Cats?
That bloke asked:
Im getting breed of cat called a Ragdoll which will be an indoor only cat. My friend is offering me another kitten but just your normal type.
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Im getting breed of cat called a Ragdoll which will be an indoor only cat. My friend is offering me another kitten but just your normal type.
If i accept then i would have to keep both as indoor cats. Do you think its cruel to keep a normal cat indoors all the time? What they dont know they wont miss but i would feel guilty about it.
.
April 4th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I think it depends where you live.
If you have an open space then let the cat out. They love the outdoors. laylafletcher
April 7th, 2010 at 5:23 am
I’ve had an indoor cat for over 7 years now and she is as happy as can be. I make sure she has plenty of toys, I spend time with her and also give her quiet time on the window. Having a buddy is sure to help your cats boredom.
I also think it is safer for them inside then outside! U812B4
April 7th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
It isn’t cruel but you do have to be ultra careful not to overfeed them as they don’t get much exercise, and give them lots of toys, attention and stuff to play with, otherwise they will systematically rip up your house and possessions.
My “normal” cat has been a completely indoor cat for ten years, and she loves it that way. She is very happy, healthy and content. K B
April 8th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Ahh, the indoor-outdoor debate. This one’s been raging for a long long time in the cat community.
It all depends on where you live- if you live in the big city, with lots of feral cats that would love to get a piece of yours, cars to run them over and people to hurt them, that’s probably not a good idea.
If, on the other hand you live in the country or small suburbs, you might be willing. It means you’ll still take a risk, but that risk is much smaller. Remember it can be just as dangerous inside as out, if you aren’t careful.
The best solution? If you’re capable, a fenced garden with a cat flap is often a good solution. Or a cat-proof run. Wonderer
April 10th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Yes this is a tough one. I personally wouldn’t get a cat unless I had a garden or somewhere for it to roam around and play and exercise. If you have two then maybe they could keep each other company indoors. But why not get the Ragdoll and wait until you have a house with a garden until you get another cat. But if you’re out of the house a lot I would get the other cat to keep the Ragdoll company while you’re out. AMY S
April 12th, 2010 at 9:20 am
My friend has a domestic shorthair who is an indoor cat, what she doesn’t know wont harm her. Keep them both as indoor cats they’ll live happily. gemzalvn
April 14th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
i am really sorry but yes i think it is really mean i feel cats are meant to be able to roam the streets free its in there nature they arent the type of animal u can keep locked up. sparkeling beauty.
April 17th, 2010 at 7:44 am
I have indoor cats and they are quite happy. Outdoor cats don’t live nearly as long as indoor ones do and they’re much more prone to injuries and diseases. The important thing about cats is that you give them attention several times each day by petting them or encouraging them to play. I do let my cats out occasionally in a fenced in area and I supervise them while they’re out. They like to lounge in the sun or watch the birds until some other animal makes a noise and then they want back in immediately. Susan G
April 18th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Indoor cats ultimately live longer, healthier lives than outdoor cats. It is not cruel to keep cats indoors as long as you have an enriched environment for them (toys, different levels/heights for them to be at). Outdoor cats are exposed to being hit by cars, other stray/wild animals, and many diseases such as rabies, feline leukemia, FIP, etc. I don’t think you have anything to be guilty of by keeping your new kitties inside!!! kjm
April 21st, 2010 at 4:36 pm
as long as you have a big enough house and two litter trays, food dishes etc, and a spare rooom the let the cats have their own space, they should be OK, also keep then occupied with toys etc, and don’t leave them on their own too long pattywatty
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Not if you can make them play equipment; its the sterile environment thats the problem.
Make a climbing frame out of wood covered with carpet offcuts, add giant cardboard tubes to climb and hide in, and make it ridiculously big. They’ll love it. Provide plenty of toys and play with them.
Cats have an instinct to hunt, so play hunting games like ‘chase the furry toy’, you can get on the floor and bat the toy around, bounce it off the skirting boards, roll it down a cardboard tube so they can’t tell when it will roll out the end…
Plus if you can put in a catflap you can add a chickenwire run so they can sit in the sun if they want. Put a door in the end so you can use the garden. Grow some catnip in tubs for them as well. sarah c
April 23rd, 2010 at 6:25 am
Cats sleep on average 16hrs a day, but they also jump, climb, chase other cats, stalk birds, sit in a sunny place in the garden, etc etc., so yes, I believe it IS unfair to keep any cat indoors all the time… would you like to be confined to 1 place?! mandymew
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
If you get the cat as a kitten, he’ll be fine indoors. Provide your cats with lots of toys, places in the windowsill to look out, and of course a scratching post. Generally cats live longer and are healthier indoors; outdoors there is traffic, diseases, depending on where you live there could be predators… sometimes older outside cats may not adjust to indoor life but if you raise your cat indoors he’ll be fine! Sheriam
April 24th, 2010 at 1:39 am
I have a “normal” cat. She was a street stray as a kitten and is very content being an indoor cat. She has plenty of toys and food and attention from me and has never tried to run out the door and get outside. She enjoys looking outside but I think all cats do that, indoor and outdoor. Jonela
April 25th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I have a rescue cat and he is terrified of the outdoors. I have tried taking him outdoors to a nearby park, and his response has always been to shoot back into the building and up all the steps to the top floor where he cowers in the darkest corner. He has to have at leat one room with a view of people and life and spends hours looking outside, but hates actually being outside. It would be crueller for me to force my cat to spend time outdoors than to just leave him as an indoor cat. He is happy, healthy, and safe. He is also very well travelled as I move a lot for business. He has no problem to adjusting to new indoor locations, but never accepts going outside without howls and hisses of protest. kittylove
April 27th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I have 2 indoor domestic cats and when i move house i will probably be getting another 2 i don’t really like the thought of my lovely cats being outside not only because they Can get into fights with other cats but the fact that people don’t really care for other animals the only thing that really hurts me and i think I’m being paranoid about my cats is when they sit at the door or they watch the dogs etc go out and they meow to go out i think there only trying to guess whats its like outside but they’d probably like it best indoors where its safe and they got loads of pother stuff to play with. spunky
April 30th, 2010 at 3:07 am
keeping them in doors is not cruel it is kind. To many dangers outside like cars and diseases and awful people. They will live a haooier and longer life in doors with less trips to the vets. fairylandk
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:52 am
It’s not cruel at all. It all depends on the owner and how comfortable they are about letting their cats outside. There are many factors as to why some owners do not let their pets outside ranging from traffic to curiosity which sometimes kills the cat. lol. But as for the breed of cat you are getting…. I do advise you to keep a Ragdoll inside seeing as though they are an expensive breed. It wouldn’t hurt to let them both outside a few minutes a day, just don’t let them out of your sight. They will really enjoy the fresh air & freedom for what little amount of time they do get to spend outdoors. Jescilyn A
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:51 am
maybe you should not accept the other cat ragdolls need a lot of attention s h
May 5th, 2010 at 2:58 am
Nothing to feel guilty about. The ‘normal’ type kitten will be fine indoors and both can keep each other company. Guenivere
May 5th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
no its not cruel it safer and less dirty you shoulnt not worry what other say its your house leave them as indoor cats i wouldnt let my cat out ever lynne
May 6th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
I have 13 cats, and they are all indoor cats, although they do have access to a very big part of my back garden, which has been fully enclosed with netting, so that they can see out, but nothing can get in or out. All but one started out as outdoor cats, and had been for years. After losing two Maine Coons to the neighbor’s dogs, and a tabby to poison, I enclosed them all. It took them a while to get used to not having the whole world to wander in, but they have adjusted very well. Now they don’t even try to get out when the gate is open for a while. There is now only one Maine Coon, and the rest are all your normal run of the mill “Pavement Special”type, so I am sure that as long as you give them a bit of access to outside where they can explore and run around yours will be dead happy. We have little “hidey holes”in their enclosure, so they can get away for a bit of peace and quiet if they wish. \we have also made ramps, and a ” cat tower” for the Maine Coon, so she doesn’t scratch our furniture to pieces. As long as you give them enough to keep themselves entertained, and they don’t get bored, they will, I am sure, be fine as indoor cats. Good Luck, and enjoy their love! sparrow