Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Advice for indoor cat please

8 replies

5inthebed · 28/05/2010 15:15

I have a 6 month old kitten, and she is lovely and affectionate, we have had her ince she was 7 weeks old. Our intention is to keep her as an indoors cat, as we live in a flat (ground floor) so she would have no way of getting back in easily if she went outside and nowhere safe for her to sit when we are not there (like her own garden)

For the past couple of months she has become more aware of the outside, sits by the window a lot. Last time I opened the windows wide she jumped out a few times. First time she was stunned and jumped back in, after that she jumped out and explored a bit before I got her back in, she was very compliant an didn't run away from me. Since then she has been trying to get outside at every oppertunity, I'm having to keep windows closed or open slightly. When they are opend slightly she tries to squeeze out of them. She knows our bedroom window is open, so now at night she sits by our bedroom door crying to get in, and if we let her in she is straight at the window.

I feel so cruel keeping her indoors. Is it cruel keeping a cat inside? I'm seriously thinking of rehoming her to a house where she can get outside and do cat things. It's makin me feel sad thinking of doing it, but I don't want to keep her indoors if she isn't going to settle.

Any advice welcome, will she settle or am I just being delusional.

OP posts:
5inthebed · 28/05/2010 19:26

bump

OP posts:
5inthebed · 29/05/2010 07:43

Anyone?

OP posts:
TheJollyPirate · 29/05/2010 07:49

Hello 5inthebed - I'm up even if nobody else is on MN .

Sre you near a busy road at all? if not then I'd be inclined to let her have a wander about and check things out for herself. I have an indoor cat at the moment as we are in a flat - she was previously very much an outdoors girl. However, we do have a secure balcony which has wire mesh fitted over it due to a pigeon problem here. Fortunately my cat appears quite happy with this.

If she is to be an indoors cat then just make sure you have plenty of bits to entertain her - even stupid things like boxes and paper bags she can climb into are good. Cat activity centres are good too as it allows the cat to get up to a higher position which they enjoy. Leave her food dotted about in various places - even cat biscuits hidden away so she has to hunt for them as she would in the wild are good. It's quite possible to have an indoors cat and keep them settled and happy.

TheJollyPirate · 29/05/2010 07:51

Also - you are not being cruel keeping her indoors if you are near a busy road - my thought if I was in that situation would be "I know the dangers and you don't little cat". Having lost one cat on the road it's not something I wish to ever repeat.

BelleDameSansMerci · 29/05/2010 07:52

Hi. Some people will tell you that it is cruel to keep a cat indoors but thousands of people do it. I have two indoor cats and, like yours, they are often keen to get outside. I do have a garden so I let them out while I'm there with them.

Is it possible for you to construct some kind of wire thing to pop into the open window so the cat can sit on the sill and sniff outside, etc? Mine like to do this. Of course, it depends on the type of windows you have. Otherwise, to be honest, you'll never be able to open your windows without the cat going out.

I don't think you need to re-home but you may need to think about how you can secure the windows while they're open. Good luck.

5inthebed · 29/05/2010 07:54

Morning Thought I miht be the only saddo person up.

We don't live near a busy road, and I would like to let her out, but she has no way of getting back in except jumping up at the window and if we are out there is nowhere she can stay until we get back.

We have a mahoosive cat tree for her, it has 5 tiers, and she does get some enjoyment out of that. She is currently diving around the living room chasing my 18 month old around . Might try the food idea, although said 18 month old might find it and eat it himself

OP posts:
BelleDameSansMerci · 29/05/2010 08:26

My DD (now 2.9) used to eat the cat biscuits. She has lovely glossy hair...

Once the cat is older, and you know that she will come if you call her, you could let her out while you're at home? Or, if you have a neighbour you trust, give them a key so they can let the cat in while you're out (I do think for one of my neighbours). You can get catflaps that can be fitted into windows too but I guess that depends if you own the flat or are renting. I also saw something called a "Cat Cabin" at Pets At Home yesterday which is for when cats are outdoors but, again, that depends on you having somewhere to put it.

5inthebed · 29/05/2010 08:53

at your DD having glossy hair

We rent, so no on the window flap. Will look into the cat cabin and maybe gettin a fitting for the window so she can still sith there and look out with it open. Would be nice to be able to open the windows in the summer

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page