We're about to move into a large 2 bedroom flat. But I've always wanted a cat. Is it possible to have a cat when you live in a flat or should I leave it until I can eventually afford a house?
Thankyou!
2007-08-22 22:56:40 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
When I lived in the UK, my cats were always allowed access to go outside, but where I now live in Cyprus, I don't consider the local environment to be a safe one for cats, so my current two are not allowed outside unsupervised.
I don't know what age of cat you had in mind, but if you want a young cat 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. Kittens and young cats especially, need lots of physical and mental stimulation to keep them fit & healthy. Alternatively, you could also consider adopting an older cat, who would appreciate a more sedentary lifestyle. Sadly too often older cats are overlooked in favour of kittens, so you'd be doing a huge favour to an older cat. There are other solutions such as a cat who may not be allowed outside for medical reasons such as being blind or deaf.
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. The web article below offers advice on keeping an indoor cat happy.
http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/indoor.html
If your apartment has a balcony, then only allow the cat to use it 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.
Good luck.
2007-08-23 06:00:12 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was one of the first things I asked before putting down the security deposit, I left home with a cat, added two more and have lived in 4 different flats, all that allowed cats. We have our own home now, so don't have any problems on that regard.
Check with the landlord. The small space is ok for cats, they get along good in an apartment or flat.
2007-08-23 19:31:47 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat now she is 15 years old and she is very happy to live in 1 bedroom flat. She has a very nice bed on top of a table near the window so she can see what happening out side and have some sunshine.
2007-08-23 09:47:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to have a cat when you live in a flat, i have a friend who live in flat and he got 2 cats with him. The most important thing is u need to take a good care of your cat
2007-08-23 06:09:20 · answer #4 · answered by yusuke_kousuke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, as long as you take good care of her. I live in a two-bedroom flat and have a cat. She has a lot of space to jump and run around and enough space to go when she wants some peace and quiet. Actually, she's the mistress of the house now. We even try to keep our voices down when we argue about something in order not to disturb her!
2007-08-23 09:17:54 · answer #5 · answered by mithras78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep! My cats Nimbus and Fog were 'raised' in a flat from kittenhood until we moved when they were 10. Now we have a garden Nimbus (we lost Fog last year to cancer ) loves going out in the garden but I only let him when we're home. An indoor cat is less prone to car accidents/fights etc... A cat in a flat (wayhayy - it rhymes!!) will be slighter smaller than an outdoor one 'cos they grow to suit their environment...Nimbus is still going strong at 16.
2007-08-23 10:19:37 · answer #6 · answered by Jayne R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing wrong with having a cat in a flat. we have 2 cats in our 2 bedroom apartment.
2007-08-23 06:45:49 · answer #7 · answered by macleod709 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible.
But you'll want to check with your landlord/landlady first to see if they'll allow you to have pets.
If you're not at home a lot you might consider having two cats, or looking for a cat that is able to amuse itself during the day.
Personally, I think it's better to have indoor cats- they live longer, are less likely to catch diseases such as feline lieukemia and they won't come home beat up from a cat fight. But it's preference, really.
2007-08-23 06:43:56 · answer #8 · answered by fried_tc 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on whether there are any conditions about whether pets are accepted.
An indoor cat would be ideal, since they would't need access in and out of the property.
When we went to the Cat Shelter there were several indoor only cats wanting homes, so might be worth obtaining one from there, since it would already be used to the conditions.
2007-08-23 07:10:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can have a pet in a flat, tho it will depend on the conditions given by the landlord.
I have always rented, and have always had pets.
But it can make it hard to get a place, should you need to move. Lots of landlords don't like animals in their investments.
2007-08-23 06:08:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋