Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Warm Welcome to Purrs! => Welcome to Newbies :) => Topic started by: Toastcat on May 23, 2008, 22:00:00 PM
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Hey everyone
Me and my partner have been considering buying a cat/kitten for a long time. The reason we hesitate is that we live in a flat with no garden, and wondered whether it's cruel to keep a cat indoors? Thing is, we've heard that some older cats/cats from shelters might prefer being indoors, away from traffic noise etc ... but would really just appreciate some advice! We don't want to deprive a cat of a garden if that's what they'd prefer...just would like your opinions really!
Thanks
TC
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Hi TC & :welcome: to Purrs
Indoor cats are a lot more common nowadays, an indoor cat does require much more attention and interaction than an indoor/outdoor cat. Have you considered getting two so they are company for each other whilst you're out at work? Two are twice the fun of one and half the work too!
There are lots of 'types' of cats that would be ideally suited to a life of indoor luxury, deaf cats, elderly cats, FIV+ cats or just cats that aren't fussed about going out. If you go along to your local rescue and explain your home set up and lifestyle I'm sure they could match you up with one or two perfect cats :)
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Hi and :welcome: to Purrs!
I live in a flat too and keep my cats indoors. They have no outdoor access at all and are happy, imo. Opinons vary on this, but a lot of us do keep our cats indoors for various reasons. Yes, they would like to have a garden to play in, but that doesnt mean they can't be content indoors.
There are pretty much 2 ways to go about getting an indoor cat. The first is to look for a cat(s) that need to be kept indoors, eg a cat with FIV, a blind cat, an older cat that has never been outside before etc. Such cats don't necessarily need much additional care and won't necessarily need lots of expensive vet treatment, but they are often best kept indoors. Most rescues will have some cats that are looking for indoor homes and would be delighted at the offer of an indoor home. The second way is to get kittens on the basis that they won't miss what they never had. I have had my cats since they were kittens (one is almost 11 years old and the other is 2 years old) and they have never known the outdoors.
You do need to make an extra effort to provide toys and games for indoor cats. You have to compensate for the fact that an indoor environment is not a stimulating as an outdoor one, but it can be done.
Good luck with finding a suitable cat or cats. I'm sure there is a cat somewhere that's purrfect for you.
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:welcome: to Purrs..... :)
Before I moved I had 4 cats in a 2 bed flat....they were indoor only and no problems whatsoever! ;)
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:welcome: to Purrs, Toastcat.
As Helen and Susanne say, there are any number of cats that need to be kept indoors for one reason or another. Many of these are in rescues, waiting quietly and patiently for the right loving family to come along for them. So rather than buy a cat - or cats! - I would go along to your local rescue and talk to them about rehoming one or two.
NB the rescue will appreciate a donation towards its future work, of course :)
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Hi all,
Thanks for your advice everyone! Have to admit that we hadn't thought about getting a blind or deaf cat...but obviously there are lots of different options out there!
We probably won't get one for a while - have to make sure that we can really accommodate one in our flat, but when we do, we'll keep you posted!
TC xxxx
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If you are having an indoor cat, it's a great opportunity to offer a home to a cat with FIV. They are so often overlooked and need indoor homes away from other cats. They are just as happy and healthy as any other cat. Clare will no doubt tell you about her lovely cat Max :Luv2:
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Helllooooooooooo, did I hear someone say my name ;D :evillaugh:
Welcome to Purrs TC, and as Mark has said, I'm the very proud slave to Max, who is nearly 10 and is FIV+
If you are looking to home an indoor cat/s, then I would defo suggest taking a look for any with FIV, they so often draw the short straw when it comes to rehoming (due to lack of knowledge largely), but in all reality, they are no different to looking after any other cat :)
If you do seriously consider this route, there's a whole bunch of us on here who have FIV puds, and will happily pass on all our knowledge and experiences to help you decide :Luv:
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Here's a good example of a happy, healthy FIV boy - don't know where you are based - anywhere near Yorks or North East? ;)
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,15132.0.html
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Hi TC.
My boy Roque is an indoor cat, he did go missing once 3 years ago, he was found 3 days later, and he hasn't been out since, he seems quite happy, and doesn't miss out on anything except for one thing (you know what I mean)
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hello ;D ..
my cat sammy is an indoor cat he has a cat flap and can go outside whenever he likes, we used to pick him up and take him outside but he'd just run staright back in again so we've given up now lol.. he seems very content indoors,
some cats just dont like going outside .. i agree with everyone else have a look at rescues im sure there'll be some that cant go outside for some reason or another,
good luck ;D