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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Would we be suitable cat owners?

88 replies

HelloJackieYouLookNice · 08/01/2019 20:41

We are a family of 4, two dds aged 6 and 10. We live in a suburb, on a road that gets busy during rush hour but with a speed limit of 30. The house is about 2 car lengths from the road, and we have a large garden to the rear of the house. No other pets apart from a lazy hamster enjoying his later years.

We have approached the RSPCA and Cat’s Protection and both said we are only suitable for an indoors cat and neither have any suitable. There is an independent rescue nearby who I can also look into. I had cats growing up, we lived on a small farm on a country road and lost several cats over the years to the road and would hate to have that happen but I worry about the practicalities of having a cat permanently shut in.

Wise cat owners, in my situation would you get a cat or stick to hamsters? And if we did get one would you let it out during the day when someone is at home (I work part time and only once a week for the full day), let it come and go as it pleases or keep it in completely?

I would prefer a young cat to a kitten but happy to follow advice if a kitten would be easier to keep as an inside cat from the start.

Thank you for reading Smile

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 08/01/2019 20:51

You could cat proof the back garden SO cat couldn't escape?

Original poster
HelloJackieYouLookNice · 08/01/2019 21:00

I’m not sure how easy that would be, we have a fence to one side, wall at the back with the car park behind being at a higher level (about 6 feet higher than our garden), and then hedge and fencing on the other side with a stream running alongside, with a low gate to the front of the house and drive. Thanks though!

OP posts:
rosydreams · 08/01/2019 21:07

you could also have a small catio built at the back of the garden with a walkway.But i have indoor cats they are fine

Vinorosso74 · 08/01/2019 21:07

Ah so not really an option either-our back garden isn't cat proofable either! I think a busy road like that would worry me too much.
We let our old cat come and go freely via cat flap during the day-she was generally quite sensible. Our lad now could wander further so he's only out whilst we're at home. I'm around most days so he does get out and about.

Original poster
HelloJackieYouLookNice · 08/01/2019 21:09

How do you stop them from escaping when you open the door? Did you have them from kittens? Sorry for the questions!

OP posts:
TakenForSlanted · 08/01/2019 21:10

What PP said re cat proofing the yard.

You can't really keep an outdoor cat reasonably safe so close to a road, I'm afraid.

Also, YABVU to think there's such a thing as a cat owner. You don't own cats, cats own you.

TakenForSlanted · 08/01/2019 21:12

Sorry, x-post re yard proofing.

Had an indoor cat for years and I never had a problem with him trying to escape, really.

He may have stepped out of the door a few times but was easily caught while confusedly trying to figure out what to do with this entire new piece of world that he'd just discovered.

Original poster
HelloJackieYouLookNice · 08/01/2019 21:16

Grin Taken, I’m fully aware of who will be boss Grin

Would I be better to get 2 if I keep it/them in?

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 08/01/2019 21:18

My friend has two indoor cats. One isn't bothered about going out, the other would whip out at every opportunity. They have to shut the cats out of the hall before they go out!

Jakesmumandbump · 08/01/2019 21:32

Your house sounds very similar to ours. I’ve always had cats too, our current feline is 3 and we bought her as a kitten. The road here tends to be busy during rush and school hours, speed limit 30mph. We lost a cat a few years ago when living elsewhere, he was knocked down on a pretty busy road outside our house. I was therefore wary and kept our current cat in for 6 months. I know that sounds excessive but I wasn’t convinced that she was mature or strong enough until then. There a loads of cats in our area and our previous cat that lived here died from old age. Because of the road and the risks associated with being an outdoor cat, I involved my children in the decision on whether this cat should be an indoor or outdoor cat. We all agreed that she should have freedom and adventure in our garden (not massive and she climbs the fences etc.). We have a cat flap so during the day while everyone’s out she can come and go. We call her in at night (she rebels and pulls the odd allnighter in the summer months). My hubby really didn’t want another cat but he and our 2 boys adore her. We have hamsters too, the cat’s interested in them but can’t get to them. I say go for it, cats are sublime and intelligent creatures.

Santaisfastasleepatlast · 08/01/2019 21:39

We have 2 dcats and have lived at 3 addresses within close proximity to a road.
Dcats are nearly 7 and are obviously very street /road wise.
Both from tiny kittens and both out all day.
Many years ago I had a brain damaged cat who only went out accompanied. Maybe find a less cat like cat who would be happy indoors?

Toddlerteaplease · 08/01/2019 22:24

I've got two rescue Persians because of the toad I live near. They go into my enclosed back garden. But are happy to stay in doors.

TakenForSlanted · 08/01/2019 22:49

Toddlerteaplease

This seems fortunate for the toad. Our family cat back in my childhood used to hunt the poor things. Grin

HappyStripper · 09/01/2019 04:16

I have an indoor cat. We have coyotes and lots of feral cats around and she was the runt of her litter and raised inside by her previous family, pretty much no self defense ability. We’re slowly introducing her to walking on a harness.

I’d advise a pair of young kittens. As long as you provide stimulation for them with toys and play then they’ll be more than happy. Kitten season is coming up so the rescues will be inundated by them soon.

caesio · 09/01/2019 05:36

Had cats for 20 years in 5 houses and the only time one got hit by a car was when we were on a quiet cul-de-sac. Think as there weren't always cars they roamed on the road whereas now they see the busier road as a noisy barrier to keep away from.

sashh · 09/01/2019 05:53

Can I make a suggestion?

Ask to foster for CP or RSPCA. I did this for about 10 years. All foster cats are kept indoors so you would get lots of practice not letting them out and you could get an idea of the type of cat that would suit your family.

Madeline88 · 09/01/2019 05:58

We got our cat from my sils dad who’s cat had kittens. Just go down that route, our cat goes in and outall the time, still alive.

vinegarqueen · 09/01/2019 06:09

I found rehoming really longwinded, but in the UK a breed rescue might be the answer, as they will have more cats that will have always been kept indoors. catchat.org has a list of small rehoming centres for purebreed cats. Birmans, Ragdolls, Maine coon and Himalayans are typically good with children.

caesio · 09/01/2019 07:14

Genuine question. Those of you with indoor cats, what did you do last summer - I had all my door and windows open for 3 months it was so hot?

Original poster
HelloJackieYouLookNice · 09/01/2019 07:26

Caesio I wondered that as well, my dds are in and out all the time in the summer and very likely to forget to close the door after them!

Sashh I am not sure I could do that - handing them back can’t be easy?

Vinegar I’ll take a look, thanks

Thanks for all the responses, lots to think about

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 09/01/2019 08:30

caesio I have Flat Cats in my windows, and a sort of inner door made from cat netting at my patio doors (you can get flat cats made to measure, but I couldn't afford one at the time).

I'm pretty sure Girlcat would be OK outside, but Boycat had issues (thick, no attention span, clumsy, scared of almost everything, did I say REALLY thick) so the very thought of him going out worries me. Plus it was a condition of the rescue that they were kept indoors.

sashh · 09/01/2019 10:04

Actually handing them over to new owners is quite rewarding.

A lady adopted a 19 year old cat on her 90th birthday, the cat had not been particularly friendly until this lady arrived, the cat just sat on her knee, looked around as if to say, "this is what I've been waiting for" and settled down.

Another sent me a Christmas card with a pic of her in front of the fire (I don't have a fire in my home).

As for summer as a fosterer - cat(s) shut in a room with windows closed, air con in another room, once the AC room is cool close the windows and relocate the cat(s), repeat.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 09/01/2019 12:09

I've got two rescue Persians because of the toad I live near

I think your autocorrect is on glue Toddler. It throws up some real doozies.

KisstheTeapot14 · 09/01/2019 15:09

Fostering is a good idea.

We contacted our local cat rescue and said we would like to home a cat who didn't want to go out. We had a long wait but there was a young cat who was nervy and they felt she probably would be happy lolling about indoors on a comfy chair. They were right. We are 2 floors up and next to fairly busy 30 mph rd and I just didn't fancy the chances of a flat cat - though there are other cats on our road.

Anyway, Ivy loves life here and shows almost no inclination to foray out. Once she got locked out in the hallway for a few minutes, she miaowed loudly for the butler to open up her door straight away.

yus, m'lady. You rang?

She happy watching pigeons through the window.

KisstheTeapot14 · 09/01/2019 15:16

When I looked into this, advice seemed to be that 2 cats would be good inside for company. Inside cats technically need more playtime and stimulation, though depends on personality and how much interaction with family they get I guess. Ours entertains herself largely. She plays footpaw with pebbles, baubles etc (we set up goals for her, she's not sure about the offside rule as yet but neither am I) and also has taken to watching documentaries on nature and cartoons with us. The wolves freaked her out a bit. She lets us know when she wants a fuss now - though she was a shivering wreck for the first few weeks.