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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.

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Original poster

Indoor cat?

31 replies

bobstersmum · 30/12/2017 17:27

Is it possible, to have a cat that stays indoors? Or is it cruel?
We had to have our very old dog pts almost 2 years ago and I don't want to get another dog, but would love a pet as I think it's good for the kids to help with looking after and caring etc. But I'm wary of letting a cat out as we have a busy road and a railway line nearby.
Is it ok to keep a cat inside or would it go crazy wanting to go out?

OP posts:

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MycatsaPirate · 30/12/2017 17:30

Yes you can have an indoor cat. One of my friends is currently fostering a cat that is indoors only. Desperate to find a forever home for her. If you are in Dorset then let me know!

Also cats with certain medical conditions can't be let out and I am sure if you do some searching round local rescues you'll find one.

We have six cats and although they all go out, only three of them venture beyond the garden, the others are quite happy sat on the path or under the hedge. They just aren't interested in venturing further from home.

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2017 17:32

Some rescues have to be indoor cats. Deaf etc. It may also be possible to cat proof the garden or have a run so the cat can safely go out.
I wouldn't get a kitten though. My torties would go bonkers if kept in (and would drive me the same!)

Tunic · 30/12/2017 17:35

It depends, I rehomed a 7 year old pedigree that had always been in a house/cattery and doesn’t show much interest in the great outdoors even today (now 13) so is pretty much a house cat. My previous cat would meow loudly at the door when he wanted to go out. If you’re wanting to take an adult cat you will definitely find one that is happy to stay indoor.

Original poster

bobstersmum · 30/12/2017 18:20

Pirate I am in Lancashire unfortunately!
I am not decided on a kitten or adult cat, but I think we will have a look at the rescue centre tomorrow first. We had a cat years ago who would disappear for days on end (he was castrated as well) and eventually didn't come back at all we never found out if he got hurt or lost or if he had another home so to speak, he was absolutely brilliant.

OP posts:

PinglePongle · 30/12/2017 18:29

I have pedigree cats that live indoors, they don't know any different

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/12/2017 18:52

Out of 6 cats one was indoor only by choice. The others would have driven you crackers to go out despite two being indoor only from kitten hood.

The rescues will have indoor only by choice cats. Some cats like life to be fully carpeted & 21c all year.

thecatneuterer · 30/12/2017 19:04

I think a kitten is a very bad idea. It will certainly want to go out and it's incredibly difficult to keep a determined cat in. All windows would need to be meshed. No door could ever be left open. It would be next to impossible.

Rescues will have cats that aren't bothered about going out. They will probably be middle aged and so past the desperate to explore phase of their lives. But there may be younger ones too.

BulletFox · 30/12/2017 19:09

Indoor cats have a longer life expectancy - mine's 13 and has just become an indoors cat for the first time in her life this month, every time I let her out to the courtyard she scampers upstairs. She's adjusting well but very clingy.

DontMentionTheWar · 30/12/2017 20:03

There are certainly pedigree breeds who really do show little interest in going out. I have a Ragdoll (it is really emphasised by Ragdoll breeders that they should NOT go outside) and a British Shorthair. They both have access to a high-walled garden but rarely go out there and it wouldn't bother them if they never went outside again. It's harder with a moggy, I've never had one yet that didn't want to go outside.

LucheroTena · 30/12/2017 21:30

Some pedigrees are kept inside, but not all, certainly highly active breeds will want to go out. My Burmese love the outdoors and need to expend energy, do claw maintenance, chase critters, etc. Some people manage to keep them in - I've noticed they have huge houses though. We have lots of outdoor pedigrees down this street coping well: a pair of Siamese, a white Persian who I often see rolling happily in the dirt and a Bengal. There are quieter breeds, older cats and cats with disabilities that might stay in happily, the rescue can advise you.

DontMentionTheWar · 31/12/2017 00:07

I never said all pedigrees should be kept inside IheartNiles, as that would clearly be ridiculous advice. I had a Burmese as a child and she always went outside. However, with a pedigree cat you are more likely to know breed characteristics and Ragdolls, for example, are known to adapt very well to being housecats. You don't have to buy them either, there are Ragdoll rescue groups.

Toddlerteaplease · 31/12/2017 00:28

I've got Persians who aren't bothered about going out. They are quite happy indoors.

StillMedusa · 31/12/2017 00:56

My pedigrees go out (Obie famously has at least 4 homes!) but my old girl rarely goes outside and only into the garden. However I'd hate for them not to have that choice. Ideally I'd love mine to be garden only but proofing a garden is quite a tricky (and expensive) business.

Having said that my boss at work has two indoor rescues who can't go out due to FIV and they have never known anything different.

thecatneuterer · 31/12/2017 09:15

StillMedusa - there is no reason at all for FIV cats to stay inside. Neutered cats aren't going to pass the virus on. FIV cats can live in a house with other non FIV cats and won't pass it on, so going outside is no risk at all.

user1467976192 · 31/12/2017 09:24

My cat is mostly indoor. He does sit in the garden with me in the summer. I don’t trust him outdoors unattended as he has run off in the past returning 11 days later. He’s happy though doesn’t have much of an interest in outside nowadays, mainly because we moved and at the old house a woman fed him ham

LucheroTena · 31/12/2017 09:31

Don't be so touchy dontmention I never said that you said that. I didn't even read your bloody post!

StillMedusa · 31/12/2017 13:48

AH that's interesting Thecatneuterer... I didn't know that!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 31/12/2017 13:57

I thought it could spread via biting and also that FIV cats were more prone to infection?

thecatneuterer · 31/12/2017 15:50

Yes FIV is spread by biting. But unless you've got the sort of cats that tend to get into fights then it isn't going to be a problem. And really neutered cats rarely have proper fights that draw blood. And if they were to, it would likely be with unneutered males which are almost certainly going to be FIV positive anyway.

Fatjilly · 31/12/2017 15:51

My cat used to spend most of the time outside then we moved when he was 7 and he decided to stay in. He’s been an indoor cat now for the last 4 years and he’s very content. It really does depend on the cats personality.

Els1e · 31/12/2017 17:40

I have a mainly indoor cat. He’ll potter in the garden in the summer if I am out there. He sits by the open door looking out but generally no further than that. I got him from the local RSPCA who said he needed an indoor home due to slight brain damage. I would agree an older cat that is comfortable with being indoors would be better than a kitten where you are hoping it will settle to the lifestyle you want. Good luck - I am sure you will find the right cat.

nottoosurewhattoput · 04/01/2018 16:44

I have an indoor cat, we got him as a kitten so I guess he doesn't know any different. I read up a lot about indoor cats (and still do) and it really is 50/50 on what people think is cruel, leaving a cat indoors or letting them outdoors for fear of being killed, bobstersmum I think if you are considering re-homing they would have to be indoors or else a kitten would be best.

Original poster

bobstersmum · 04/01/2018 17:04

Hi all thanks for the input I have had poorly baby last few days so not been to the rescue centre yet we are going to try and go tomorrow so will have a look if any there seem suitable, does anyone know if we get one from rescue centre is it likely to be up to be up to date with flea, worm and vaccine treatment?

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 06/01/2018 15:37

Hi OP. Good luck with finding a new cat. Yes any good rescue should sent them out fully up to date with everything.

thegreylady · 06/01/2018 16:51

I have 3 indoor cats. We live too near a railway line for them to go outside and they don’t seem at all bothered. We have mesh screens on the windows so we can open them in summer and we have made the sun porch into a cat area with cat trees, their litter trays and windows on 3 sides.

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