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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

Tell me about having a house cat

95 replies

Silviasilvertoes · 04/07/2024 17:58

I desperately miss having a feline familiar. We live next to a relatively busy road (rural but lorries).

It’s a big house so plenty of room to roam indoors.

How do you stop your house cat going out? Is it even possible? How do you make their lives interesting?

I’d be very happy with a rescue, in fact that’s the ideal.

OP posts:
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8
Cerialkiller · 04/07/2024 18:01

If you specify you want an indoor only cat you might find a rescue with that background. No transition period needed then?

WeeOrcadian · 04/07/2024 18:02

Maybe an rescue older cat who's already used to being an indoor cat

I wouldn't ever get a kitten and then keep it inside, cats are roaming creatures and it's cruel IMO

TheGriffle · 04/07/2024 18:04

You will forever be wary of your windows and doors in case they escape!

Our cats were indoor cats for 5 years before we moved somewhere more suitable and we got a catio for them to go in outside so we could have the doors/windows open in the summer.

Allergictoironing · 04/07/2024 18:12

Number one help with this is Flat Cats . They let the breeze in, keep your cat in, and keep the bugs out. I'm also lucky in that I have an enclosed porch to my front door, and a small conservatory area off my back door, that work as sort of "air locks".

You need lots of toys, plenty of climbing and resting places, and plenty of scratching material. Also if there isn't someone normally at home during the day, you need a second cat as a companion.

I would love to have a catio, but for various reasons (mainly the steep slope the house is on & the resulting back garden terracing) I can't do this where I live now. But ability to do this will be on my priority list when I move after retirement.

Flat Cats Window Protection Screens for Cats

https://flatcats.co.uk/

fieldsofbutterflies · 04/07/2024 20:21

I would look for an older rescue who is used to living indoors.

I used to be a huge advocate of indoor cats until mine started getting really stressed inside - now they all go out and the changes in them are phenomenal.

BlahBlahBaa · 04/07/2024 20:27

We rescued a cat with cerebral hypoplasia - he’s wobbly/ataxic and can’t jump well. He has to be an indoor cat because of this, but it’s a lot easier than with a “normal” cat because child gates contain him when it’s necessary, he can’t jump over them. Though tbh he doesn’t try to get out, and if he does wander out the back door he just hangs around on the patio until someone herds him back in again.

Having had this experience, I’d only have another indoor cat if they were disabled.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/07/2024 20:41

I have Persians, they are quite happy pottering around my enclosed garden. But actually aren't bothered about going out. My first two didn't jumps at all. Not even onto kitchen tops. Current two can, but can't jump a 6ft fence.

Toddlerteaplease · 04/07/2024 20:43

I second the recommendation for Flat cat screens. They are brilliant!

Lavender14 · 04/07/2024 20:46

My cat is a rescue and is indoor only. Sometimes he'll go crazy and venue into the back yard but for the most part he's quite content pottering around the house. He's an older gentleman so i think that's a factor in why he's so content. We have a cat tree for him to climb and get some peace when he needs it and just make sure he's got space to escape to when we've visitors though normally he's pretty nosey.

Lavender14 · 04/07/2024 20:47

I will just caveat that with saying it would probably also make more sense if you're home a lot as they'll get a lot of their stimulation from you. Our cat can get quite stressy if we're out too much when he's used to someone being around so I'd just factor in your lifestyle. Indoor/ outdoor cats can be more independent in that regard.

Oreosareawful · 04/07/2024 20:52

I’ve got four house cats, and the best investment was felisafe cat proof fencing. Mine love being able to run around the garden, chase bugs, shout at neighbouring cats on the fence etc. plus we can have the patio doors open and windows open on the back of the house.

Original poster
Silviasilvertoes · 04/07/2024 22:22

BlahBlahBaa · 04/07/2024 20:27

We rescued a cat with cerebral hypoplasia - he’s wobbly/ataxic and can’t jump well. He has to be an indoor cat because of this, but it’s a lot easier than with a “normal” cat because child gates contain him when it’s necessary, he can’t jump over them. Though tbh he doesn’t try to get out, and if he does wander out the back door he just hangs around on the patio until someone herds him back in again.

Having had this experience, I’d only have another indoor cat if they were disabled.

That’s interesting, that would work indoors and out as we have a fenced garden.

OP posts:
Original poster
Silviasilvertoes · 04/07/2024 22:23

Just to clarify, I work from home 90% of the time, my husband is self employed and works from home quite a bit and we live with my mum, so she’s here almost all the time.

OP posts:
EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 04/07/2024 22:34

Thirding for Flat Cats. They’re very easy to put up by yourself, & they entertain the cats as well 😸.

Most rescues will have cats who need to be indoors only for whatever reason.

Tell me about having a house cat
Precipice · 04/07/2024 22:38

Our cat shows no interest in going outside. When we go out into the garden, we do shut the door behind us, she makes no move to get out, even if she's right by the door. She spends some time near that door as it's near where one of her scratching posts, litter tray and food are, and sometimes we get birds in the garden, so she likes to look at them.

Original poster
Silviasilvertoes · 04/07/2024 22:57

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 04/07/2024 22:34

Thirding for Flat Cats. They’re very easy to put up by yourself, & they entertain the cats as well 😸.

Most rescues will have cats who need to be indoors only for whatever reason.

Oh my goodness, that looks like our last cat 😂 She would have been up there too.

OP posts:
ScottBakula · 05/07/2024 01:52

Mine is a house cat because he is a thug and attacks other cats with no provocation.
Some of my windows have child locks on so they will only open a few inches.

I just have to be very careful with the doors.

Everyday he goes in his outdoor cage , he stands with his front paws starched as high as he can reach on the kitchen doorframe to let me know he wants to go out there.

I'd love to get him a catico but I can't find anyone to build it . It's beyond my DIY skills

ScottBakula · 05/07/2024 01:54

Lol stretched not starched 🐾

Selttan · 05/07/2024 04:18

My two are indoors with access to a netted balcony.

I rarely have issues with them trying to get out. My windows are screened so no worries there.

They are perfectly happy being indoors - one of them was indoors only from birth, the other was a stray for 9 months.

sashh · 05/07/2024 05:02

I used to foster for Cat's Protection. All the fosterees had to be kept inside which is easy in the winter.

In summer I would close the cat(s) into a room, or out of a room and then open windows / use the AC.

Original poster
Silviasilvertoes · 07/07/2024 12:55

ScottBakula · 05/07/2024 01:52

Mine is a house cat because he is a thug and attacks other cats with no provocation.
Some of my windows have child locks on so they will only open a few inches.

I just have to be very careful with the doors.

Everyday he goes in his outdoor cage , he stands with his front paws starched as high as he can reach on the kitchen doorframe to let me know he wants to go out there.

I'd love to get him a catico but I can't find anyone to build it . It's beyond my DIY skills

😂😂😂 but thank you for keeping him in. Our old neighbour had an evil Persian and let it attack anything and anyone, including humans. I hated that thing. It lacerated me once.

OP posts:
Original poster
Silviasilvertoes · 07/07/2024 12:57

sashh · 05/07/2024 05:02

I used to foster for Cat's Protection. All the fosterees had to be kept inside which is easy in the winter.

In summer I would close the cat(s) into a room, or out of a room and then open windows / use the AC.

You see, that sounds good, but I’d end up keeping the first cat I fostered 😂 and probably the next and the next…

OP posts:
Iamawomenphenominally · 07/07/2024 13:01

I have the screens for my large opening windows too but not flatcats, it was a cheaper brand on Amazon.

Our cat is indoors only as she's a dopey ragdoll plus we live near a busy road.

We do let ours in the back garden on a harness and lead, she loves to be in the garden with us but is also happy in the house. We have lots of enrichment in the house for her. Towers, houses, scratch mats, toys etc and put time in to playing with her. I do take a lot of care when I open the front door but it's not a big deal. To me it's the same as checking where a toddler is before you open the front door.

Years ago I had a moggy rescue and she was a housecat too. She was a real lap cat with zero desire to roam so she was just happy in the house.

RubySloth · 07/07/2024 13:01

Some breeds are indoor only like ragdolls because they have little outdoor sense ... missing the cat survival gene 😂

My first cat was a moggy and I couldn't get him outside but I'm sure if you are rescuing they will find the right one for you.

Phoebefail · 07/07/2024 13:06

Poor cats, trained and conditioned to be kept inside.
So restricted that their muscles lose condition and become weak.

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