Opinion on indoor cats?

Question

Ive always had indoor/outdoor cats, but I would rather have the next kitten I get be just indoor..I live in a nice neighborhood but I still worry about them getting lost or hurt in the woods. But Ive always felt that having a cat only be able to roam a house its entire life was unfair..opinions? I could be off on that..do they actually care? and with my other cat being an outdoor cat, would that affect an indoor cat?

Answer 1

Indoor cats, born & raised, have no issues with it. They don't know any different lifestyle.

I have a strictly indoor cat who is as happy as she can be. :)

If you truly want a cat that's indoors but gets outdoor adventures (safely), train your kitten to accept a harness.

Answer 2

I think its fine to have an only indoor cat... i used to and he hated going out anyway.  

Answer 3

I like my outdoor cat better because he can not tear up the inside of my house  

Answer 4

Cats are perfectly fine living indoors.  Its much safer for them and they will live a lot longer.  Plus you don't have to worry about where they are.  I have four indoor cats and they are perfectly fine.  They do enjoy looking out the windows though and on occasion I let them out on my balcony.  But they are not allowed to roam.  Keep the new cat indoors.

Answer 5

No, indoor cats love being indoors. Not to mention they live an average of something like 10 years longer. It's an overall better environment and you'll never have to worry about them.

Answer 6

well i think the cat should be an indoor cat.  you could always get a leash if you want him to experience the outdoors.  

Answer 7

I've fostered a great number of cats who've been strays, and spent time out in the streets.  It's amazing how most of these cats would literally have to be kicked out the door to go outside again!  Cats are extremely happy living indoors.  It's not "unfair".  Given the fact that there are so many dangers to being outdoors in most parts of the US, how could it be unfair?  If you've got woods, then you've got predators, ticks, and fleas.  Then of course there are feral cats, FeLV, cars, dogs, and the neighbors down the street who hate cats and put poison out for them.  Cats are domestic animals, not wild creatures, and can lead a very happy life inside.

Answer 8

i have a 6 year old female cat who is declawed ( by previous owner) who has never been outside and is a very happy and loving kitty and i also have a 4 year old male who is a inside/outside cat and he is just as happy.  every cat is different. i wouldn't make the cat you get stay inside if he/she expresses a desire to go out, but staying inside will do harm him/her in any way.

Answer 9

I actually have three cats that are indoor/fenced backyard cats!

We only let them out in a controlled invironment and they love it!

I really find that letting a cat outside helps with independance. My friends cat was only an indoor cat and had problems going in the car to the vet and pee'd all the way to the car since they never have been outside before. Also when she moved and introduced a new kitten the cat had a hard time with it and pee'ed all around the house. I have moved and introduced my cat to a new kitten with no problems!

Good Luck!

Answer 10

There is no reason at all for a cat to go outside. They are perfectly happy inside, have healthier lives and live longer if they remain indoor cats.  Domestic cats are not wild animals, they do not require an "outdoor lifestyle" to be happy.  Your kitten will be just fine inside.  He won't run the risk of being run over, attacked by another cat or a dog, or getting exposed to some disease.  The halter suggestion mentioned above is a good one.  My next door neighbor walks his cat in their back yard every evening on a harness and  leash.  I have had cats my whole life, and have 4 now in fact.  They are indoor cats and always will be. I see no reason to risk their lives or their health by allowing them free reign outside to wander the neighborhood. It's too risky.  Keep your kitten indoors.  

Answer 11

You are not alone--many cat owners struggle with this question.  I have a cat that used to be indoor/outdoor.  However, he has to just be an indoor cat now because I moved to an area near a busy street.  I think that he was happier when he could go outside.  

It all depends on the personality of the cat.  Female cats tend to do a little better as indoor only cats, in my opinion.

Answer 12

As long as the cat is not cooped up in one room and can stretch it's legs throughout the house that is fine, most cats are kept inside anyway.  My vet told me that it is much safer to keep cats indoors not only because of cars, but because of health because of bugs, bacteria, and the cat may also run away if it sees a small animal.  If you do wish to bring it out, bring it on a leash or only for a short amount of time so they get fresh air.  Domesticated cats are fine with being inside as long as there is a sun spot.  My cat liked it.  You can even buy pet grass to make it happy if you feel that way.  

Answer 13

No it would not affect the cat that you want to be indoor. It will be fine.  

Answer 14

My 2 cats are indoor cats and they don't mind. I take them out for little outings in the yard for about 5-10 minutes at a time. My oldest is 17 and the other one is only 15 months. Neither seems upset about it. In fact my kitten was a rescue and whenever we opened the door he would bolt into another room of the house. You couldn't get that cat outside if you tried.

Answer 15

Get a male cat, they aren't as interested in hunting.

Answer 16

I have an inside cat. Never been outside. She is fine though I would like to have her declawed.

Your outside cat could infect an inside cat with fleas, etc....

Answer 17

yer the one which is stuck in will get jeluse

Answer 18

It's not any more unfair to a cat than it is to a dog. We don't let our dogs roam, do we? The outdoors is a dangerous place for any domestic animal (even wild ones, really, considering man made dangers). Why not convert your outdoor cat to indoors as well?

Cats can be harness trained so that you can safely take them outside. You can also build or buy safe outdoor enclosures for them.

Dogs and cats can both be kept happily indoors if they are stimulated and entertained. They need to be played with and have toys and things to keep them busy.

More information on why it's best to keep cats indoors:

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/point...

http://home.hiwaay.net/~keiper/indoors.h...

http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-worldenc...

http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/catrun...

Answer 19

All of our cats are indoor, and they are happy and healthy.  Only one feels confined and tries to leave and go outside.

Outside cats definitely get more exercise, fresh air, etc.  However, they are prone to have more stress, and disease.  If your cats aren't spayed, they can feel anxious and stressed out around other outdoor cats.  They will become territorial, and can get into fights.

Indoor cat are much easier to take care of, and you don't have to worry about them nearly as much.  However, you will have to give them more attention, play with them so they don't get bored, and put down their food twice a day so they don't overeat.

Good luck, I hope I helped!! : )  

Answer 20

I have an indoor cat and it makes me feel much better. She loves being indoors. Even in a safe neighborhood there are still many things that can harm a cat.

Answer 21

The cats like both (indoor and outdoor). I had a cat, she was only indoor. She had been lived for 22,5 yrs with us. I guess she was happy. But, my grandma was home all the time (because she was disabled). They sat in the garden every day for 1-2 hrs, but our cat didn't go anywhere she just sat next to my grandma.

Answer 22

This is a popular question and I find myself feeling like I have a lot of knowledge on this subject as two of my cats were street cats who I made indoor only and I take in many strays as fosters.  I have NEVER had a problem with turning any of my cats into a indoor only.  Simply stated if you never allow them to go outside they will never know what they are missing.  Please make sure they have LOTS of toys to keep them stimulated BUT I am worried about your outdoor/indoor kitty as they can carry in ticks, fleas and worms to your indoor only cat.  There are many illnesses that your outdoor cat can bring in and that can greatly increase the chances of your indoor cat becoming ill.  Here are some sites that have helped us and other owners.  Best of luck

Answer 23

well if they are indoor cats, they won't even know there is another world just out the door so they don't care if they never see anything else

Answer 24

I don't think it would be fair to have one at who goes outside and one who doesn't.  All my cats have gone outside and I wouldn't think it's fair to have a cat who couldn't go out and play.  I believe they get more exercise that way and have a more interesting life.  But this is my opinion and you can do what you'd like.