cats in a flat options *UPDATED WITH PICTURES*

Brallaqueen

Update 07/02/214

Rupert was put to sleep today, he was not responding to the thyroid treatment and had lost a lot of weight.

He had a big dip last Sunday, and the vet told me it was only a matter of time and to treat him like a King in the meantime. He rallied in the week but last night he could not keep food down and was struggling to do his business, and from 1.30 today was struggling really badly and loosing his footing in the litter tray and crying.

The vet saw him at 3.45 and said that it was not constipation as I had thought, he was simply too weak to poo and that whilst there were things that could be done, it was only delaying the inevitable.

So, the decision was made to let him go and I held him and sang to him whilst the vet administered the injection, and waited for his heart to stop.

It's so strange to sit here in my little flat and not have him beside me, and I feel so guilty - all the things I should have done better, quicker. I never noticed the weight loss, such a skinny old boot that he was. I should have gotten him to eat his pills, I should have taken him to the vet sooner, I should have done so much that could have made all the difference. I blame myself for not being the owner he deserved.

From the 12 August 2012 to the 7 Feb 2014, he was my baby and my grumpy old boot, and now he is gone.


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update 26/11/2013

Sadly Rupert has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in his remaining thyroid gland, and this has been masking stage two chronic kidney disease which is showing more and more as the thyroid medication kicks in. This has been ongoing for about a month and the official diagnosis confirmed today by the vet was not that surprising after two vet visits, but for some reason tonight I've been really really tearful and worried about him and how we are both going to cope.





9-Hello everyone!

I've been giving more and more thought to adopting a cat. I've wanted a pet for a long time but as I live in a flat I thought it best to wait. I'm fed up of waiting

I'd like ot ask a few questions of the more knowledgeable people here, if that is ok?

The RSPCA know I'm in a flat -they haven't dismissed me outright so do I take this as a promising start?

They also made mention of a couple of cats they had to adopt (blind, FIV or elderly) should I be worried they are trying to 'get rid' of difficult cats? I know its a charity and not a used car dealership but they seemed very keen on me adopting one of these

Does anyone have experience of cats with disabilities at all?

Should I get two cats? It's a 2 bed flat with one lounge/diner, kitchen and back balcony so space is limited outside of the bedrooms.

Will me being at work 9-5 be an issue? I have a housemate who works shifts so is home quite a lot but sometimes does double plus sleep in when the pressure is on.

Could i foster, if not able to adopt? Are the requirements the same?

Stupid question but would flat redecoration/refurb be too stressful for them?

Link to suggested cats -
http://rspca-northamptonshire.org.uk/#/cats-and-kittens-1/4543213372
Rupert (1042, page 1 ) and Simba (1022, PAGE 2)

scaredy_cat

blind cats adapt well, just have a look at this blog - http://www.blindoskar.com/

my last cat went blind, she was very elderly but managed fine, she knew where things were, she still jumped up on the bed and sofa and climbed on the clothes mountain to sleep on it!

scaredy_cat

and some of his antics - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNpeTCEPrRk

Brallaqueen

Thank you scaredy_cat, that link is very useful and informative (as well as too cute for words)

scaredy_cat

if you have access to a garden you can always take the cat out with it in a harness and lead.

gettingready

This is a little blind kitten that I sponsor (he is in Poland - was found at 4 weeks old with terrible eye infection, one eye was removed, he does not see on the other eye.. also his back paw was chewed on by perhaps rats so it is shorter) - and look how well he manages...

Zombie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on6xa1XfcE0

All for a blind cat - they do manage really well

Oddjob

I don't see a problem with having cats in a flat as long as you have checked that it is allowed. You don't say if you are in a ground floor flat or upstairs but house cats - such as the blind or FIV might very well suit you better, or elderly ones which have either been kept in or have quietened down with you needing to leave them.
Two would definitely be best as they would have company when they were left on their own.
The two you have been pointed towards would be good because although one is blind, the other can see and as long as they get along ok, the sighted one would be able to help the blind one to find his way around.
I wouldn't let the blind one out anyway as it wouldn't know the area, might get lost and would stand a higher chance of getting hit by a car.
You could perhaps take it in the garden though if you have one on a harness.
It would be great for you to adopt ones which otherwise might be overlooked and end up being put down.
Gettingready lives in an upstairs flat, she has several and when they go out, she usually takes them out to the garden, I'm sure she'll be around soon with some good advice.

SnowyOwl_2

It seems to me that the RSPCA is trying to make a perfect marriage. Your situation means that you can't provide access to roam outside but can provide a safe and secure indoors only home. The RSPCA has cats which for various reasons cannot go outside but are excellent candidates for an indoor life. They are putting the two together! Go on, take one of these kitties - or two - so that they will know a loving home and a special bond for the rest of their lives. These cats really struggle to find homes but they are just as much as in need and as deserving as all the other "perfect" cats.

Also, cats will adapt very quickly to ongoing home improvements. In my time I've had two new kitchens, new bathrooms, complete redecoration of three properties, all with kitties in residence. They don't particularly care... just keep them shut away from workmen if you have any doing work... perhaps put a Feliway plug-in in that room for extra reassurance. They do get used to any changes that happen.

Fire_Fox

I live in a city centre flat and am on my second indoor cat, the first was a formal rescue the second an ex-stray/ informal rescue. Many rescues believe it is cruel to prevent healthy cat going outdoors and expressing it's natural instincts of exploring territory, hunting, climbing, meeting other cats, sunbathing and so on. This is generally why they will offer you a cat who has to remain indoors for its own safety or sometimes because it is nervous say. It is absolutely fine to specify what you are comfortable with because this ensures the adoption is successful and you don't return the cat. Last time I said not blind (too untidy, like moving furniture), next time I will say not elderly (want young playmate for my girl) but I am happy with FIV, tripod, deaf etc. There are plenty of people on Purrsinourhearts forum that will talk you through the implications of different disabilities or age groups - there are boards specifically for disabled and FIV - and the RSPCA should also be willing to.

If you can take two for company that would be wonderful but it is not essential if you are willing to invest money in high quality toys and if you and the housemate spend time every day playing or clicker training. Can you comfortably afford two, things like vets bills and cattery if you go on holiday with your housemate? Many rescues do help with medication or vet bills for sick or elderly cats.

If you are a leaseholder/ owner you need to check your long lease to see if you are allowed to keep pets, if you are renting you need the written permission of your landlord (NOT the letting agent). The noise and upheaval of a refurb could be stressful for the cat and is a risk for escape attempts, however careful you and the tradesmen are. Some cats cope better than others but you might be best waiting or putting your cats in a cattery. If it's just you and your housemate painting rooms one at a time that should be fine as long as you use select a paint where the odours are non toxic. Can you net the balcony in? Otherwise this is a risk for escapes or falls, I am sure you will want to open the doors for air in the summer.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2630477

Brallaqueen

Thank you all for taking the time to help me with your answers and for sharing your experiences.

Just to answer some questions asked: I live on 1st floor.

No gardens per se but there are green areas around the blocks that people use for planting flowers and bushes and a field at the end of the close (5 mins, if cat will accept lead)

I am allowed cats in the lease, I just need to formally ask permission. Upstairs has rehomed a GSD so don't expect any problems on that score.

The balcony is quite big and fenced to waist height -
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/Tessie_Bee/84ae8adc.jpg
Would this be a suitable area for litter trays and food containers do you think?

geri1965_2

I would be wary of letting them out onto a balcony - too risky.