Indoor cat?

[bobstersmum]

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?

I have two indoors moggies. Had them from kittens. We are going to build a cat run in spring and have a glacier fit a cat flap in to the window

It does depend on the cat IMO. Some can be really determined to go outside and it's nigh on impossible to keep them in.

I've had a ragdoll/moggy cross from kitten and she's not fussed but my sisters cat - you would have to keep her inside with your foot while you closed the front door behind you - she was that desperate. It is just heart breaking to see dead cats by the side of the road and my vet had 5 cats die by car .

Got two indoor rescues, had them since they were a year old and they are 7.5 now. They are the biggest scaredy-cats and have never been interested in going outside. Plus we live on a busy road and they are not street smart.

Maybe get two cats if there isn't someone home during the day so they have company.

We have a pair of Burmese who stay indoors. It wasn’t the plan. They were neutered and chipped but we go away a lot and our catsitter remarked that they are always so content and we decided that it’s true and to keep them in. Burmese are so friendly, they can wander in search of company. They have each other and a lot of space to run and chase indoors. Our previous Burmese went out and I never envisaged having indoor cats but it’s suiting us all really well.
Also, I’m an outvoted dog lover in a family of cat lovers and I highly recommend Burmese good cats for dog lovers. One of mine plays fetch!

Do you have a huge house getoff? I live in a 4 bed but it’s narrow with long garden. My Burmese would drive me mad if they stayed in all day, in fact when the weather is terrible and they don’t want to stay out long they literally tear around the house. They really love being out and are quite an active cat, I also think the breed is prone to being overweight and going out seems to keep them slim. The breeder kept her cats in ok but her house was ginormous.

You’re right about them being friendly, mine have several other slaves along the road, one of my cats is also well known at the pub! DH has regularly taken photos of the cats looking out at him from the windows of other people’s houses