To be worried about adopting a cat?

[AlinaRawlings]

I honestly love cats! Like absolutely adore them! I had a cat when I was age 6 and he lived until the age of 19, and lived solely with me for the last 3 years of his life. The problem is I live on a 40mph country road. It’s fields all around but I would worry so much about this cat going out. I’d love to adopt an elderly cat, or even get a kitten but I would worry every single time that cat left the house. Is it ok to keep a cat inside? Am I being unreasonable to want a cat where I live?

Get a catio. It’s like a conservatory but made of mesh instead of glass. I was thinking about a big one that I could open my patio doors onto and sit out with my adopted cat. Ended up proofing the whole garden instead though.

@thecatneuterer I have an FIV+ cat who has access to a large catio. He doesn’t free-roam but this is for HIS safety rather than the fact he might pass anything on (as you say, unlikely). Surely it’s a good idea not to allow an FIV kitty to roam so they don’t catch anything that can harm their already-weakened immune system?

The narrative around FIV+ cats is still so sad from many quarters, including lots of vets. My boy is happy and healthy and loving his life. OP, look into offering a home to such a kitty. Yours sounds perfect x

Can you cope with litter trays? The thought of a creature soiling in my home makes me feel sick.

The RSPCA advises against walking cats on leads as it can distress them. Cats are territorial and need to be in control of their environment which it can’t do if on a lead.

It really doesn't seem to make any difference from the point of view of their health. They should of course be fully vaccinated.

I think it’s only cruel if they want to go out and cant
my cat isn’t fussed, I sit with the windows and doors open and he’s “nope”

Cats can and do live happy lives indoors. But I do think you need a cat that hasn’t been used to go out- either a kitten that doesn’t know any different or an older indoor cat from a rescue. It’s also worth bearing in mind that British houses aren’t ideal for this. In the US for example where cats are always house pets (unless you live on a farm or something) you’ll have bug screens on your windows and air conditioning so the cat isn’t going to get out accidentally because you’ve opened the windows on a hot day. So it’s worth considering how you’ll practically manage it. Or maybe you’ll just get lucky. Mine do have access to the outdoors but the former American housecat never goes at all and the British kitten typically just lays on the patio when it’s sunny, doesn’t roam and has never even been round the front of the house.

Personally I don’t agree with keeping healthy cats indoors or in catios. Having said that go and speak to a shelter as there will probably be a cat that will need to be kept indoors for some reason. My friend adopted a blind cat.
I’m sure there is the perfect cat out there for you.

I am surprised by that - harness walking enriched Elton's life beyond measure. We were always led by him though which normally meant pottering at a very slow pace around a nearby carpark which he loved.

This is what I did, my two adopted cats both have FIV. They're both older girls now but they've always seemed very happy/content. One of them is a ragdoll and I don't think she'd have the nerve to be an outdoor cat anyway!

My cat doesn’t go outside and is a very happy little chappy. But we’ve had him since a kitten so he’s never known what it’s like to go out. You need a cat who either is normally an indoor cat or a kitten, it would be cruel to have a cat who’s used to being able to roam and keep them inside.

If you find the right cat it honestly won’t be a problem at all. We have a girl who is an absolute homebody, she completely ignores the front door but will occasionally venture into the back garden, we’ve had the door open most of the summer, she’ll pop out and sunbathe for a bit but was often back inside long before we were. She is just not interested in being outside. Our boy however would go crazy without the ability to come and go as he pleases. Im sure the perfect kitty is out there for you

Have a look on their website. Like all things it’s only advice, but a lot of the reasons for not waking a cat on a lead make sense.