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

Thank you @jobnockey, that's a really useful post and sounds like we have a similar situation. I'm currently at home a lot more but over the coming months I'm expecting to get back to working in the office again, so will be out the house a lot more than I am at the minute. It might be good to get a cat whilst I WFH a lot though so it can settle jn.
Other posters have mentioned getting two cats. I hadn't considered it up til now but will definitely put some thought into this.

@monkeyonthetable I'd want it to be a family pet so your point about an outdoor cat being a lot more independent/less attached is a good one.

If I do decide to go ahead then it will definitely be with a cat flap I think so it can stay home if it chooses.

Thank you @jobnockey, that's a really useful post and sounds like we have a similar situation. I'm currently at home a lot more but over the coming months I'm expecting to get back to working in the office again, so will be out the house a lot more than I am at the minute. It might be good to get a cat whilst I WFH a lot though so it can settle jn.
Other posters have mentioned getting two cats. I hadn't considered it up til now but will definitely put some thought into this.

@monkeyonthetable I'd want it to be a family pet so your point about an outdoor cat being a lot more independent/less attached is a good one.

If I do decide to go ahead then it will definitely be with a cat flap I think so it can stay home if it chooses.

Double post, sorry

@Ludo19 my intention wasn’t to come across as passive aggressive (but reading back I can see how it has) and of course I understand why you would be concerned, especially since you work with cats and see all types of different personalities. So yes, I do see!

I got a cat 4 years ago and before we got her all the cats I’d had experience with were pretty aloof and not very needy so thought cats were just like that- pretty independent. My cat is completely different to that and very very needy. Hates closed doors, needs us to go out and play with her at all times of the year. Before Covid we made sure we worked from home as often as we could so she wasn’t alone for more than a day max two in the week. I wouldn’t have her any other way!

I think the OP is being responsible for asking questions as I have known many family members (who I am constantly lecturing) to get pets without the appropriate research then give them up and as you mentioned I’m sure you see lots of this and other disheartening things in your role.

OP one thing is for sure- you’ll become a hooman slave once you get a cat. Good luck!

You can get clear cat flaps for glass panes, or if your feeling fancy a microchip operated one that tells you if their in or out with the time.

We got our cat as a kitten. We put a cat flap in our back door but she would not use it, so for 13 years we have let her out when she tells us she want to go out and let her back in when she tells us she wants to come in!
Until my DH retired she was either out or in all day depending on where she was when the last person left the house in the morning and she was always fine.
She has a litter tray in the utility room which she uses all the time in winter and never in the summer.
I personally don't like the idea of a house cat unless for a good reason, watching her set off to explore the garden and and the outdoors is one of the joys of having a cat.
We got her when I was 45 and I had never had a cat before and in fact had hated them and would always chase them out of the garden.
When I was umming and erring about getting her, my daughter quoted Mansfield Park at me (slight adaptation):

...though getting a cat might have some pains, not getting a cat could have no pleasures!

My only regret is the 45 years I wasted without a cat in my life

@SpinningTooFastWantToGetOff What a fabulous quote, and very true! I think we are going to go for it (with cat flap and hopefully they'll use it and it won't be a waste of money!)
Your cat is gorgeous, she looks like she thinks she's in charge

Oh that’s a cat who knows she’s in charge.

Trying to get a cat flap would be the best option, you can get them even in glass doors etc it just costs a lot more! I wouldn't leave kitty outside the whole time you're at work, but inside should be OK seeing as you're home 3 days a week to let him out. Kitties sleep most of the day anyway so as long as you give him lots of attention in the evening when you're home, he should be happy! If you get a kitten you might need to be home more to start with, so consider adopting an adult kitty. You would need a litter tray, any space in a hallway is good because it's out of the way but can go in living room etc if it's the only space. I would get a covered one if it's somewhere you are a lot, it stops smells leaking out and gives kitty privacy. If you have someone who can pop in and feed them and check up on them every day, you don't need a cattery.

Our cat is 7 and we’ve never had a cat flap, purely because we have to monitor what he brings in the house with young DC around. He has a tray also so we let him in/out as need be but he’s used to being out all day/night so its not an issue. He tends not to use the tray anymore but it’s there should he need it. Just to note he’s outside about 50% of the time and he’s still really soppy and great with the babies.

I work from home so that helps too and will help you with the settling in.

My mum has a house cat, she’s a breed that doesn’t like being outside anyways and she’s very happy so that could be an option! Even though she’s a house cat she’s not very friendly and doesn’t let anyone pick her up but my mum - but she may just not like us 🤣

@Fluffycloudland77

Oh that’s a cat who knows she’s in charge.

Definitely! 😁

My cat is literally climbing the living room wall (brick), good luck when you’re new boss moves in!