Thoughts on indoor cat

[Pradz]

So we are interested in getting a cat as we are huge animal lovers and we have a 4 year old who also loves cats & dogs a lot. Unfortunately due to the size of our apartment and also our tenant agreement we can't own a dog :( and really want a fluffy family member.

However, we live in a purpose built flat on the 1st floor and we have access to a roof but through the kitchen window where the sink is and also a small window through my bedroom.

Would it be selfish if we got an indoor cat only from a kitten ??

I am scared to let it out as we live on a high street and next to a river.. although the back of the house is private parking and flat and houses, I am scared it might get run over and find it difficult to get back to the flat..

What are some thoughts??

I have 2 indoor Ragdoll cats. They were bred purposefully as a house cat, therefore their nature makes them ideal indoor cats. They are very trusting, laidback and dopey, which makes them very vulnerable to roads and other dangers outside, but makes them fantastic pets! I adore them. Maybe this is a breed you could consider? I'm not sure about keeping any cat/breed indoors, as some have that hunting and roaming instinct.

Some cats need to be kept indoors - for example cats with FIV. I have a friend who doesn’t have access to a garden and she adopted two blind kittens who are adorable. Would you be open to a cat who had some health issues like that? You’d have to be militant about not letting them out onto the roof though.

Alternatively I would give up on a kitten and rehome an indoor cat who is a little older. It’s difficult to tell temperament in a kitten - some of our cats would have been fine with living indoors, others are born roamers and it’d have been cruel to keep them in, but it’s not until they’re older that you can really tell.

I had an FIV cat when I lived in a flat with no garden. He was the love of my life.

I wouldn't do it in the situation you describe but I do have two indoor cats. They are a breed that like to stay close to their humans ( would be carried around all day if I let them ) and don't have any road sense at all.

We have a house that is big enough for them to properly run around in and they chase each other all over the place.

I've trained them to be walked around the garden on a harness and do this everyday. They are now so used to it that I can walk them off the harness and let them explore a little on their own. The male cat has much more of a hunting and roaming instinct and loudly insists on being taken out to do his perimeter check of the garden every morning. I have to watch him more carefully when he is off the harness as he has been known to wander off if I've been distracted.

Litter trays are a pain and I have to keep on top of it to stop it stinking the house out . That's the worse bit and the reason why I won't be getting more cats when these two eventually die.

The cat is probably going to decide for itself. I’ve had cats I could not keep in and they’ll be darting through your legs the second you open the front door, and my current boy who despite having the option for years, decided he has no interest in the outside world whatsoever. All of ours have been adopted from rescues as kittens and you can’t really tell what they’ll be like until they are a bit older. A pure breed like rag doll could be a good option, or an FIV cat.

Either the ones bred to be indoors, although my mum’s neighbour lets hers out and they do like sitting in the garden. Or a rescue house cat?

I've had cats all of my life and they have always been indoor cats.

I’d maybe avoid getting a kitten for the previously mentioned reasons. I have a rescue who needs to be kept in, and apart from the occasional slow supervised walk round the garden he spends all day in our small house. He’s very content. He was an older quieter cat when we got him, which I’d recommend. Already litter trained, doesn’t bring in mice or scratch up the furniture or destroy carpets by peeing on them. Only wants a decent meal, a cuddle and a warm bed.

A kitten will drive you crazy for the first year at least, and unless you buy a breed specifically bred for indoors like a ragdoll you have no idea if it will turn out to be an escape artist who tears up the carpet if you won’t let it out.

I have five indoor cats for some of the reasons you describe. I do have them on harnesses and do put them in a lead for time outside daily.
Totally doable. Mine have known no different as I have had them since birth.
It is higher maintenance in regards to litter trays and being with them outside and playing with them - but you would do that if you had a dog.
It’s a different life for them, and not everyone agrees with it. I’ve had no complaints from vets or rescue places.

I contacted the rescue and told them I was looking for an indoor cat. They worked with me to find a suitable cat, I offered to take a special needs cat or FIV positive cat or an elderly cat, but I've ended up with a ten month old that is pretty anxious and they felt would be better indoors only.

You do need to do more with them than outdoor cats to keep them entertained and enriched.

Same as Aquamarine1029. All my cats have been house cats most from kittens. To keep an indoor cat stimulated you need to devote more time for play etc. The da bird is an excellent toy for a cat over a year old. It's interactive and mimics prey.

I have a Ragdoll too. We did used to let him out and he never went far, but twice we heard cars beeping their horns in our usually very quiet street - we looked out of the window and there he was, sitting right in the middle of the road, completely unconcerned! We stopped letting him out after that and he's not bothered in the slightest.

All my cats have been indoor cats - we currently have three in a terraced house, but we previously had two in an apartment and it was absolutely fine. Just make sure you have plenty of scratch posts and cat trees for them to explore.

We have interactive cat toys too, though TBH it's only the kitten who's interested now. The older two (aged 4 and 5) mostly just sleep, eat and sleep some more

I have 3 indoor cats. All three are very happy. Two we can take out on a lead! The third older cat has hip problems. We have to be careful on what she does.

I mean does he look bothered by being an indoor cat? :)

I have two young cats..

They like a wander around the garden to catch flies but they're really not fussed 🤷🏽‍♀️ one in particular gives me the filthiest looks when I open the door..

They're pretty much house cats - they did like the sun during the summer but any hint of rain or wind and it's a massive no 🤦🏽‍♀️

@Trinacham

I have 2 indoor Ragdoll cats. They were bred purposefully as a house cat, therefore their nature makes them ideal indoor cats. They are very trusting, laidback and dopey, which makes them very vulnerable to roads and other dangers outside, but makes them fantastic pets! I adore them. Maybe this is a breed you could consider? I'm not sure about keeping any cat/breed indoors, as some have that hunting and roaming instinct.

I've got Persians who are exactly the same. And just not bright enough to go outside!

My cat is an indoor cat too. I feel bad sometimes when I see her looking out of the window longingly (she was a stray adopted from streets at 4 months old) but I know this is the only way I can keep her safe.

90% of the time she is very happy.

I made a separate thread but did not realise that there was this one and my question is how much does a cat cost to buy?

I have 3 indoor cats in my flat. All moggies been indoor since birth. Wouldn't trust the dopey buggers outside they would be hit by cars or kill wildlife. They are all super happy we feed them well they have plenty of nice spaces to sleep in and make sure to play lots every day to keep them sharp :) lots of scratch posts around.

4 indoor cats here too, all fine! We have a catio attached to the back door but it’s only small (not the one in the pic though)

Would your landlord allow you to do something like this on the window? Could make it a different shape so you didn’t need to damage the wall or window for a cat flap. It’s great for a bit of fresh air and bird watching

@RiseUpWiseUpEyesUp thats amazing!