Is it difficult to keep a cat inside the house?

Question

I will be getting a cat from our local shelter in a few months, and it will be an inside cat. Is it difficult to keep a cat inside all the time? I dont want the cat outside for safety reasons. He or she will be fixed. Is it better to get a kitten vs a older cat as far as keeping them inside? Any tips or info would be great. I also have a toddler who I have to make sure doesnt leave the door open:)

Answer 1

First, let me say I think it's wonderful that you're going to a shelter to get a cat! You're saving a life! And good for you for keeping it inside! Too many people are careless and unresponsible and leave their cats roam free. (And they wonder why they find them on the side of the road!) I have 2 cats that are kept strictly indoors. The only time they're ever outside is when I take them for their yearly shots. It doesn't matter what the age is. I have one that's older and one that a couple of years younger. The only suggestion I have for you would be to adopt an older cat. That's because everybody wants a kitten and they get adopted very easily. Nobody gives the older cats a second glance so they don't even have a chance of finding a home. That's what I did and he turned out to be the best cat I've ever had! Good luck!

Answer 2

Keeping a cat inside constantly can take a bit of willpower if they want to go outside. Puppy eyes have nothing on a pleading cat. Think about training your cat towear a harness. Silly as it sounds, you can then take them out on a leash, which can actually be quite useful. That way you can also take them outside while still keeping control of their safety. Kitten vs older cat depends on the cat. An older cat who has always been indoors only will be used to that situation, and your shelter will probably be able to tell you if they're good with children, which is important to consider with a toddler. On the other hand, if an older cat is used to being allowed in and out, it will be almost impossible to live with them. A kitten can be raised to be an indoors cat without much trouble, as a general rule, but may not respond as well to a young child (pulled tails, rough handling, and the like). Either way you go, make sure they have plenty of toys and that they get plenty of exercise. Also, window perches seem to go over well.

Answer 3

ive never had an outside cat, but i hear its harder to keep them outside then inside. You have to concider all the factors of outside, many many people do not take kindly to outdoor cats to the fact that they poop, and pee everywhere and they will get into anything, and in some states if the animal is on that persons property, they have the right to shoot it. Also if there is a major road nearby it might get hit, someone could take it if its friendly, and it just might not come back! Ive always found it better to get a kitten, that way you can "raise" it to have the personality you want it to have, you never know why those grown animals are really in a shelter (though you have to feel bad but most are in there for behavior problems). If you get a kitten you'll be able to train it what to do or not do, you cant train an older animal, they are stuck on thier ways. Indoor cats will be more effectionate towards you and your family, it will be concidered one of the family. Dont be afriad to get a kitten from a shelter, just make a vet appointment the same day you bring it home to avoid any sicknesses that can cost more if not treated (i had that happen, twice!). So just enjoy, get a few cat books, they are very easy to take care of!

Answer 4

No, it's not difficult at all.

My cats do not have any interest in going outside at all, they've never tried to go out, even the one that came in from being a stray. It wouldn't make a difference whether it were a cat or a kitten, that's personal preference. A kitten is like a baby, he'll get into things, maybe try to climb curtains, and be frisky and crazy sometimes. An adult cat should be more laid back. It's just a personal choice.

You always have to be careful when opening and closing doors. I never leave an open door ever, because they're curious and there's always a chance they would wander out. But it's not like they'll knock you over the minute you open the door, lol. At least I hope not.

Good luck with your choice.

Answer 5

It's not difficult. You just have to be extra careful (esp w/ the toddler) so no one holds the doors open. I'm not sure about older vs younger, but I know that since cats are so individual, some may become accustomed to the indoors and not even want to escape outdoors. I would think, though, that an older cat if any would want to go outside, if its previous owner allowed that, whereas you'd be able to train a little baby on your own. But don't forget that older kitty's need good homes as well. And cats are very intelligent & will learn, too.

Answer 6

Hooray that you're going to the animal shelter!!! The best kind of cat to get is the one you bond best with, kitten or adult. Adult cats are adopted far less often than kittens, but there's nothing wrong with deciding on a kitten instead if that's what works for you. Your cat is going to have a personality regardless of his/her age when you adopt, and keeping an indoor cat is easy. My mom had cats while I was growing up, strays and not, older and kittens. I've adopted a kitten, a 1+ y.o. stray, and a about 6 month old kitten/cat stray (vet could only guess the ages of the strays). All of my cats are strictly indoors and they don't mind. The older stray I adopted would probably have gone out if I let him, but he was so happy to have a home, he didn't care if he ever went outside again. Give a cat a loving home, and it'll live wherever you tell it to live.

Answer 7

Have all your windows screened so they cannot get out, and keep your doors closed. I have always had indoor cats, and it's not hard or difficult at all. At the beginning, you need to be careful that they do not slip out through your feet as you come and go in and out the house. Eventually, if they never go outside, they will get used to it and not even want to go outside. Some people think that cats are naturally outdoor animals, but this is not true. If they are brought up indoors, they'll be just fine, live longer and have happier, healthier lives.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

Dont listen to some of the others putting you down for having 8 cats. I myself have 8 cats, not on purpose, but before i got alot of them fixed they kept having kittens i couldnt find homes for. how many cat boxes do you have, i have 3 that i clean at least 3 times a day because if i dont they wont use them. also i put the boxes were they would pee the most and it seemed to work, now i also notice something weird about my cats, All but 2 have always been inside/outside cats and lately ive been feeding them canned food in the morning and at night and only 2 want to go out now, it might be because they dont want to miss out on the good stuff. well maybe some of this will help. good luck.

Answer 9

Sometimes it is hard to keep a cat inside. My cat, sometimes she wants to go outside but most of the time she doesn't care if the door is open she'd rather be inside. But I think older cats are harder to keep inside if you just got them as an older cat. As a kitten they'll really just not care as they grow up.

Answer 10

Keeping a cat indoors is easy. Personally, I think it is easier to get a kitten versus an adult. Adults are "set in their ways" and may try marking their new home. Plus, if the adult cat was use to being outside at his previous home, that is where he will want to be again.(Just with the luxury of consistent meals.)

Kittens learn the ways of the house and are easier trained to stay off tables and counters etc. Plus they you can be sure they are spayed/neutered when still young.(This too will keeping the urge to stray outside to a minimum.) I have had my cat since she was a kitten and she too is strictly indoors. The funny thing is, even if she does happen to get out, she takes one step out of the door and realizes "Oh sh*t!!! I'm outside!!!" and she turns right back around and comes racing back in the house.

Good Luck and enjoy your new family member!