Do you really need a garden if you want to get a cat or dog??

Question

i live in a flat so i'm not too sure..

Answer 1

You don't need a garden for a cat but i think you do for a dog. You can make the cat and indoor cat. I live in a flat to and i have a cat and hes an indoor cat but he likes it on the balcony. So if your thinking of getting a cat or a dog i would suggest getting a cat.

Answer 2

look you don't really need it for a cat or a puppy but if u want to get like these big dogs i think you need one

Answer 3

You can have indoor cats, but i prefer outdoor cats . My 2 cats love going outside and playing in the garden, they live happier lives outside and have a lot more room to roam around . I would consider getting some fish, a hamster or a budgie.

Answer 4

If you want the cat / dog to be happy then they need a garden.  It would be selfish otherwise.  Get a hamster.

Answer 5

It's not essential, although it helps. x

Answer 6

with a cat it wouldn't really matter

with a dog it shouldnt b a problem except when it needs to 'go'

if you would b keeping a dog in your house u shud choose a breed with a relaxed temperament (this doesn't necessarily mean small dog breeds who can be hyper!)

Answer 7

i love your avatar you really don't need a garden if its a stray be carefull  

Answer 8

no because with a cat you can make it an indoor cat but a dog you have to have a garden so it can have a walk around

Answer 9

For small dogs and cats a yard or garden is not really necessary, though it would be a big plus for them. I own two cats and live in an apartment in New York, and they are pretty comfortable.  

Answer 10

In a word, yes.

But. . . you can still keep a cat, maybe. Bear in mind, the cat will not be able to venture outside, if you are above the ground floor. And would need to be trained to toilet within your flat. It may be best to get two.

Myself, I myself wouldn't though as, especially dogs, need to have the run of the garden for excercise and stuff.

See what else people say.

Maybe get a rescued kitten. That would answer maybe, give it lots of attention and play with it frequently, oh. . . it would need to be spayed also.

Answer 11

You definitely don't need one for a cat.  Cats should be indoor animals only, if at all possible.  Leash walking is okay if the cat likes it, but letting cats outside to roam on their own leads to many problems and they are at a higher risk of getting injured or killed.

Answer 12

You don't need a garden for a cat, that's for sure.  Indoor-only cats lead longer, safer and healthier lives!

Answer 13

no, cats are meant to be indoor pets.

Answer 14

You would find it a whole lot easier with a dog if you have a garden cuz you can let them out first and last thing for a pee without having to get dressed early in the morning and go out yourself.And just before you go to bed you don't want always to 'have' to go out yourself.

I think with a cat it's only fair they have access to get in and out through a cat-flap.

Answer 15

you might get away with a cat or toy breed of dog but its not really fair to keep them confined. maybe try a reptile, bird, fish or hamster.

Answer 16

In general, I think the answer is probably yes - you DO need a garden for a cat or dog. (Dogs - definitely, Ithink).

However --- There are some cat breeds that do not necessarily need to have a garden and are best suited to be indoors 24/7.

My aunt has a cat which is a special breed, that only stays indoors and uses a litter box (and she live in a flat) - and the cat is happy and healthy.

My advice: check with a vet / expert  - what breeds of cat are best to be indoor cats or cats that live in flats!

Good Luck!

Answer 17

No you don't.

For a cat just get it a litter box.¨¨

For a dog take it out for a walk 3 or 4 times a d@y.

XO.  Don't worry you get one!!

Answer 18

No...just make sure you get a smallish dog or a cat that's used to staying indoors. And get used to the litter tray if you get a cat, or getting soaked walking the dog!

Answer 19

This can be done but it will require a lot more work on your behalf. If you are considering a cat then you need to think if it would be possible for it to access the flat when needed, you will also need to think of the dangers of having an animal in such a high structure, cats will come and go when they feel like it, and are known to be very risky. A dog is where the hard work comes in, before anything, you need to think whether it Will be fair for the dog in a flat all day when you are not there, you would need to professionally train them not to leave any "leavings in the flat" and you will need to be considerate to giving it extra long walks because of the garden loss. I my opinion I would say get a cat and just train it. You could also think about getting other interesting creatures such as fish, insects, mice, hamsters, birds e.x.t

I hope this helps!

Answer 20

For a dog I'd say yes, for a cat the answer is maybe. Dogs need to run and roam, especially when they're younger and it will save you a lot of work if you have a fairly large enclosed space for them to do so. Cats do live longer and don't get sick or hurt as much if they live their life indoors but you have to wonder what the quality of life for them is when they never get to go outdoors. Our cat is petrified of the outdoors because we had to keep her indoors until she was a year old, now she refuses to go out.

If you have a secure garden space that's a good idea, it doesn't have to be big for a cat but keeping other pets and spiders and such away is good. Dogs need more space, the bigger the dog the more space they need to run in but if you're only looking for a place big enough for their toilet, a few feet square would do. Just plan to walk them more than you would with a bigger space.

Answer 21

My hubby and I live in a large flat with no garden and we have two cats. One is a pedigree Ragdoll so must not be allowed outside (it is a condition of his purchase as he is not aggressive in any way and cannot defend himself). The other cat is an ordinary moggy that we adopted because she had been abused. She used to go out before we had her, but now she stays in with her "brother". We thought it would be unfair to allow one to go out and not the other.

Keeping house cats has meant some big changes to our lifestyle. For example, we have to spend a lot of time with the cats and we need to arrange a "sitter" if we are going away. We clean their litter trays twice a day and make sure they get lots of exercise. They have a huge box of toys and we make sure we play with them daily. They have the run of the flat, so we have to be vigilant to make sure that anything harmful is put away in a cupboard and toilet lids are closed after use.

It is unfair to say that it is selfish to keep a house cat because they have a happy and safe life, they are pampered and protected and they will never go through pain from being hit by a car or attacked by another animal or human.

We have sat on our front step with them and shown them outside and they will not go out there. Their territory is our flat and they can feel safe there and don't need to defend it.

I recommend having a house cat AS LONG AS you have enough room for them and you are willing to make the necessary changes to your life to keep them healthy and safe. Only you can decide if it is something you want to do or not.