I live in a little apartment complex, I really want a cat but I don't want her to stay cooped up in the house. It would be nice to have her come in and out as she pleases. Any ideas?
2007-11-13 02:53:05 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Please don't do this. Cats live longer, healthier lives in side. No fleas, no ticks, no chance to be hit by a car, bite by a dog, kicked by a stranger. Your apartment complex may have addional fees to charge if you get a pet. Mine used to charge an extra $25 - 50 a month depending on the pet....in their opinion this was to cover any damage done by the pet ( ie peeing on the carpet, scratching the doors,window sills, walls, having to pay someone to clean up outside.)
Please think this through.
2007-11-13 03:42:04 · answer #1 · answered by lt4827 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're not ready for a cat if you think that she should come and go as she pleases. If you live in an apartment complex, you live near streets which are dangerous to cats (flat cat syndrome). There are also the dangers of roaming dogs, kids up to no good, etc.
Keeping the cat indoors is not cruel or keeping her cooped up. It is keeping her safe and protected.
2007-11-13 11:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by catstandish 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Since you live in an apartment complex, your options will be very limited at best. If you have a patio, you might see about setting it up as a sun room, with a few ledges for your cat to perch on.
You might even try getting a very young kitten and leash-training her. But don't let your kitty outside without supervision: There are sickos out there who think it's fun to run over someone's furry friend, for one thing.
Otherwise, just keep her in the house. It's not as bad as you think. My kitties have been inside cats from the time they were only a few weeks old, and they're perfectly happy. In fact, if they were to get out where they don't have nice soft carpets and warm blankets to lay on, they would freak out.
2007-11-13 11:06:06 · answer #3 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are not on the ground floor where she/he can run in and out, I would suggest that you give her or him 6 months in your house before doing that. If you are where she can run in and out, I would still give time for it to know it is home. At least a week
PS Don't tell the adoption agency that you will be letting the cat outdoors
2007-11-13 10:57:47 · answer #4 · answered by Ken 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two cats that live in an apartment. They do fine. They love looking out the windows at the birds and other animals (wooded area), and sitting in their favorite spots. We play with Da Bird for their interactive play.
My one cat would never go outside. In my old apartment, I would leave the door open when I sat on my patio, and she would sit in the doorway. The other cat would be killed by a raccoon or duck if I ever let him out. He allows himself to be bossed around by the family chinchilla, so I don't think he would survive very long outdoors with tougher cats and wild animals since his great fighting strategy is to roll on his back and play dead.
Overall, it is just much safer to keep them inside. I had one neighbor who let her cat out, and someone took her thinking she was a stray. You really face a lot of risks if you let your cat out.
2007-11-13 11:32:41 · answer #5 · answered by Crystal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check the laws in your area and the rules of the complex. In many or most cities, you will be fined, and rightly so, for allowing any domestic animal to roam loose.
Cats are hunters, and very efficient ones.
2007-11-13 11:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by Tom K 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋