Indoor cats

[tiny e.a]

Do you think it's cruel to get a cat if you haven't got a garden and so would have to confine it to living in a flat with no outside contact?

[kita1]

I live in a town house and I always said I would not have a cat as I would not let one out around town (because of road traffic, loose dogs, teenagers setting their staffies on cats etc).

I have just been 'adopted' by a cat, it just moved in without so much as a by your leave. It is now a totally indoor cat and is VERY happy. Doesn't even look at the door!

If you visit your local cat rescue centre they often have cats that are indoor cats only, and cannot be let out.

I think it is better if you can get two together, then they have company.

I would not get a kitten to keep totally indoors.

[tiny e.a]

Cheers for your answer, I'm desperate for a dog and a cat but with my work hours a dog isn't an option. Now I've persuaded my housemate to let us get a cat when we move to a flat in a couple of months but like you suggested I thought the best thing would be to get an older cat from a rescue home, that is already an indoor cat. Now my housemates come home telling me he's got us a kitten and we can pick it up when we move but I'm not happy about it. We both work and I think it'll still be too young to be left alone for as long as we are at work, and I wouldn't like to confine it to being indoors if it wasn't already used to it. I think I'll have to say we can't take it but then I worry tha it might not find another home.

[wolf63]

a kitten would get bored, and a bored kitten can do quite a bit of damage.

I would go for a slightly older kitten - I got mine at 18 months and they are still playful and annoying. ;-)

[The Big Gill]

Some rescue centres will occasionally have cats which have to be indoor cats as they have FIV and need to be kept away from other cats to prevent spread.
See here

Sometimes there are other reasons why a cat needs to be kept indoors - blindness etc.
see Lorenzo

[The Big Gill]

Sorry - didn't read your second post where you say you've already got one.

[risso0529]

I would say that your new kitten would be fine, although you may like to give it some toys and litter tray etc!!!!

I have four cats and to be honest mine hate going outside and would much rather stay in and sleep most of the time (they are young as well), as long as you have time to play with them a bit when you get home and clean their tray etc daily then I think you would be fine to get a kitten.

[riapnash]

Hi

I have 2 cats (both 6), 1 goes outside and the other lives permanenty inside, even though they both have access to a cat flap which is never locked, it's just their individual preferences. Both were rescues and the last cat being the one that rarely goes out - she just stays upstairs all the time sleeping. I would say that the only disadvantage you may find with having a kitten, is that very young cats have a great desire to explore and be inquisitive - it would not be fair to some extent to curb this natural instinct and the kitten may try at some point to escape outside. I think as a couple of postings have stated, you would be better giving a home to cat that is already used to living inside on a permanent basis. On the other hand, I live near an extremely busy road and in a neigbourhood full of rowdy kids, my cat who goes out 'has learnt' to stay clear of the road and the kids. If you got an older cat with 'more sense' you might be able to let him/her out anyway. A home check from any rescue would confirm any doubts as to the area and home suitability. Anyhow wishing you the best whichever option you choose - cats are great company.

[tiny e.a]

Thanks for all the answers, I agree that getting a cat from a home would be the best idea, that's what I really wanted to do regardless of whether it could go out or not. Now all I have to do is convince my housemate that we don't want one of his girlfriends, cat's kittens!

Thanks again.

[winny]

Years ago we rescued a deaf cat and he lived inside although he was an old tom who had always lived the life!! He stayed in all winter and in the summer we took him for walks on a harness and tied him in the garden if we were out there. He never seemed to want to go far just have the frest air. My housemate had a cat who was brought up to live inside and never seemed to want to go out even if the door was open. I think it is what they know really. Give them lots of attention when you are there and i dont think you will have a problem. A rescue a bit older would probably be better thou especially if it has been kept in. Besised it always feels good to rescue.