How to keep an indoor cat indoors?

[Echofallen]

Hi I'm considering getting a cat (never had one before) in the near future and for various reasons want an indoor cat. With potential for it to have garden access but I need to look into options there.

Anyway, how do you go about keeping your indoor cats safe inside? I was thinking about this the other day. DH and I live in a semi with front, side and rear gardens. There's a 6 foot wall and gates out the side and back. Little wall and gate out the front. DH was out last weekend and I'd been out with my DM and didn't get home until late - it was dark and I fumbled for my key and let myself into the kitchen. I was thinking that in these circumstances a cat could possibly be waiting by the kitchen door and get out into the darkness. I don't have a porch or anything. I've also heard that some cats are quite relaxed and happy to chill out or sleep and an open door doesn't attract their attention whereas others are "door dashers" and might try to make a run for it.

Any advice? Thanks :)

Yeah my friend's cat who I looked after used to get out as a young cat (with a previous owner), I was quite surprised that he accepted living indoors so well but maybe it depends on the cat.

Another friend had siamese that lived indoors happily in a flat. Lots of love and attention but they weren't interested in going out.

@Echofallen

Hi sorry am wanting to get a ragdoll or similar breed. I realise that most cats do go outside and one that already does so would want out. I don't want to worry that it's outside possibly getting run over, stolen or killing birds. Am looking to go through a breed rescue or get an older adult that already lives indoors. I gather that some cats who are used to being indoors don't try to get out but he or she could perhaps go out in the garden (perhaps even on a harness as a friend's neighbour does with her persian).

Thanks for the info on securing the house and catios etc, will look at options.

Just be aware that not all Ragdolls are happy to be indoor cats... I rehomed one from a friend of a friend because he was desperate to get outside and she lived in a flat... he doesn't wander far, and we live at the end of a quiet road with a field behind us so he's pretty safe from cars, and he loves to hunt unfortunately.

I have indoor pedigrees, you just have to be super strict with windows and doors - especially with guests and also they get a bit less interested in the door the older that they get. For those saying it is cruel, some breeds are completely unable to look after themselves in the outdoor world. That said, I made the decision to keep mine inside in the knowledge that I have a big house with a large conservatory and therefore they have a lot of space to move around in and explore all day