Getting a kitten, indoor or not?

[SheldonSaysSo1]

I am about to get a kitten but wanted some advice on whether to keep her as an indoor cat or not. We live by a semi busy road but have a garden and ample green space/residential area across the back of the house.

I can't decide if we always let the cat out around the back whether it would be a huge risk or not. I always believe cats should be allowed to roam free but feel anxious about this. Does anyone have any advice?

It really depends on the cat

All mine were house cats(through their choice) when we lived in the suburbs. But since moving to the countryside with paddocks behind the house they're never bloody home! 😁

You'll have to see how you kittend nature is. Good luck with him/her. I love cats!

Mine are house cats. But they are Persians, a breed suited to that. They do go into the garden though. My parents adopted their cat on the understanding that he was a house cat, he's not! I am not sure I could have out door cats again. I like to know where mine are!

I definitely agree with wanting to know where they are!

With some exceptions, I think it's mean to keep a cat indoors.

My cat would be very stressed if we kept him indoors. He's very independent and needs to come and go as he pleases. However it is a risk to let them out. Many cats get run over or go missing. I'd be absolutely devastated if anything happened to him but we decided for him that quality of life was the most important thing - so we give him freedom.

I should add I don't think he goes very far. Whenever I call him he's either in our garden or the neighbour's garden. I've never seen him cross the road. He's a very nervous and cautious cat.

Outdoor with cat fencing preferably, or catio if not.

Is it possible to catproof the garden or build a catio?
One of our two would absolutely hate being stuck indoors, she was trying to break out from the minute we got her aged 15 weeks. As a young adult she absolutely hates being shut inside. However if you're near a somewhat busy road, I can understand your nervousness, I would feel the same.

Mine are house cats but I have 3 of them so they keep each other amused. Lots of dogs running free near us and I’m worried they will get hurt if they go out.

We have a house cat, shes a ragdoll cross. Just a kitten atm, we got during lockdown. She is perfectly happy. We are going to cat proof our balcony so she can go out there for fresh air but she hasn't been bothered about trying to get out. Now I have her I feel like it would be so weird to just let her go off on her own outside every day. She is puppy like and follows us round the house and is so affectionate, it would be like turfing out a dog and would really upset me and I'd be worried sick!

If I was urban, I'd second the cat proof fencing or catio. Then they are only out in your garden and won't be in danger from cars, dogs/ foxes or people.

However, I currently live in a very low traffic area and have quite a large garden. Two cats; litter mates. Girl cat goes out first thing and spends most of the day in the garden. There are lots of trees and hedges for cover. She is great company and loves following you around if you are doing something. Also, with the good weather, we eat on the terrace and she joins us. She has water bowls outside and comes in for nibbles. I bring her in overnight.

Boy cat lives on my bed. He gets up for 'wet' breakfast, has nibbles and joins us for breakfast outside. Then he comes inside and goes up to my bed. He stays there most of the day, with visits to litter, water and nibbles. He goes out just before dusk for a patrol and comes home an hour later. I have seen him go across the road to my neighbour's garden. When he returns, I bring him inside for the night. Otherwise, he'd be caterwauling at 4am in the morning. Nothing wrong with him. Wants to be nocturnal, but I think it is too dangerous.

I don't understand why they are like chalk and cheese.