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Indoor cats

(152 Posts)
watermeadow Sun 13-Feb-22 19:42:44

I’ve always believed cats are best allowed out though mine were always called in at bed time. Now I have two middle aged rescues who have never been outside. I have accepted that they are better off like this, safe from traffic and attacks and diseases from other cats. I’ve had two young cats killed on my quite quiet road.
I plan to get a “catio” an outside run attached to the house so they can go out when they want to but still stay safe.
In many countries cats are kept indoors but most British cats can roam free. Has anyone here got experience of indoor cats and any advice, please?

valdali Sun 19-Apr-26 18:49:08

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.

Yes but for dogs, we are their pack and if they are with us, they are fine (a walk is as good as a roam).
& both my grandparents had dogs 70 years ago, they weren't allowed to roam, they had a kennel and a long leash attached to a wire so they could move around, but they went out with their owners, not on their own.
With cats there are many good reasons for keeping them in but the three I have had were desperate to be out, and so they were allowed out (one was a rescue- she was the most frantic to get outdoors).