Can I get a cat / cats?

[WhatNext24]

I had a cat growing up and just love them. I have wanted one for years but keep thinking my situation is not quite ideal. Am I being to harsh on myself or would it be unfair on a cat to have one? My biggest consideration is whether the cat would ever get lonely, so I would also consider getting a pair if that would help.

Here is what I am weighing up:

Positives:

• I live alone in a good size, ground floor flat (3 beds) with large communal gardens well away from the main road. I have no other pets and any cats could have free roam of my flat and the gardens
• I currently work from home and am around a lot to give plenty of attention
• I have family nearby who would be willing to pop in if I went away for a day or two; alternatively, there are catteries nearby
• I am well aware of all the possible issues (health, etc.). I can afford to insure and take good care of a cat and understand the responsibility entailed
• It would get a lot of love and attention when I am home. I would get a rescue cat and have the patience to nurture a shy or nervous one

Negatives:

• I would like to get back to working from an office, ideally in the next few months / the autumn; if I did that I would not be home all day with the cat (this is the big concern that I have)
• My upstairs neighbours have a massive dog, and there are a few smaller dogs in the building where I live. They have to be kept on leads but I don't know how big a deal this is
• I am single and my circumstances could change. I don't have any overt plans to move etc. but it's always possible I guess. I don't see this as a big issue but throwing it out there anyway.

What do others think - could I look after a cat well enough, or two cats if that would be better?

Thanks for any advice!

Get a cat, ideally a bonded pair of two cats.

Cats get killed by ‘rescue’ centres every month because there are more cats needing homes than there are homes to go to. You will literally be saving cat lives. If they’re alone sometimes so what, cats are independent and will simply go find a leaf to chase or a child to play with. My cats were alone during the day for many years and it was fine.

If you lived on a main road or had a dangerous dog roaming around I’d say no cat for you, but really your situation is fine.

And cats are EPIC.

Allow yourself to be happy. Go get cat.

Sounds absolutely perfect to me. Get a cat.

In fact, get two cats! Ideally a pair of kittens or a bonded adult pair from a rescue so they have some company.

Two bonded rescue cats.

One question would be whether they could get in and out if you were out all day - or would you keep them inside?
Either would not have to be a problem but it might affect which cats to get.

@Nicelynicelyjohnson I am not entirely sure at the moment. I think I can put a catflap in my front door in which case they would be able to get in and out. I would check that before going further, because it seems cruel otherwise to get a cat and keep it shut in when there is a big garden outside.

I would get two kittens or a bonded pair of adults (although there is no guarantee how bonded they will stay once grown up/out of the rescue centre).

I used to live alone and just chucked the cats out in the morning, got them in when I got home from work at six, rain or shine. Cats were fine.

DH is now at home and I have 2 house cats and honestly they only really want attention in the long run up to dinner, most of the day they just sleep in a sunny spot.

Incidentally, does anyone know why some rescue cats are designated as not able to live with a communal garden (vs. private)? It seems quite a common specification and is a bit annoying!

This thread is very encouraging :)

I suspect it's because many cats use the garden as a toilet.

I used to feel v strongly that cats should go outside. And one of mine does go out briefly every day or she goes a bit bonkers.

However my other was a very very outdoors boy who got put under house arrest for beating up too many other cats. And to my surprise, he isn't really bothered. He's a lot more interested in us, has started playing with toys, loves his tunnel and tower and barely even notices us go out the door.

Talk to your local rescues. An older streetwise cat might be a good option with the shared garden and potentially being left when you're at work.

Ok I am now happily researching how to set up for cats and looking at local cats available. I need some time to prepare / apply etc. but feel very encouraged.

Does anyone happen to know whether you can get a cat flap put in a front door that meets fire regulations? I will research it myself but would appreciate any insight if anyone has done this.

It might be easier to put a flap in a window, you can have a double glazed unit made to fit.

Cats Protection, Blue Cross and RSPCA all have good info on their sites about adopting cats.

I'd definitely investigate a microchip enabled cat flap in a window with some steps up to it. I can't see how a largeish hole in a door could ever meet fire regs, but if it is possible I'm betting it's expensive.

The communal garden thing is a bit odd and I don't quite understand why some rescues are funny about them. Not many people cat proof their private gardens for a start, so cats are roaming and other cats and foxes etc can get in, if that's the concern. If it's toileting then I would suggest you have a litter tray inside & outside for the cat as that will make your shared neighbours & any gardeners happier. (I do feel sorry for gardeners having to deal with other people's cat poo).

Re being lonely, some cats are naturally clingier and DO get separation anxiety so getting 2 cats or one a rescue thinks will be OK left by itself is worth exploring. Try smaller rescues that tend to foster cats out not have them in big catteries, as the fosterers get to know the cat personalities better

TempCat is a bit needy even when I am WFH. He definitely misses me when I go into the office (1-2 days per week). He's very meowy & frantic when I get home (not about food, he's got that on demand) and needs a 5 minute pets and play before he calms down. But he's an indoor only cat so has less exercise & stimulation than one that can go visit the neighbours or play outside.

Google Jackson Galaxy on You Tube for helpful videos on cat behaviour.

I live alone, go into the office twice a week and am quite often out in the evenings. My cat (who goes outside but only briefly unless the weather is good) would clearly prefer me to be on permanent house arrest only go out occasionally, but she is absolutely fine and lives a much happier life than probably 98% of the world's cats.

So I think you should absolutely get a cat, or two.

Yes get one (or even better, two). You will not regret it I can promise you. They make a house a home!

Yes to a bonded pair from a rescue.

I fostered these girls & they were adorable together.

I got myself a bonded pair (true bonded, adult litter mates) as indoor only cats. Very contented cats, despite having spent their first year of life in a feral colony. Then when I lost one to illness, I got another as company for the sister - an ex-stray who had been on the streets a good couple of years. Also very contented as an indoor cat.

With 3 bedrooms you have plenty enough space for a pair of indoor cats, and a pair will keep each other company when you're out (I go to the office 5 days a week). Your biggest problem may be finding a rescue that lets you have them as indoor only, though some of the independent rescues are more flexible about that.

Thanks all. I can't put a catflap in a window as the building is listed and it isn't allowed. The doors are not protected though so I think it would be possible.

I think I would only get cats as long as they can go outside and am now quite optimistic about how they would get on if I were out a lot more. A bonded pair definitely sounds like the way to go.

@EmpressaurusOfTheScathingTinsel they are gorgeous :)

Cats don’t need someone home all day. They aren’t dogs. I would get a cat flap in your door . You need to keep the cat in initially for three weeks or so and then gradually start letting it out with you in the garden for short periods. Then build up gradually.

Alternatively you can get an indoor cat. Rescues have FIV+ cats who can live happily and healilthily but can't be outside. Older cats also are often less bothered about being outside and nap a lot !
I strongly suspect if your building is listed then you can't put a cat flap in the door, but worth checking. Also unless you own the door ie not communal then that won't be allowed either.
Communal gardens are often discouraged as you have no control over them eg what is planted and what else us allowed in the garden eg dogs

That’s a good idea.

If the building is listed, everything is listed! So you will need LBC to add a flap.

You can't put a cat flap in the door of a listed building!

Everything in that building is listed, especially the doors.

You need permission for a cat flap and you would be more likely to get it for a window as the glass panel can easily be changed, but it is not guaranteed.

Yes cat flaps can go into any doors. A handyman will fit it for you. Get 2 bonded cats and they will be good company for each other. Cats are mostly independent so don't mind being alone like dogs do. Your set up sounds ideal. If you get 2 rescue cats, there are so many cats needing good homes and many are young too. Last year my son moved into his own home after years of saving deposit. He go 2 rescue cats only about 9-10 months old who had been born on the street and caught after their mother was run over when they were 3-4 months. They spent 6 months in rescue centre waiting for a home. They are so affectionate. They have settled in so well.