A few questions about indoor cats please!

[2FluffyKittens]

My older cats go outside but I have 2 kittens and everyone I speak to is advising me to keep them indoors and I agree that that should be indoor cats.

However I have a few questions. Do your indoor cats wear collars? They are just 13 weeks right now and absolutely crazy and I am worried about the collars getting caught on something.

How do you keep an indoor cat entertained for a life inside?

Are catios worth building? I could make a small one in my garden for summer if it is beneficial.

And finally how do you cope with a lifetime of litter trays indoors?? Have always been relieved when my cats have transitioned to pooping outdoors!

They don’t need a collar, the microchip activates the cat flap.

My cat only goes in my garden and she’s happy as Larry in her kingdom

I don't put collars on my indoor cat. She has a secure catio which she loves. I would not let a cat out where I live; lots of unpleasant things have happened to cats in our area.

Even if the older cat is the only one who can access the cat flap young kittens are pretty quick and might get through, I don't know if that's a risk. Ragdolls are a bit slow and not safe outdoors unless it's fully enclosed so I think a enclosed garden or catio for them all is safer. None of them need collars, just microchips and plenty of things to play with and hide, you'll also need 2 more litter trays.

This sounds ideal, I know someone who had Protectapet fencing installed after losing a cat in a road accident.

Then I would highly advise not to let them out. I had to sign a contract with the breeder to say mine will remain indoors. Unless you fully enclose your garden with the cat rollers and anti jump stuff.

There is one in our area that does go out but he has been hit by a car (Luckily survived).

We don't have an issue with litter tray as we clean it straight away.

I wouldn't recommend walking on a lead- they are clever and adapt to it but mine suffered with cystitis as he didn't understand the concept of that's not his territory and he wanted to be patrolling.

We have a catio attached to the house, I just open the window and he pops in and out.

I would get a very sturdy cat tree. Like the ones from RHR pets

Mine have all been indoor cats. They are perfectly happy and healthy.

I care about the local bird population, and I care about a cat meeting a horrible and completely unnecessary end on a busy street, perhaps lying in agony for hours. We have hawks where I live too. I wouldn't want a cat of mine to end up dead like that.

We have an indoor only cat - the winters are a major reason. We have months where it’s below freezing, heavy snow and ice, and road salt can be a killer to cats. She’s a happy little cat so no concerns.

Not true. I’ve had three pedigree cats in my life and none of them had any interest whatsoever in going outside. They would sit by the open back door and never attempt to go out. I didn’t even mine them going in the garden.

Do not let raggies outside. They will be perfectly content and safer as indoor cats.