Can you make a cat be a house cat?

[Memom]

We are pondering getting a cat BUT I seriously can not handle it killing things/bringing things in - never managed to get over this fear with previous cat. It's not just worry of it happening it's avoiding coming home, avoiding going into rooms until they have been checked, lots of tears etc.

So, a house cat would be our ideal. Can you make a kitten/cat be a house cat? Do they always want to run for freedom the second a door or window is open?

My biggest question is, is it fair? I hate the thought of having a cat and us make it miserable.

We live miles from anywhere so it's safe but there is also lots of wildlife! Previous cat had 5 bells and an electronic cat flap and she still managed to murder!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Get a Persian. Way too stupid to hunt!

[Toddlerteaplease]

My pair are both housecats. They go into my enclosed garden but are t really bothered about it.

[exWifebeginsat40]

I have 2 house cats. the older one is 9 and she's never been outside and has never shown any inclination to. the youngest is 11 months and desperate to get outside and murder things.

we're moving to a semi-rural setting - there's a main road but it's not hugely busy, and I have been given tips on keeping their territory away from the road as much as possible.

I don't think older cat will give the faintest fuck about outside at her age. littlely will be all over it.

[HeadDreamer]

The average lifespan of an outdoor cat is just two years.

The most stupid thing I've heard. Do you mean a cat with no home only? I can't imagine all my neighbours' cats are younger than two.

[HeadDreamer]

And my cats were desperate to go out too. With our old cat, when we had the windows done and her cat flap being replaced, she got so stressed she was weeing on the sofa and beds. Once the cat flap was installed, she's back to being normal. And she's a fairly indoor cat that seldom went outside. She just went out when it's sunny to enjoy the sun in our garden. That's all. She didn't even leave the back door.

[MumblePuppy]

I'd be worried about your rabbit if you got a cat, indoor or not!

[NameChange30]

I agree with the PPs who suggested getting a rescue cat that has to be kept indoors for health reasons.

Failing that you could get an adult cat that has been an indoor cat all its life and is happy that way (but you'd be relying on info from the rescue centre and/or previous owner).

As for hunting, it depends on the cat - some do and some don't.

Our cats love going outside so we let them out in the daytime and keep them in at night (when there's a higher risk of road accidents). Cats hunt mostly at night so keeping them in limits that too. One of our cats is a hunter but he doesn't catch a lot and he doesn't bring it in either - he seems to have learned that it's not allowed. We take his prey away, and it prefers to keep it to himself so he can play with it

[FuzzyWizard]

I personally think that cats are safer indoors with secure or supervised outdoor access. Our cat is a recent addition and currently exploring the garden on a harness. We are probably going to build a catio or run to give her safe outdoor access. I understand why other people let their cats outdoors but the more I think about it the more I realise that like a PP, I just don't feel right about cats free-roaming. I live in a built up area where cat killing has been documented, there are also risks from other animals, cats, disease, parasites, deliberate or accidental poisoning, getting locked in somewhere, lost or stolen, being fed inappropriate things by well meaning neighbours etc. i find it strange that people are so judgemental about people choosing to keep their pets in. I think it's a perfectly valid choice and in no way cruel so long as that person meets the cats needs indoors (indoor cats definitely do need extra stimulation and play). I wouldn't feel like I was keeping my cat safe if she free roamed. As she has been an indoor/outdoor cat in the past though I don't want to keep her completely indoors. If I'd had her from a kitten I wouldn't hesitate to keep her in though. My mum's cats have always been indoors and they won't go out even if doors and windows are open. In the summer she opens the back door and they just sit next to it sniffing the air.

[FuzzyWizard]

Should be cars not cats. Apparently I write about my cat so much that autocorrect thinks that's what I must mean.

[FannyFifer]

My cat is a house cat, he occasionally accompanies me out to the garden but he's a big scaredy & stays at my feet, he's also quite stupid & clumsy so is a lot safer being indoors.

I groom him a few times a week, using a furminator brush & we don't have issues with hair in the house.

He eats food for indoor cats as they can be prone to putting on weight.

[Rachcakes]

Could you take it in the garden on a harness? Or is that a daft idea?
My kitten is only 10 weeks and hasn't had all his jabs yet, so he's not been out yet. And I think he's far too small yet. A lot of people keep his breed (BSH) as indoor cats but I don't know if he'll be happy with that.
Up to now he's shown no interest in outside. He's only just started venturing upstairs.

[Memom]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and opinions. We are thinking that a house cat just doesn't seem fair (for now anyway).

[NameChange30]

Rach We followed our vet's advice and kept the cats inside until they were 6 months old. They were neutered at 5 months and you certainly shouldn't let them out before they're neutered (although you could put them in a harness and let them into the garden supervised).