What Is Everyone's Opinion On Having An Indoor Cat?

Question

Ive never had a cat before, but i adopted my male 7 month old tom cat ( Telouze we have named him) from my neighbor who is moving. At first i didnt let him out cos i was scared of him geting lost and confused..new house etc...but the more i have him i dont want to let him out..i dont want to risk losing him, him being knocked down ( there is a main road bottom of my street)..i dont want him victim to all the dangers outside...
ive read up on the internet, and im booking him in for neuturing and microchipping and his jabs.We play with him and my kids play with him so i dont think he is bored. I would rather keep him safe , what is everyones opinions on this, and do any of you have indoor cats?

Answer 1

I have 2 cats and I would NEVER let them outside. I love them, if they got lost or hit by a car I would never forgive myself.

I've read lots of articles online that indicate indoor cats even live longer. Here's one example:

Indoor Cats Live Longer, Live Better
Your cat may tell you the great outdoors is lots 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. A number of yard care products can also be poisonous, such as snail bait and some lawn sprays.

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 animals' diseases.

Bite wounds often abscess, 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 contracting 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!

Once in a while?
Letting your cat go outside once in a while can just reinforce your cat's interest in the outdoors. For many cats, the great outdoors is a bit like ice cream or any other treat. If you never have it, you won't miss it. It may not be a good idea to remind your cat of the outside and stir up the wish to go out.

Convincing your cat
Outdoor cats can be persuaded to become indoor cats. If your cat is a door darter, try keeping a spray bottle by the door to discourage these dashes to the outside. Your cat likes water? Instead of a spray bottle, try shaking a tin can with a few rocks in it. Makes a stop-in-your-tracks ruckus. Although at first your cat may be very distressed about his loss of freedom, give it time your cat will adjust, to their benefit.

Make Life Inside Fun
Toys, play time with you, a window to look out of (with secure screens!), scratching posts, and a few twigs of catnip from time to time more than compensate for the risks your cat faces outdoors.

Answer 2

I have had cats all my life - a long time - they have always been indoor cats. However, cats do like to look out windows, etc. So make sure you keep some windows where they can see out. They also love high places. Too many dangers like the answers above. I taught mine right from the start "No" when they came near the door when I was leaving or coming and now they do not even attempt to go outside. They are very happy indoors. Keep plenty of toys and play and love them and they will show the love in return. Treat them as you would your kids. All animals depend on us to take care of them.

Answer 3

I have always had indoor cats. Personally, I think they do better when they have been indoors from the start. He still may get curious & try to slip out every now & then, but as long as you talk to him & give him some play time every day, he'll be fine.
The only problem I've ever had is once he marks somewhere, he may continually try to go back to that spot even when you've cleaned it up. You may have to keep him out of certain rooms if he has marked in them, but other than that you should have a happy, lazy cat on your hands.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I have had both, indoor and outdoor cats. Indoor cats usually live longer then outdoor cats. And if he's happy staying inside then I would keep him in.
My outside cat would NOT stay inside, he would cry and cry to be let out. He sadly passed away a few weeks ago from a recurring urinary blockage that is usually only an indoor cat problem. I am planning on getting a new kitten very soon and most likely he will be an indoor only cat.

Answer 5

An indoor cat? I wouldn't want it any other way. I had two cats before and they were srtictly indoors. It is SO dangerous to let them outside. Anything could happen to them.
I'm adopting a new kitty this week and she will be an indoor feline as well.
I always say that if you love the cat, you keep it inside!

Answer 6

Yes, I have an indoor orange tabby cat named Rascal. He has been indoors all his life and he seems happy long as he gets food. Sometimes we do let him outside so he can have fun in the sun. He never leaves the front lawn some reason it is like he knows his property. Not all cats are that way though. I don't think it is wrong I felt bad when my cat got de clawed but he had to because of the sofas. I think it is better for him to be inside if you de claw him and neuter him. It will keep him safe from other animals and like you said cars.

Answer 7

I currently have 4 cats and I've many others in the past. Mine are all kept indoors at all times, as long as they have toys and things to keep them entertained there is absolutely no reason for them to be let outdoors.

For me the dangers outside are just not worth the risk.

Answer 8

We have two indoor cats and would never let them outside to fall victim to cars, other animals or the violent kids who take joy in hurting animals. It's just way too dangerous for them. Cats who go outside have a much shorter lifespan than indoor cats. Keep your cat safe inside, he will be happy being with your family and you won't have to worry about him not coming home one day.

Answer 9

It is a tough question, in one way it is cruel to keep a cat inside all the time because their instinct is to have more room on the outside, but of course by letting the cat out it could get run over by a car. I have always let cats go outside (that is indoor/outdoor cat), I always thought that benefits being outside outweighed the risks of being outside. I would not worry about the cat not being able to find its way back, I never heard of a cat getting lost roaming from the starting place of his home (getting stolen is another risk however).

Answer 10

i have 4 cats and they were all indoor cats, but as they got older i started letting them out into the back yard little by little, with me watching them and soon they started making the transition themselves to be outside most of the day. the good thing about them being both outdoor and indoor cats is that i dont need cat box. so as a young cat, inside is good. maybe by next year or so, you can try the outdoor training, but they always come home when they're hungry or when they see you come home.

Answer 11

I sincerely believe that cats belong indoors where they are safe and healthy. I have never let my cats out for that reason. In return, I have cats that are interactive, fun to be around, and just as happy as can be. It is some sort of a myth that cats need to go outside.