House cat (or a dog ) ?

Jenkibuble · 2025-10-01T16:21:13+00:00

I have always grown up / owned dogs (mine died 5 years ago) I am considering a pet , but unsure whether a cat or dog? (re-home) I WFH 3 days a week - would get a walker for 2 other days if a dog If I got a cat, I think I would prefer it to be a house cat (busy road and I think I would struggle with not knowing if it would always return) Is it cruel ? Do they adapt or would they need to have lived inside previously? I have researched it a bit and mixed opinions, but seem to avise lots of stimulation to recreate the outside eg scratch posts / games etc. TIA

cramptramp · 01/10/2025 17:40

Get a dog if you want an animal. I think it’s cruel to keep cats indoors. They are natural roamers. I think people who get one and keep them in are selfish. Having one near a very busy road isn’t a good idea. A dog would be the best pet for you.

user1471548941 · 01/10/2025 18:10

If you want a house cat, make sure it’s a rescue- the rescue will advise on the tempermant of the cat to ensure they are happy indoors- some really are (one of mine runs away when we so much as crack a window open!). Cats with FIV, deafness/blindness or amputees are looking for indoor only homes. There are also cats in rescues who were kept indoors by previous owners and simply know no different. I’ve also seen cats advertised in rescue as indoor only due to being “completely lovely, but really too dim to be let outside” 😂😂😂.

Whatever you do, don’t get a kitten. You have no idea what it will grow up to be like and cats really do have very set personalities. If you end up with a cat that is determined to go out you either end up with a. A stressed cat who may do things like scratch and wee inappropriately, b. A houdini who can escape and you don’t trust to come back or c. You begrudingly letting the cat out to the dangerous road and constantly worrying. A cat that WANTS to go out, really can’t be trained to happily stay indoors and the only way be be confident on temperment is to get an adult.

cordeliabuffy · 01/10/2025 19:05

I have a cat that doesn’t really like going out. If I’m outside he will sit with me in the garden or supervise a bin trip but that’s about it. He hates being more than a metre from me outside!

NewGoldFox · 01/10/2025 19:07

I have an indoor cat, she’s perfectly happy.
Maybe rescue a cat?

Jenkibubble · 02/10/2025 07:56

user1471548941 · 01/10/2025 18:10

If you want a house cat, make sure it’s a rescue- the rescue will advise on the tempermant of the cat to ensure they are happy indoors- some really are (one of mine runs away when we so much as crack a window open!). Cats with FIV, deafness/blindness or amputees are looking for indoor only homes. There are also cats in rescues who were kept indoors by previous owners and simply know no different. I’ve also seen cats advertised in rescue as indoor only due to being “completely lovely, but really too dim to be let outside” 😂😂😂.

Whatever you do, don’t get a kitten. You have no idea what it will grow up to be like and cats really do have very set personalities. If you end up with a cat that is determined to go out you either end up with a. A stressed cat who may do things like scratch and wee inappropriately, b. A houdini who can escape and you don’t trust to come back or c. You begrudingly letting the cat out to the dangerous road and constantly worrying. A cat that WANTS to go out, really can’t be trained to happily stay indoors and the only way be be confident on temperment is to get an adult.

Too dim to be outside 🤣