to being indoors.

Good luck! I hope you find the perfect cat for your situation.

Deadringer · 19/10/2021 09:36

Why are people saying that it's cruel to have an indoor cat when lots of them need to be kept in for health reasons? Should those cats just be put to sleep then, or never adopted? It really does depend on the cat. We had one that would never have adjusted to indoors, he loved roaming, but we have one now who has no interest in going outside. Op it sounds like you have plenty of room for an indoor cat, go for it.