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The litter tray

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Original poster

Cat in an apartment?

37 replies

Wavypurple · 05/09/2021 13:59

Hi everyone looking for some advice please.

I’m an experienced cat 🐱 owner. I really, really want to adopt a cat preferably elderly/middle aged that we can spoil and treat.

However, I now live in an apartment rather than a house. All of my cats have always been indoor cats but that was in a two bed house. I’m just wondering if anyone else has housed a cat in a flat (lol) and whether anyone feels that it is cruel/irresponsible to do so? I’m really not sure. Friends have said it isn’t an issue but I wanted to get some broader opinions.

Thanks in advance 🐈

OP posts:
spoonfulofmustard · 05/09/2021 14:13

Hi, I rescued my beautiful 15 year old lady 5 years ago after she had been waiting for 8 months to be rehomed. I live in a one bedroom flat, 1st floor, with a balcony and she is definitely a very happy pampered old dame who loves to just lie on the balcony and watch the world go past. it was heartbreaking to think of her waiting for 8 months in a Cattery because people didn't want an older cat, and whilst a flat may not be ideal, she has the best possible life I can give her

FollowYourOwnNorthStar · 05/09/2021 14:35

How big is the flat? One or two bedrooms? Regardless, I think an elderly/middle aged cat would be perfect for a flat. Go for it!

Viviennemary · 05/09/2021 14:38

I don't approve of indoor cats. Its cruel.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 05/09/2021 14:41

I’m in a similar situation & planning to adopt a cat in the next year. I’m going to tell the local rescues that I’m looking for a cat who’s elderly / disabled / FIV so needs an indoor home.

DecorChange · 05/09/2021 14:41

How many floors up? My childhood friend had a cat and lived in a 2 bed flat. 3rd floor. They would let the cat out and then whoever lived in the flats let the cat back in whenever they went past is that an option? If it's an older cat they don't tend to go out much anyways

spoonfulofmustard · 05/09/2021 14:43

tortured and cruelly kept flat cat, vs 8 months in a Cattery 😼

Cat in an apartment?
Original poster
Wavypurple · 05/09/2021 14:51

@spoonfulofmustard oh my goodness what a cutie 🥺🥺

Thanks for the replies all. I will give the local rescue a call and ask if they have any older indoor cats looking for a home.

It’s a one bed flat but we are moving soon to a two bed.

OP posts:
spoonfulofmustard · 05/09/2021 14:54

[quote Wavypurple]@spoonfulofmustard oh my goodness what a cutie 🥺🥺

Thanks for the replies all. I will give the local rescue a call and ask if they have any older indoor cats looking for a home.

It’s a one bed flat but we are moving soon to a two bed.[/quote]
she is a wonderful fluff ball, I wish all the best in finding an older kitty to be your overlord Grin

NotMyCat · 05/09/2021 14:54

Mine is in a 2 bed apartment but I do have a small garden he potters around
I don't have a cat flap so he goes out via the window

TableNiner · 05/09/2021 15:00

I agree that in comparison to a rescue pen, which some cats end up in for years (or worse, are euthanised), a one bed flat is a palace. You would be a good match for an older cat or one with FIV who are not allowed outside anyway.

helpfulperson · 05/09/2021 15:11

Do you have access to a garden area? An older cat may be happy with just pottering around the garden if you are out there.

Mabelface · 05/09/2021 15:14

My son has an older mog in a flat who is very happy with his home.

Raggedyanabell · 05/09/2021 15:35

@Viviennemary

I don't approve of indoor cats. Its cruel.
I don't think cruel is a fair description, even if you don't agree with it. Some cats are perfectly happy being indoors and wouldn't be safe outside.
Burtknowsbest · 05/09/2021 16:02

I live in a house with a garden and 3 cats. The furthest they wander is to our patio seats which are directly outside the back door and they absolutely refuse to go to toilet in the garden, has to be the litter tray in the downstairs bathroom.

They would do just fine in an apartment.

Bythemillpond · 05/09/2021 16:09

Mine are frightened of the sky and are indoor cats by choice
One does like to get out but then ends up mewing under a window to be let in whist trying their best to be as close to the wall of the house as possible.

KittenKong · 05/09/2021 16:13

I have seen more people with cats on leads in the park. They never quite look as if they aren’t about to run up a tree but I suppose they like the outings!

And old gal would probably love to spend their days dozing, eating, trying to kill you, getting tummy rubs, eating, chasing little tinkly balls, eating...

Toddlerteaplease · 05/09/2021 16:24

My Persians would be more than happy in a flat.

spotcheck · 05/09/2021 16:30

You could enclose the balcony to make a catio?

I don't think keeping cats indoors is cruel. Ours is from a rescue and they recommended that she stay in, as she has already been injured on previous outside jaunts.

AmandaHugenkiss · 05/09/2021 16:52

My old boy started out with me in a one bedroom flat in London. He used to sunbathe on windowsills and watch for me to come home. It was better than the pen at the cat rehoming, which was where he was to be sent after his owner died and likely to have stayed, being 12 with arthritis and a heart murmur.

He lived to 18, I moved to a one bed house with a tiny garden and he moved to sunbathing in the flowerbed. Pick the right cat and a flat will be a palace to them.

spoonfulofmustard · 05/09/2021 16:55

@AmandaHugenkiss

My old boy started out with me in a one bedroom flat in London. He used to sunbathe on windowsills and watch for me to come home. It was better than the pen at the cat rehoming, which was where he was to be sent after his owner died and likely to have stayed, being 12 with arthritis and a heart murmur.

He lived to 18, I moved to a one bed house with a tiny garden and he moved to sunbathing in the flowerbed. Pick the right cat and a flat will be a palace to them.

that is most beautiful and word wiser way of putting it, find the right cat who needs your home, rescues will already have every in place for searches but if you are the right home then even inside is not cruel if you give then the love the deserve xx
AmandaHugenkiss · 05/09/2021 16:59

@spoonfulofmustard

tortured and cruelly kept flat cat, vs 8 months in a Cattery 😼
Gorgeous ball of floof!
FatAnkles · 05/09/2021 17:10

I have a cat in my second floor 2 bed flat. The vet knows my circumstances and hasn't had anything negative to say. She has plenty of climbing opportunities around the flat including high shelves top of the wardrobe and has various cat trees, but she prefers to watch wildlife from the bedroom window.

I've tried lead training but she hated it.

My local rescue will adopt out cats with FIV to flat dwellers...flats are very prevalent here in the city.

EachandEveryone · 05/09/2021 17:16

Well most people abroad in big cities keep cats and dogs it’s almost unheard of for cats to wander in nyc unless they are feral

KittenKong · 05/09/2021 17:16

We had a flat cat and decided that it would be nicer for him to go and live on my sisters farm (yes she really does have one, it’s not a euphemism) as we were working stupid long hours. The lazy sod took up residence on the barn and spent his days eating and dozing on bales of hay, rarely going outside (even though he had lots of feral playmates). He really was a lazy bugger.

Notdoingthis · 05/09/2021 18:40

If you are in a flat where do you dispose of the litter when you change it? Do you take it to an outside bin each time?