All my life i had never heard of an indoor cat. The first time i did, v recently i thought it was the crulest thing ever. Ive just bought a kitten and have been researching the facts. After hearing that on average cats live 5 years longer if they are house cats i cant help considering it. Do you think its possible to have a happy house cat or does the freedom factor outweigh the danger factor.??..This being cars, fatal diseases, fleas, Catnapping etc
2006-10-25 02:22:23 · 42 answers · asked by Jenie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
It might seem a little unfair to keep a hunter away from the pray ;)
But you have a kitten....and all it knows is what you expose it to. Don't feel like your taking something away from the little guy, you're really giving back to him/her...at least 5-10 years more!
There are a lot of things you can do for your indoor cat. There are kitty condos-they love them. Also many toys. Try a new toy every other week. And food. There is so many good brands of cat food out there...also treats!
A cat sleeps for 12-20 hours a day. The rest of the time, they eat. Just give your kitten love and your time and you can't go wrong!
Good Luck
2006-10-25 02:41:33 · answer #1 · answered by Kitty 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you're thinking of keeping a cat indoors you really must make sure that it's appropriate for that breed, a bengal for example just wouldn't be happy, a persian however would. If you have an everyday moggie personally I feel all cats should be allowed the choice, an indoor cat will never experience the natural instincts of a real hunt or being outside, after all cats are very independent creatures and deserve freedom to roam and do natural things. I have three cats, all of which are both indoor and outdoor cats, it depends on their mood but my oldest is 16 and still going strong, so personally I dont believe they live on average longer just because of being inside, obviously there are less risks inside but thats a chance that you have to take!
2006-10-25 04:37:27 · answer #2 · answered by Becky N 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my cats are inside cats cause i'm not going to take a chanse of them getting ran over or hit by a car and in the future i won't have an outside cat at all i think it's kinda sad when people leave there cats out side cause they never now what will happen and the cat might not be there the next day
2016-05-22 12:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the cats I have had as a youngster where free to go outdoors in the day time but I always brought them in at night (becuase of cat fights with stray cats in the 'hood). But like you, I have been reading many articles about the dangers outdoor cats face. I have never lost a cat to "road kill" (God willing, never will), but that must be becuase I always kinda "supervised" my cats whenever they were outside. I mean, I never just let them out and forget about them until they come home. I check in on them every 15 minutes if I couldn't be with them all the while they are out. I make sure that they are where I could see them, that they are no where near something dangerous... etc. Since we moved to a new place and supervised outings are no longer possible, I tried to transform my two cats into indoor cats only. The younger one adjusted very very well and does not try to escape everytime the door opens. The older cat though got steadily depressed. So, I solved his problem by taking him out on walks late at night with a halter and leash (he has been trained for this). Now, my only problem is making my older cat accept that two "walkies" a night is enough! But this way, the older cat still gets to enjoy a bit of outdoor fun.
2006-10-25 02:41:40 · answer #4 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 16 week old kitten and a large garden. For some reason, Dorby never goes outside even though I live in a bungalow and leave my doors and windows open. He looks out and Chirrups at birds and things, but never actually crosses the threshold. Maybe something happened to him before we got him at 10 weeks old, I don't know. He has been here long enough to know this is his territory as he is a single pet so I can't give a reason for his behaviour. He's a happy cat whatever the reason!
2006-10-25 12:53:06 · answer #5 · answered by Pixxxie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat and I used to live in Cornwall - and he went out everyday. There was no main road and the only worry was birds of prey. He spent most of the day up a tree anyway.
We moved to a city centre 8 years ago and I have kept him in since. Although he has put some weight on he does seem very happy and content. He has a huge window overlooking a town square full of pigeons (his Arch enemies in life!) and I make an effort to play "where the shoe lace" every night to 1/2 an hour.
I would say he has never been happier!
2006-10-26 00:18:18 · answer #6 · answered by Lisette W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cat, from kittenhood, has always been an indoor cat then she/he is less likely to miss going outdoors.
Keep her occupied with plenty of toys, spend lots of time playing with her & she'll have a very full life.
If you wanted to her to have a taste of fresh air, securely, then you could always cat proof fence your garden (though this might be a bit of a job) or invest in a cat run.
Most of mine are extremely happy to be house cats. Though I must admit I do have one who does like to go out, whenever & however he can. I have a cat run but I also take him for walks on a harness & lead.
Rather pathetically, I only do this at dead of night when no one can see, lol, don't really want to be thought of as a mad cat woman - plus this way I avoid any possible dog walkers out there.
2006-10-25 03:46:57 · answer #7 · answered by Solow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indoor cat, all the way. My cat could care less about the outdoors. Rarely looks outside, never trys to go outside.
You cat would definitly have a longer life span being an indoor cat. I think it is so sad when I see cats on the side of the road, hit by a car. In our city it is a by-law to put cats on a leash if they are outside.
2006-10-25 02:24:48 · answer #8 · answered by hello 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I got two rescue cats and didn't know whether they were indoor or outdoor cats. I've just started opening the door back door for them and they love it outside. One hasn't quite mastered the catflap yet. I'm out for much of the day and I'm sure they would go bananas if they had to stay in all the time.
I also had never heard of indoor cats, always had outdoor ones growing up, and yes one or two did get injured, but I think cats get bored easily and crave outdoor simulation.
2006-10-26 00:48:24 · answer #9 · answered by Oakesy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an outdoor (barn) cat. He was a great cat. One day he got a blood clot in his rear. He was paralyzed. He was outside on the far side of the barn. Just by chance my son was getting off the school bus and heard the cat meowing in pain. I was able to get to him and take him to the emergency vet and we put him down and out of his pain. I was with him and most importantly he was not alone and did not suffer any longer that he did. After that I swore I would never have an outdoor cat again. It was so sad to know something could have happened like that and I would never have found him on that side of the barn until he was nothing but bones. I now have two indoor cats. One has no interest at all in outside. It scares her. The other is curious, and I take him out on a leash, but never let him out alone. he has a kitty window seat and I open the window for him, but he stays safely with inside. It is much safer for your cat inside.
2006-10-25 02:37:19 · answer #10 · answered by Sunspot Baby 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋