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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.

Original poster

DH wants a cat, what do I need to know?

26 replies

VirtualPointyHat · 14/10/2014 12:51

DH has always had cats, until he went to uni.

We now have our own house so it seems like a good time.

However we live on a main road, so not sure if we could have an outdoor cat, or if we should stick to an indoor one. Is the consensus that it is ok to keep a cat indoors?

We would definitely get a cat from a rescue as I don't agree with getting any animal from a breeders when there are so many that need new homes, so probably wouldn't be a kitten.

TIA

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 14/10/2014 15:14

I've had both, Virtual, with my current old boy an indoor cat because he's been that all of his life. (He was 14 and a housecat when he came to live with me and wouldn't have coped with the outdoor environment round a house even if he'd wanted to go outside, which he didn't.)

I work from home though and he's got someone around to slave for him most of the time and a biggish old house to play in. And he's now most elderly.

What sort of routine do you have and have you got DCs or a dog, say? A rescue would almost certainly give you a home check and would advise you on a cat that might be suitable for you. Would you, for example, be happy with a cat that might have special needs - eg a tripod or a cat who was elderly, blind or deaf? (I think they sometimes have much trouble in finding a good home for those cats even though their special needs are usually no problem at all to cater for.)

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2014 15:29

You could get an adult house cat from a rescue, or a pair for company.

Original poster
VirtualPointyHat · 14/10/2014 15:42

Thanks both,

We don't have any DC.

We have two rabbits, but they live in a converted outbuilding which is not accessible to cats (the neighbours cats have certainly tried!)

I work from home 3 days a week, but two days a week the house is empty from 8 -6, so I think a kitten would definitely be out.

I can't think of any issues with having a cat with special needs apart from perhaps continence issues which we wouldn't be up to dealing with. (I'm sure if they developed in a cat we already had that would be a different matter)

Do cats need to be in a pair?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 14/10/2014 15:46

They don't need to be in a pair in my experience but some are happier if they have a companion.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2014 15:47

No they don't need to be in pairs, but you might find a pair who can't be separated.

Plus you tend to want more cats after you've had one, its easier if you just get a pair to start with.

mineymo · 14/10/2014 15:55

You could get a cat with FIV from a home, they aren't allowed outside. But do consider whether an indoor-only cat is really what you want - they are buggers for spotting an open window or gap between ankles when opening the door to the postie. If you use your garden for socialising, will you be able to keep the cat in a separate part of the house so guests don't accidentally let it out? We let ours out the back only - is that an option?

Also, we have a 3-legger. She tends to stick to our garden but she can, and will, go off exploring when the mood takes her. She's tenacious!

cozietoesie · 14/10/2014 15:55

I'm stuck with Seniorboy as a singleton at the moment - he loathes and detests other cats.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 14/10/2014 16:01

Hahahahaha. All you need to know is your place.
Signed,
Mymum, trained and doting staff to 3 cats.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 16:10

Female cats are less likely to want to wander far outside - my two were indoor cats but are happy now to go for a sunbathe shred my plants in the back yard. Agree with other pp to get a cat rather than a kitten (they're bloody cute and crazy in equal measure!) if you're at work during the day some days. Also have a think where you're going to put litter box - ours is huuge (ours are fussy )

Also agree with mymumma you'll need to re-address the pecking order:

  1. cat
  2. staff
Grin
Original poster
VirtualPointyHat · 14/10/2014 16:16

Haha mymum, we are already firmly subservient to the rabbits, adding another animal to lord it over us is inevitable :D

Interesting point about house cats trying to escape. At the moment the tumble drier is vented through an open window. On the other hand it may be an excellent opportunity to train DH to shut the bloody door!

Can't keep them in the garden as it is not even a little bit cat proof (150ft long and fences don't reach the ground). I would be happy for cat to go out, the only issue would be the road.

Litter box we were actually thinking the bathoom, plenty of space and lino on the floor. Is that weird?

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 16:37

Re: litter box/bathroom nope - everyone else poops in there I'd say it's ideal!

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 14/10/2014 16:51

Thatwouldbeanecenical (love the name) I have to point out your mistake;
Cat
Food
Your bed
Other cats
Anything the cats like to play with or scratch
Most other things
Staff

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 14/10/2014 16:51

I can spell ecumenical, not sure what happened there.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 17:14

Ha ha I stand corrected Grin

How did I forget the furniture out ranks me Wink Grin

(and Thanks as you can clearly see I'm abit of a Ted fan Smile )

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 14/10/2014 17:22

One of my fave episodes, but they're all fantastic.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 17:28

I wish I had a non-ecumenical catch all phrase I could use day-to-day sigh Grin

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 14/10/2014 17:28

I do, but it's slightly blunterGrinGrin

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 18:04
Grin
hiddenhome · 14/10/2014 18:15

Cats are like chocolates.....you can never have just one Smile

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 18:54

hiddenhome

Cats are like chocolates.....you can never have just one Smile

True...I always get the nutty one Grin

hiddenhome · 14/10/2014 19:02

Lol Grin

Original poster
VirtualPointyHat · 14/10/2014 20:16

right thanks ladies

I'm off to call the rescue and organise a home visit.

When I have a house full of nutty cats I will come back here and blame you lot! Grin

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/10/2014 20:28

You can't say we didn't warn you! Wink

Good luck, let us know how it goes (hint: we love a good old cat photo thread) Thanks

MagratsHair · 15/10/2014 10:13

Yay VPS, my rescue cat is arriving today! :) I'm having a Ragdoll which is an indoor cat only as they have no common sense at all.

If the home visit flags up the main road then the decision may be out of your hands as the rescue people may say you can only have an indoor cat. I totally agree with you about rescue cats & I think you are correct, an added bonus of a rescue for me is that the shelter will know the cat's personality & can advise whether a cat is likely to be happy with children/dogs etc

I've been researching the inside/outside cat debate & it basically boils down to:

  • keeping cats indoors is cruel as you are depriving them of their natural environment
  • letting cats outside is cruel as they will kill wildlife & are more likely to die (car accident) or get injuries/death through fighting (feline HIV & fleas/parasites)

The middle ground apparently is to have an outside cat but keep them in at night.

hiddenhome · 15/10/2014 15:13

You can confine them to the garden by attaching things to the top of a fence or wall. There's a minimum height needed which I think is 5 foot.

Google protectapuss cat fencing. This is what we're getting to stop mine from going off.