Should I get a cat?

[catintheflat]

I have toyed with this idea for a few years, and have recently moved home. Still living in a flat, but a much bigger one, at least. Thinking I could take off one of my large hall cupboard doors and use that for cat bed and litter tray.

As it is a flat we live in, the cat would really need to be an indoor car.

I really love the look of British Shorthairs. Are they okay to be house cats?

If want to get it as a kitten, so what things would i need to consider for training/settling in (if there is such a thing as training a cat )

Had cats before, but only as a child!

If you want an indoor cat, would you consider a rescue FIV positive cat, both cheaper and more ethical than a pedigree, plus an adult cat also comes with the advantage of not having to worry about toilet training and so on...

Otherwise I know people with shorthairs and they say they are fine with being housecats although they do take them out on harnesses/leads which they also seem to enjoy (personally I can't help feeling they'd be happier as outdoor cats but I have no hard and fast evidence it's true). There's def no such thing as 'training' a cat really, litter training comes quite naturally to most cats, you just have to show them the tray/remind them of its presence, although in the first few days/weeks you might need to confine them to a smaller space so they don't 'lose' where the litter tray is/not be able to find it in time, not sure how well that would work with your cupboard idea - also I wouldn't be certain they'll use a bed in a cupboard particularly if it's right next to its litter tray, most cats sleep wherever they want anyway regardless of how many and how nice beds you provide . Have you got room for a cat tree and scratching post, if s/he's to be an indoor cat they'll need plenty of stimulation or you might find your furniture suffers! Kittens are often quite shy the first few days and will want to hide, but once they settle they're mad and love to play with any toys, laser pointers and so on. Good luck!

Thank you @maxelly

Perhaps selfishly, I would really prefer a kitten. And DS, although he is 17 now, has fallen in love with the look of the short hairs (although specifically blue Russian for him)

I do now have space for cat tree/scratching post.

Re the litter tray... I guess I could make room In the kitchen. Always feels a bit unhygienic, but is it?

There is something about never letting a cat outside that doesn't sit well with me, as the two I had when i was small were allowed out. Having said that, I hated that, and barely slept until I heard the second one come home (he was indoor until we moved house)

I hate the idea of indoor cats, I know lots of people will jump on this thread and say it’s much safer for them but think it totally goes against a cats nature. Unless there’s a medical reason for it I think it’s cruel.