Indoor cat

[VittysCardigan]

I am considering getting a cat after being without one for a couple of years. My circumstances have changed since I last had a cat so I have some questions. I live in a first floor flat (a converted Victorian property) there is nowhere for a cat flap & the only window that would be suitable for a cat to use is one I would not be willing to leave open for fear of someone breaking in (easily accessed via a neighbours external staircase). There is also an issue with a dog in the next door garden which I feel is a real risk to other animals.
So the issue is that if I were to get a cat it would have to stay indoors. Is this fair? And would I be better getting a kitten that wouldn't be used to going out anyway or an older cat that may have been outdoors?
Thanks in advance.

If you ask around local rescues they'll have an indoor by choice cats.

I think it's better if it's the cats choice.

My cats are all indoor cats, always have been and are happy. As long as they have plenty of toys/attention/big cat tree or similar then it's fine

or a cat with FIV, who mustn't socialise with others.
Elderly cats are good bet, too.

I've had two indoor-only cats in my life; the cat I grew up with in a house, and my current cat in a first floor cat. Both cats had/have never been outside and are perfectly happy. As Littlemiss said, they'll be fine if they have a good cat tree and lots of toys and tlc.

I have an indoor cat which was raised that way. All my research, including lots of questions on here, said that it's fair (and safest) for indoor cats who've known nothing else to stay that way.

BertCat wouldn't last 5 minutes in the wild and her activity levels are compatible with indoor living.

I would contact a rescue. Deaf or FIV cats or even some older cats can be indoor cats. We got two kittens just over a year ago. If they couldn't go out then we would have no house left!

Thank you all for your advice. I don't want to rush into making a decision. If I get an elderly cat I need to consider health/vet costs too. I have no problem with not getting a kitten, to be honest I think I'd rather have an older model!

Some rescues pay vets fees on the older ones, I suppose it's a way of ensuring they see out their days in a proper home.

I took my older one on at 10 from the rspca, he lived to 14 and was wonderful. I paid £5 a month to the rspca for life but that covered all his vaccinations every year and his vet bills with rspca, all I paid was the wholesale cost of the drugs which was £1.60p every Six weeks or so.

This was because he was classed as elderly, when he died he was bloody ancient! He lived for the last ten years of his life through choice mainly indoors, only when the sun was cracking the flags did he sit outside the front door and soak up some rays for an hour or so.

I think if you choose an indoor recommended cat from a shelter you are being fair.

OP it doesn't need to be an elderly cat. Our local rescue often has the odd one of 5 or 6 who has never been out and couldn't care less!

Sorry I mean he lived another 14 years, he was 24 when he died.

Again, thank you all.
Next question...litter tray, covered, uncovered, positioning...anything essential I need to know? Only ever had for kittens/illness enforced house confinement for previous cats

Get a Ragdoll cat! Bred for indoor life. Have a look into the breed. I promise you won't regret it!

Pic of my Ragdoll who is now 15 weeks 😻

My cat has a covered litter tray in the hallway, which in our flat is the size of a proper room. I've been surprised that it actually really doesn't smell! He has all his things in the hallway (food, water, cat tree) and we shut him in there at night when we go to bed.

What a gorgeous little boy, Happenstance! Ragdolls are my definite 'fantasy cat' - would have one in an instant if I lived somewhere larger and could commit to the grooming.

Thanks Minta. They don't need too much grooming though. Couple of times a week I'm told, by experienced Ragdoll owners. And because they are so laid back they don't occupy too much space. So get one!!!

This is Leroy.

He's coming up to 2yrs old (it's a guestimate), bright eyed, bushy tailed, and completely loopy. He's also an indoor cat due to having FIV. I do pop a harness on him for a stroll round the garden daily and I have mesh on my windows so we can open them and he can't escape.

He needs a lot of interactive play, probably more than a cat who goes out.

Love him to pieces! 😻

He's looking happy.