Indoor cats

My son has a gorgeous little cat, half Bengal, now about 7 months old. She is only just starting to go out - she just didn’t want to, and even now prefers somebody to go with her. When they had an extension built (before they got the cat) they had a cat tunnel built in - but naturally the cat refuses to use it. An ordinary cat flap wasn’t possible for some reason.

What beautiful cats Aveline, how nice to have the two.
In principle, cats should be outside, mine always have wouldn’t dream of not letting them be free. However, if a cat has been mistreated, think of the recent case in the news, is traumatised at going outside, then that’s cruel making them do that , their well being and happiness is what matters, thank goodness there are many people that give their hearts and homes to them. A true cat lover wants what’s best for them, those cat runs sound ideal if you have the space. It used to be a regular occurrence to see a cat at the side if the road after being knocked down by a car.

After having 2 much-loved cats run over because they wandered out of my small cul-de-sac, I had my garden made "cat secure" with some netting so that my remaining cat couldn't leave the garden. She has shrubs and grass and things to climb on, and I know that she's always safe.

My DS has two indoor cats although they go out into their small walled garden but don’t venture further afield.

I’m a dog rather than cat person, but Maine Coone cats are beautiful, with character.

I like the idea of an outside run water meadow. I see it could be high risk to allow your rescue indoor cats freedom. In principle I do believe cars need freedom. However, our once quiet area is so busy with cars exceeding the speed limit, I don’t see cats surviving.

To those who say that it's cruel to keep cats in, I would suggest it's no different from the fact that most dogs aren't allowed to roam as they were 60 years ago. The are pack animals and their natural instincts aren't to be stuck indoors.

Yes Avaline I have lost twice, two much loved cats one to a traffic accident one to ….I ll never know she just never came home one day and yes I cried buckets and missed them to this day but I know they had as near normal life as any domesticated animal can during their time with me, they played, they explored, they pretend hunted (never got anything much) they socialised with other cats (maybe fought) they socialised on the wall with other people passing by they rambled and explored Yes they were domesticated but they had a normal as possible life using their natural instincts They were not my plaything
I totally understand if you inherit an indoor cat ot maybe a nervous illtreated cat I m not inhuman

And on the subject of dogs grandnana man’s inhumanity to dog breeding, knows no bounds, but still people spend copious amounts of money on the smallest, the cutest (pushed in nose) the one with the biggest eyes, the mongrel that’s is the ‘in name’ of the day, the one to carry in a handbag and these animal suffer thoughtout their life with a variety of health problems because of OUR wants, desires, need to design
I admire Norway for now banning the breeding of two badly damaged breeds The English bulldog and the King Charles

Yes Merylstreep I feel the same about birds in cages too utterly cruel

I had three rag doll cats, very laid back breed. I kept them as indoor cats, not as easy as it sounds. Constant worry when doors and windows left open in the summer, children running in and out trying to play chase with the cats. Workmen and knocks on the door, it would be quick where’s the cats put them away! They had a run but always wanted to be with people. I would never do it again, more worry than letting them out and learning about the outside themselves.

My DD has an indoor rescue cat. She was told that the cat would not be happy going out.
One night she forgot to close a
window and the cat escaped. She was missing for 3 days and they searched for her every day.
They left the window open and were relieved when they were woken by a loud yowling and scratching on their bedroom door. The cat was obviously happy to be home and wouldn't leave my DDs side and would follow her everywhere. She will stand by an open door but always runs back inside. Her outside adventure seemed to have not been a happy time.

I've had indoor cats for 20 years. My last outside cat never came home one day and we never found out what happened to him. It was heart breaking.

I then started keeping sphynx's which being hairless and needing to be kept warm are always house cats. They've always had a secure outside area to enjoy in good weather, and where we are now with a roof terrace is ideal.

They've never been out and have long happy lives.

I think it depends on the cat - they find their own level according to their nature. I've had cats that prefer to be indoors, those that love the outdoors, and most, those that like both depending on the weather! One of my neighbours has a cat that has never even sniffed at the back door - must admit, I've never had one that uninterested in the outdoors.

I agree with BlueBelle that it's against their nature to keep them in all the time (and that it's more for the owner's benefit than the cat's). And, yes, it is heartbreaking to lose a much loved pet, whatever the reason.

My British Blue Oliver the Great is such a lazy boy he will not venture outside at all when I open the back door he will run to his cosy fleece blanket for cover I have tried to get him outside many times but he is just not interested.

Our elderly half-Siamese was bitten in the base of her tail by a fox 25 years ago, so never went out again. Subsequent cats have been indoors from kittenhood. Siamese are good at communicating their feelings - they don't care.

Grandnana

To those who say that it's cruel to keep cats in, I would suggest it's no different from the fact that most dogs aren't allowed to roam as they were 60 years ago. The are pack animals and their natural instincts aren't to be stuck indoors.

This 'it goes against nature' argument is a slippery slope. The fox biting my cat was natural. Farming animals and fish, keeping cows lactating, fattening pigs - none of that's natural.

Some of our very elderly cats chose to be indoor at some point- their choice entirely. But personally, I would never have cats if they had to be indoor cats- as their nature is very strong and they need to go up trees and follow their instinct. I know many will disagree, that's OK.

We have a catflap, and Minou goes in and out as he pleases- he owns us, not t'other way round.

Urs very different to keep cats in than allowing dogs to roam as they did when I was a child. A photograph of our road in 1960 showed no cars at all. Now,cars are parked half on road, half pavement on both sides. Plus there’s heavy traffic all day. My dogs couldn’t roam but they are well exercised and their breed needs supported. Just back from doing retrieve and settle exercises with a teenage hooligan lab. Both muddy wet and happy.
As with everything it’s down to responsible owners

I agree chardy and why I don’t eat animals the conditions they are kept in, the added anti biotics, the travelling the way they are sometimes killed, yes you are absolutely right the whole of the animal kingdom is often abused by humans add on to that all the various ‘sports’ including bull fighting cockfighting fox hunting big game shooting and more and more and more It’s all part of the big picture isn’t it

Over 50% of deaths in cats aged between 6 months and two are as the result of RTAs. A further proportion die as a result of infections they have picked up outside, dog fights etc.
That seems to me a much crueller waste of life than keeping your cat inside to protect it. The secret is to be consistent from birth, because they don’t miss what they’ve never had. It’s not like keeping them in a cage if they have free rein in the house and an enclosed run outside.
I knew the animal cruelty argument would be raised, however cats are domesticated, they wouldn’t survive in the wild, so wouldn’t exist in their present form if it wasn’t for humans.

I take it you don’t agree with neutering animals, either, Bluebelle as that’s also altering their nature, nor with training dogs to obey humans nor with horses being used for leisure activities.

The key to keeping an indoor cat is to provide a rich, rewarding environment for them. It’s not difficult.

My own cat that we adopted just over a year ago is always indoors after dark and he seems to be quite happy as long as he can go out during daylight hours. It also gives me peace of mind after seeing how many cats seem to disappear after dark, never to be seen again as reported on our local Facebook community groups.
My niece has two cats that are totally indoors and have been since they were kittens. They seem happy, and have plenty of toys and are played with every day.
I don't know if it makes a difference that they are both females or not.

Willow73

I had three rag doll cats, very laid back breed. I kept them as indoor cats, not as easy as it sounds. Constant worry when doors and windows left open in the summer, children running in and out trying to play chase with the cats. Workmen and knocks on the door, it would be quick where’s the cats put them away! They had a run but always wanted to be with people. I would never do it again, more worry than letting them out and learning about the outside themselves.

Same here. I don’t know how we managed to keep our indoor cats from escaping when the children were young, but our first Burmese was killed on the road the very first time she got out and we couldn’t bear the thought of that happening again. Prior to that I’d had moggies, several of which had either been killed or injured. For that reason I could never have another cat, much as I love them. I did read a theory that one of the reasons dogs seem to have so many health problems is that they’re deficient in VitD as they spend so much time indoors.

jaylucy

My own cat that we adopted just over a year ago is always indoors after dark and he seems to be quite happy as long as he can go out during daylight hours. It also gives me peace of mind after seeing how many cats seem to disappear after dark, never to be seen again as reported on our local Facebook community groups.
My niece has two cats that are totally indoors and have been since they were kittens. They seem happy, and have plenty of toys and are played with every day.
I don't know if it makes a difference that they are both females or not.

I agree. Accidents always happened if my cats went out again in the evening. They seem to develop a sort of road sense once they get past the ‘katten’ period of their lives.

Animals live longer in zoos, but I don't necessarily think that makes it the better option.

MissAdventure

Animals live longer in zoos, but I don't necessarily think that makes it the better option.

I saw an interview with someone on tv saying that we are dependent on zoos and their breeding programmes to ensure the survival of many species. It’s so heartbreaking to realise that we humans are destroying the planet for every other living creature . How did we let this happen?

By being humans, unfortunately.