Keeping a cat indoors - cruel?

Tiddlywinks

Hmm - would I want and choose to spend my life in a relatively small building rather than go out and experience the seasons, the smells, the tastes etc of the outside world?

NO WAY.

So, would I impose that on another living being without a very good reason (rescued cat with special needs for instance) - no way.

Just because someone lives on a busy road, in a flat or whatever does not mean they should choose to get a cat and then keep it prisoner... if your location is not suitable, don't get a cat.

If the decision is all about you and not about the welfare of the animal then you are just being selfish.

Person_one

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Hmm - would I want and choose to spend my life in a relatively small building rather than go out and experience the seasons, the smells, the tastes etc of the outside world?

Oh I don't know, I live in a city centre and at this time of year when the Christmas shoppers are out in force its definitely tempting! :rotfl:

There are animals that do live in pretty limited conditions quite happily. My rats spent their whole lives either in their cage or 'free ranging' in a small room, they were happy, that was enough for them.

It seems from this thread that being a housecat and staying indoors most of the time is enough for some cats. I still think some access to fresh air and a bit of the outdoors is probably essential though, whether that's a harness or a garden.

suzeesu2000

When my precious girl came to us six years ago, she was definitely an outside girl, loved to explore and bring home presents! Totally eliminated our mouse problem within three months!

As she is getting older she is spending less and less time outside. She asks to go out first thing and never leaves the garden now. She seems to be a happy little girl still.

Just in case though, she does have a shop-full of toys (currently smothering my sitting room floor!) and we do play with her a lot. I have also managed to train her to only poop in an indoor litter tray so my neighbours are not troubled.

adouglasmhor

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Hmm - would I want and choose to spend my life in a relatively small building rather than go out and experience the seasons, the smells, the tastes etc of the outside world?

NO WAY.

So, would I impose that on another living being without a very good reason (rescued cat with special needs for instance) - no way.

Just because someone lives on a busy road, in a flat or whatever does not mean they should choose to get a cat and then keep it prisoner... if your location is not suitable, don't get a cat.

If the decision is all about you and not about the welfare of the animal then you are just being selfish.

You are quite right, far better to let it be put to sleep. or maybe don't project human values onto a cat.

Gold_Dust_2

Person_one wrote: »

Oh I don't know, I live in a city centre and at this time of year when the Christmas shoppers are out in force its definitely tempting! :rotfl:

"Bah! Humbug!" Didn't Dickens write a book about you, once?

Person_one

Gold_Dust wrote: »

"Bah! Humbug!" Didn't Dickens write a book about you, once?

:rotfl:

Maybe, but you haven't seen the madness, its been like the fourth circle of hell out there since the last weekend of November!

Gold_Dust_2

Sounds magical .

Back on topic - I used to see a cat from the train station that obviously lived in a flat on the first floor - it used to go and sit out on the balcony and the fire escape - how's that for outdoor time? I used to have my heart in my mouth when I saw it, because it walked such a thin rail!

nw_mum

All cats are different , I've had three , one had no interest going out it became a battle so kept her in . Other two happy to explore

madget_2

As others have pointed out, there are some cats who, for their own good, need to be kept indoors. There are plenty of rescue centres who look specifically for indoor only homes. Please consider checking with your local ones.

Our own two cats are both confined indoors for health reasons (both have severe skin allergies, made worse by outdoor factors, and one is blind). They seem perfectly happy and are very loving and playful. We live near a busy road, which is why we would always choose a special needs cat - that way, we can keep it safely indoors, whilst also providing a good home for a cat that would otherwise be difficult for the shelter to rehome.

meritaten

My second cat was FIV - so for the sake of the health of the local cat population - the vet advised he be kept indoors - even though I knew he was an 'outdoor' cat. He adapted beautifully, he wouldn't move more than a yard from me when outside and in fact preferred to sit on my lap!
There is an organisation which rehomes FIV cats - so anyone wanting an indoor cat - they will welcome enquiries.
Many of these cats have been diagnosed early and already started treatment - their life expectancy is hardly any different to any other cat. they also don't seem to have any more health problems either.

this charity prefers to rehome to upper story flats only
http://www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk/blog/tag/fiv/

another specialist cat rescue
http://www.felinecatrescue.org.uk/fiv_explained.html