advice for having a flat-cat

[meep]

hey everyone!

i'm new to the forums - just posted a wee intro on the intro boards.

i have had cats all my life, and currently still have two but they live at home with my Dad. They've always had access to the outdoor countryside (perfect for catching rabbits!) and I live in the city so there's no way I could take them with me, but I love seeing them when I visit home.

I am, however, in the position to have my first cat in the city! My flat is first floor, and surrounded by grass in a quiet area of the city. It's not suburban, but it's off a main road and has a grassy park, and grassy outback. The doors will definately not allow catflaps.

So, I'm looking for advice on owning a cat in a flat. I do work 9-5, but only live 10 mins walk from work so when I first get a kitty could take a few days holiday then walk home from work to reassure it at first.

I would like to give it the chance to go outside, as the area does suit! But I was wondering how this would work? Would letting the kitty out in the morning and evening not be enough, if it got a taste for the great outdoors? How easy is it to have a cat in a flat that can't make it's own way out but you do let outside through a door - are they hard to call back in?

Would it be best to keep it solely as an indoor cat (which I do admit I would rather not do, as all my cats I had at home were outdoor cats and it does make them very happy to go for a good wander and come back looking perky and pleased with themselves).

Any advice anyone could give on owning a cat in a flat, with potential outdoor access only when I'm there would be great.

Also any advice on keeping a cat in a flat at all, with no cat flap! When we first got Chaska as a tiny new-born kitten (we hand reared her) we used litter trays so I know I'm comfortable with those.

I'm just sure that having cats in the country with constant outdoor access, and owning a cat in a city flat are two quite different things!

Thanks in advance!

[kado]

Hi And welcome. I live in a flat and have 4 cats. Only one goes out and he is quiet good. We dont have a cat flat. The others only go out when i am in and are well trained and dont like the outside. I have a neighbour who 2 cats in a flatwho are about 1yr and they have never being out and they are fine indoors. I havent a problem with my cats being inside. I do live in a villiage though but i have never not being able too get them in.

[meep]

Hi Kado, thanks for the reply!

I also wouldn't have a problem with keeping my flat indoors all the time, the only reason I would be more inclined to let it outdoors now and again is all the cats I've had in the past were outdoor cats so it would be more familiar to me!

[alexgirl73]

Hi. I've lived in a top floor flat with a cat, and he never went out. Tried taking him down the stairs to let him out a few times and he hated it lol. I currently live in a house with 3 indoor cats, who are equally as happy being indoors only. As long as you give them plenty of entertainment ie scratching post, an easily accesible window to lie at and lots of toys and love from you, then they are fine. One thing I would say though is, if you are going to be at work all day, and you want a kitten, it is always best to get 2 as company for each other. Not usually such a problem with an adult rescue cat. Hope this helps

[meep]

Hi alexgirl!

Thanks for the advice! It is reassuring to hear that indoor cats can fare well; I am just inexperienced in this area. All my other cats had a catflap that went straight out onto a garden with farmland and fields behind it so they were very much outdoor cats used to catching rabbits (sometimes bringing them indoors as 'presents'!) and suchlike. I just felt unsure about having a cat in a flat when it is such a different environment.

I guess I can try letting my cat outside by the door too, and if it likes it, so be it! My only question would be, to cat owners who have cats in a flat but let them in and out manually, does this work? Or does the cat, once it gets a taste for outdoors, then get frantic and cause a fuss when it can't get outdoors?

And Alex, thanks for advice on getting a kitten! I had thought this already and am either going to get two kittens or an adult cat. I will almost definately get my cat from a rescue shelter, and if they have kittens that's a bonus, but if not it'll be an adult cat. All my cats in the past have been rescued, it is so nice to give them a second chance

[alexgirl73]

The best person to give you advice on that would be Elaine, she'll no doubt be on later. She lives in a flat with her 2 cats (you'll learn all about 'The Diva' lol) and she takes them out to the garden.

[yola]

I don't live in a flat, but I live in a town centre town house along a very busy road. I have 3 persians who are to all intents and purposes indoor cats. 2 of them (the old ones) sit in the garden when we're out there, the other one who is quite new only goes out on a harness at the moment as he's quite frisky.

I would suggest the following options:

1. have more than one cat (space permitting) to ensure one doesn't get lonely if you're at work all day.

2. harness train your cat/s and walk them. It's quality time you can spend with your cat and you'll so get a reputation locally for being a mad cat woman with cats on leads

3. If you keep him/her/them as indoor only, make sure they are able to look out of the window (but not climb out) and that there are plenty of toys and climbing things around for keeping boredom at bay.

[meep]

:I look forward to hearing from Elaine (and all about 'the Diva'!) later! Thanks Alexgirl.

yola, that's great advice thanks. I am very much considering getting two cats as they will keep each other company and I would hate one kitty to get lonely. So it's probably 80% likely I'll get two cats, I just don't want to rush in head over heels!

I can't imagine harness training a cat! I'd probably rather let them go outside and 'do their thing' as from experience with all my other cats, when I was a kid I used to follow my cats around outside and they very much liked their privacy sometimes - the main reason for letting them outside would be to give them privacy and 'cat-time'. But thanks for the suggestion!

They will definately be able to look out the window too, not to worry there

[dandysmom]

I live in a house, but my cats have always been indoors only, as, like Yola, I live on a busy street where there have been too many RTAs, plus close to woods where there are foxes and raccoons. With one exception mine have always been harness trained and loved going out for walks; it truly is not difficult to do, and is a nice bonding experience for both. If you don't mind being looked at a bit strangely by passersby! My present cat, Leia, is scared of the outdoors for some reason (she's 9), and has only been outside once when she forced the porch door open in pursuit of a lovely little stray I'd been tending, and who Leia absolutely hated! She was horrified to find herself in the great outdoors! As the others have said, they can be happy and content as indoor cats...., especially with a companion cat and things to amuse them....

[Kazz]

Hiya I lived in a first floor flat when I got my first cat Archie he was 9 months old when he was killed in a RTA.

It was a side road off a mian road where I lived, but to me it looked a quiet road but after Archie was killed outside my front door I decided to get another cat but an indoor cat...this time I decided on two kittens (rescues) and they lived totaly utterly contented lives as indoor cats till they were 2, having a flat move in the process (in their stride)then I moved to a ground floor maisonette with a garden (a converted victorian house) and they had the chance to go out and they were fine.
Cleo was never a great goer outer she was a homebody who rarely travelled past the back garden. Oscar was a roamer and spent hours out and about.
Then I moved to this house and chose a cul de sca and quiet for the cats....as you do.

I would say though;

Get two kittens if they are to be indoor cats.
Or if an adult, how about one with FILV/FELV (never remember the name) - the virus where you need to keep the cat indoors away from other cats.....they ae always desperate for homes.

Any cat sounds like it will land on its feet living with you an ideal home from the sound of it.

Indoor cats mine loved cat tunnels made from newspaper mine were back then) toys. Litter trys and a window to look out of.

All the best.