Indoor-Only cat owners advice. Looking to adopt a 'domestic' kitten aka Moggy.

[LiquoriceWheel]

Sorry for inarticulate title :)

I currently have a much pampered and adored indoor only cat (pedigree cat). My heart has completely been opened to adopting another cat from a shelter but being an indoor cat is a non-negotiable condition for my DP and I. This is for many reasons but primarily because I don't trust other 'human beings' (the cruel ones) and I can't bear to see mutilated birdies and hedgehogs and things. Not judging other cat owners or their cats, as I know it's their natural instinct to hunt. For some reason, I have this idea in my head that pedigree cats are 'used to' being indoors whereas 'regular' cats can only be happy if they are able to be free and roam wherever. Is this true? I've looked at bios of shelter cats online and many specify indoor only as long as they are the only cat in the house. Basically, my question is can a moggy be happy and healthy being an indoor-only cat? Please be gentle, I respect and love all types of animals. I just want any cat I have to be happy. Thank in advance.

I have two indoor cats - we live in a flat but do have two balconies which they both frequent. I don't think I'd have got them if there was no outdoor space however. I think it's important they can chase flies, sunbathe and get fresh air.

We were in the same position. One pedigree and one moggy live happily indoors. They have 2 cat trees and the run of the house. They don't try to go out and seem happy.

I have 3 indoor cats! all adopted, one is a pedigree. You certainly couldn't let him out into the big bad world. He'd follow anyone and lacks common sense.

The other 2 are moggies and when I adopted them at 4 & 5 had never been out. They are perfectly happy. I suppose it would / could be considered cruel to adopt a cat that used to be outdoor & force it to live as indoor cat. But if they have never been out, I don't see the issue!

I wouldn't get a kitten and confine it. My torties would hate that. A run? Cat proof the garden? Or an older cat with a reason to stay indoors. Deaf or used to being inside?

Would you be able to build a bit of a cat run at least?

I got my pedigree thinking he would be an indoor cat but he loves going outside and I have made a secure area for him. He loves chasing flies, climbing the tree that's in the run and stuff n

I have an indoor moggie. She has many perches, roosting spots, hidey places, toys (flying frenzy among others and kicker toys)
After shaming herself by running away from a spider, she went kick ass ninja on a blue bottle recently.
Google Jackson Galaxy for ideas on what he calls catification of your home.
We have a twatty cat poisoner near us (as verified by the vet) and live on a busy road.
P.s don't tell my cat she's not a pedigree because she thinks she's awesome.

I have 2 indoor only rescues. They spent the first year of their lives as part of a feral colony at a caravan park, then another year at the rescue as they are very shy and black so were overlooked.

They have the run of (almost) all the house with hidey holes, a very large tree, plenty of windowsills etc and seem pretty happy. They did have a couple of attempts at getting through the cat netting I put on the french doors in the living room this year but I think that was as much their tendency to explore anything new.

Mine were only adoptable as indoor cats as the chances were that they will go back to being feral if they get out, but there are plenty of other reasons why cats are indoor only e.g. special needs, FIV positive, and plenty of lovely pedigree cats of the kind that don't do well outdoors to be found in rescues e.g. I was offered a Persian as well when I got mine.

My previously outdoor cat has had to be indoors for the last 2 months since having kittens, and will have to stay indoors until they are big enough to be neutered (she was spayed when they were 5 weeks). I can't leave the cat flap unlocked in case the kittens escape. She has been absolutely fine and shows no desire to go outside now.

I have to indoor cats who are quite happy with this. (Persians) They go into the garden but aren't bothered. My parents adopted a cat that they were told was an indoor car. He definitely is not and got very aggressive (out of character) until he was allowed out.

I have 2, and have had many other happy indoor moggies!

Cookie is afraid of the great outdoors having had a horrific start in life. She also has terrible spatial awareness and I genuinely think she'd struggle.

Some cats do hear the calls of the wild louder than others, but cat fountain and scratching posts and climbing facilities help.

@Toddlerteaplease was it you who had recommended fountain to me? They love it!

A drinking fountain? Might have been. I recently had one from someone rehoming their cats but gave it away as o couldn't be bothered with the hassel!

Thanks for all the advice and sharing your experiences. My cat has the run of the house and a cat tree and is allowed to climb on anything etc. A cat run would be the dream though, I might wait until I can get something like that before new kitty. So great to hear about moggy cats and 'pedigrees' chilling out

I'd avoid kittens and get an older cat with a known temperament.... our two have only recently been allowed out but until then we've had 3 months of having to keep the windows closed because they kept jumping out of them!

Don't get a kitten and try to train it to be an indoor cat because it may simply not have the temperament and be miserable. If you adopt an older cat that is already an indoor cat you may be ok, but your cat may not like the intrusion.

Mine are indoor cats - one who has been since we got her as a kitten, and the other since we rescued him six months ago.

They're perfectly happy - I think it helps that they have each other to play with and so they rarely get bored. They have plenty of toys and full run of the house so they're not restricted to certain rooms.

The kitten tried to get out twice, made it two steps and bolted back in both times. She's since shown no interest in going out and is happy sitting on the windowsill and watching the world go by. The older one hasn't really shown any interest since we got him, despite going outdoors previously.

We live next to a 60mph main road and there are accidents along there at least once a week, I would be terrified to let them out and I doubt either would last long. There are often cats/dogs getting hit along there along with numerous roadkill.

Basically, my question is can a moggy be happy and healthy being an indoor-only cat?

Yes, absolutely. Moggies aren't all that different to pedigrees. We have (and have had) many, many happy indoor cats, although ours do have access to safe outside spaces in cat runs.

It's a shame that generally pedigrees are kept inside in recognition of how precious they are, and moggies aren't given the same consideration.

My only caveat would be to not mention keeping them inside to the rescue centre. Many of them are not enlightened about the benefits of not allowing cats to free roam. And I say that having worked in rescue myself.

My moggy is currently helping me work by lounging on the window with her head rested on a mini pillow. When not snoozing she is watching cat tv.
She gets lots of play from all of us , has plenty of roost spots and generally lives the life of Riley indoors.

Our two have been indoor cats since kittens, mainly because we lived in an area with predators and the vet advised us to keep them as indoor cats. Now we are in a first floor flat, so they have to stay in.

Other places around the world have restrictions on cats roaming freely, so millions of cats manage perfectly fine as indoor cats

Mine is mainly indoor. We are on a main road she can go out round the back if I'm in but she generally only does for Afew minutes. They keep cats indoors all over the world and it's not a scandal.