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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

House cats

20 replies

SaintVal · 14/03/2022 11:07

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post but I would really love a cat but I live in a flat. I've had cats before when I've lived in a house so they had access to a back garden but this won't be possible here.

So, my question is, are 'house cats' really a thing or is this cruel? I work from home all week so it wouldn't be short of company or loving care. All advice and opinions welcome. Thanks all.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaintVal · 14/03/2022 11:12

Just to add, I have obviously read the RSPCA site but interested in real life experience stories/views.

OP posts:
PeopleRStrange · 14/03/2022 11:19

I have two house cats. You have to play with them so they get exercise and stimulation. They don't try and go outside, but they do like looking out the windows, so I have beds in their favourite spots

Toddlerteaplease · 14/03/2022 11:21

Depends on the cat. I have Persians who are not bothered by going out. And are too thick to go out into the big wide world. Plus they'd get nicked. My parents cat on the other hand, was adopted on the basis that he was also a house cat. It pretty quickly became clear that he isn't.

Toddlerteaplease · 14/03/2022 11:23

I find stimulation with my pair tricky because they just don't do anything! Not really interested in toys or any normal cat things. I do worry they are bored but them seem happy.

Allergictoironing · 14/03/2022 11:40

I have 2 house cats, was a condition of adoption because they were ex-feral and could go feral again. Plus it turns out Boycat has issues and wouldn't be safe roaming! Vet always congratulates me on their great condition when they have their annual MoT.

As there are 2 of them and they are bonded, no problem with me going out to work as they keep themselves entertained, though I do play with them e.g. fishing pole type toys and laser pen, plus they have toys they happily kill with no help from me.

One thing I would recommend is using Flatcats, which are window screens so you can get the breeze in and the cats can't get out.

Greyhare · 14/03/2022 13:54

I had two house cats, I only have one now as boy cat died, they were/are happy indoors, they have cat trees and I put up shelves for them so they can get up high as cats like being up high, one shelves lead up onto the wardrobe and this was always the prized sleeping spot not to be shared, my girl cat now loves that it is hers alone, they need more human interaction and playing with, but my girl is getting on now but will still have her moments of play.

I think getting a pedigree cat is usually best if you want a house cat, something like Persians or Ragdolls, Siamese, Oriental etc as they often have clauses in the contract to keep them indoors as they aren't usually as quick and clever as moggies, and adapt better to being indoors. Plus your local bird and wildlife population will thank you for keeping the cat indoors as they are perfect murder machines.

Floralnomad · 14/03/2022 14:40

My sister used to have a Ragdoll who was an indoor cat , he never showed any interest in outdoors even sitting by open windows / doors . My son has recently bought 2 Siamese kittens and they will be having a large Catio built otherwise will not be going out due to the road he lives on .

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 14/03/2022 16:41

I have three house cats and they all seem perfectly happy inside. They do have access to the garden in summer but none of them have shown much interest in it, to be honest.

They have a cat tree and shelves to jump up on, as well as plenty of high places to explore and windows to look out of. If they seemed unhappy we would get the garden cat-proofed as I just don't feel comfortable letting them out to roam.

We live backing onto a 60mph road with no lights and they're all black cats so I'd be terrified of them getting hurt or injured.

violetbunny · 14/03/2022 16:56

Personally I think it depends a lot on the cat. My two rescues are young and full of energy, they're out all day from dawn to dusk and detest being locked in. My mum and sister however adopted older rescue cats who pretty much never want to go out.
I would speak to a rescue and see if they have any cats who are suitable to keep inside. Some cats also can't go out for medical reasons, e.g. FIV, so might be a good match.

Ohdoleavemealone · 14/03/2022 19:07

We are about to get a ragdoll who are indoor cats.

mintbiscuit · 14/03/2022 20:09

2 indoor cats here. Raw fed which helps to maintain their weight. Both in really good condition and like finding high spaces to chill in.

Only downside is trimming nails. They are not a fan of that but needs to be done when indoor.

TheVolturi · 14/03/2022 20:18

I have a friend with three house cats. They seem very happy and don't want to go out. They're always playing with each other.

Allergictoironing · 14/03/2022 21:25

Only downside is trimming nails. They are not a fan of that but needs to be done when indoor

Not always tbh. I have to trim Boycat's nails frequently, but Girlcat manicures/pedicures herself very well and though I do check them, I don't have to do anything to hers.

Greyhare · 14/03/2022 22:09

@mintbiscuit

2 indoor cats here. Raw fed which helps to maintain their weight. Both in really good condition and like finding high spaces to chill in.

Only downside is trimming nails. They are not a fan of that but needs to be done when indoor.

I trim my cats nails, never had a problem we did if from when they were tiny and I just snip the very end, husband holds them and takes me two minutes to snip snip snip, my boy cat used to love it and would purr happily but he also loved his toe beans being stroked.
VerityPJohnson · 15/03/2022 08:55

I used to be quite adamant that cats needed to go outside but nowadays I realise all cats are different. I do cat sitting and the indoor cats seem fine to me. One cat is allowed out into a tiny yard, sits there for ten minutes then wants back in, whereas my own cat would be a nightmare if he couldn’t go out. You could consider an FIV or disabled cat, which are harder to rehome, where there is literally no way they should be going out.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 15/03/2022 09:32

@mintbiscuit

2 indoor cats here. Raw fed which helps to maintain their weight. Both in really good condition and like finding high spaces to chill in.

Only downside is trimming nails. They are not a fan of that but needs to be done when indoor.

I've always had indoor cats and have never had to trim their nails Confused
Original poster
SaintVal · 15/03/2022 13:23

Thanks everyone!

I didn't realise how expensive rag dolls were 😳

I might go down the route of rehoming an elderly cat or one with FIV. There is a Blue across near me so will pay them visit and have a chat.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 15/03/2022 15:39

I have an older house cat, so far today she has yelled for wet food, had sliced deli turkey, eaten biscuits, had a drink & used her tray. I've fussed her and shes alseep under the bed snoring. Later on she will have more wet food and patrol for a bit, then have fuss, use her tray and go back to sleep.

It's a full time job being a cat.

user1471548941 · 21/03/2022 12:54

I have an FIV boy adopted from the RSPCA a year ago- he is ace!!!

I too was wary about house cats and assumed it was cruel but the RSPCA were quite clear it was a risk to his health to go out, so a house cat he is…

He has shown 0 interest in going outside since the day we got him, comes to us to ask to play when he wants to (about 40 mins a day between me and DH) and is generally the cuddliest most loving cat I’ve ever met. He runs away from the door, gets scared of rain and wind even from indoors… I simply have no idea how he would cope with outdoors!

So I am a total convert- it can work as long as it suits the cat’s temperment!

fixyourfences · 21/03/2022 12:59

Shelters/local lost and found facebook group will have indoor cats for rehoming regularly.

It is not cruel to get one of these cats - they are already indoor cats and need a good home.

Get plenty of scratching boards and toys.

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