Would it be cruel of me to get a kitten when only in a 1 bed flat?

Question

i have always wanted a cat to love and care for but at home not allowed.
now i don't have a garden - would it be fair?

Thank you for all your comments. I will consider this a little further before getting 1 or 2 kittens.
I only work part-time and have lovely parks 5mins from my flat, so I could take them out on leads? for fresh air and to see the World.

Just got my local cat protection contact and will discuss fostering first - to learn more about them.

Answer 1

Hi Jo!

It would not be cruel to keep them indoors - especially as you only work part time.

Cats are domesticated creatures now and can live extremely happy long lives indoors.

I had 3 cats when growing up and they were always kept indoors. I now have a 9 month old kitten and we live in a 2 bedroom flat, and he loves it here! Occassionally he will do a 'door dart' and run into the hall, but he only does this about 1 time out of 10. I put this down to the fact that he is adventurous rather than the fact that he's desperate to get out. Incidentally, of my 3 childhood cats, only one of them would ever try to get out - and he was the most cheeky, adventurous one. The other two were more cautious and neither of them tried to get outside.

Some people do believe that cats should be let outside. Personally, I think that if you have a *secure* garden or patio, it's nice to let them out as long as they don't leave the garden. My mom now has my 3 childhood cats in her new home (I've grown up and left now). She has a small patio garden with high walls, so the cats can go out but not roam the neighbourhood.

However, I really don't think that they *need* to go outside, it just a luxury if they can. If cats were miserable indoors, we'd all know about it. My kitten has no behavioural problems and he seems to love our flat.

As long as you have time to play with them, provide lots of toys and activities for them, as well as a large cat tree/scratch post, they will be absolutely fine indoors.

I also think it's better for the cats health wise - they won't pick up fleas or worms, which are absolutely horrible for the cat and difficult to get rid of. They won't get knocked down by a car, lost or stolen.

I've included some links so that you can read a bit more about it.

Have fun with your new kittens! I'm sure you'll give them a loving, happy home!

xx Emmie

EDIT: Fostering first is a brilliant idea by the way xx

Answer 2

No, I don't think it would be cruel. I had 2 kittens in a 1 bed flat when I was a lot younger, and they were perfectly happy. I made sure they had grass to eat when they wanted it, and since I only worked 1/2 day, I was able to spend a lot of time with them. After just a few weeks, I discovered that the one had serious health problems, and had to be euthanised. I thought that the remaining one would be terribly lonely and would wreck my flat, but fortunately that never happened! The fact that you will be able to take it to the park on a lead is really good, as then she has the best of both worlds.

Answer 3

If you get the right cat, then it need'nt be cruel. I believe that many rescue homes prefer indoor homes for cats that are deaf and would'nt perhaps hear outdoor dangers ( cars etc) if allowed outside, so this is a possible answer. You would also be giving a home to an animal that might otherwise be overlooked. Another solution is an older cat that just wishes to spend its time lying on a warm lap. The cats protection league is a good place to start as they are quite thorough in placing cats in the right home for that individual, but your local rescue homes may also be worth a look. It would of course be very important to have extra stimulating toys for your cat to amuse herself while you aren't available and lots of attention when you are. Good Luck.

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with keeping a cat entirely indoors. However if this is the case it will need to be fed a specialised food such as Royal Canin indoor cat. It's formulated so that it has less fat because indoor cats are less active and believe it or not they make it so their stools smell less! If you do go ahead be sure to give the cat plenty of toys to play with so that it doesnt get bored. It will also be the only exercise the cat will probably get and if you leave it without an activity it will find its own. Climbing the curtains i hear is quite popular!

Answer 5

DO U WANT 2-B OWNED BY A CAT? You are wise, & your planned path is excellent, [foster-parent] Cats, have sensitive & caring feelings that are easy to hurt, They think U feel as strongly as they do. Cats, take comfort in their routines, home, & pride/family. Do not hit cats \voice tone is key. Do not sound blast them. Keep cammode lids shut. Watch out, they read Ur thoughts/emotions. Let Ur cat see the goodness that is U, & they will adopt U. Plan to spend 20+yrs, meeting their needs & entertainments. Like 3 yr olds, get down on their level & see world from their view. Cat life & care is 24/7, If U can take pride in keeping babies diper clean{litter box} Ur a good parent 4-a-cat/pet! U got ots of good tips, from every one & I am rootin 4-U-2 do Good!

Answer 6

NO!! Definitely not, a cat cant live in 1 flat! It needs to go out and play and if you end up giving it away one day the new owner will have to take for ever training it not to use a litter tray.

And besides it'll be quite bad for you you cant leave a kitten behind while you go to work and you'll have to clean its litter tray.

Answer 7

Hey its alright to have a kitten even in a 1 bed flat n without a garden even! coz as lond as ur able to feed it and care for it well enough then thats gud enough. cats can do without goin out, they just luv to laz around n luk out d window. n give it some cat toys to play with. if u keep it inside the home from little they get used to it. Or else u'll have to run after it if u have a garden!jkg

Answer 8

It would be fine, the Cats Protection will help you find the right cat/s, best to get 2 as company for each other, the CPL have cats/kitties crying out to be homed together (try not to get 2 females unless they are ok together or family, as they are prone to fighting). 2 males together, or a male and female are ok (was told this by a friend who worked for CPL). One kitty, if staying on its own a lot in the flat, could get very dependent on you. Happy kitty/catty hunting!!!!! :)

Answer 9

I have 2 indoor cats in a 1 bdrm apt. They're happy as clams with the amount of space they have.
Remember if they're going to be indoor kitties to keep them on a lopwfat diet or they can get more than a little chunky.
Mine like purina indoor formula yeah sure keep an indoor kitty or 2 but get loads of catnip toys & a good scratching post or your furniture could suffer alot if damage. My girls and I wish you much luck and joy with your new feline bosses.

Answer 10

When you are going out side maybe to get something out of the car or something let it out but keep it in your sight.

Cats can be indoor or outdoor.
If You dont let it outside ever in it's life then it maight as well be an indoor cat.

Just make sure it has plenty of toys to play with.
Grandma had 2 cats inside all the time and yes they wanted to go outside but she never let them because she wanted them to get used to staying inside.
And they played like normal kittens no matter where they were.