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Original poster

OK mumsnet cat owners jury please - Cats in Flats

49 replies

faeriemum · 28/03/2007 14:45

i've done lots of research into the debate of cats in flats.....as i have been considering getting a kitten / rescue cat .....
we live on the 2nd floor (top) in a large flat ......only me and ds (3yrs next week) ...i'm a sahm.

have you any 'indoor' cats?
what are your opinions?
any advice?

OP posts:

Iota · 28/03/2007 14:46

expatinscotland has 2

rowan1971 · 28/03/2007 14:47

I wouldn't go for a kitten - some rescue cats are suitable for flats though. We were in a 2nd-floor flat when we got our current cat (she'd been run over and was a bit unsteady on her feet, as well as very timid). She seemed very happy with the arrangement. Litter trays are naaaasty, though!

WotzsanEgg · 28/03/2007 14:49

Could I suggest the RCPCA, where they possible have already some older cats that maybe 'flat cats' already and like it.

Sorry but its a shame for a kitten not to be able to explore the great outside as they get older. Anyway, its your choice.

I have cats and I they are lucky that they can go outside. Mine were rescue cats from RSPCA.

RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2007 14:49

our 2 cats are indoor cats in one house and outdoor cats in other one

they are fine in both houses and when we are in the indoor house they don't try to get out but in outdoor house are in and out but always in at night

so cats are adaptable imho and ime

rowan1971 · 28/03/2007 14:50

A kitten would be miserable and stir-crazy, and would destroy your furnishings!

RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2007 14:50

but ours were a few months old and were fine

but get 2 toether

twocatsonthebed · 28/03/2007 14:51

Yes, definitely get a rescue cat. Our local shelter has some cats with a cat disease (sorry, can't remember what it is) that means that they are expected to live a long and happy life, but can't go outside in case they infect other cats.

PestoEasterMonster · 28/03/2007 14:51

When I was single I lived in a 2nd floor attic flat and wanted a cat. What I did was ask around rescue places for an 'indoors' cat that wasn't used to going out. I got a lovely 3year old tabby called Felix and she lived very happily indoors with me and then me & dh for about 8 years before we eventually got a house to rent. I got one of those cat hammocks made of sheepskin which hooked on the radiator for her to sleep in. She lived very happy and contentedly with me and lived to 15years old. I had one of those litter trays with a roof on. So she not only had privacy but also it helped contain the cat litter from being swept out when she covered up her business. I do hope this helps and good luck in your search for one.

Pruni · 28/03/2007 14:55

Message withdrawn

Original poster

faeriemum · 28/03/2007 14:57

thanks for that....i'm going to look up the nearest rescue shelters and ask about their 'indoor' cats that are used to being inside.......can't stand the thought of being cruel to a kitten that wants to explore outside!

OP posts:

RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2007 14:59

I agree with rescue cat that used to indoors

ours lead a double life inside for a few weeks and outside for rest of year

Original poster

faeriemum · 28/03/2007 14:59

pruni - i can see what you mean....but if i can make a 'special needs' cats life happier then i'll go for it.

OP posts:

Pruni · 28/03/2007 15:02

Message withdrawn

WotzsanEgg · 28/03/2007 15:12

good luck with your new cat faeriemum. Hope you get a nice one. Take your ds with you and make sure it is child friendly too, see if he can stroke it etc before you choose.

Most centres are good at knowing the background and what the cats have been used to.

madoldcatlady · 30/03/2007 10:48

Indoor cats are absolutely fine. My 2 (siamese girl & devon rex boy) have been indoors since kittenhood. They are happy and contented. So long as they have company, human or animal (the dog loves them!) it's not a problem. I would be inclined to get 2 though as they would be bored on their own all day.

The advantages are 100 fold, especially for the cat. They will never get run over, catch awful diseases/fleas/worms. Anyone seeing dejags post will see the devastation letting your cats out can cause.

Get them toys to play with to keep them stimulated and of course neuter them so a male wont spray and female wont yowl like a banshee when in season.

manuka · 30/03/2007 14:44

My cat used to always be outside but changed when she reached 2 years to being a mainly indoor cat. She goes out for half an hour for a little mooch around but much prefers the house. So perhaps you should rescue a cat rather than a kitten and try to get one who enjoys sitting around and being adored! usually females are more home loving than males.
Having said that, my friend has a cat and he lives in a flat on the top floor which is 3 long flights up and he lets it outside.

madoldcatlady · 31/03/2007 16:52

Hey Manuka, I just had a look at your bands website. I didn't know we had a rock chick in our midst!

My lovely DH1 was in various bands in Leeds and Harrogate during the 80s and 90s. I met him at a gig in the Blues Bar. Ah, happy days. He was the sexy sax player

oxocube · 31/03/2007 17:10

madoldcatlady, I couldn't agree more! We have had loads of cats in the last 20 years or so, some indoor when we were in flats and some outdoor. All but one (who had formerly been an outdoor cat) were perfectly happy. I don't think most cats mind TBH, unlike dogs who need lots of being outdoors. We have a house with a little garden now and our current very old cat likes to doze outdoors in the sun, but more often than not, curls up beside a radiator or in the dog's bed!

PeachyClair · 31/03/2007 17:31

Our cat was an inddor cat for ages and could have remained so. (but he is one legged and nervous)

As long as you can provide litter, love and a tray of grass to nibble on the cat will thrive.

Would suggest an older one though- they always find them ahrd to home as well.

aDad · 31/03/2007 17:45

so happy we gave a home to a rescue cat. Well worth it, seeing her grow in confidence as time passes. Ours was presented to us as an indoor cat, and she is mainly, but sometimes strikes up the courage to go out into the garden for a short time, or at least put her nose out the back door.

Maybe a female might be more suitable? I know they are not known to roam as much as males. And the idea of getting 2 is good, but I guess it would have to be two that already knew each other.

deegward · 31/03/2007 17:54

Haven't read rest of threads, but I had a flat cat, for over ten years, he never went outside, and was really happy. When We moved to a house with a garden he started going out, and coped really well with it.

He was a farm kitten when I got him.

he died of old age outside.

Kelly1978 · 31/03/2007 18:10

I had one, in a second floor flat. It was a pita, kept pooing everywhere, as he was very particular about his litter tray being absolutely spotless. Even if it had a small amount of urine in it, he wouldn't use it. Then I started letting him out. There were quite a few cats locally and people were generally good about letting them in and out of the communal door. He started staying away and eventually never came back. I don't think cats are the easiest animal to keep in a flat.

Kelly1978 · 31/03/2007 18:11

my parents had one too, also second floor. It was a lazy bugger and eventually got adopted by a lady on the first floor who kept feeding her. Eventually she couldn't be bothered to come up to our flat on the second floor.

madoldcatlady · 31/03/2007 18:22

PeachyClair, a one legged cat! Surely not? Suppose it wouldn't go far if you did put it out tho

shonaspurtle · 31/03/2007 18:30

My cat is an indoor cat and she seems perfectly content that way. She's rescued and had been an indoor cat before.

The people who look after her when we go on holiday let her out as they live in a house. She'll lie in the sun for a bit and then go back indoors - not much of a roamer.

If we move to a house I would be inclined to let her outside but I suspect her habits won't change much.

There're loads of "flat" cats round here - they all sit in the windows and give each other the evils...

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