Indoor cats

Awful, Maybee. That’s the world some people think cats should live in - running the risk of maltreatment, poisoning etc.

We had a series of cat poisonings in our village years ago. And only today someone from the next village posted that someone had thrown rat poison into their garden. I don’t know what’s wrong with some people.

No, they never did get caught. This was in the 70’s. We’d searched for our cat and contacted the RSPCA & PDSA etc. An RSPCA inspector came to the door one day and asked us to describe her again. He then told us that it fitted the description of one of the cats they’d found but that we couldn’t have her back because her condition was too distressing.

We’d bought a new-build house and when the builders finally finished the site they removed all their sheds etc and that’s when they found all the bodies. It must have been pretty awful for them, too.

*SueDonim" how appalling about your poor cat. I hope they caught the twisted individual who'd do such a thing.

We had our first pedigrees after we saw a beautiful colourpoint, way back in the 70’s, and wanted one for ourselves. We got her after two of our three rescue cats had died - one having been killed by some vile person and her body stashed beneath a shed, along with a number of other missing cats who’d all been tortured. (Maybe that’s why I’m not keen on keen on letting cats outside.)

The two Russian Blues are also rescue cats, from Cats Protection League. They needed a home as much as any moggie does.

We’ve had plenty of moggies over the years, tabby, tortoiseshell, black, black & white, tabby & white. Oddly, we’ve never had a ginger cat but my dd has one instead, who was abandoned by his owner.

We have never had a 'breed' of cats- all mongrel moggies- all rescues. They usually find us, not t'other way round. Although Minou is apparently quite a posh ragdoll- no idea where he came from- perhaps nearby France?

Same for our dogs- apart from one we had to adopt from one daughter, a rescue dachshund.

Our colourpoints were so affectionate, too, but my goodness also very dim. The Russian Blues we’ve had are even less well endowed in the brain box area. Such gorgeous personalities though.

I’ve googled re the RB’s having lived in caves and found nothing to to support that. It seems they were seagoing cats rather than cave-dwellers, which is how they ended up in the UK and US at an early stage.

SueDomin, they are seal torties. So affectionate, and often to be found on my knee, but can be right little madams!

Sorry Giulia, Russian Blues do not have to be kept indoors. They are perfectly happy indoors, unlike some cats, but they also like to explore the garden if given the chance. Our cats, brother and sister, Russian Blues, lived happy indoor/ outdoor lives for 17 + years. Six foot garden fences were no problem for them. They came in when called, or their food plate was tapped. We never let them out at night.
Research cat breeds before buying, some cats are happy indoors some are not and will become unhappy and destructive.

My cat lived with me for two years in a flat with a large balcony. She loved the balcony and understood she was quite high and never took risks. I’ve recently moved to a house as she’s now delighted to go into the garden in and out of a cat flap. I think perhaps cats are good at adapting

They’re lovely, Bluesapphire. Are they tortoiseshell Birmans? We had Tortie colourpoints at one time. ❤️

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202202/medium-549052-pxl-20220130-172301189.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202202/medium-618805-pxl-20211230-141759941.jpg

My two Birman girls!

After having a string of much loved (but not affectionate) moggies, I hankered after having a Birman who are known for their loving nature. We eventually ended up with two!

They are indoor cats in winter, but love nothing better than being out in the garden with me in summer. They do little apart from sit in the sun watching the world go by and are not inclined to explore. More often than not they have had enough after half an hour or so and wait by the back door to be let back in. I would not let them out unsupervised, they are too daft!

They have lots of toys and climbing platforms indoors, and love boxes to hide in.

All cats should be kept indoors with access to a catio. Maybe they could be taken out on a harness.

giulia

Russian Blues MUST be kept indoors. They hate to be outside. Apparently, this is because the original race were cave-dwelling creatures. My daughter chose this breed specifically as she livesw in a flat with no terrace. They are perfectly happy.

Bit of misinformation there. Of course they can go out, but they adapt well to indoors - if indeed any animal should be kept fully indoors which is a different discussion for another time.

I do agree with you BlueBelle. We’ve had a succession of ginger toms - Monty our last one, was half Abyssian - very handsome and didn’t he know it! He was spayed - and a very determined character. He lived to the grand old age of 21 and absolutely loved roaming about. All the neighbours knew him - he enjoyed protecting his own territory however. One evening he followed us to our friends house - about half a mile away- waited outside until we came out quite late- and came home with us- he would have hated being stuck indoors.

SueDonim

Do you also think it’s unnatural to neuter cats, Greciangirl?

No, I don't. Because of the massive numbers of stray cats who do end up in all sorts of trouble, hunger, disease, etc. That is the responsible thing to do. Sterilising females too.

Mind you, I shall always remember the horror I felt in Colorado years ago. We were invited for dinner and the cat jumped on my lap and started to 'pedal'- and then I realised, he had no claws. I asked if he had been injured 'oh no' they replied 'he is an indoor cat and we don't want him to scratch furniture, so we had him de-clawed'. I felt truly sick and had to make excuses and go home. Thank goodness this is illegal in Europe and UK.

And we don't want them spraying our home to mark their territory, of course.
Because tom cats are smelly, if left to their own devices.

It is unnatural to remove bits from animals to stop them behaving like animals, of course.
A tom cat will roam miles, fighting and getting injured in the process, looking for female cats to mate with, and protecting its territory.
We neuter them to stop that behaviour.

BlueBelle

I will annoy you all now because I think the idea of indoor cats is a cruel notion it’s changing a cats normal personality to be a human appendage, a playmate, our captive and I feel in my heart it’s wrong
A cat however domesticated should be able to keep its own natural instincts to explore, hunt, and wander it’s territory To keep them inside or even in an enclosure is going against this, it’s changing it to fit our human needs

Most of you would be anti zoo or circus but really no difference however loving you make its home it’s still for you not the cat although you will believe it’s for their safety

Anyway I ve got my hard hat on and expecting an avalanche of crossness but that’s my feelings

Agree BlueBelle I had 2 kits who went out and about most nights hunting in fields close by both hit by cars on same busy road returning home.very sad for my 2DS BUT they had a rare old time for 5-6years! Freedom to roam

Do you also think it’s unnatural to neuter cats, Greciangirl?

I have tried to take my rescue cats outside (on a lead - because of a nearby main road, where animals have been killed) They were frightened and just wanted to race back inside - pulling me with them! We did have a Catio at our previous home - but can't find anyone willing to erect one for us here (in the very north of Scotland).

My sister used to live in a flat and had two indoors cats for about 4 years. Then she bought a house and they became outdoor cats, they adapted really well and if they are happy I don't think it matters if they are outdoor or indoor cats.

Oscar never goes out we live in a 1st floor flat, he has a tunnel designed like a cannon a covered teddy bed and two towers one in the living room and one in our bedroom. He uses all his toys.
Every morning I open the window and feed the birds and he comes onto his tower to peek out the window. He’s perfectly happy we play hide and seek. I wouldn’t let him out too many cats have been killed or injured.

I think it’s unnatural to keep cats cooped up indoors.

Although I have had many cats in my time, several of which have been killed on the road, I would still not wish to keep them indoors. Their natural instinct is to roam and explore.