Is it OK to keep a cat indoor at all times with access to only a balcony?

Question

I live in a third floor flat with only a balcony and I want to get a cat.

Answer 1

If you want to keep a cat indoors at all times and you're away from home for long periods during the day, then speaking from experience, its a good idea for them to have a feline companion. Young cats especially, need lots of physical and mental stimulation to keep them fit & healthy. You could also consider adopting an older cat, who would appreciate a more sedentary lifestyle.

Every effort should be made to keep an indoor cat happy and their environment should resemble an outdoor lifestyle as closely as possible. They must have a scratching pole, something high they are allowed to climb up on to, a wide variety of interactive toys and regular time set aside every day for you to play with them. A garden is an ever-changing environment for cats to explore, the home usually isn't, which is why it is so important to consider the cat's mental health too when choosing an indoor only lifestyle for them. Cats live for the here and now, they have no concept of life span. It's quality, not quantity of life that matters to them. Sadly some owners of indoor cats think only in terms of their cat's physical health. Please don't be one of them.

How large is your balcony? I live in apartment with two large balconies which my cats are allowed to use under supervision. You need to be vigilant with their safety, as most cats will be curious to get outside if given the chance. I've trained my two to walk on a harness, so I do also take them outside on a regular basis, which they really enjoy.

If you can provide a cat with a loving, stimulating and safe home, then it's fine for you to have one living indoor only.

Answer 2

It would be safest to keep him away from the balcony and only have him indoors. Many cats live perfectly happy lives never once going outside. Some cats are better suited for indoor than others however. If a cat has been outdoors most of its life and you suddenly try to force it to be an indoor cat it will not be happy and you probably won't be either.

Answer 3

Yes. In fact, it is much healthier for them to remain indoors. An indoor cat has an average life expectancy of 15 years; an outdoor cat has an average life expectancy of 4 years. Big difference. Outdoor cats also tend to get into more difficulty, and that means more frequent visits to the vet, and bigger vet bills when they go.

A balcony is great. But you need to know that cats are great escape artists, and if given free access to the balcony, may find a ledge or some kind of way to roam away. Also, there is something vets see frequently enough to have given it a name: "high rise syndrome". Cats have a way of falling off balconies, or else they see a bird fly by and they just jump after it. As you know, cats can fall a good distance and not hurt themselves, because they have a righting mechanism in their brains, and they do indeed land on their feet. But when the surface they land on is hard or if they land not quite right, the bones of the lower foot get jammed up into the bones of the upper leg, and the bones of the leg get jammed up into the "shoulder:" bones. This is "high rise syndrome".

To prevent it, you should put chicken wire on your balcony, or screen it, or make a chicken wire enclosure for your cat on the balcony -- something nice, with a little seat in it so he can look around and watch the activity in nearby trees or on the sidewalk, but something that protects him from the dangers of his own wanderlust or enthusiasm or stupid moves.

Keep a collar on him with a tag that has your name and phone number or have him microchipped, or both. Cats are just expert at roaming away. They don't mean to leave home; they are just sort-of like the bear who went over the mountain to see what he could see. And sometimes -- one out of three times -- they can't find their way back.

I guess what I am saying is: make a spot for your cat on the balcony that is his spot, and that is secure, so he can't fall or roam away, an enclosure, or else enclose the balcony. Chicken wire is cheap. And get i.d. on your buddy, so if he does go over the mountain, there is a better chance you can get him back.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

YES!!! it is not cruel to keep a cat inside. THe things they avoid far outweigh the lack of supposed "freedom" they experience from going outside. Personally I don't see it as "freedom" at all for them to be exposed to cars, dogs, etc..

As for your balcony, BE CAREFUL!! there is something in cats called "High Rise Syndrome." where cats fall/jump from apartment windows for no apparent reason. Unless your balcony is completely screened in so that the cat literally cannot jump or fall off it, don't let it on the balcony. A cat falling 3 stories can be injured badly or killed.

Better to get a kitty "window seat" and put it in a window with a VERY GOOD screen (try pushing on the screen yourself with a little bit of force and see if it holds up). The window seat is basically a bed that sits against the window on the inside so they have a perch and can look out the window. Check out the first picture on this page to see what I'm talking about.
http://www.futurepets.com/Cat_Window_Perch.htm
Even better, buy a bird feeder and put it outside that same window. Must-see kitty TV!!

Read this:
http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=709http://

www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_highrise

Good luck with your cat!!

Answer 5

Dry nutrients became created for our convenience, and not for the wellbeing of our cats. the latest examine hyperlinks it to pussycat themes like obesity, diabetes, urinary tract themes, and kidney ailment. In nature, cats eat meat, not dried biscuits. They drink little or no, and get their moisture from the beef they eat. Dry nutrients leaves them in a state of dehydration, subsequently the UTD and kidney themes. that is extra inexpensive now, yet could make a contribution to vet charges down the line. nutrients for "indoor cats" is a advertising gimmick. Cats prefer an identical nutrients and weight-relief plan no rely the place they stay. the concept in the back of the indoor cat nutrients is that indoor cats probable prefer much less nutrients and energy than exterior ones, so it has much less fat and energy. They try this by utilizing increasing the fiber - which cats do not prefer. that is lots easier to maintain cats a healthful weight by utilizing feeding them an all-canned weight-relief plan at desirable circumstances in the time of the day - they get the beef they prefer, and could't overeat.

Answer 6

I would keep the cat indoors, unless like someone else has suggested, you have a cage or gate up. Cats like to go after things, and if they want a bird or something, they will jump. Cats are much healthier if they live inside. They won't get as sick as outdoor cats do, and they will live a longer life. Trust me it's better to keep your cat inside. We used to have outdoor cats until one of them was hit by a car. Since then, every cat we have gotten has been an indoor cat. And our oldest cat is 15 and still going strong.

Answer 7

You should keep the cat indoors and off the balcony unless it's in an enclosure (cage, crate, etc.). If a cat sees a bird or is startled it could jump or fall and be seriously injured or killed. As long as your indoor-only cat has fresh food and water, a clean litter box, and plenty of toys, it will be happy.

Answer 8

of course. some cats never go outside. before my cat got sick, she would have to be carried in an enclosed cage to the car if we needed to take her somewhere, because she hated the outdoors. when you go to get your cat, ask if they are an indoor or and outdoor cat, especially if you find your cat at the humane society. get all the information you can about their previous owners if you are getting it from a humane society. also, be sure that there is NO way your cat can get off the balcony, through bars or underneath the railing. there cannot be any gaps, because cats can fit through ridiculously small spaces.

Answer 9

Cats are much safer & healthier if they stay indoors. A balcony would need to be enclosed so the cat doesn't fall. Even open windows need to be securely screened to prevent accidents. Indoor cats can be perfectly happy with toys, scratching posts and companionship.

Answer 10

Cats have been known to jump from 3rd floor balconies. I'd go with indoor only, no balcony access.