does anyone keep a cat that never goes outside?

[Arny]

Hey guys

I really want to get a cat but live in a first floor flat so it wouldnt be able to go outside. I know some people get expensive cats that they dont let out as theyre scared of them being stolen.

So what im asking is do you think its cruel to keep a cat in doors?

Thanks

[defool89]

I dont. Its a much better life than a stray cat.

[bertie 83]

As long as you can provide plenty of exercise and don't mind your furniture getting wrecked then why not. I have a friend who breeds ragdolls and they all stay indoors.

[Tim]

There is no issue with cats living inside their entire life (less chance of them contracting fatal bacteria/viruses or getting run over ) . It will depend on the size of the apartment though. From experience growing up with dogs and cats I would say at least 2 rooms the cat is allowed into so it can get away from people when it wants to and preferably at least 50m2. Not being able go outside will mean you will have to play with it more often so it gets enough exercise .

I dont. Its a much better life than a stray cat.

Not necessarily true. Plenty of people mistreat their pets. Most stray cats I see are quite well fed. If memory serves we have cat colonies in the forests made up of stray cats, occasionally you'll see the ones that have been caught offered for adoption.

Especially in suburbs a stray cat will likely not starve. My own cat had like 5 other houses where he got food . Well, not all gave him food specifically, some would leave it out for their own cats, but he would eat it regardless . From what I heard from my mother he will even go inside other peoples homes nowadays to get cuddles and to eat the cat food .

It's a shame I couldn't take him with me to Sweden. It wasn't really so much that I could not but that he does not travel well. When we last moved him to a new home he pissed all over the car and that was sitting on someones lap, its worse when you try and put him in a travel basket . So it was decided he would stay at home with my mother.

[JRC3]

I had a 100% indoor cat for 18 years. If it's a pet that means you take on the responsibility to keep it as safe and healthy as possible. Why let them out where they can get ran over, attacked by dogs, fight other cats, eat something poisonous, abused by humans, craw into an engine compartment on a car, fall from something high...

My cat would never even run for the door to get out. He didn't care about the outside. He spent a few years in a 2 bedroom apartment and about 6 months in a very small efficiency apartment. He was very happy and content indoors.

[defool89]

Yea I ran into a cat once..but it jumped and hit my wind shield and flew...I stopped to look for it but luckily it ran off...I think...atleast that's what I convinced myself to believe. ..

I was on my harley a seperate occasion doing 50 and a cat ran infront of me and I just barely missed it... for sure if I hit it it would be in two..

[Master of Puffers]

Mine used to be an outdoors cat during the summer and a air-vent-sitting cat during the winter. But now he's gone blind (he went blind last year aged 18), he's an airventcat all year round.

He used to love being outside but when he lost his sight I felt it better to restict his movements.

eta...one of our cats died earlier this year, she was 20...the one he still have is 19. We brought both of them ove rwith us from UK.

[Master of Puffers]

I dont. Its a much better life than a stray cat.

Not necessarily true. Plenty of people mistreat their pets. Most stray cats I see are quite well fed. If memory serves we have cat colonies in the forests made up of stray cats, occasionally you'll see the ones that have been caught offered for adoption.

Especially in suburbs a stray cat will likely not starve. My own cat had like 5 other houses where he got food . Well, not all gave him food specifically, some would leave it out for their own cats, but he would eat it regardless . From what I heard from my mother he will even go inside other peoples homes nowadays to get cuddles and to eat the cat food .

People drive out of Montreal to dump dogs and cats on farms this far out. Sometimes the farmers get to them before the coyotes or bears do..

It's a shame I couldn't take him with me to Sweden. It wasn't really so much that I could not but that he does not travel well. When we last moved him to a new home he pissed all over the car and that was sitting on someones lap, its worse when you try and put him in a travel basket . So it was decided he would stay at home with my mother.

It cost as much to fly our cats to Canada as it did Pufferghoti, me and fry1 after vets fees and the like. Neither of them travelled well in cars but planes didn't seem to bother them.

[Arny]

Thx for the replys guys i think ill look into getting a kitten

[bertie 83]

Contact your local cat protection, they often have kittens up for adoption

[Tim]

It's a shame I couldn't take him with me to Sweden. It wasn't really so much that I could not but that he does not travel well. When we last moved him to a new home he pissed all over the car and that was sitting on someones lap, its worse when you try and put him in a travel basket . So it was decided he would stay at home with my mother.

It cost as much to fly our cats to Canada as it did Pufferghoti, me and fry1 after vets fees and the like. Neither of them travelled well in cars but planes didn't seem to bother them.

He flat out refuses to get in to travel bag/box and when you do get him in he stresses too much. Given the age of the cat it was better this way , I do miss him but he has a good home so all is well.
I am surprised about cost but I've seen people take small dogs and cats on planes as carry on luggage .

[Pufferpunk]

I have been a cat groomer for close to 30 years. 90% of my customers never go outside.

[Trinity]

I think it is better for cats to stay inside. They usually have longer, healthier lives and can be quite content staying indoors. We currently have two kitties and neither are allowed out. They get plenty of exercise from cat toys and chasing each other playfully around the house.

The first one we adopted two years ago. She belonged to a neighbor who died unexpectedly. Her family did not bother to find a new home for her or take her to a shelter but kicked her outside during what was a very cold and snowy winter. The cat started to hang out by my birdfeeder looking for a meal. We fed her and she quickly got used to us. One day she walked right into the house and has been here ever since. (She also lived with another cat that was also tossed out with her which I convinced my father to adopt. )

The second cat we adopted showed up just over a year ago. He was a stray, hobo cat. He was always getting into fights and every time I saw him he had a new scratch or two. Despite how filthy and torn up he was we knew he was a great cat. We put him on Frontline and took him to the vet to be nuetered and vaccinated. He has FIV, so I would never let him outside again for that reason alone. He could infect other cats if he gets into fights. It took a week for him to adapt to living inside. The first time he came in he climbed up the curtains and howled. Shortly afterwards he confused a toy box filled with Legos for a litter box. We use pine cat litter so I can see how that would make him see it as a litter box. It took some time, but he and our other cat learned to get along. They even give each other baths now.

I hope you share a picture when you get your kitty. : )

[Pufferpunk]

http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=ch ... 80&bih=675

[bunny]

i have a cat like to look at my puffer ...with me ~

she is very small and just come back to my home for few months ~ i lose many cats before ... the same question disturb me ~ but i never thinking out locking them inside the house ~ now the little cat is growing up , even know how to go upstairs and downstairs , it means ~ she might be leave me ...