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Original poster

Indoor cat- doable?

27 replies

Miljea · 23/01/2021 18:51

I have never had an indoor cat; in fact, all the cats I grew up with were house cats with free access outdoors (fairly rural).

My DH is Aussie and quite environmentally aware; he sees cats in Australia as being hugely destructive to native wildlife etc, which he is 100% correct about.

He's a big fan of feeding the wild birds that come to the garden; he never lets their feed run down and can name many species. And visiting cats get the hose!

However, my DSs are desperate for a cat. But DH would never countenance a free-range one.

We live in a 4 BR 'estate' house, so lots of room, and we have a conservatory.

I have never considered an 'indoor' cat before; so things I want to ask:

Is it cruel?

While I know you have to keep on top of the litter, is it an overwhelming task?

Does the cat constantly try to escape?

Any constructive thoughts welcome.

OP posts:

Hawkmoth · 23/01/2021 18:56

I have indoor cats, for the same reasons, plus the risk of harm coming to them. Cats v happy, don't try to escape, do enjoy killing flies and watching birds out the window.

Wolfiefan · 23/01/2021 18:56

I wouldn’t get a kitten with the intention of keeping it in.
An adult rescue may be appropriate. Some can’t go out for health reasons or because they never have in the past.
How old are the kids? Any chance a cat could escape and go missing?
Cat proof some of garden?

swampytiggaa · 23/01/2021 18:57

I have 3 indoor cats. Sisters. They seem perfectly happy they are super sociable and loving to each other and to us.

I use wood pellet litter. I clean poo out as soon as I spot it and fully change the litter every other day. All three share the same tray so it wouldn’t need changing as often for a single cat.

Mine sometimes try to go outside but then they hear a car or a dog or realise it’s cold/hot/raining and come straight back in.

They are coming up for 2 and are the loveliest things ever 💕

swampytiggaa · 23/01/2021 18:58

Gomez Morticia and Wednesday 💕

reefedsail · 23/01/2021 19:01

My cat has self-elected to be a house-cat. She is welcome to go out, and likes to, but only if a human will go out with her.

Litter tray has poop removed every day and a full change once a week, and that's really all the input she needs.

Silkiechickscat · 23/01/2021 19:05

You can get rescue cats from places like Cats Protection that are indoor only.

We have a cat who is 99.9% indoors but that is her choice, she's never wanted to go outside, prefers radiators, being cuddled and is anxious in a garden but you can't really tell with a kitten what they will want. Most cats do want to go outside at least a bit. One we had growing up was 95% inside, some are 95% outside.

Think there maybe some breeds which are indoor like Maine Coon.

Silkiechickscat · 23/01/2021 19:07

My DH does the litter and its once a day to clear it and change it once a week or so with single cat.

Henio · 23/01/2021 19:09

I have 3 indoor cats who do enjoy the fresh air so I bought them a 'catio' basically like an outdoor pen attached to the house so the can go outside without getting hurt or catching wildlife, I keep their litter trays out there too and it has shelves for them to climb and sit on... its a great alternative

Henio · 23/01/2021 19:11

This isn't mine but pretty much identical

Youvegotafriendinme · 23/01/2021 19:16

I have 2 cats that I got from a rescue centre a year apart but both were 6 months old when I got them. They spent 6 years as house cats. Never tried to escape and happily sat on the balcony or at the window. Since moving to a house, one of them goes out to the garden to do her business then comes in doors but apart from that is a house cat in every other sense. The other one will be gone for days.
I’ve had to keep them both locked in recently due to one of them being very ill and they’ve been really good with not being able to go out. The litter trays are a slight annoyance but could be down to me being 9 months pregnant. I clean them out fully every other day but then thinking back I did that with them when we were living in the flat. You just don’t want them to be dirty or they won’t use them and having one each is best.
I don’t think it’s uncommon to find a rescue cat that is used to being a house cat so that could be an option.

helpfulperson · 23/01/2021 19:16

Have a look on YouTube for catios. They are a good alternative if you have space.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 23/01/2021 19:21

We have two indoor Savannahs - too stupid to be trusted on the fast road outside our house, plus as your DH i like wild birds, voles, mice etc to go unmolested. Brothers - both perfectly happy. I too had always had normal outdoor cats and thought it might be cruel, but they know no different and are very healthy and show no signs of unhappiness.

We do sometimes take them outside with us in the summer to the back garden - they stay out for about an hour then go “this is too hot/ cold/ windy/ not exactly the right shade of green” and strop off back inside for a nap

Pictured - struggling to cope with their deprivations.

Original poster

Miljea · 23/01/2021 19:29

I'd be looking for an adult cat, definitely.

The 'kids' are 19 and 21 . They're both very keen for a cat.

DH doesn't have an issue with the concept (tho he pretends to...). 2 years ago, due to circumstances, we had my DB's 3 cats living with us; 3 or 5 months without DB, 3 with. DH did a fair bit of eyerolling (tho I think more at my DB than the cats!) but he was 'okay' with it.

I guess what I really 'fear' is trapping a cat indoors whne it wants to be outdoors.

My DB (60) has a way longer history with cats; and I recall my anxiety on a couple of occasions when he'd bring his kitten around to our mum's for Sunday lunch, then plonk said kitten on the lawn, as he sat on the lawn with it, and allow it to explore, 100% safe in the knowledge it would return to him when called. Which it would.

If I knew I could get a puss that wasn't that interested in outdoors, that would be happy with being indoors, I'd go for it; but I fear it feeling imprisoned, and me terrified it'd escape and have no way of fending for itself.

OP posts:

Original poster

Miljea · 23/01/2021 19:31

Sorry, by 3 or 5 months, I meant '3-4 months'.

Two house cats, indoor/outdoor, tho in all night; one very old puss who was 'allowed' out into the garden while supervised, no interest in escaping; needed bringing in if the weather turned.

OP posts:

ValpolicellaPrimitivo · 23/01/2021 19:37

We had an indoor cat but she came to us as a 10 year old rescue who had been abused so was very nervous knew she didn't want to go out. We lived in a one bed and she was fine, could leave windows open etc.

We have a cat now who is 3 and loves going out, we live in a bigger house now but would very much struggle to keep him in practically due to more doors and windows being open especially now we have DS who's in and out of the garden a lot.

atomt · 23/01/2021 19:44

The biggest challenge if you live in a house will be not being able to keep the back door open even on the hottest summer days as of course any cat is likely wander out of an open door.

We have a catio and it's the best of both worlds in that the cats get to go out but are completely safe. The back door opens into the catio.

I'm 100% in favour of indoor and secure outdoor space only cats. This is the norm in most other countries anyway.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 23/01/2021 19:58

I have three indoor cats, not once have any cried to go out. They are given the option of going outside when i am in walled garden, but they come in with me straight away. I have a 19yo and-a 7 yo bengal and a Sphynx 3yo. You could always build a catio if you are worried about them.

Runnerduck34 · 23/01/2021 20:46

Never heard of a catio before!
Tbh I think cats like to go outside, mine spend most of their time indoors especially in winter but do enjoy going outside in summer, so I think unless there are good reasons ( health etc) to keep a cat indoors then it is a bit cruel as it goes against their natural preference. However if they are used to it from birth and dont know different they might still be content. However I suspect they would try and escape through an open window or door.
Birds are usually too smart to be caught by cats, as they fly they have an advantage! The only real risk is when there are fledglings about in spring.
I have 2 cats and lots if bird feeders its not been a problem the onky.time i keep an eye on them.is spring. But if you listen the birds will vocally tell you when a cat is about stalking so you can take action! Voles , mice and baby rabbits are more likely kills but they can also be caught by foxes, owls and other preditors.

Viviennemary · 23/01/2021 20:48

It's horribly cruel to keep a cat permanently indoors. Please don't.

DragonPoop · 23/01/2021 20:56

I think it’s really cruel sorry OP

TeamNegan · 23/01/2021 20:56

I have 4 indoor cats, and a catio. Had them all since kittens and they are perfectly happy and never tried to get out. Also have a cat wheel which they love!

My first cat was a rescue, my heart cat. Already an outdoor car and thought nothing of it, until he was killed by a car at 3.5. I’d never have outdoor cats again now (I’m not against it at all it’s just not for me). It’s not cruel at all when proper enrichment is involved

Rolypolybabies · 23/01/2021 21:03

We have 2 sphynx cats that live in as they are either cold in the winter or sun burnt in the summer. They are lead trained, one took to it more than the other and will go for a walk round the block. They need more stimulation and attention than a cat that goes out, but with kids that are interested in them and a decent size house They thrive. We got both as adults, not sure I would buy a pedigree kitten as I disagree with the breeding etc, but maybe consider a specific indoor breed. Always lots of rehomes as they need attention and affection that people don't realise.

bluebluezoo · 23/01/2021 21:09

Why don’t you look for a Fiv+, elderly, blind, or other adult cat with a disability that means it can’t go outside?

I adopted a rescue who is terrified of “outside”. Sometimes in the summer she’ll come for a garden wander if we accompany her but she bolts straight back in at the slightest noise. If we shut the door she gets very anxious.

That’s what being used as a kitten machine does to the mother cat, people. Please rehome.

Don’t whatever you do, get a bengal. They are advertised as “indoor” but they are noisy, demanding buggers who need a huge territory to roam. You do not want to end up with a bengal who wants to go out but isn’t allowed to.

MsSquiz · 23/01/2021 21:32

I have 2 cats (sisters) and we've had them since kittens and they're 7 this summer. They've always been indoor cats, but do go out into the garden on the rare occasion wearing a harness. Because they've known no different, they never try to run out of the front or back door (but obviously we don't leave them open) weirdly though, as soon as they have their harnesses on, they walk straight out of the door into the back garden.

Ours have their own bedroom (always have) where their cat trees, scratch mats & toys, water fountain and food bowls are. They go to bed every night when we do, and are "put to bed" and then let out in the morning. They have the run of the house except for baby's room, all day. 1 can usually be found sunbathing in the front bedroom in any tiny patch of sunlight or snoozing in her bed and the other is often asleep in the snug enjoying the peace or on the back of the sofa, supervising the baby in the lounge

user1493413286 · 23/01/2021 21:36

We have indoor cats (long story as to why) and something DH and I still disagree on. I love our cats but i would never have indoor cats again; I feel it’s unfair on them and a fair bit of effort goes into keeping them indoors and in the summer it’s something we have to think about carefully. The cat litter isn’t too bad; we have it in the utility room and I guess we’re used to just changing it regularly and spending money on the decent stuff.

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