Is it fair to have an indoor cat?

[Goingtobeoldearly]

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.

I have an indoor cat. He has FIV so it's for his health and to stop him passing the disease on to other cats. We took him on knowing all this. Could you offer a home to a cat with special needs perhaps?

Leroy gets two walks a day, but that's unusual and most indoor cats are just indoor. Catios are also an option.

My DBs ragdoll isn't safe to go out so has to be an indoor cat. Don't think it's really fair as DB works full time,but the cat seems happy enough. They are lazy animals

In other countries especially the US it's weird to have cats outdoors you can 'de bark' your dog in the US too,doesn't make it right.

I think ideally cats should have some outdoor space.

6 cats here and they all go outside though spend more time in than out. I like to have all the back doors and windows open on a nice day so dont know how I would keep them in. They love climbing trees and playing in the grass. X

My dsis had an indoor Ragdoll , he had literally zero interest in going out as he could easily have gone through an open window . That said her house was full of cat toys / scratching posts / cat beds so he had plenty to do on the odd occasion that he actually moved . There was also someone at home most of the time to pander to his every whim . I think all cat owners should provide litter trays even if they have cats that go out

It’s not cruel at all, what odd thinking. It’s much better for the cats welfare to be an indoor cat.

In my opinion it's cruel and goes against a cats nature. My mum tried it and ending up having to rehome it as it was scratching at the front door day and night, despite being in a big 3 bed house and never having seen outdoors. It was his instinct.

I have a 10 year old who I adopted 2 years ago. I was told she'd always been an indoor cat so she has remained one. She seems perfectly happy. She would have no road sense and I'm also worried she might get stolen as she's so beautiful

It’s not cruel. What is cruel is putting your pet at risk of a traumatic, painful, avoidable and premature death.

It’s appalling how many cats are run over in their prime and it’s just seen as ‘one of those things’. I have picked up the actual pieces of cats off the road and I’d never put my pets at risk of such a brutal death.

I’ve had outdoor cats for years, made the change to indoor only (they all adapted) and now only allow access to the garden in a cat proofed area.

I can understand why people do it but I don't think it's fair on the cats and I feel sorry for them. I'd say if people live somewhere that's so dangerous you can't let a cat out, then don't get a cat.

My cat is an indoor cat.
As long as you exercise your cat daily (with wand toys and the like), it is not cruel at all.
Cats are very harmful for local wildlife and they are not safe outside.
One of the reasons I chose to keep the cat indoors is that we live close to a railway line AND a main road. My village Facebook group is always having posts about cats that are missing or found dead in the road.
It's very sad to see.

I do worry about my cat's enrichment but there are things you can buy and do to make sure they're not bored.
If I ever buy this (or any other) house, I'll get a 'catio' built.

I've got two indoor cats, they don't seem bothered by it. I do have a 'catio' although I don't call it that... it's a big 'run' that is attached to the house and they access it via the window in my downstairs toilet so can come and go as they please. They barely go out in winter though so I assume they are happy with their indoor status. I think it's a good set up and at least they aren't out getting run over or shitting everywhere, which seems to be the standard for the outdoor cats round here.

I have a 10 yr old Bengal that's been indoors all his life, he was a show kitten before that before we bought him at 5 months old as he didn't make the grade. He loves being indoors and on 1 occasion he got out I found him panicking the other side of the window to get back in. He has never attempted to get out since then. As long as cat have lots to amuse them they are fine about it and cats are usually solitary anyway. He's an indoor cat as the one before died a 12 yrs after a teenager set his dog on him killing him( witnessed by neighbours) and I said no more danger for anymore cats we get

Here he is

I think it has to be their choice and always should have the option to go out. My partners childhood cat was an indoor cat by her own choice. So when we got one of our own he was determined she would also be an indoor cat as it's safer etc. We managed a few months until she was spayed and I was pregnant at the time, I knew as soon as the baby got here he would relent and let her out, but it happened way before then as she just constantly kept making a break for it every time we opened the door. They are natural hunters and they live much more enriched lives outdoors especially when they're young. If you want an indoor cat I would recommend going to a shelter and getting an OAP cat who's not much interested in hunting and who is content to snooze the day away x

My cat has been an indoor cat all her life. We live by a busy road.

On the plus side she’s not killing birds as well as being safe inside.

@BlueEyedBengal - gorgeous! Mine are bengals too, one is ten and one is five, they are enough entertainment for each other I think and neither is fussed on going out.

If you look at it another way, it's actually more cruel and irresponsible to let your cat roam free where it can come to all kinds of harm, kill birds, go to the toilet in people's gardens etc. Domestic cats don't need to go outside. Keeping them inside is the responsible thing to do.

My friend has an indoor cat. I know very little about them and am myself allergic but I do know that my friend never intended to have an indoor cat. She tried everything she could - as did her husband - to make him go outside for fresh air, exercise etc but he refused. He just seems to prefer their house. Even now they offer every couple of days but he doesn't like it! (For context - not a rescue cat or anything like that)

My Ebony is a rescue cat, she was found abandoned on a housing estate.
I thought she'd love to go out but she just won't. She looks outside but runs away when I open the door.
I think she's had such bad experiences of the outside in the past that she's had enough of it & just wants to stay in.
So she plays with her toys & runs around the house instead.

So some cats are happy indoors.

I would rather not have a cat at all than have an indoor cat.

Mistermagpie thank you I love Bengals they are the best always up to things, always interesting!

My cats only go out when we're home, and not overnight. They only go out of the back, and stay within our yard or next doors wall.

I have 5 indoor cats. We have loads of things to climb up, jump off, chase, and play with.

I swear they play hide and seek. They also play relay races.

Tried them outdoors and they were petrified.
One did get out but only managed to get as far as the open porch before turning back and running indoors

They seem very happy.

Thanks everyone, I need to have a good think about it