guys, my partner wants a cat sooo bad, he's started dreaming about it. I was thinking of getting him one, bt we live in a flat on the third floor, which would mean the poor kitty would never see the light of day...i would probably get a common moggie from the rescue centre, so it would be a 'normal' breed (not indoor)
is that cruel or should i get an i- Cat instead?
2006-12-11 22:18:23 · 31 answers · asked by Squirrel 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
"Deciding to keep your cats indoors can be a difficult choice, but it is one of the best choices you can make for your cats. To help you in your decision, peruse this information and visit these links.
Indoor Cat Facts
Indoor Cats Live Longer, Live Better
By the Community Animal Welfare Society
Your cat may tell you the great outdoors is lot of fun - grass to roll in, trees to climb. However, cats, like children, depend on us to recognize danger and protect them from harm.
In addition to grass and fresh air, the outdoors poses many risks to your pets. Lethal risks that can be completely avoided:
TRAFFIC: To listen to some people, a pet's "getting hit by a car" is just part of pet ownership. Your pet is not likely to agree....
POISON: Cat's don't usually resist the temptation of checking out neighbors' yards, the hoods of their cars, and their flower beds. Although it is illegal and inhumane, some people put out a poisonous substance to get rid of those pawprints on a car. Poison also may be put out for other animals, and pets are accidentally poisoned, such as by eating poisoned mice.
CRUELTY: Unfortunate, but true, there are more than enough people in this world who are intentionally cruel to animals.
INJURIES: If your pet goes outside, it risks injurious or deadly fights with other animals, and also exposure to those animal's diseases. Bite wounds often abcess, resulting in a serious injury for your pet, and a veterinary bill for you.
DISEASE: Even if your pet is vaccinated, it runs the risk of serious diseases: * Leukemia - The vaccine for feline leukemia, although valuable, provides about 80% - 85% protection, leaving your pet still at some risk of contacting leukemia, a deadly disease transmitted basically by saliva, from another cat. * FIV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus - FIV is a disease that compromises the immune system of the cat. There is no vaccine for FIV, and there is no cure. FIV is generally transmitted between cats by biting. A blood test determines if the cat is FIV positive. Scientific evidence indicates FIV is not communicable to humans. A number of stray cats are FIV positive, and your cat runs a significant risk of FIV contact with these outdoor cats. For more information regarding FIV, contact your veterinarian.
No cat, no neighborhood, is immune from these dangers. Give your cat a long, safe, healthy life - indoors!
Make Life Inside Fun -- Toys, playtime with you, a window to look out of, scratching posts, and a few twigs of catnip from time to time more than compensate for the risks your cat faces outdoors. This article is from the Community Animal Welfare Society. Take some time to visit their site.
"Did you know outdoor living can be hazardous to an urban (or suburban) cat? Automobiles, other animals, parasites and viruses all pose threats to the outdoor cat. Overpopulation continues to be an issue of concern to cat-enthusiasts, as well. Experts suggest providing indoor cats with outdoor amenities instead. Herb plants that are safe to chew on, interesting toys, lots of opportunities to play or even a second cat can keep your favorite feline satisfied and may also extend its lifespan."
.......the American Veterinary Medical Association
Think you can't train your outdoor cat to be indoor? I'll bet you thought you were never going to train your child to use a toilet instead of a diaper... think about it...
If you want your cat to occasionally enjoy walks outdoors, and you have them vaccinated and treated for fleas, leash training your cat may be one option. Some cats are 'naturals' at leash walking, while others may take a bit more effort. I take my Noelle outdoors on a leash, and she really enjoys it; we have a special bonding together during these times.
Do I look unhappy to be indoors?
Kitty 'trees' or 'furniture' are a lot of fun for indoor cats. Toys and playtime with their 'human' also creates a happy indoor atmosphere. More than one cat will also give your cat company and another playmate (besides you!). But be sure to think about your cat's personality... some enjoy living without other animals around. Some shelters will let you adopt a cat on a trial basis to make sure for a happy family.
You go left... I'll get the
mouse on the next go-round!
My cats are indoors-only as much for my own sanity as for their safety. The first night one of them didn't come home would be the longest night of my life. If you wouldn't trust strangers with your kids, you shouldn't trust your cats to a world full of them. "
2006-12-11 22:23:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
There are ways to cat proof your garden but it would be a little expensive. You could get a harness and slowly train her to walk on a long leash. A cat will not act like a dog on a leash. You have to follow cats where they want to go. But I don't think it is cruel to keep cats indoors. My best friend has 7 indoor cats and they are all just fine. Cats are actually safer indoors because they aren't running into other animals or diseases. I don't know if she will ever stop meowing at the door. I had a cat once that would not stop licking the side of the refrigerator. We moved and she licked the new fridge too. Good luck!
2016-05-23 08:14:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a cat and live in a flat. (that rhymes!)
He is a mongrel cat.
He is 3 years old and has never been outside. He is both healthy and happy and shows no desire at all to go outside.
As long as you spend time keeping the cat company and playing with it then it should not be a problem. Cats like their own company too, so I wouldnt worry about when you are at work as long as you spend time with it when you come home.
The only thing I would say is not to get an adult cat from the rescue centre unless you are sure it has been a house cat before. This is because a cat who has been used to getting outside inthe past would most likely not be happy being restricted to a flat. For this reason I would suggest getting a kitten so that it will grow up not knowing any better and will not feel deprived.
Good luck!
2006-12-11 22:47:05 · answer #3 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not cruel. I keep my cats indoors as I live on a very busy road and get worried they will get run over. An RSPCA inspector told me it is OK to keep a cat indoors as long as that cat has NEVER known what it is like outside so it is best to get a kitten. I do try to get as many people to rescue cats as possible but in this case, a rescued cat will have been at some point outside and it would be cruel to not let it outside ever again. Get a kitten that has never experienced the outdoors. It will be fairly happy to stay indoors but I recomend you get 2 so that they can keep each other company during the day whilst no one is home. That way, you dont come home to find the place upside down.
2006-12-11 22:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by Amy_Lou 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have an indoor cat but I really believe that a cat's place is both indoors and outdoors. Because of the Animal Laws in my country, cats are supposed to be indoors before night falls so that native animals are not harmed or attacked.
It's not so much cruel, but I truly feel it is more beneficial for a cat to have a place to run and get as much Vit D from the sun.
If you do get a cat, try to take it outside on a leash when you can and let it roam in the yard or courtyard.
2006-12-11 22:36:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two indoor cats and they are perfectly healthy. If you get a cat that has not been used to being outside this will be easier, as they don't miss it then. Some rescue places do not allow people to adopt if they are going to be indoor cats, which is why I ended up with my two beautiful pedigrees
2006-12-12 00:59:30 · answer #6 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is certainly not cruel to keep a cat indoors. All of the cats I have had have been indoor cats, and they have mostly lived to 18 or 19 years old. Just let them roam round the house, and they'll get enough exercise. Also, maybe buy a few toys for them or get more than one cat so that they have something to play with.
2006-12-11 22:26:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No as long as you do not leave it on it's own all the time. My friend has an elderly rescue cat that is poorly and is now an indoor cat and perfectly content. Enjoy your cat, they are good company. Her cat is only a moggie.
2006-12-13 06:46:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/byqI8
The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.
The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.
It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.
2016-07-19 12:31:30 · answer #9 · answered by patricia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is fine to keep a cat indoors most responsible cat owners do. I have trained my cat to go on a lead and in fine weather I take him to the park. I do get some strange looks and have been asked what breed of dog he is but he enjoys the grass and fresh air.
2006-12-14 01:31:18 · answer #10 · answered by nicole g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is Very Cruel, how would u like it if u was locked indoors all your life.
My Cats always wanting to go out, and go for a wonder and mark there terrory :-) , they enjoy going out .
If u have a busy road or live in a flat dont get a cat , its just cruel to lock them in like a prisoner. ( only people to not think its cruel is the 1s which lock ther cats in ) ....
I have a rescued cat and she great , took a little time for her to be a good girl....
2006-12-12 03:12:12 · answer #11 · answered by andym306 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋