New kitten....questions & advice (merged)

tanith

I don't think there would be a problem, cats love to sleep and as long as she has water and a litter tray would be happy all day indoors in the winter, in the summer she could stay outside, or maybe have a cat flap then she can please herself

BB1984

I work similar hours and have recently rehomed a cat. He stayed in for the first few weeks but now we have installed a cat flap so he can come and go (but stays in mostly as it's so cold out!)

I personally think that house/indoor cats are fine, if they've been brought up as indoor cats. I don't think it's very fair though to stop a cat going out which is used to being outdoors. I'm sure the rescue centre will find a suitable adult cat for you!

BB

bellrooster

Cats are extreemly lazy so I'm sure if you rehomed one (or two?) they would love nothing more than to sleep all day and keep you company in the evening.

I'm in and out all day, but don't see much of my 2 feline friends untill night time when I'm curled up on the sofa and they come for their cuddles!

So I would say go for it, Cats make great pets!

lowis

if the cat is used to being alone for long periods of time it should be fine, the rescue centre would be able to match you with a suitable cat once you give them all the info.

haved you thought about adopting a pair of cats so they keep each other company whilst you are not there?

good luck, there is definitely a cat out there waiting to move in with you

daleigha

i have an indoor cat and me & OH work full time - shes totally fine!!

she sleeps most of the day - we have noticed at the weekend thats all she really does!! i have been off sick yesterday and today from work and she has hardly come near me - if they are used to being on their own then they'll be fine.

xx

marvellousmel

Hi

I have two indoor cats - Jasmine is fine with not going out and has never gone out, she is just the type that really isn't bothered LOL

My other cat Kipper was a cruelty case from the RSPCA and was extremely timid and nervous when I first adopted him (thanks to the unbelievebly cruel people who did the unspeakable to him!!)

I was advised to keep him as an indoor cat because he was so "skitty" and was likely to fly off and not come home if he was ever scared or spooked whilst outside.

Since then, with a lot of hard work and love, he has developed into the most trusting and playful beautiful cat I could have ever imagined to ever live with (and so is Jasmine too of course )

Maybe you could look for a cat (or two) that have been mis-treated to share your home with? Believe me after a bit of hard work the massive rewards are well worth it

Also have you looked at adopting cats who are FIV+? This is a totally different kettle of fish, but with their illness will need to be kept indoors (but don't jump into it without researching into it competely).

Good luck

Mel

UKTigerlily

I have an older Cat who will be 11 in March & she's quite happy left alone, I think I read somewhere they sleep about 18 hours a day! If I go on long day trips I leave her in with a litter tray & an automatic cat feeder so she's still fed at the correct times, when I worked she'd come & go as she wanted. You can use an auto feeder if you're out at feeding time, you could get a cat flap so they can come & go & if you get the microchip one you can have it set so once it gets dark it keeps them in.

Some rescues might say you're not suitable but if they do keep looking! There is a cat out there for you, even when i'm in all day if mine is in she mostly sleeps. Give them lots of fuss & play time at night & it or they will be happy (Two will keep each other company, but obviously this depends on finances etc, you can still get single cats that are ok!)

MadDogWoman_2

One of my cats has been an involuntary house cat for the last few weeks, tail injury, she's fine she has her litter tray and her other 2 feline friends to curl up with.

Normally I work full time and DH works shifts and they have a cat flap so they come and go as they please, which at the moment is locked for out but open for in so we can let the healthy cats out of the back door.

I just feed them in the morning and evening.

I deliberately went for a pair of cats when adopting due to being at work so that they would keep each other company.

The perfect feline friend is out there somewhere

XDA

Everyone - Thanks for all your responses and input, its exactly the type of info I was after! :j:beer:

There are 2 local charities that have cats for re-housing so I'll get in contact with both of them. I will go for an indoor cat, as that'll save me having to worry about letting it in/out when Im out at work. Not sure about a cat flap, as I live on a housing estate and I dont want all the local cats "visiting"! Also live in a rented house and im not sure about the rules for having a cat flap.

I think having one cat rather than two might be best, as I've never had a cat before so it'll be a new experience for me. I also have to consider the costs but I dont think they would be too steep.

Cheers all.

CheeseCat

Yay! Its nice to hear of people offering a home as so many animals are being abandoned as peoples cash gets tighter - although I have to say I would keep my lot no matter what!

I just wanted to say, don't be disheartened if the rescues you go to are "funny" about you wanting to rescue a cat and keep it indoors, I have heard of some people who volunteer for rescues letting their own judgement on indoor cats affect (and turn away!) good indoor only homes for kitties.

There are some cats as others have said, that for whatever reason cannot go out - or some cats that prefer to be indoors anyway. If you get a cat that has never been out then they wont miss it We have three indoor cats and one indoor foster cat - all are happy to be indoors!

You may also like to consider rehoming a cat with FIV - these cats are not allowed to go outdoors so some rescues would welcome an indoor home for them! There is alot of stigma attached to FIV cats but you will not even be able to tell they have it! We had a wonderful FIV cat who passed away at 11 years for a completely unrelated issue.

Good luck to you on finding your new friend :beer: