Getting an Indoor Cat

Hammer · 29th June 2008, 10:10am

I'm thinking about getting a cat (hopefully a fully grown one from SSPCA or Cats Protection etc), but I've never actually owned an indoor cat before, just outside cats.

Is there anything extra I need to know about keeping cats indoors?

I presume they need less food, and more play so they get exercise and don't put on weight.

Also, any recommendations for toys, litter, food etc would be great. I'd also prefer to buy food in bulk if possible, but I don't really know where to go for that in Glasgow.

Sazzarella · 29th June 2008, 10:22am

My bfs Dad keeps indoor cats and they seem happy enough. They have toys all over the house, the ones with tassels are good, you can hang them on doorhandles and things.

I dunno about the less food thing, are they not gonna be just as hungry as any other cat?! They are bigger than my cat but theyre pretty big built pedigrees rather than my wee scrawny moggy heh!

**GreatKingRat** · 29th June 2008, 10:25am

I had two indoor cats and they were brilliant, although I had them from kittens so I'm not sure how an adult cat would adapt if it's used to going outdoors.

Food, toys, etc. is just the same really. Only tip I would give is to use some good litter, since all their business will be inside you'll wanna use one that stops the smell. I used silica gel litter, specifically this stuff.

~LEE~ · 29th June 2008, 10:30am

lyndsey cookie has an indoor cat, she is cute. ask her.

Goth_pixie · 29th June 2008, 10:34am

We have indoor cats (well, kittens, but the older one's bigger than a lot of cats already); so long as they've got plenty of space and entertainment, they'll be fine.

Ours have a big adventure-playground-type scratching post, which they love, and a lot of toys, but by far their favourite source of entertainment is balled-up bits of paper and each other.

Food-wise, I'd recommend going to Pets at Home, as they do 3-for-2 offers a lot. James Wellbeloved is our kittens' favourite, and it comes in lots of flavours so they get variety. For kittens at least, it's best to base food on weight rather than perceptions of what they'd need. Plus as long as they're playing with you and each other, they're not likely to put on weight.

Litter can be got in huge bags from most pet shops, and I'd recommend a natural woodbased one, without lots of chemicals; that avoids the chemically smell of some litters.

bikuki · 29th June 2008, 10:35am

We're getting two indoor kittens today

We've got them a huge cat tree to run up and down and loads and loads of toys. I would recommend getting two if you're going to be out of the house alot so they have company and don't wreck the furniture! They're not much more expensive as a pair. We got some massive bags of dry food from Pets At Home which was pretty good value, but wet food doesn't keep quite as long as dry.
If you're going to rescue an older cat (yay, btw!) you'll almost definitely be able to get one who is already a house cat and so they won't have a problem adapting to your house. I wouldn't recommend turning an outdoor cat into a house cat as it can be really distressing for both of you.
The litter we got was a bit more expensive than most because it's corn based, which means it doesn't harm their digestive system if they eat it, it keeps the smells at bay without perfumes (which cats tend not to like) and it's clumpable and flushable! Got it from Pets At Home too.

cowgirl · 29th June 2008, 11:07am

giz and I have 3 indoor kitties. i would say top tips are;

1. get a litter box with a lid and a door, keeps nasty smells in (argos)

2. use the wood pellet litter, its cheap, naturally dissinfectant so isnt smelly, and it wont leave stains on the floor if it sticks to their feet.

3. i grew a box of cat grass, it stops them eating your house plants so much and helps them if they have a sore tummy. just buy a cheap window box plant pot, chuck in some soil then sprinkle on the grass seeds ( you can get them in b&q or a pet shop) you water it, then cover it with tin foil to let it start growing. once it has sprouted you can uncover it and it will grow nice and green.

4. get a scratchy post ( not that ours use it, they like to wreck the sofa instead) and a heavy throw or blanket for your sofa (keeps hair off and scratches at bay)

5. get the vet to show you how to clip their nails, it will save you loads of trips to the vet as their wee nails dont get rubbed down like they do outside.

6. finally i would get 2 or more wee cats to keep each other company, they eat food packets in half portions anyway, so it doesnt cost much extra food wise. the only time it costs more is when it comes to vaccination/worming time and thats not often.

hope that was kind of helpfull, enoy your new babies!!!

poprock · 29th June 2008, 11:09am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~LEE~

… she is cute.

Did you mean Lyndsey or the cat?

doogie · 29th June 2008, 11:48am

You totally have to get one of these - I saw it at pets at home and almost died, even more ironic is the fact that it's called Doogie's

Dyno · 29th June 2008, 11:55am

Maine coon!

triggerhappy · 29th June 2008, 12:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogie

You totally have to get one of these - I saw it at pets at home and almost died, even more ironic is the fact that it's called Doogie's

I just watched a minute and a half long video of cats pooing along to a rock song.

Not how I envisaged my Sunday panning out

**Kenny Everett** · 29th June 2008, 12:08pm

If you're getting an older cat, I'd get one that's already an indoor cat.

Personally, I think it's cruel to keep a fit and healthy cat indoors. Most folk I know with indoor cats have them that way because the animal usually has something in it's background or health-wise that makes it advisable to keep indoors.

Cats are wild animals, I think they should be outside if they're able to.

MarkMono · 29th June 2008, 12:11pm

Nah, indoor cats are as domesticated as any pet.

Depends on the cat I suppose.

doogie · 29th June 2008, 12:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

I just watched a minute and a half long video of cats pooing along to a rock song.

Not how I envisaged my Sunday panning out

you were the one who didn't stop it part way through and kept watching it like a car crash

'tis tres awesome though training your cat to use the crapper.... as long as you leave the lid up!

bikuki · 29th June 2008, 12:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Everett

If you're getting an older cat, I'd get one that's already an indoor cat.

Personally, I think it's cruel to keep a fit and healthy cat indoors. Most folk I know with indoor cats have them that way because the animal usually has something in it's background or health-wise that makes it advisable to keep indoors.

Cats are wild animals, I think they should be outside if they're able to.

I'd rather my cats not get attacked by a dog, run over or otherwise injured or killed. If you keep your cats entertained and well exercised (which is MUCH easier if you have two or more as they entertain each other), and neuter them early to reduce the desire for roaming, then an indoor cat is as happy as any other cat.