Newbie Cat owner

[TheJunctionBaby]

well, not yet, but I want to be..... but, apart from having cats/kittens growing up, I've never had a pet as an adult and I'd like to be as informed as possible before I take on the care and well being of an animal.

So, here's my situation:
I have 4 children (2, 6, 12 and 14)

We will be moving home soon (Cat would be bought after the move) and the new house is on a busy road. We will have a large back garden, but it has low stone walls so not suitable for cat proofing.

I am a stay at home mum and DH works from home

I have friends that would be willing to cat sit or come over and feed/water/change litter

So my questions are, what kind of kitten/cat am I best off getting? What are litter options? Would it be cruel to have an indoor cat or wise considering the road and lack of garden security? Anything else that I've not thought of?

Thanks in advance!

In that situation you shouldn't get a cat. It's a dangerous location. Unless you can cat proof the garden (you can put fence panels on top of stone walls I think) then you can't have a cat.

Indoor only would be fine but with so many children how can you possibly manage that. Surely there would always be someone leaving doors and windows open?

Don't do it.

oh, that's really disappointing to hear

the stone walls are low and there are bushes so not sure if they would provide a means to scale any fencing we managed to erect.... I'll have to look into that more

I wouldn't be worried about doors/windows being left open - with a two year old that likes to try and escape we are all vigilant with doors and windows anyway.

The only way to cat proof a garden is with the hanging net contraption that goes along the top of fencing as in Protectapuss . Even high fencing is scaleable by a cat otherwise. Or build a catio like this www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/3042138-Would-anyone-like-to-see-my-catio.

Well if you are sure you could manage the doors/windows thing then you could perhaps consider a middle aged/old very laid back cat that wouldn't be too desperate to get out as an indoor only cat. A young cat or kitten would definitely end up escaping though.

An older indoor cat would be a great idea - so often overlooked at shelters. Please look into insurance and vet costs.
Try googling Jackson Galaxy a US cat behaviourist for inspiration and ideas about being what he calls a cat guardian.
Indoor is not cruel with plenty of perches and spots a cat can escape to away from annoying humans.

A cat run?
You can't get a kitten with a 2 year old. Seriously. Don't.
Do look at cat proofing options. It may be doable.

An older cat is a good idea. Thanks for the help and suggestions, I'll check out anal the info and save the kitten for when the youngest starts school

Oh dear, stupid autocorrect I obviously meant all the info!

Seriously don't even consider getting a kitten in that location unless the garden is completely cat=proofed, regardless of how old the children are. You would lose it to the road fairly quickly.

Stick to older cats while you live there. Only consider getting a kitten if you move house.

I promise