Should cats be kept indoors? Is it cruel?

Question

I have been interested in getting a cat for a while but I would like to ensure it is safe. I have read on many websites that indoor cats live much longer and are safe but I want to know if the cat will be happy. The cats I saw at the shelter were in tiny cages. My house would give it much more space. Is it cruel to keep them indoors mostly?

Answer 1

No, it is not cruel. It is cruel to leave them out in the cold and heat and let them go hungry. Inside, they are safe and fed and clean. I have 5 cats and they are very happy indoor cats! I have to clean the litter boxes 4 times a day, but I consider this a small price to pay for my wonderful companions! If you leave out food and water they are really quite independent and very clean. They like to play with small toys like balls with little bells. The cats in the shelter know they are not in a good place. They are in need of your love and care . This is why they look unhappy. My cats think they own the place! (They really do!) They have learned to open and shut doors and they can also turn the TV on and off! They will amaze you! I have rescued all of them. They were either starving strays or we found them injured on the side of the road and took them to a vet to patch up. They are more than pets, they are members of my family! Your cats will be very happy indoors with you. They will stay clean and not get injured or into fights. It is a much better situation for them. Just let them sleep in a sunny window from time to time and give them lots of love. They will be very happy!

Answer 2

It isnt neccesarily cruel but you could put the cat on a little leash and give it some fresh air once in a while. We trained our cats to be both indoor and outdoor cats. They spend most of their time inside laying on the couches but they want out once and a while and they come back in a little bit. I think that is a good way to do it.
I think it is cruel to let a cat stay in a cage all day, But if you have plenty of space for it to roam around it shoudnt be considered cruel. Have fun if you actually decide to get a cat, they are nice.

Answer 3

It is not cruel to keep your cat indoors. It will keep your cat safe from many things: cars, other animals and parasites most notably. My wife and I have done much rescue work and all of our cats are indoor cats only. It is simply safer this way. A house should be plenty of space as long as you provide it with the care it requires to keep it healthy and happy.

Answer 4

It is absolutely not cruel to keep your cat indoors. In fact, cats have a much higher survival rate if you keep them inside. A house is usually plenty of room for them, and they do enjoy some fresh air, open windows occasionally. Or if you have a sunroom or porch they can go into for a change, they like that. Outside cats often have a severely reduced chance of survival, due to the risks of being run over by a car, attacked by another animal, etc.

Answer 5

While certain cats are in love with the outdoors it is the best decision for most pet owners to keep there beloved animals indoors. Outdoors they run the risk of illness, the weather, cat fights, getting run over by cars, someone stealing your lovely animal, not eating enough, etc etc. All those scary things! Most pets are safer happier and live longer indoors. If you really want to let your cat outdoors I suggest you build a cat area that is all securely caged in. So you can watch them with peace of mind and make the chances less of all those bad things happen.

Answer 6

I feel that the pet door is the best way to go, but, as long as your cat gets plenty of stimulation--interactive play with you, for a start, he can be happy indoors. My cat seems not to mind only going out about 30 minutes a day. He knows his way back. Like all cats, he wants to sleep most of the time, anyway. Also, as long as the cat is spayed or neutered, he'll usually stay close to home, even if he gets out. Don't let him out for at least three weeks in a new place, and keep an eye on him. If you are worried about traffic, there are electronic devices which can keep them on your property even without a fence.

Consider getting a pair of cats--they are social animals and need their own kind.

Answer 7

.I believe pet cats should be kept indoors or given freedom of a screen room. It makes a healthier cat and they tend to have longer lives. I've had both indoor and outdoor cats and by far prefer indoor. I know that cats love to hunt and have natural hunting instincts, but with the right toys, they can lead just as great of a life indoors and stay free from disease and unnecessary fighting.

Answer 8

My 2 cats used to be indoor-outdoor. I turned them into indoor cats with short supervised spells outside (walks wearing halter and leash or by themselves in a big outdoor cat enclosure). Both have adjusted to living indoors - they play and run around the house (with me as numero uno toy) and that's how I know they are happy.

I have read a lot of literature and tesimonials about indoor cats and I am totally sold to the idea of keeping my cats indoors and not allowing them outside to roam at will. Its safer, they live longer and cheaper in the long run (less vet bills).
The trick is I think to make indoors a very interesting and nice place to be for your cat. His litter box should be always clean; food and fresh water available when he is hungry or thirsty; a cosy, warm and quiet place to sleep or nap; a big window where he can observe birds and stuff; lots of toys; and a loving gentle reliable momma or papa

Answer 9

i have had several indoor cats and they lived very happy lives. but i only reccomend a kitten, because if its a cat who has already experienced the outdoors for sometime then u would be taking that away from him. my cats lovd to sit on our balcony on the second floor. there may have been no grass, but they loved to sit in the potted plants in the sun and feel the wind. if u d by any chance have a balcony then let them have access. ours had access 24/7. they fell/jumped off twice but cats can land safely from a certain height and they were not injured. actually they were really scared of the 'outside world' and really happy to be indoors again!

Answer 10

I'm not sure cats have a concept for "happy." They either feel healthy and have an appetite or they don't. Felines in nature are the opposite of a pet, they are strong individuals and will do as they please. That said, we adopted an abandoned cat that was starving. She has had quite enough of the great outdoors and isn't the least interested to go outside, she fears the outside. (We have a cat door for our other cat, and he would go nuts if he were locked inside for any period of time.) So, to answer your question, if the cat's an indoor cat and always has been, once the cat is either spayed or neutered its drive to go outside is pretty much gone. Philosophically, I think was cruel for cats to have been domesticated in the first place, but what's done is done.