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Original poster

Is it fair to have an indoor cat?

72 replies

Goingtobeoldearly · 01/01/2020 10:41

This isn't a judgy question, it's a genuine , is it fair?
The reason why I'm asking is because I think I would like a cat, but it might have to be indoors. I grew up with cats, my cat unfortunately passed away when she was 18 years old, I had her from a kitten when I was 5 years old. But all our cats went out doors, they had free rein during the day but came home whenever they wanted, but were always home for the evening. However, where I currently live, I'm not sure that's possible.

OP posts:
Caramel78 · 01/01/2020 10:45

My Maine coon was indoors for the first 5 years of his life. He seemed ok with it as didn’t know any different, but I’d often catch up staring longingly out the window to the outside world and I felt really guilty. The next 5 years were in a house with a garden so he could go out. He was always a bit anxious when he would venture outside but he did seem happier in general and would cry to be let out the back door all the time.
So to answer your question - I think it’s always preferable for a cat to be able to go outside but it’s not the end of the world if they can’t as long as you make sure their environment in the house is happy and interesting for them (lots of toys etc)

CooCooCoo · 01/01/2020 10:46

Ours is a rescue and we were told she was indoor
I used to worry about whether she would be bored etc but she actually uses the house like a playground and she’s happy Grin

lanbro · 01/01/2020 10:48

I have an indoor cat and she's absolutely fine, it's all she's ever known. She is very affectionate and follows me round like a dog might, the opposite of my previous opinion of cats!

PurpleBee39 · 01/01/2020 10:51

Would it be possible to have the best of both worlds and have a run of some kind outside?

Fozzleyplum · 01/01/2020 10:52

If you adopt an adult cat from a rescue, they will be able to tell you if the cat is an indoor only cat. We have one who is perfectly happy living inside. She will spend the odd 10 minutes rolling on the yard in the sun, but no more than that. We would never be able to keep our other 2 inside, though.

KellyHall · 01/01/2020 10:52

We have an indoor cat, in one of her previous 4 homes (we were her 5th family in 5 years, she's lovely but they were all crap!) she had access to the garden but hardly ever went outside. She doesn't try to get outside. She's very shy and quite stupid, I think she's happy just having a quiet, constant, forever home to live in, especially now she's getting on in years (10+).

SimonJT · 01/01/2020 10:53

I have an indoor cat, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Due to being indoors she isn’t put at risk of worms, fights, theft, being run over or poisoned. A cat that free roams is at risk of those things every single time it goes out.

I don’t want my cat to get worms, I also don’t want her to be attacked, stolen or run over so I remove the risk of those things happening.

catwithnohat · 01/01/2020 10:54

I feel guilty about my indoor cats (live in a flat) We have 3 trays (for 2 cats) 2 water bowls and food bowls in different locations. We have a huge cat tree, cat beds and toys litter the place (so much for minimalist living) and on top of that pay them as much attention as they seem to want.

In the main they seem to be happy enough....but I worry about their happiness.

I'm a wuss.

cushioncovers · 01/01/2020 11:01

I can't imagine my cat being an indoor cat, he loves being outside especially in the summer. We struggled to keep him in until he was 10 months old as recommended by the little rescue place we got him.
However some cats are happy to be an indoor cat and if they're happy and it suits them not the owner then I don't see a problem.
What I do disagree with is people getting a kitten and deciding it WILL be an indoor cat because they don't want it going outside for reasons that suite the owner. For example: we live in a flat. We don't want a cat flap. I don't want them hunting and bringing in dead mice. We live by a busy road. Blah blah. It's about the animal not the owner. IMO

WorraLiberty · 01/01/2020 11:04

I think it depends on the cat.

My MIL had 3 indoor cats from kittens but after about a year, one of them was acting very oddly (gnawing his own fur off amongst other things) and the vet said she needed to go out.

As soon as she let her out, she was happy as anything. The other 2 are still happy indoors.

Parker231 · 01/01/2020 11:05

Our cat is an indoor cat - her choice. Rescue centres will have cats which may have medical issues which mean they should be indoor cats ie HIV or blind.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 01/01/2020 11:06

No its cruel. Some cats ans breeds will tolerate it. Do you really want a litter tray forever?

Boobiliboobiliboo · 01/01/2020 11:06

It’s fairer on your neighbours.

dementedma · 01/01/2020 11:07

Ours have all been outdoor cats, even though we live in an upstairs flat. I couldnt bear the thought of them being stuck inside all the time. My mother's latest rescue is an "indoor" cat who had never been outside and would, apparently hate it. After watching her gazing longingly out of the window, mum let her out and how she has loved getting to know the outside world!

Boobiliboobiliboo · 01/01/2020 11:08

Do you really want a litter tray forever?

Why should I - a non-cat owner - have to deal with your cat’s crap for you?

Grasspigeons · 01/01/2020 11:08

Our cat is a fair weather cat. He doesnt go outside in winter despite having the option. He goes out in summer on dry days. So i dont think they have as much desire to be out as i orgibally thought.

Lllot5 · 01/01/2020 11:11

I wouldn’t personally. Imagine being indoors all the time yourself.

YouJustDoYou · 01/01/2020 11:12

It's funny how it's only "cruel" in the UK 😂 Why does the RSPCA not prosecute everyine who has an indoor cat then? Because it's not cruel. In other countries especially the US it's weird to have cats outdoors.

If the cat has suitable entertainment, they're fine. Some have to be indoors (like those with certain contractable illnesses).

Evilmorty · 01/01/2020 11:13

I think you need a rescue to better judge the cats personality and temperament. Some cats only want to be indoors anyway so suit it better than others who roam for miles. You can’t judge that from a kitten.

Bunnybigears · 01/01/2020 11:15

I have 3 cars, all indoors. They are all rescues so I figured being inside only in big house was preferable to being g inside only in a small cage at the shelter. They have cat trees and the run of the whole house. They dont seem to want to go outside, if ai had a cat that was constantly scratching at windows and doors to get out I couldn't keep it in though and would have to rehome somewhere with safe outside space.

MadisonMontgomery · 01/01/2020 11:17

I would get an older cat from a rescue, they will be able to tell you if the cat would be happy to be indoor or not. My current cat is an indoor one by choice - she will only venture into the garden if I or the dog are out there, and runs straight back inside the minute we do. I would be more than happy for her to go exploring, but she is far too timid.

Soubriquet · 01/01/2020 11:18

My cats done a complete 180.

She used to be a totally outdoor cat who only came in to eat.

Then we moved house and now she refuses to go out. It doesn’t seem to have harmed her and she certainly prefers being in now

cheeseislife8 · 01/01/2020 11:31

It depends, as getting a cat that has previously been outside and keeping it indoors isn't ideal, but if you get a kitten who has never been out it can work well.

My two have never been outside from being babies and have never expressed any interest in doing so. They're both happy, relaxed cats

evilharpyinapeartree · 01/01/2020 11:38

Our boy is an indoor cat by choice. He and his sister were indoor cars for the first 5 years as we lived in a flat. Then we moved to a house with a garden and she loved going outside and made friends with neighbouring cats and dogs, but he just wasn’t bothered. He occasionally goes into the back garden for a quick mooch but then straight back in again, and only if we happen to be outside too. He does however like lying on my daughter’s mid sleeper and watching the world outside.

Poor lad was born with no adventuring spirit I guess. He’s the happiest cat ever though.

I think as long as they’re happy to be inside there’s no issue with it.

RandomMess · 01/01/2020 11:43

Providing you take on a rescue being an indoor cat is preferable to life in rescue or being PTS 🤷🏽‍♀️