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mdf

mdf

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#237520 5-Jun-2018 21:56
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Short query: do you have an indoor-only cat, a cat that is allowed to free range, or something of a hybrid? Is it unfair to the cat to keep it almost entirely indoors?

 

My children are currently campaigning to obtain a pet. I had been very reluctant to agree to a cat, as we live near an area of native bush and have plenty of birds and other wildlife nearby. Someone suggested to me getting an indoor-only cat (or cats). I had always thought cats needed to roam and that it would be unfair to kitty to keep it inside all the time. However, having taken myself off to the internet, there seems to be plenty of articles advocating indoor-only cats. I also spoke briefly with a breeder who seemed aghast at the very thought of allowing one of his cats outside unsupervised; apparently it is very standard now that cats only live inside.

 

We'd obviously go for a kitten/very young cat and not something older and used to roaming. I've also read about the need for exercise and stimulation etc. and can manage that stuff.

 

But still wondering what others do? 

 

Any suggestions as to kid friendly/indoor suited breeds would be helpful too. Friends have a pair of Tonkinese that seem very sociable. Apparently you should really get two if you are keeping them indoors? I can be persuaded as to that easily enough.

 

And just to pre-empt the obvious joke, we're talking Felis catus here, not data cabling. smile


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Aredwood
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  #2030381 5-Jun-2018 22:15

How old are the kids? As consider if you might get stuck with looking after the cat after the kids move out of home. I know of a cat that lived to well over 20 years old. And it died by getting squashed by a garage roller door. Until that happened, it's owners reckoned it would live to 30.







mdf

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  #2030385 5-Jun-2018 22:25
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Aredwood: How old are the kids? As consider if you might get stuck with looking after the cat after the kids move out of home. I know of a cat that lived to well over 20 years old. And it died by getting squashed by a garage roller door. Until that happened, it's owners reckoned it would live to 30.

 

7 and 9. Though sometimes it seems like the 9 year old acts like a 6 year old on some things and a 16 year old on others.


coffeebaron
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  #2030387 5-Jun-2018 22:27
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Chooks?




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Rikkitic
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  #2030388 5-Jun-2018 22:27
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Many city cats spend their entire lives inside apartments and never smell the outdoors. I have known some. They seem perfectly happy. I think it is essential that only very young kittens who have never been outdoors are made to live this way. Any older cat will definitely miss its freedom. I once looked after an indoor cat that suffered from major agoraphobia. That cat would have a complete panic attack if it was placed outside or anywhere without four walls and a roof.

 

My current cats live on a farm. Some go in and out, others never come in. Cats do target anything that moves and mine catch the occasional bird, but what they mainly bring inside are rats and mice. I know cats attack native wildlife, but I wonder if any kind of study has ever been done on the balance between the bad they do and the good that comes from the rodents they remove. It isn't all one-sided.

 

 





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kryptonjohn
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  #2030393 5-Jun-2018 22:44
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Our cat is kept indoors at night but allowed out during the day. Rarely catches birds, more often brings in rodents.

ajobbins
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  #2030395 5-Jun-2018 22:47
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Our cats have been 99% indoors their whole lives, don't really know any different, and don't really seem to mind.

 

We lives in an apartment when we got them, and they'd go out on the balcony supervised for short periods of time which they enjoyed. Now we have a small back yard they are allowed in supervised. They have never been allowed to roam, so I don't think they know what they're missing.





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wazzageek
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  #2030400 5-Jun-2018 23:14
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We have a cat that we don't allow outdoors at night, but does get to roam during the day.  Having said that, we've known her to catch one mouse in her entire life with us, otherwise she is very adept at catching a cold.

 

We have a collar on her with a bell (ensure if you get a collar, it is the type that will break off if it gets caught!) My theory is that the bell will give sufficient warning to wildlife...

 

With an indoor cat, be aware of toileting.  Cat urine has a very strong ammonium smell, and their poop is quite strong as well.  (This will vary based upon their diet of course).

 

I'd agree with if you want an indoor cat, get a young one that you can accustom to being inside.  Cats can be quite strong willed and will go through a phase of testing the boundaries.


 
 
 

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Aredwood
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  #2030410 6-Jun-2018 00:11

Also consider if you rent or own, as harder to get a rental if you have pets.

And assuming that the cat lives for 20 years. The kids will be 27 and 29 years old, will they still want the cat then? And consider your own age in 20 years time as well.





Aredwood
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  #2030411 6-Jun-2018 00:14

Rikkitic:

Many city cats spend their entire lives inside apartments and never smell the outdoors. I have known some. They seem perfectly happy. I think it is essential that only very young kittens who have never been outdoors are made to live this way. Any older cat will definitely miss its freedom. I once looked after an indoor cat that suffered from major agoraphobia. That cat would have a complete panic attack if it was placed outside or anywhere without four walls and a roof.


My current cats live on a farm. Some go in and out, others never come in. Cats do target anything that moves and mine catch the occasional bird, but what they mainly bring inside are rats and mice. I know cats attack native wildlife, but I wonder if any kind of study has ever been done on the balance between the bad they do and the good that comes from the rodents they remove. It isn't all one-sided.


 



Those rats were probably infected with Toxoplasma Gondii


T. gondii has been shown to alter the behavior of infected rodents in ways that increase the rodents' chances of being preyed upon by felids. - Wikipedia.


And it also infects humans.





Geektastic
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  #2030415 6-Jun-2018 01:29
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My brother in Toronto has indoor cats, which I personally regard as animal cruelty. Cats, like tigers, are not supposed to be in cages.
I'm not overly fond of birds though so it would not bother me much if Tweety Pie got eaten from time to time.





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  #2030423 6-Jun-2018 05:45
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As long as can has cheezburger will be OK.




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Peamsable
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  #2030435 6-Jun-2018 07:01

You could try SPCA foster parenting. You food and bedding for free and it’s only a short term thing.

https://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/how-to-help/foster-an-animal/

Dunnersfella
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  #2030440 6-Jun-2018 07:06
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Our cats have adapted from roaming around the neighborhood through to apartment living.

 

The oldest cat that used to spend the most time outside now spends most of her time sleeping and seems to have little desire to be outside.

 

One cat is a Ragdoll, over the centuries they've been bred as an indoor / lapcat. Frankly, I doubt she could survive out in the wild... unless the wild involved her food bowl filled and water chilled and filtered...


E3xtc
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  #2030451 6-Jun-2018 07:34
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spencer: You could try SPCA foster parenting. You food and bedding for free and it’s only a short term thing.

https://www.spcaauckland.org.nz/how-to-help/foster-an-animal/

 

 

 

This actually could be a great alternative; see how the kids react/interact with a cat (or other pet) on a trial basis...only thing to struggle with I suppose is the potential for attachment issues :P 


scuwp
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  #2030454 6-Jun-2018 07:41
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We have always just saved an animal from the local shelter. Avoid long hair breeds unless you want to add a lot of extra work. Our cat has free range. He can come and go as he pleases. Never had an issue. One of the best investments we ever made was getting him chipped and getting an electronic cat door




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