Cat in a flat

chocdonuty

Ok so i'm thinking about getting another moggy....
Have had cats before and my last one I got as a rescue when I was living in a house, we then moved to a flat and she was fine, never really went out far or for long to start with and never attempted to escape. unfortunatley she passed away last year due to ill health
So what i'm really asking is what would be the best option?
Get a kitten so that they grow up indoors only?
Get an indoor cat from rescue/paper that needs rehoming?
One or two?
I think if i lived in a house i would definatly get 2 or more, it's just the bother of the litter tray/storing litter(obviously mse in big bags) and would they have enough room?
Don't really want to get older cats as I think it would probably upset my daughter too much to have them for such a short time though it's definatly something i may do when she's older.
I do have a 2 bedroom flat, not big, probably about 20ft x 30ft in total and they can have free run of the lot, except the guinea pig cage:rotfl:
I do work, only part time and only 4 hr shifts, rarely go away but have neighbours who can pop in if i go away for the weekend, which i may do 2/3 times a year.
Any advice or things i have forgotten?

Murtle

I would get two, so that they have a playmate. Because of that I would get a pair, be that kittens or slightly older cats.

I would suggest you look at FIV cats as they need a indoor only environment. Have a read about them as they aren't the scary thing that some people think they are.

We use Worlds Best Cat Litter, it's not the cheapest but like for like it works out really well and you only need to have a small bag! I made the mistake of buying a big bag and it lasted months and months and months!!

Hope you find what you are looking for, but if you are struggling http://www.catchat.org/ will have rescues for your area.

Mxxx

gettingready

I got...6... in a 2 bed flat.. and a large dog..

Fire_Fox

I am on my second cat in a flat so have a warning: be prepared for some rescues to be snotty about the idea of indoor cats; still more won't home a single cat or kitten to you. However there ARE rescues which take every circumstance into consideration and match you with the right cat. It's worth having a nosy around CatChat or Purrsinourhearts to find out which rescues are best to approach. Try not to use the Freeads, there are many stories of people being lied to and ending up with cats that turn out to be sick, have behavioural problems or are pregnant (when they have been told spayed!). :mad:

IME some cats are outdoorsy types, others indoorsy types and some have to stay in for their own good - personally I am not comfortable with bringing a healthy kitten to an indoor only environment when there are adult cats being PTS for want of a good home. Also most kittens need loads of playtime, having two means they can express their natural instincts to the fullest. Would you consider a cat with three legs, deaf, partially sighted or with a condition such as FIV?

You really need two litter trays for one indoor cat, in case one is dirty (I presume you don't scoop at night) or they cannot access it (you accidentally shut the door) or they don't feel safe using their main tray (you have workmen in). Spare litter can be stored on top of a hooded litter tray, or underneath if you use stackable underbed storage boxes for each. Personally I find the solo play toys needed to occupy a single indoor cat to be more space-eating than the litter trays!

Can you attach things to the walls or ceiling in your flat? If so you can give your cats enough space by thinking vertically. My current cat loves to climb so I am designing a cat tree/ tower/ gym that only takes up a small amount of floor space, and looking to put steps up to the top of the wardrobe. Check out The Cats House, IKEA hackers, ModernCat or YouTube. BTW most of the products on MC are mega expensive, just use the blog for inspiration!

Boring but necessary - consider how you are going to cat-proof your windows if you are not on the ground floor. I shut my girl out of each room to get some air safely, but my best friend has to hold the window or her indoor cat would leap out! You can purchase window-protection but it is another expense. Thank you for considering a rescue.

chocdonuty

Thanks for the ideas, I have been looking around a bit and have been tempted by a few of the.moggys from freeads, some obviously unwanted I did see a couple of blind moggys but i'd worry because I'm a bit messy and the poor thing would. Constantly be bumping into stuff!
Windows aren't a prob as I live in a new build and they only open a tiny bit and have a catch to open them wider.
I have a month or 2 to decide as we are on holiday next month and it's dd's birthday in august (she has been on a me to get one for ages!)

bethie

i have two indoor cats.

i got the first one a few years ago (when I was in a 2 bed upper flat), and went to a small rescue specifically after an indoor cat on their website which had come from an indoor only home. He settled in really well, and never went outside (nor had any inclination too).


In September I adopted another cat from the RSPCA. I also went looking for an indoor one, and brought home one that was requested to live indoor only as she had a broken pelvis.


Both of them have been really great, and I do think having two is more fun than one. As I've now moved, they do go outside on supervised visits (on harnesses to the back garden only!) but request to come inside about 5 minutes later.

I agree that it probably isn't fair to take an outdoor cat and have it live indoors, but a cat who has always lived indoors, or has special needs, would be more than happy to live in doors. It must be nicer living in a loving house than stuck at the shelter for months on end!

It may also be easier to find indoor cats if you look at smaller shelters? Or, specifically ask for indoor ones? Though, I didn't have any problems with the two shelters I went too.

spike7451

Both of my cats,Orbit (rip) & Daisy are rescue cats.Orbit I rescued from my ex (she was a real bunny boiler!) & Daisy was about two years old when I got her from the ASSISI.She's an indoor cat (as was Orbit) & doesn't get on with other cats.Oh I'd like to get another to keep her company but seeing her reaction to other cats when I put her in the cattery last year..)
Anyhoo,she's the most affectionate cat you could wish for.She spends her time either asleep on my lap or the bed.

I'd suggest trying to get a brother & sister about a year or so old,as others have said,by then they'd have grown out of the kitten stage but still be mischevious enough to keep you on your toes...

Good luck.

Fire_Fox

chocdonuty wrote: »

Thanks for the ideas, I have been looking around a bit and have been tempted by a few of the.moggys from freeads, some obviously unwanted I did see a couple of blind moggys but i'd worry because I'm a bit messy and the poor thing would. Constantly be bumping into stuff!
Windows aren't a prob as I live in a new build and they only open a tiny bit and have a catch to open them wider.
I have a month or 2 to decide as we are on holiday next month and it's dd's birthday in august (she has been on a me to get one for ages!)

When I went to rescues for my first indoor cat, I said I wasn't comfortable with blind as I am untidy too! But there are one eyed cats, or cats with eye conditions that mean road traffic would be lethal, but they can navigate around stationary objects in a home and play as normal.

Honestly just don't look at the freeads or you risk being emotionally blackmailed into taking a cat (yes that really does happen). There are many many unwanted cats in rescue, some waiting months for a home because they are not a fluffy kitten. Think what you would do if you got a cat that wee'd all over your home or attacked your daughter - I am sure you would not see it on the street, but rescues are bursting at the seams. Plus any donation you make to a cat charity helps them rescue another needy cat, maybe one from the freeads!

bethie wrote: »

In September I adopted another cat from the RSPCA. I also went looking for an indoor one, and brought home one that was requested to live indoor only as she had a broken pelvis.

It may also be easier to find indoor cats if you look at smaller shelters? Or, specifically ask for indoor ones? Though, I didn't have any problems with the two shelters I went too.

I only had problems with the RSPCA ... twice ... even tho I specifically offered to take an adult cat with a health condition that meant it needed to be indoors. :mad: Cats Protection were wonderful, homed to me from outside their area and basically said I ticked all the right boxes. Unfortunately both charities allow each branch to run independently which means experiences vary around the country. As you say, small shelters tend to be more flexible.

Could you tell me a little more about your cat with the broken pelvis? Does he have any signs or symptoms now? The reason I ask is I have taken a female stray from a friend of a friend (could not stay due to resident cat). I only have the sketchiest history of an RTA, trying to work out if she is right for my indoor home or if she would be better off outdoor elsewhere. I *think* she has a dislocated pelvis, from my knowledge of human anatomy and a little Google-fu!!

relic

Bat on a hat.

bethie

Firefox - Its onyx with chloe/fonzie/amber.

I tried to send you a PM but the box is full?

Fire_Fox

bethie wrote: »

Firefox - Its onyx with chloe/fonzie/amber.

I tried to send you a PM but the box is full?

:wave: So confusing having different names here and there!! Have emptied my inbox - seeing vet Thursday so would like to be prepared.