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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:
PeachyClair · 31/03/2007 18:35

PMSL

er no
I meant 3 legged

no tail either though

and a smashed jaw

poor mite

madoldcatlady · 31/03/2007 19:23

Poor puss.

BabiesEverywhere · 31/03/2007 20:59

Definately get two cats to keep each other company.

You can buy cat harness and take your cats for a daily walk, so they get some fresh air. Or cat proof a balcony,if you have one.

My cats use to be inside/outside and are temporary inside only and once we have finished the cat proof fencing, they'll be inside/limited outside cats.(sadly we now have dogs on all sides of our garden, so it wouldn;t be safe to let them have free rein like they use to )

They have taken to being inside only very well over the winter months, so I agree cats can be very flexible

All the best.

manuka · 01/04/2007 12:53

Madoldcatlady- Thanks for looking! Thats very groovy about your chap! Sax is indeed sexy! (not when I play it though. Next door thought there was something wrong with their gas fire when I started to play it in our living room in front of the fire place!!! It was only when I managed a 'scale' that they realised!) What band was your feller in?

madoldcatlady · 01/04/2007 13:27

I can't remember so many. Big J and the Piccolo Chickens, The Cool Jerks, Bagman. TBH, they are probably well before your time, as you're only a whipper snapper!

He used to play in Harrogate with Jason Feddy, don't know if he's still around, last I heard he'd moved to California!

madoldcatlady · 01/04/2007 13:28

Oh actually, your not such a whipper snapper! You're only a year younger than me! I seemed to think from your profile you were in you 20s!!

Maybe you look much younger!

manuka · 01/04/2007 14:08

No Way! Big J and the piccolo Chickens!! I used to fancy the guitarist! ha ha! Scottish bloke, forgotton his name. Do you know bass player Warren then??
I am a whippersnapper at heart even though I am an old hag in reality!! I make my own skin cream which kicks arse and really does get rid of lines, scars etc so my face isn't as old as it should be! About to get it properly marketed etc. been testing it for 10 years and have seen some mega results especially with scars and stretch marks. I'm just not good at selling so my cousin's taking over that side. When I'm rich I will be buying a Connemara named Maurice!

batters · 01/04/2007 14:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hatwoman · 01/04/2007 14:20

fwiw we have two 20 week old cats - they haven't had their leukaemia injection yet and so haven't been outside for the 2 months we've had them (we'll let them out when they've had the jab). One really couldn't care less. the other one always wants to go out in the mornings and howls (they're Siamese so very loud normally anyway) I think if we only had one it would be worse - but they have lots of fun playing with each other

madoldcatlady · 01/04/2007 15:23

My brain is soup today Manuka. The name Warren rings a bell. Can't remember vthe scottish guys name. The trumpet player was called Ed. It will all come back to me in a blinding flash tonight!

Your face cream venture sounds fab! Is it made from honey by any chance?

I know this should be in chat really. Sorry for the hijack.

madoldcatlady · 01/04/2007 15:29

Blimey Manuka. I just googled Big J, they're still gigging. Ed is still trumpet player and DH used to live with Accy the drummer!

madoldcatlady · 01/04/2007 15:35

Do you remember Beat Crazy?

manuka · 01/04/2007 17:55

I remember the name. What style of music?? I can't believe Big Chickens are still rocking! Good for them! I can't wait to gig again! had a few months off cos had first baby 9months ago and it took me a while to come back to reality!
We have rather hijacked the old cat in flat debate haven't we?! But lots of answers so the decision must have been made already!!?!

madoldcatlady · 01/04/2007 18:23

shall I see you in chat Manuka? I've got a nostalgia buzz coming on and haven't quite finished yet!!

manuka · 01/04/2007 19:54

will go there!!

dionnelorraine · 03/04/2007 15:56

ofcourse. just be careful of windoes and doors. My friends cat fell out of 2nd story window, broke his pelvis and aleg. Cost thousands of pounds!!!!!

expatinscotland · 03/04/2007 16:01

We have indoors only cats.

It's very common in the US. In fact, I was shocked here to find out how people just let them roam around.

You'd get a ticket for that in the US.

They're healthy and happy.

Our front door is very heavy and closes automatically, and our child doesn't go out on her own - the flat's on the 2nd floor, so there's no real danger for them to get out.

They are microchipped, however.

KittyLetteMeEatAnEasterEgg · 03/04/2007 16:06

NO

DPs mum had an indoor cat and he was mental, screamed, howled, ran up the walls ect

when he got to about 2 she let him out and he was fine then - normal kitty, it was driving him nutty,

but 6 months later he was shot and killed by an air rifle

he was on the front page of the paper

sweetkitty · 03/04/2007 16:22

My 3 cats have been indoors only cats for the first 8 years of their lives. They have been absolutely fine I don't think they care as long as they get fed. Now we have a large garden one will venture out now and again but only as far as our garden, the other 2 very rarely go out despite having the opportunity.

I used to work in a vets and the number of cats that would come in after being in RTAs was terrible the poor things all mangled up with owners expecting them to be "fixed" I also lost a cat to a car.

I used to have a great book on Indoor Cats (loaned it out never got it back) it said the average life of an outdoor cat is 4 year indoors it's 16.

MellowMa · 03/04/2007 16:25

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 03/04/2007 16:25

Our vet fully supports our indoor cats. We have a floor to ceiling scratching post for them in the hall, so they can play.

And we keep plenty of toys for them.

One is a Persian. He was a stray, but Persian's have very cobby bodies so they can't jump like a normal cat, and long coats and round eyes that aren't well suited to roaming outdoors, so our old guy is perfectly happy inside.

The tuxedo cat is, too. We just have to keep her entertained, but she's also good at finding her own play, too.

dionnelorraine · 03/04/2007 16:31

My kitten was run over 1 month ago It was awful. He was missing over night he turned up at our back gate with a broken pelvis and his spine split and pierced his bladder. He was put to sleep. He dragged himself home. I was devastated!! We have just rescued a 4 year old cat and he will be staying indoors!!
Im all for indoor cats!

MellowMa · 03/04/2007 16:37

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 03/04/2007 16:41

Aw, I'm SO sorry, dionne and Mellow!

Indoors is fine for most. In rescue centres, they can guage pretty well which cat would do well indoors.

We've gotten all ours from rescue centres or as strays and all have lived long, healthy, happy lives.

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