Indoor only pedigree cats?

[Galliano]

In the new year my 26 year old DS is moving out and planning to take the cat he rescued during lockdown with him. I never wanted a cat previously but now can’t imagine being without one. Probably will miss him more than DS.

There’s a couple of breeds of cats I really like and which I think are well suited to my home and garden. Mostly I’d like to be guaranteed a generous sized and friendly cat as my house/garden will feel very big and empty. However all breeders seem to say their cats must be indoor only which I wouldn’t inflict on a cat without very good reason. I live semi rurally but there are other gardens as well as fields and woods and there are definitely roads. How seriously would you take a contract like that?

I know lots of cats that are indoor cats with small outdoor areas. Due to allergies and local cat thefts, we've got a thoroughbred and the same set up. I've never had an indoor cat before this and thought it was extremely cruel. This cat though wouldn't survive outside. He's lovely, but not remotely streetwise.

I also tried to adopt a street cat when I lived abroad and that cat COULD NOT be inside at all.

The breeding does seem to impact this.

In your set up id look to adopt a couple of cats (or kittens, but also adults). Id say that they'll be outdoor cats and explain the set up.

btw I have a long haired cat (Siberian) and I'm not sure how well he'd be able to look after his coat if he was outside roaming through field and bushes etc. If I knew my cat was going outside and could choose, id look for a short haired one (or two, or three, or four - id live to have more but not indoor ones!).

I have two rescue Persians, they are happy with the occasional potter round the garden. But mainly stay indoors. They are not street wise enough to go out alone! And would probably get stolen.

I try and do enrichment with my two. But they really aren't interested!

I had free roaming cats.

Lost one in an RTA one was killed by a dog in our front garden. Not to mention injuries from fights with a wandering Tom that cost ££££, dead birds including robins and alive squirrels.

I now have indoor cats, if I could secure the garden or have a catio attached to the house I would do that but it's not an option in our current house.

They are as happy as Larry chasing each other and we play with them lots.

Another vote for a ragdoll.

I have an adopted girl, she is honestly like a dog crossed with a teddy bear ALWAYS around and almost always chatting away.

Not bothered about going outside, sometimes she'll come out with me if it's sunny but will come back in with me too. She wouldn't care at all about never going out.

Ragdolls really are well suited to being indoor cats and the most amazing company (if a little clingy!)

I have birmans. They do go in the garden but seldom leave it. They prefer to be in the house hanging out with us (they’re very clingy). You can usually find a breeder who doesn’t mind them being allowed outside. The other option is a rescue that specialises in certain breeds that need to be rehomed.

I grew up with Siamese cats so that video made me laugh. They are very vocal but fantastic pets. I miss the Siamese howl!

I rescued a Persian cross boy of 3 - VERY interested in going outside, but meant to be indoor.

I tried the harness - he hated it. So I let him out. He was dead within two months.

I regret letting him out, but he was not happy indoors.

@Notanotherusername4321 , Siamese are full on , chatty and want to be with their human , more like a dog than a cat , if that’s not the type of pet you want then don’t go for Siamese . For my son it was exactly the sort of cat he wanted , the Ragdoll we had previously, although lovely was very aloof .

My Siamese likes to potter in the garden with company, adores the family but won't have anything to do with strangers. I'm sure she thinks she's a dog - she steals things and hides them and likes sitting on the front doorstep growling at passers by. But it is like having a toddler again - I can't even go to the loo on my own.

I have two indoor, rescue cats. One tabby and one Persian, u and 8 years old, neither have ever been outside and nor do they have any interest in doing so. I wouldn't have picked a pedigree cat personally, the health issues are costly and sadly totally avoidable, but sometimes cats pick us! But they are the best of friends and play, cuddle up next to each other all day, as well as enrichment from us- specific toys, slow feeder etc.
You can not guarantee a cat will be friendly unfortunately, even if you have them from a kitten. Please consider rescuing one of the thousand rescue cats that is in desperate need of a new home. There are even specific rescue centres/charity's that offer certain breeds.

That was my point. They aren’t a “perfect pet” for everyone, they’re demanding, opinionated and very full on.

I’ve always had siamese so am very aware of their needs. I wouldn’t recommend them to everyone though.

a friend had to rehome hers because it nearly destroyed their marriage- it picked one of them as “favourite” and was an utter nightmare. There’s a reason there’s a lot of siamese cats in rescue.

True , I suppose it’s what you want from a pet , I’ve not been to the bathroom on my own for 12 yrs because I’ve got a dog that follows me around , although he will wait on the bed if I’m having a bath , so I’m used to needy animals

Haha. My Ragdoll is a bit like this. He follows me to the bathroom, winds around my legs, headbutts the toilet roll holder and generally shouts his head off. DD and I are convinced he thinks he is my security guard, and is therefore checking for any 'Bathroom Related Danger'

Install Katzecure fencing in your garden and your cat can go in your garden only safely

Then you shouldn't get a cat.

At some point, they will need to stay inside - either due to surgery, injury or because of bad weather. And what if they want to toilet inside and you don't have a tray, so they just shit on the floor instead?

I have 2 maine coons. Both have it in the contract they will be indoor cats. Which suits me as we live on a main road. They follow me round like dogs and are so friendly and loving. Because of this friendly nature I can imagine someone would happily take them. My 3 year old male is huge and bigger than a small dog. My female kitten loves everyone and would be easily taken with any offers of food.

I dont agree with your neighbours keeping them in cages outdoors. Mine would hate that as they love to be with people all the time. Poor babies.

I have a Birman, adopted when she was 9, she's 13 now.

The breeder ( she'd been returned as per contract) said she was indoor only and I've basically stuck to that. My old cat was hit by a car (but thankfully survived and eventually died of old age) so I was happy to have an indoor cat this time. I don't want to go through that trauma again.

She goes into the garden under supervision, and is so dim she doesn't realise she could jump the fence. Also she's stunning and I don't want to risk her being stolen ( even though I live in a "nice" area) . She's calm, very affectionate and poos once a day so I can deal with the litter tray in the bathroom.
I'd never have an outdoor cat again. Equally I'd only adopt an older cat again.

Really appreciate everyone’s insights. I don’t actively want an indoor cat when we have a big garden which is ideal for catting about in and which I’m out in a lot myself, but would love a cat that is dog like. Our current fellow loves to stay close despite starting life as a street cat.
It sounds like it might be possible to get a cat which comes out when I’m out but isn’t inclined to wander.

We've had several generations of silver tabbies. The whiskers breed. Or the Bacardi Breezer cat if you remember those ads.

They're stunningly beautiful cats and so well socialised and friendly. They grow quite large and are fairly vocal. Amazing characters.

We have three currently. The older boy spends most time outdoors. We just have never been able to keep him in. The two youngest boys go out when we're home. One rarely leaves the garden. The other is bolder.

We have moggies and a pedigree Maine coon, our vet told us not to let him out as he'd be stolen as he's so friendly. Our contract is house cat only and that suits us, we lost our first cat to poisoning and our second was attacked by a dog that got into our garden. Luckily the second cat survived but the attack scared us enough to make her a house cat. I couldn't have a cat roaming it's just far to dangerous