Breeds of cat happy to live indoors?

Gintotmelinda

hi all

I would love to have another cat but we live on a road that has become increasingly busy at peak times. I recently saw an advertisement in our evening paper for lap cats but cannot see how a cat would willingly stay indoors. Anyone got any experience thanks?

Fosterdog

More and more people are now keeping cats as indoor pets. Some are 100% indoors, some have supervised time in a garden, some have harnesses and lead to go for walks and some have big secure cat runs built in their gardens.

If you google "cat run" you will see how great and elaborate some of them can be, the cat/s would never get bored.

There are people who kit houses out just for cats http://catcondo.wieldtheweb.com/blog/a-whole-new-meaning-to-the-term-cat-house/

http://www.treehugger.com/culture/wretched-excess-dept-a-house-designed-for-cats.html

Fire_Fox

It is worth running a search as this has been discussed many times. There are many of us here with indoor cats, I am on my second and two of my friends have indoor cats. I have previously had outdoor cats that I don't thing would have liked being cooped up. I don't believe it is a trait of particular breeds, just the personality of the individual cat, how they are socialised and what they are exposed to in their younger life. Some people catproof their garden fencing or build a large outdoor run have you considered that?

There are many rescue cats who have to stay indoors for the good of their health or because they are nervous - deaf, partially sighted, three legged, FIV for example. My last boy Noah had a history of pododermatitis (paw condition), my girl Lulu has a dislocated pelvis from an RTA. Both were ex strays, neither show much interest in the front door of my flat at all, neither any effort vet wise, both massive lap cats. Apparently neither showed any interest in going out at their foster homes either.

With an indoor cat it is important to give them the stimulation they would normally get from the sights, smells and sounds of outside - tall cat trees to climb and scratch, toys that move like real prey, a second kitten/ cat for company if you are out all day, raw chicken wings to eat, loads of playtime. Lulu loves TV so I often leave wildlife documentaries on for her, you can even get special cat DVDs! :rotfl:
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgdVucDeVU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-nxYFIvx1c

Dumbe

I have had moggies happy to live indoors and those that aren't.

The 3 I have now are all totally indoor.

One moggie happy to be indoor but does sit at the window and chirp at birds .. She would I think be happier if she could go out but that said she never tries to actually get outside and seems content to look.

One Maine coon ..no interest in the outdoors at all...!

One ragdoll ... Interest in the outdoors but too innocent to go out As in that's a lovely car let's play with it! Or that's a lovely doggies lets go and make friends.. No sense of self preservation!

On balance you can find moggies that will be happy as indoors but if I do think you are more grunted not to have an issue if you have a breed like a ragdoll who are really indoor cats.

Gintotmelinda

Thanks guys for the quick replies. Plenty of food for thought there. Off to google ragdolls.................

Gintot

pinkcandyflossprincess

I have 3 cats, one who is exclusive indoors (persian) and 2 who started off indoors but decided outdoors is more fun.
I would stay away from breeds such as burmese and bengal as they are best suited to outdoor non city places etc.
its difficult though as cats can all differ personality wise, persians are sopposed to be good house cats for instance, however my rescue boy spent 4 years of his life outside so still attempts to get out now but because of my fear he may be easy prey etc to idiots as hes over friendly, i do feel bad keeping him in but know realistically he does have a big house to explore and cat trees to climb etc. many cats are happy as indoor cats etc though, you can find that some strays after living on the streets for years are over the moon to be rescued and never want to go out the house again:)

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Ignore an advert for lap cats.

It's nonsense. You can't guarantee a cat is a lap cat, by breed, upbringing or their parents' temperament.


It's going to be a breeder of the worst kind.

scaredy_cat

have you thought of adopting a blind cat? The are happy indoors and can do almost everything a seeing cat can do!

Fridaycat

pinkcandyflossprincess wrote: »

I have 3 cats, one who is exclusive indoors (persian) and 2 who started off indoors but decided outdoors is more fun.
I would stay away from breeds such as burmese and bengal as they are best suited to outdoor non city places etc.
its difficult though as cats can all differ personality wise, persians are sopposed to be good house cats for instance, however my rescue boy spent 4 years of his life outside so still attempts to get out now but because of my fear he may be easy prey etc to idiots as hes over friendly, i do feel bad keeping him in but know realistically he does have a big house to explore and cat trees to climb etc. many cats are happy as indoor cats etc though, you can find that some strays after living on the streets for years are over the moon to be rescued and never want to go out the house again:)

Sorry, but I disagree about your point regarding Bengals.

I own two Bengals and three moggies and while the two Bengals did used to enjoy a lot of freedom in the rural area where we live, I have taken the decision to keep them enclosed in a cat-proofed part of the garden. They have adjusted perfectly well and they definitely have the best of both worlds - the feel of fresh air in their fur, but the security of an enclosed area.

Here's some pics of them enjoying their garden:

chocdonuty

Totally depends on the cat really, if you are definatly after a house cat then a rescue centre would be the way to go as the cats would have been there a while and the workers will know what kind of home suits them best.
I currently have two house cats, Ollie who I have had since a kitten who has never been outside and as far as I can tell doesn't seem interested in the outdoors. Mollie I rescued when she was dumped so don't know of her past but the rescue said she was a calm cat who would be suited to indoor life and she seems happy

The one thing I would say is to get two cats (or more! so they have company for the times you are not there and have someone to chase madly around the house!
Oh and think about how to keep them indoors ie making sure they don't dash out the door when you leave, Ollie used to do this before I got molly to keep him company, although I live in a flat with two flights of stairs and a communal door so escape was difficult!

spike7451

Daisy is a 'Domestic Shorthair' & they're noted for their quiet nature & affection so,from what I gather,they're ideal for house cat life.
However,go to your local animal shelter & have a look there,maybe a pairing of cats...