Is it safe to have a cat in London?

Question

My fiance and I are buying a ground floor flat and are thinking about getting a cat, as we've been wanting one for such a long time.

But I'm a bit worried that we're quite close to a road, and whether it's safe.

Am I being overprotective?!

Thanks

Answer 1

I live near a busy road and so I've kept mine indoors, they've never been bothered by it and I always make sure they got plenty to do. I give them the run of the house and they have toys, scratch posts, climbing and play centres etc. They're both happy and healthy which is most important, plus I don't have the worry of fleas or other nasties or diseases.....
But if you do decide to go ahead maybe get 2 so they keep each other company when you're not there??

You're not being overprotective, you're just concerned about their safety which is normal!!!
Hope this helps....

Answer 2

As said above ,you can have "Housecats" I have got 2 tomkittens 3month ago I live along a very busy road and letting cats out would be a death sentence to them !
The " BOYS" are so happy playing together ,climbing,chasing each other and hunting their food ! I throw chicken bits into a basket and they fetch it !
You will be better of getting two cats that are already house cats as it would be cruel to confine cats that are used to the outside ! With two they are also company for each other and you don't have to feel guilty about leaving them !
In big Cities people all over the world keep cats that never go out
they are happy and contented as they don't know anything else !
I can recommend it !
Good luck and you might be like me hobby.....".Catwatching"

Answer 3

Is it busy roads? If so, probably best to have a house cat.

Go to the Cats Protection League www.catsprotection.com to find a cat, because a) they're overrun with cats who desperately need homes and b) they can advise you which cat might be suitable to live in a house, because they won't all stand for it. Even kittens might grow up desperate to get outside.

Also, you get cats for £20 at the Cats Protection and they come flea, wormed and vaccinated and neutered if old enough - pretty good deal!

Chalice

Answer 4

Sounds like you're being sensible, not overprotective. :-)

We only let out our cats outside during the day (never at night) because we live in the countryside in the UK, and there's no danger of cars, random gangs attacking them or dangerous animals.

If I were you, I'd keep the cat indoors all the time. An indoor cat can be kept very happy, provided it has things to occupy it. You'll need to play with it and provide it will things like a cat tree. One of our cats hates going outside and prefers to spend all day either curled up with my partner and me, on the cat tree or staring out of the window watching the wildlife go by.

Answer 5

Hi there!

The best thing you could do is have a indoors-only cat. I would not advise getting a cat if you strongly feel they should roam outdoors. If you lived in the middle of nowhere or on a very quiet street, this might be fine - but in a city, it is not a good idea.

Most cats are completely happy to stay indoors, as long as they have always been indoors.

This would mean that you would have to either get a kitten that has never been allowed outside. Kittens under 6 months of age should not go outside because a) they will not be neutered or spayed before then; b) they will not be fully vaccinated until 3 months of age and c) they will not be fully grown or mature enough to defend themselves outside until this age. Some 'breeders' let their 8 week old kittens play in the garden before selling them - so check that they haven't been outside yet. You can also get kittens from rescue shelters.

If you would like to get an adult cat, then a shelter is your best bet. However, you will need to find a cat that has never been outside. Cats with special needs also need indoor homes :-)

For a list of shelters in your area, please go to http://www.catchat.org/adoption

If you do get a cat, be very careful to keep all windows closed or 'on the latch'. An indoor cat will still be a curious cat, and any open window is an invitation to explore!

Oh, one last suggestion - this is not always the case, but I have found that female cats tend to be easier to keep indoors than males. Neutering helps, but I've still always found that all my male cats try to get out - whereas my females are content sitting on the windowsill watching the world go by.

If you have the money, you could also consider getting a purebred kitty. Certain breeds are well-known for being suitable for indoor lifestyles and therefore it's less of a gamble than buying a non-purebred kitten who might grow up to be an escape artist! Ragdolls, for example, are very sweet cats who need to be kept indoors because they are not hardy and cannot defend themselves like cheeky street moggies!

Also, getting two cats from a shelter (they constantly have cats in pairs that need to be homed together), or two kittens of roughly the same age, should help to keep them happier indoors. It's much more fun for them to have a companion, and especially if you get kittens - it will keep them from destroying your hands and your house, as they will direct their play aggression towards each other!

Good luck!

xx Emmie

Answer 6

There's an easy way round your problem - make it a "House Cat". I had one who lived to be 21+ - he never went out into the back garden until he was about ten years old and then would never stray far away from either of us, and on the one occasion I took him in my arms to the front door, a bus went past and he shot out of my arms and back into the safety of the flat.
He had a happy life, never trying to get out (quite the reverse as I have said) but I looked after him well and he had regular visits to the vet for his jabs and check-ups - and I had him insured too ^^

Answer 7

Cats belong indoors. It's never safe for a cat outside. Keep kitty inside and it's perfectly safe.

Answer 8

you can always make it a house cat. some cat's really don't mind being indoors. We've two, although they are allowed out 1 of them just prefers to be in all the time

Answer 9

Get the cat neutered and do your best to be a responsible pet owner by keeping it indoors only. The cat will probably try to sneak out but if you keep a spray bottle of water near the door and squirt the cat if it darts to the door it will soon learn to stay away from the door. Good luck with your cat, they can be wonderful pets and companions!

Answer 10

it is enough safe if u r in a ground floor adn have a garden so that it gets entertained or else it might run on the streets!!