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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Getting 2 kittens - is it cruel to keep them as house cats?

54 replies

tootiredtothink · 11/06/2013 14:58

Our old cats died on main road close to our house. 6 years later and I'm finally coming around to getting another after years of nagging from children (and seeing 2 gorgeous little brothers).

Would it be cruel to keep them indoors forever?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 15:04

I'd say not - as long as they never have been and never will go out, they have plenty of company/stimulation/activities they enjoy and as long as they have plenty of room.

What sort of household are you?

Original poster

tootiredtothink · 11/06/2013 15:39

Dh not interested at all. Dd (14) adores cats and know she won't lose interest. Ds is 8 and can't remember our old cats so not sure how he'll be....he had allergic reaction when he used to pick them up and stick his face in their fur. Was fine living with them though. Am I mad just for that?

They'd have run of hall, living room and w/c at night, all house bar kitchen during the day.

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 11/06/2013 15:41

I agree with cozie. They should be happy enough and certainly safer than cats that go outside.

On a separate note: I do hope you're not buying them. Are they from a shelter?

MissMarplesBloomers · 11/06/2013 15:41

Personally I think it's cruel to kep them in, especially in a nice day like today however I totally understand your fears near a main road.

Could you compromise & have a big outside run that you could put branches & other obstacles & toys in so they can vary their playtimes on nicer days?

Catbert4pm · 11/06/2013 15:48

Cruel to keep them in. I know you feel fiercely protective, but they are animals and need to do their animal thang!

Curlew · 11/06/2013 15:49

Yes. Cats need their freedom.

thecatneuterer · 11/06/2013 15:53

The best option really would be older cats/indoor cats from a shelter

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/06/2013 18:43

We bought our chinchilla Persians up as indoor cats, on the advice of the breeder but it didn't work out and in the end they won.

You could get an older cat that wants to be a house cat.

It's a very emotive subject though, some cats long to be outside and others aren't really bothered. Our cat wasn't really interested until 6 months of age.

loveliesbleeding1 · 11/06/2013 19:42

No you are not being cruel, we lost our gorgeous boy on a quiet road at the front of the house and our new boy 8 months is not allowed out without one of us with him, and he normally cant wait to get back indoors!

cozietoesie · 11/06/2013 19:45

I'm not sure that's an ideal situation for two young kittens then, OP. Especially if most of the house is out during the day. Not impossible, though.

Have you thought about getting an older cat? Many rescues, who are choc a bloc with cats at the moment, have plenty of grown cats who want/need to live inside for various reasons.

DontCallMeBaby · 11/06/2013 20:01

In your shoes, I'd go either for cats that were already housecats, and happy to remain so, or cats that had to remain inside for really good reasons (like having a disease, or being thick as mince), rather than cute but unknown kittens. We went for the cute kittens, intending them to be housecats, and it was impossible in the end. One of them probably would have worked out as a housecat, but the other tried to escape constantly. We had to use the porch as an airlock when we came in and out of the house, and eventually installed a catflap and started letting them out when we realised we'd bake in the summer with the back door closed. If we'd persisted, I think he would have started to dig a tunnel.

SizzleSazz · 11/06/2013 20:03

I am amazed that anyone can manage to keep cats inside - in the summer our doors and windows are all flung open all day. I couldn't cope with having to ensure my house was hermetically sealed 24/7

RedwingWinter · 11/06/2013 20:28

It's fine to keep cats indoors, but you have to put extra effort into keeping them happy and occupied, so they don't get bored. It's best if there is more than one cat, so that they have company from each other; I think one cat on its own would get too bored. You have to put a lot of time into games with them, more than you would with a cat that goes outside. Also you will have to keep a closer eye on their weight, as its easy for a bored indoor cat to eat too much and not get enough exercise. If you are home a lot, that helps, and also if you can give them access to most of the house, and put in things like high up shelves that they can jump to, to make the interior more interesting for them.

You also have to remember that the other thing about indoor cats is that you are totally reliant on cat litter, so you have to be willing to scoop/clean a lot, whereas most cats will choose to go to the toilet outdoors at least some of the time.

If you go to a rescue, they will probably have pairs of cats that are used to being indoors anyway, and that would be your best bet.

Original poster

tootiredtothink · 11/06/2013 20:51

Have to admit, hadn't thought of getting an older cat as was hooked by cute kittens [shallow].

Thank you all for your advice. Think I'd best stop and have a good think about what to do.

OP posts:

VeganCow · 11/06/2013 20:55

I have had several cats, and yes, its cruel to keep them in.
Go to a rescue and get 2 older say age 5 or more. Less likely to roam.

deliasmithy · 11/06/2013 20:57

OP - its not cruel.

Goodness knows why people think it is. We dont let other pets out unsupervised. They don't understand roads, cars, and nasty people who decide to harm them. Generally your cat will have at least half the life expectancy if its outdoor as opposed indoor cat.

My cats and kitten are indoor. They have an outside area connected to the house via a cat flap so they come and go to a safe outside area as they please. They never attempt to escape. You do need to provide enough entertainment and more things to scratch but its doable if you have the room.
Mine love a thick door mat, cardboard boxes etc to scratch and play with. Tunnels are a big hit.

This morning I was late getting up as I was pinioned down under the duvet by 3 felines who felt my time was better served as a lap and giver of head rubs. I love it.

thecatneuterer · 11/06/2013 21:22

Yes, the point someone else raised about actually managing to keep them indoors is worth thinking about. Cats can get out through the highest of windows and the smallest of gaps, and if you have young children leaving doors open and such it may not be do-able.

Older cats that aren't that bothered about going out are a much better bet. And where are these kittens you've seen? I take it they're not from a shelter? If you care about cat welfare in general at all then you should never, never buy kittens.

shallweshop · 11/06/2013 21:31

It is not cruel to keep a cat indoors. I think that is a very outdated view from way back when our roads were a lot quieter. We have a Bengal and he does not go out not just because of the road but also because he is very nickable and there have been a few instances of stolen Bengals in the area. If you buy two kittens together, they will have each other for entertainment and most houses have plenty of places to explore and keep a small animal stimulated. It will probably save you on vets bills as they will not get into fights and also be kinder to the birds! Research shows that indoor cats generally live longer than those allowed to roam.

shallweshop · 11/06/2013 21:34

thecatneuterer - if you care about cat welfare you should never buy kittens - what would happen to the kittens then if no one bought them?

thecatneuterer · 11/06/2013 21:39

Shallwe: Buying them encourages people to keep on letting their cats have kittens. If they can't sell them then they will be more inclined to get them neutered. Any they can't sell will probably end up at a shelter anyway - and most shelters would refuse to take them unless they could neuter the mother too.

Thousands and thousands of cats are put down in the UK every year simply because there are not enough homes to go round. In simple terms, every kitten born condemns another cat in a rescue to death, or prevents another cat in desperate need being taken into a rescue as there is no more space.

Everyone who care about cat welfare needs to do everything they can to discourage people from allowing their cats to reproduce.

shallweshop · 11/06/2013 21:44

Ok, understand the argument, it makes sense and I agree about neutering moggies. My first cat was a rescue but she was quite vicious and I really wanted a cat my kids could stroke which is why we went down the pedigree route (no guarantees but perhaps a better shot?!).

blackbirdatglanmore · 11/06/2013 21:46

I have a fat old ginger boy who came from a rescue centre. I'd honestly recommend older cats OP, my boy is lovely and is the most no-trouble cat you could hope for, you can do anything with him!

He does enjoy sprawling out in the garden when the sun is out though, although he never goes far (he was in the rescue centre for eighteen months which is why I think.)

I also have two younger cats who are more outdoors-y; I have a woody shrubbery area in my garden where they chase each other and climb on branches and stalk insects. They are lovely cats and very beautiful - long haired tuxedos with green eyes - but not as loving as my ginger man!

Burmillababe · 11/06/2013 21:59

I have always had indoor cats - I live on a main road. Two of mine came to me as kittens and the other is a lot older. I had no problem with keeping them in, and I know of many breeders who will only let kittens go to indoor homes. Mine live the life of Reilly while being safer.

misseskimo · 11/06/2013 22:21

My girls have always been indoor cats, their Birman's and their breeders have always made a point of saying their not to be outdoor pets... I don't think it's cruel as long as they've been brought up inside and have both plenty of room, and plenty of activities to keep them occupied indoors; also if you are able to let them look outside, they usually like this as they can spy from the safety of their little spot...

You can also buy guards for windows which are completely pet friendly - their like nets which allow the pets to get fresh air, but not fall/jump out of windows, can't remember what their called at this moment though!

My recently passed older girl had the opportunity to go outside in two of our old houses, but she never would, she'd only go out if you did, and only then to the flower-beds where she could still see you, then she'd run back in if you left her out there!

When we move I'm hoping to do what has been suggested above already and build an outdoor enclosure for if they want to venture out into the sunshine in the summer (obviously if we have the room that is!). I've seen some amazing ones online that people have bought, and it keeps them nice and safe from traffic and "cat-burglars"! :)

Original poster

tootiredtothink · 11/06/2013 22:23

They are rescue kittens, as were my old cats. I wanted to go for kittens so they woukd be used to my dc. My first cat wouldn't let the dcs go near him when they came - was my baby only! Can certainly tell the difference when cats are brought up around children.

OP posts:

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