Indoor cat breed help

[PrincessConsuela12]

We sadly lost our cat almost 2 years ago & are now starting to think about getting another. Since then we have moved house, our garden is small & we live on a busy road so we are thinking of keeping them predominantly indoors (although they will have access to the garden & we are looking at making it a safe, escape free area). We also now have a DC so would like one that is family friendly and can handle being around children. Can anyone recommend a happy to be indoors, family friendly breed?

Like @WFHWF said it is manageable. Our ragdoll doesn't cough up hairballs often, I've only seen it happen 3 times and she's nearly 4. We give her a hairball paste everyday to help and it works.

[quote PrincessConsuela12]**@Trinacham* @WFHWF* A family member has ragdolls & recommended them, they're beautiful. Do they shed a lot of hair or is it manageable with regular brushing?

@Subbaxeo I agree, ours would've hated being kept in. We had no problems with him & wouldn't hesitate in getting another if we had the outside space. [/quote]
For grooming, get a groomi - brilliant for brushing them out. Then get CAR-PET for lifting the fur from the carpet (just don’t use the car-pet when you have visitors as the amount of stuff it lifts is embarrassing!

We've have Burmillas (years ago, don't hear of anyone having them anymore) and BSH as indoor cats. The BSH are so lazy, they spend most of the time sleeping. They're typically not lap cats though one of mine loves lap time. The other likes to be carried round like a baby instead.

@LittleMissnotLittleMrs love that first photo, that's how one of my BSH sits in his chair

I love all the photos of cats!

@PrincessConsuela12 my Raggies do shed quite a lot, but then again, we don't hoover everyday or brush them everyday. We very rarely brush them, as they don't really need it (never get mats), it's more of a bonding, pleasure thing for them, so do do it now and again. I don't mind the fur personally.

My Ragdoll boys

I had a Birman and he was very friendly and totally happy being indoors.

@CovidCorvid @Trinacham your cats are beautiful.
My worry about shedding is mostly because DC puts everything in their mouth but will hopefully grow out of that before we get a cat 🤦🏽‍♀️

@Wolfiefan We would be happy with a rescue cat but want to make sure the cat is happy being around a toddler as well as being indoors most of the time.

@bshfan I love that your cat likes to be carried around like a baby 😂

You can get rescue cats who want/need to live indoors and who’re used to toddlers. Whereas toddlers (even gentle ones) + kittens are known to be a less-than-ideal combination. Plus there is, of course, no guarantee of a certain temperament even if breed A is known for characteristics BCD.

Firstly thank you to everyone sharing photos of your lovely cats!

Secondly - I hope it's ok to slightly hijack this thread - I have a similar q! I live on a fourth floor 1 bed flat (with a balcony) so any cat I get will have to be indoors. Are maine coons ok with a relatively small space?

@TheBalletCats you're right, every cat is different so even if they are known for being happy indoors our cat might not be. I'm also not necessarily looking for a kitten, just some advice for now. My main priority is making sure the cat is happy being in the house & around us all.

@Guylncognito Happy for you to 'hijack' all advice is welcome & I agree the photos are great aren't they 😻 A family member has 3 Maine coons, I believe they have the run of the house & garden but prefer to stay indoors although I'm not sure if it's just their cats or all Maine coons. Hope you get some answers 🙂

10:41Guylncognito

Firstly thank you to everyone sharing photos of your lovely cats!

Secondly - I hope it's ok to slightly hijack this thread - I have a similar q! I live on a fourth floor 1 bed flat (with a balcony) so any cat I get will have to be indoors. Are maine coons ok with a relatively small space?

Hi, I have maine coons. No they ideally need alot of space. They can carry in growing until they are four years old and some can get quite big! If you could get a kitten and harness train, that would be an idea, they would have to go out every day however most good breeders wouldn't let a maine coon live in a flat.

They have large hips and need exercise. Also, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes if it got the zoomies in a one bed flat, you'll end up flattened! 😂

Maine coons love being indoors. They are very intelligent however lack basic common sense if you see what I mean. Mine would get run over or say hi to everyone and get nicked.

they will have access to the garden & we are looking at making it a safe, escape free area

Hahaha

Mine still won't accept that we installed new blinds and throws herself at the blinds as if to pretend that they don't exist. Then falls ungraciously onto the floor arse first.

Thanks @Peteycat - that confirms what I thought! They're lovely looking cats but they need more space than I can provide. Back to the drawing board ...

@PrincessConsuela12
Doing research + making plans (as best one can when they relate to a[nother] living creature ) is definitely the best way to go if you’ve the option (& don’t, for example, almost-literally get wee kittens dropped on your head from Creepy Attic just as you’re about to contact a local rescue about adopting). “Problem” (as it were!) with aiming for specific breed is that it does tend to mean buying a kitten - though I know there are breed-specific rescues & ofc anycat can end up in a rescue centre.

Oh no @AllAroundTheWorldYeah the hahah makes me worried 🤦🏽‍♀️😂 PIL have a secure garden & so far it seems to be working..

@TheBalletCats I can imagine that was a (rather lovely but scary!) surprise

If you do go for an adult rescue you would have a good idea of personality and suitability for your family.
Our current kitties we got as kittens. They hate each other and we are sometimes bitten.
Our last pair were a young bonded pair. Much easier.

Go for an adult rescue. Any FIV+ cat will come with the rescue telling you they must be an indoor cat only.

We adopted a HUGE (6kg+) ginger moggie from the RSPCA. He had been a stray for 4 years and I was seriously not convinced he’d be happy as an indoor cat. But we brought him home and he is the best cat I’ve ever met- loves to play but also loves to cuddle and be a lap cat, sleeps all day in the window whilst we work and is SO SO affectionate, he is just such a character! What the RSPCA told us about his character was exactly right and he is such a perfect fit for our family. Definitely FIV+ cats out there who are family friendly!

We have a one year old Ragdoll, he’s very docile and gentle, is indoors with access to a contained outdoor space. He sheds a lot, and he’s definitely not a cuddly or affectionate boy, he does tolerate affection from us but only for a short period of time before Mr Independence comes out again.

Can I ask….those of you with indoor cats do you get them vaccinated? I get my birman vaccinated but wonder if it’s necessary?

I’m taking mine tomorrow, I think they just do flu not the whole shebang.

The idiot sisters are indoor moggies 😊 house is destroyed but we love them 💕