To think having an indoor cat is cruel?

[Catnope]

I was looking after my mother’s cat last week - feeding him while she was on holiday and changing the litter tray - and I felt so incredibly sorry for the cat. It’s not the first time I’ve looked after him for her, and not the first time I’ve thought that.

What a shit life for the cat.

Of course I don’t like the idea of cats killing wildlife out there, but to be a prisoner indoors 100% of the time your whole life?!

It’s cruel. Right?! Just me?

Of course I was nothing but lovely to my mother and took good care of the cat. My mother doesn’t let him out because she fears he’ll get stolen or run over. She lives on a quiet and safe street, so I don’t think anyone will want to steal him. At this point, I also think he wouldn’t have a clue how to kill a bird.

PS to be fair, cats with FIV have no choice. they have to be kept indoors and away from other cats

I don't know. I've had 3 cats killed on the road and we never have another outdoor car again. The risk and the stress of it was horrible.

But our last cat who died on the road we'd tried to keep indoors as she was disabled rescue cat and it wasn't really safe for her to be out. She hated it and got very aggressive and it was unpleasant. We let her out and she was happier but very quickly got killed by a car. Never again.

We now have a more disabled cat (blind, can't run fast, can't climb much and won't jump) so it's very easy to keep in the house/garden. She's been our longest surviving cat and is perfectly happy in the house/garden. Garden is only is we are keeping an eye on her.

She's very content but it wouldn't be safe for her to be out. She'd likely die within a few hours.

I think my destiny in life is to set up a disabled cats home at this rate 😂

My cats are 100% indoor cats and have no interest in going outside. They have the full run of the house and are played with several times a day. Perfectly happy and healthy

I wouldn't keep a cat inside unless elderly or disabled and not able to out - could she put a 'catio' in the back garden - it's an enclosed area in the garden for cats, not ideal but better than no access ?

This is a British thing I think, due to right to roam for cats. Where I grew up, it is considered very cruel to expose an animal to the risks of larger predators, off-lead dogs, cars and other dangers. My two cats are British shorthairs, and they wouldn't know what to do outside. They very occasionally sit on the outside windowsills in the sun but have never tried to escape, even woth doors and windows open.

As someone with outdoor cats, I'm torn on this. Mine hate being inside now, when they are injured or ill and need to be inside it's very stressful for everyone. They are now in their late teens and requiring more and more indoor stays for various reasons and it really is a problem at times. I don't think I'd have another cat after these 2 pass away but if I did, I'd probably build a catio or keep them indoors.

@mathanxiety

According to the rspb cats have no significant impact on bird populations. Destruction of the environment is killing our birds, not cats! 🙄

I grew up on a farm so the concept of indoor cats baffles me - ours were little street fighters who pretty much lived outdoors.

That said, our residential no through road in London is also teaming with streetwise cats who seem to go where they please.

My indoor cat is incredibly playful, energetic and clearly very content.

And I don't understand the comments about litter trays. If you don't have them then cats just use your garden or someone else's garden.

^ This. Please keep you cat indoors. Cats kill wildlife, and your cat is also likely to be regularly defaecating on your neighbour's garden or lawn, which is unpleasant for them to clean up and, quite frankly, more than disgusting.

Of course cats know how to kill a bird (and other wildlife).

Ridiculous post. You know what is cruel? Letting your cat roam outside to be run over, poisoned, hurt by some sicko, go missing, get injured and be left for dead on the side of the road or be stolen.

I don’t understand posts like these at all. You wouldn’t let a dog roam free by itself so why a cat? Just because it’s the ‘done thing’ and has been for years, doesn’t make it right. Cats are no more street smart than dogs, which is evidenced by the fact indoor cats live significantly longer than outdoor cats.

I can’t abide people who let their cats outside and then wonder and cry on social media that they’re so upset/confused and love the cat so much. Really? You love it so much you let it roam free? Ha!

Then take your cat out on a harness and lead and supervise outdoor access. Like you would a dog. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

I’ve been looking at rehoming and a lot say indoor only as they have tested positive for cat flu so shouldn’t be allowed out, for the sake of other cats I suppose. I think it’s fine if they aren’t able to as long as they seem happy

Not the point but switch to Cats Best Original clumping cat litter. It doesn’t stink at all once you regularly remove the clumps and solids. A lot of those white clay ones really reek.

Always had indoor cats. If the showed a lot of interest in going outside I might consider it but all of our cats have been perfectly happy and safe from being run over/poisoned/burned alive by little scrotes (as a cat once was in our area).

Our Siamese have a catio and they also have a house that’s set up for them with large cat trees , climbing poles and wall mounted walkways . We did have a cat wheel but they declined to use it after the first couple of weeks . They are a perfect weight / condition for their breed . IMO cats should be treated the same as dogs ie keep it on your own property or under control .

I'm sorry but this is so ignorant. Cats are not dogs and cannot be treated like dogs!

However, I agree that if you don't live somewhere where you can offer a cat and outdoor life, then you shouldn't get a cat.

@Cottonfresh oh shut up. If your cat is free to do what it likes then you have 0 right to cry when it’s killed or goes missing. Such ridiculous comments from terrible cat owners who care nothing for their cats safety. Everyone I know with an outdoor cat gets so offended when you say that, but truth hurts.

I use that. Much the best

I have 3 cats, 2 are in and out like furry yo-yo’s, the other one hardly ever goes out. If I leave the back door open in summer she might occasionally venture out half a metre or so but that’s it. She is not a fan of Outside.

My friend’s cat was an indoor cat. It used to be an outdoor one then decided he preferred the indoors and never went out even with the doors open. He lived to about sixteen and seemed very content to me. (I know nothing about cats).

Tell me that Mumsnet is a UK based site without telling me that Mumsnet is a UK based site. In America this is flipped totally on its head and the people who let their cats out are the ones being judged.

I have two cats who are indoor only. They had been kept indoors since being kittens and so when I adopted them at 18 months it was already too late to risk changing that. There's absolutely no need to feel sorry for them, they have plenty of space to run round and trust me, they use it. We see the vet annually and have always been told that they are healthy. Their behaviour also indicates to me that they are content with their surroundings.

I've not conditioned mine at all, he just doesn't want to
He sits in the window, with the window wide open and watches outside (yelling at the birds!) but he would rather be inside with me
He will go out if I am outside but will only sit right next to me and not leave my side

Currently he's snoring next to me, I have the living room and kitchen windows open and he's not been near them all day