Thinking of getting a cat, advice please

[Minikievs]

Am musing on the idea of getting a cat. I'd love a dog but being on my own with two young DC, the logistics of walking etc mean it's probably not the right thing.
Can I ask some (probably stupid and obvious) questions please?
I work 4 days a week so we'd be out from 8.30 til 6.30 4 days. Our back door doesn't allow for a cat flap. Would cat stay in the house or be outside for that time? Where do people keep their litter trays (our house is quite small) and is it possible to not have a litter tray? (obviously we'd have one if the answer to the previous question is that cat has to stay in while I'm at work) If we are away for any length of time, do they have to go to a cattery or is it ok for someone to pop in and feed them?
I feel a bit clueless about it but it's something I've been thinking about it for a while. Any advice and pointers welcome

You’d need a cat flap for that length of time alone, being locked in a house all day would be terribly boring and bored animals act out. For a lot of cats that would be miserable, we wouldn’t like to be alone all day with no stimulation, just sitting there waiting for 18:30.

Yes, you’d need a tray. We kept ours in the kitchen and one upstairs.

We always used a cat hotel, next door get neighbours in to feed theirs and they turn up on our doorstep looking for fuss when this happens plus all the other cats seem to know there’s no humans around and go in the garden causing fights.

You’d need quite an independent cat to be alone that length of time, nothing that requires stimulation like a Bengal for example.

There’s loads of toys for them now, you can rotate which ones are out so the cat doesn’t get bored.

Also factor in insurance.

Thank you for the response. It makes sense that I'd need a cat flap, you're right that it is a long time out of the house. We had a cat when I was a child and never had a cat flap and both my parents worked 5 days full time, I must ask my mum what we did with the cat as I can't recall.
I think maybe attitudes have changed over the last 30 odd years and now it would seem odd to leave the cat inside (or outside) alone for that length of time.

I'd try and find a way to get a cat flap. We can't put one in our back door either so have one going through the back wall (a little tunnel). It's very common and any handyman can do this for you. Cat flaps can go in all sorts of places you might not have considered. I'd recommend a cat flap that reads the microchip so you don't get other cats coming in. We have a litter tray in the utility room but our cat only uses it about once a week. He prefers to go outside. Regarding going away I would actually never take my cat to a cattery. Cats are very territorial animals who only feel comfortable when they're in their familiar territory. When we got our rescue cat he was so terrified of his new surroundings he hid for several weeks under our cupboards. I know if I took him to a cattery he wouldn't relax there until weeks had passed (by which point we'd be back anyway). If we're away for a weekend a neighbour feeds him but for longer breaks I pay a cat sitter to come round every day. It's far less stressful for my cat to stay in his own home. Cats are wonderful, easy and loving pets. Prepare yourself and your family that he might be scared and hide for a few weeks but once he relaxes and accepts your house as his home he'll be a wonderful addition to the family.

Thank you for your reply. I've actually just properly looked into getting a cat flap in my back door, which is double glazed and it's doable, which I didn't realise.
Am now giving it a bit more serious thought as a microchipped door is possible.
My mum only lives 5 minutes away so could easily pop round to feed it if we are away for a couple of days.
Your comment on the litter tray is also helpful as I don't really like the idea of one full time (kitchen would be only place we could have it) but I guess if the cat flap is possible then it isn't so much of an issue

You will definitely need a litter tray to start with as you will have to keep the cat in for the first few weeks while they get used to having a new home. Afterwards I think you need one for rainy days / overnight (if you keep in overnight) but it should get a lot less usage so won’t be smelly all the time.

I'd be happy to have one while the cat gets used to us and the house, and for occasional use too but full time I don't think I'd like it. I feel much more positive knowing it'd only be occasional (hopefully) after the initial settling in period. Am really chuffed that a cat flap is possible!

No you need a tray. If it’s raining or cold outside or another cats out there making them feel threatened they will wee in the house.

You either provide for the animals needs or your not looking after them properly. This isn’t a warm country & outdoor toilets for us weren’t popular.

It’s just a tray. The cleanliness of it is up to the owners.

My cat goes out to use to loo. She sometimes goes 2/3 months without using her litter tray, however we always have a fresh one available for her. I agree with the PP if it’s raining, too cold, another cat is bullying them and things like diarrhea and UTIs mean they need immediate access to their litter tray.

My cat had a UTI last week and was using her litter tray every half hour. I would feel that it’s cruel to not have a permanent litter tray available and it encourages them to go around the house if desperate (UTI etc) and then they’ll establish that as their ‘going’ spot and go there regularly.

Hope that’s helpful

Thank you for your reply, I will of course have a tray if thats the best thing to do, I wasn't sure if I needed one full time as I'd rather not. But of course if it is needed then I'd have one. And yes I appreciate the cleanliness and smell etc is down to me.
I haven't had a cat as an adult (only as a child so I don't really remember the details of litter tray etc) hence asking for advice as to what to do should I get one. I appreciate the comments and advice.

That is helpful, thanks @greentrees33

We have 2 cats that have free access to outside. We only have the litter tray out if either of the cats has to be kept indoors if sick. They go out whatever the weather and sometimes it drops to minus 20 here. We are in the countryside though so territory with other cats isn't really an issue. There are other cats around but my angry old female cat is the neighbourhood boss and my male just plays dead if they come near him.

You can get a covered litter tray. I think it's much more hygienic as you don't have cat litter flying everywhere. It's all contained.

We have a covered litter tray, and full access to outside. The tray is used a fair amount which is fine.

I would seriously consider getting a bonded pair of cats to keep each other company if you are out for much of the day.

Re litter trays - some cats won't use anything else. So don't get a cat and a litter with the expectation that you'll be able to get rid of it one day. You should keep cats in at night, so you'll always need one at night at least. There are lots of litter trays now that fit into different spaces, are more aesthetically pleasing etc. Use DECENT cat litter and clean it regularly. Scoop after each poop, deep clean once a week etc. Buy good cat food - it affects their poo. Get decent insurance. Make sure the cat has a high safe place (preferably a tall cat tree with sisal for scratching) away from little people. Make sure your children understand that it's not a toy. A cat flap is essential if you're out all day, you can't lock a cat out for that long.

Can I ask your reason for getting a cat. Forgive me but you don't sound overly fussed. Cats still need attention even outdoor ones. Vaccinations, microchipping and neutering is a must and also pet insurance as outdoor cats are mire likely to be involved in accidents etc. You need to fulfil a cats emotional needs as many people don't. I'm a vet nurse and had cats all my life, they're not as self sufficient as you may think.

Thanks for all the recent replies.
Apologies if it comes across that I'm not fussed-it was more that I wanted to check these things / ask advice etc before I decided if it was right for us as a family. I wouldn't want to give an animal a home without checking what others do and their experience first. So I thought it was best to ask a few things before it becomes more than an idea if that makes sense.
If I got lots of replies saying it's not suitable to have a pet if I'm at work 4 days a week then it wouldn't get past the idea stage.
Of course I'd give it attention and love and care, I wouldn't expect a pet to be self sufficient. I didn't mention microchipping, neutering, insurance etc as they'd be things I'd do without question. It was more the day to day care that I was questioning.
I would want a cat as a family pet for the children and I to love and to be part of our family. It's only in the musing stage at the moment as I thought the cat flap thing was a no go. Now I've done some more research and it's possible, it's a bit more of a serious thought.
I appreciate the advice

The bottom panel on UPVC doors pops out easily, we bought a plain panel for about £25 7 years ago & put the flap in that.

@Ludo19 I disagree, op has posted bcos she cares and wants to take all factors into account before committing to getting a cat.

That is a very responsible thing to do.

If she wasn’t overly fussed she would’ve gone out and brought all that without doing any prior research. Do you see?

OP, I wanted to add one final thing. My sisters cat only ever uses her litter tray. She’ll be out during the day and when she has the need to see or poop, she’ll run from whichever garden or area she’s in and goes in her litter tray. My sister wishes she was a little more like my cat (who mainly uses the outdoor as her toilet) and has even encouraged her cat to go outside by putting the litter box in the garden during the day in the summer time. So depending on the cat, regardless of whether he /she has access to an outside area may only ever want to use the litter tray. Just another factor to consider and I suppose be prepared for!

Thanks @Fluffycloudland77, it's a full double glazed door but apparently it's not too big a job to order a new pane with a flap in, which I wasn't expecting so I'm pleased about that
Thanks again @Greentrees33 that was my intention when posting, to get some advice on things before deciding to look into it further

@Greentrees33 so you disagree with my post then be passive aggressive enough to say " do you see"

I'm sure that even you will be able to comprehend that in my job I see a lot of animals that their owners have not thought fully what that animal needs.....do you see??

You will always need a tray, cats need one tray per cat and a spare. We have on in the en-suite and one in a cupboard, a bit like the attached picture.

When you’re at work I would personally keep indoors/lock the cat flap so kitty can’t get out.

I would recommend two kittens if you are getting kittens. Massively reduces scratching and biting and they entertain each other. We got one kitten and almost rehomed it due to it being really aggressive with my toddler. It us a siamese though so they can be quite aggressive according to the vet. If I had my time again i would have got two.

@Ludo19 why do you think the OP is not overly fussed? Not sure where you've got that impression from?

@Minikievs I was same as you, hadn't had a cat since growing up so wasn't sure of all the logistics of ownership. However, we got our rescue boy almost a year ago and haven't regretted it for a single minute, he's completely one of the family now.

Obvs we're at home a lot more now but up until march we were out of the house from 8.30 til 4pm most days and he was fine. Slept most of the day (well that's what he does when we're here all day anyway!), and then got loads of attention in the evenings when he was more awake anyway.

I bought a whole new back door to be able to get a cat flap fitted - so where there's a will there's a way! However be prepared to pay for it as it ended up costing almost £200 once we'd had it fitted. (not including cost of catflap which also isn't cheap if it's a microchip one).

I also live in a small flat so was concerned about where to put a litter tray... it's ended up in the bathroom... it's a bit of an awkward spot but given that no one hangs out in there too much it doesn't really bother us and other than that it had to be in kitchen so was getting in the way. Having said that he doesn't use it anymore and goes out in whatever the weather to use the garden. I daren't take it away as that will be the time he decides he's desperate to use it again I expect...

Our neighbours pop in a couple of times a day if we're away for a few days and the plan for our longer holiday was for someone to come and house sit for us and/or pay a pet sitter rather than use a cattery. I think that would upset him (it would upset me anyway, the thought of him being in a little pen and not knowing if we were coming back).

Part of me wishes we had got two cats now though and you should perhaps give that some thought as they will keep each other company... Good luck!

If the cat is left outside all day (not a problem for a confident, healthy, adventurous cat) make sure there is a warm, dry spot for them to shelter in - access to a shed or small kennel with a thick fleece, cat biscuits and fresh water. An outdoor cat is likely to be a lot less attached to the family though, as they like to wander and dine out a lot. A friend once received a Christmas Card of 'our family cat' which was actually his own cat who had a paw-marked another home too.