breed recomendation

justifier

Hi,

My girlfriend suffers from depression and anxiety, I work long and late hours. She grew up in a household with cats and I was wondering what breed would be ideal for us. The problem is that we live in a 3rd floor flat, don't have an option for a cat flap or to let the cat in and out easily (couldn't easily let out through the communal door). We do have a balcony though. and could "take the cat for a walk" if required

Does anyone have any recommendations of a breed that would be okay indoors by itself for large portions of the day whilst we are both out at work and also wouldn't need to go out at night?

I think a cat would really benefit her and also would love to have.

LindaMary

I have a Burmilla! He has been indoors all his life. They are highly intelligent and love people. He is very soft and you can do anything with him.

donnac2558

Burmese, real people cats, great at indoor only living.

gettingready

Ragdoll - brilliant for home only life, too trusting to be let outside anyway...

Fire_Fox

You don't need a specific breed, more a specific cat. There are plenty of rescue moggies who are suited to living indoors - senior, deaf, partially sighted, FIV, three legged, nervous and so on. Also breed clubs have returns of pedigree cats or there are breed-specific rescues: many of these cats have only ever lived indoors so would be suited to another indoor home.

Your balcony would be best being cat proofed with high quality netting, you may also need to use a window protection system because cats can squeeze through a very small gap.

Kittens particularly are best with some companionship, bear in mind they are basically babies/ toddlers. If you are set on a kitten you might consider a pair, also be sure to buy plenty of quality solo play or intelligence toys to keep your indoor cat occupied plus a ceiling height scratcher/ tree.

ragecake

I agree with not having a specific breed, just a cat she falls in love with mainly.
Take her to a rescue and see her opinions of each cat.

justifier

hmm okay, the only reason i was after a specific breed was due to the fact that it would have to be indoors all the time. But a rescue centre sounds like a good idea.

mrs_B_5

justifier wrote: »

hmm okay, the only reason i was after a specific breed was due to the fact that it would have to be indoors all the time. But a rescue centre sounds like a good idea.

Your story sounds were much like mine & my husbands We also live in a flat & would be unable to allow our cats outside unless we took them for a walk. My husband works odd hours due to being a chef. And I suffer with depression. I had also grown up always having a cat both at home & at my Grandparents house where I spent a lot of time.

We initially went to a rescue looking for a female as I had always had female cats but a 7mth old male picked us & I wouldn't swap him for the world! When he turned 1yr, we decided to introduce a friend for him having just gone for a wander at the refuge & a 10wk old male picking us as the people he wanted to come home with We'd not even gone in looking to get another cat although we'd toyed with the possibility of one. They're now 3 & 4 yrs old, get on like two brothers should & weight around 6kg a piece so are pretty big lads too!

Late last year my Grandfather became unwell & had to move into a home due to ill health, this meant he was unable to keep his little old lady cat who we offered to take in as opposed to being sent to a refuge. She has fitted in perfectly & become a perfect addition to our family.

I can definitely vouch for the fact that a cat may be extremely helpful for your girlfriends mental health, each of ours have been amazing for me in their own little way. I also agree strongly that it is not about a specific breed but about the right cat, you might both have a cat in mind (specific sex, colour, breed, age, whatever) but just keep an open mind & remember that the right cat might actually pick you, if I'd discounted male cats altogether we'd never have ended up with the little family we have now

Any questions, just ask & I'll help where I can!

Fire_Fox

justifier wrote: »

hmm okay, the only reason i was after a specific breed was due to the fact that it would have to be indoors all the time. But a rescue centre sounds like a good idea.

Just let the rescue know what environment you can offer, and that you are happy to take a shy or older or one with a health issue - depending what you feel comfortable with. Some rescues don't approve of healthy cats being kept indoors, a few don't approve of any indoor cats but don't be disheartened because many rescues would jump at the chance of homing the right cat(s) with you. I'm on my second indoor only cat both ex strays, neither ever tried to escape and rarely even go near the main flat door. At their foster homes they were also not interested in going out just attention and home comforts!

I am surprised because I always had outdoor cats before and imagined they all needed freedom. Cats are very intelligent tho so they do need stimulation: that can be achieved with the right solo play and intelligence toys, plus playtime with you in the evenings and/ or another cat. :j