Caporegime
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Indoor cat + windows
- Thread starter iaind
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Soldato
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This evening.
Nice?
Associate
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We have 2 cats, both used to be strays. They let us know when they want to go out by sitting by the door/window where they meow or they continue to harass one of us until we follow them to the door.
Cats are very intelligent if they are not happy with the owner in their home they will escape and go looking for a new owner. There is nothing wrong with keeping a cat indoors if that is their personality type. Cats are like people, they all have different personalities some like it outside where they can hunt, fight and chase females/males...other cats like the easy life indoors getting fed and living the high life. If your cat is sitting by the window howling and clawing to go out and you don't let it...then that is cruel...otherwise its all good.
Cats are very intelligent if they are not happy with the owner in their home they will escape and go looking for a new owner. There is nothing wrong with keeping a cat indoors if that is their personality type. Cats are like people, they all have different personalities some like it outside where they can hunt, fight and chase females/males...other cats like the easy life indoors getting fed and living the high life. If your cat is sitting by the window howling and clawing to go out and you don't let it...then that is cruel...otherwise its all good.
She enjoys sitting in the windowsill watching the birds but she never claws at it or looks like she wants to get out. She knows where outside is and has shown no inclination to go there, so it's not worth the risk trying to encourage her.
How could I ever tell if the purring cat curled up on my lap is content. It's a mystery....
How could I ever tell if the purring cat curled up on my lap is content. It's a mystery....
Associate
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Yeah this is how our large male cat is. During the day he lazes around by the window waiting for food and generally enjoying life. There's a tree with birds right by my bedroom window and he doesn't bat an eyelid...at night he turns into a proper little killer and wants to be let out to hunt. When I found him he was very nervous and was afraid of everything except me. I had to take him out for walks where he would follow me around and build his confidence back up.
At the end of the day if your cat is sitting with you purring then shes happy, don't listen to people who are telling you otherwise.
This thread is full of jafoole indoor cat hater types, im considering myself to getting a house cat, my 1 bed ground floor flat is about 9m long x 4.5 wide or 30ftx14.5ft, or 40sqrm or 435square feet (ocuk blocks sq ft ???)
Plenty of space for a cat to amuse itself, place scratching posts in each room, something for the cat to climb up the kitchen units up onto the top of them n jump about, a window cill to sleep in the morning sun, plenty of love from me, and a tank full of fish to bat as he wonders why he cant get to them, pah to all you who say its cruel if it has a good life, after all it could just be let out all the time and be neglected, be fed by others and possibly run over, shot, kicked, or even stolen.
Plenty of space for a cat to amuse itself, place scratching posts in each room, something for the cat to climb up the kitchen units up onto the top of them n jump about, a window cill to sleep in the morning sun, plenty of love from me, and a tank full of fish to bat as he wonders why he cant get to them, pah to all you who say its cruel if it has a good life, after all it could just be let out all the time and be neglected, be fed by others and possibly run over, shot, kicked, or even stolen.
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We have 3 cats, all 3 are different for outside etc.
Poppy will sit at the door if she know we can see her she will sit know that we will let her out. If we cant see her (ie in a diff room/upstairs etc she will meow). She will sometimes go out for a sort time then meow to be back in other times she will want to be out all day or night.
Oscar will go out but he will only stay out for a few hours then he will want to be back in.
Casper will only stay out if the door is open - as soon as the door is closed or ajar he will want to be back in, if the door is slightly open he will push it open more, if it is closed he will meow for it to be opened.
We never stopped them going out etc, 3 cats and 3 different ways of wanting to be in/out.
All 3 are happy Oscar and Casper follow just about everywhere when in the house, call them and they come running and sit next to me.
Poppy is the outdoor one that will go out when we goto work etc, she hears me or my mam getting he house keys out when walking down the street and she appears in the yard rolling around.
All cats are different.
Poppy will sit at the door if she know we can see her she will sit know that we will let her out. If we cant see her (ie in a diff room/upstairs etc she will meow). She will sometimes go out for a sort time then meow to be back in other times she will want to be out all day or night.
Oscar will go out but he will only stay out for a few hours then he will want to be back in.
Casper will only stay out if the door is open - as soon as the door is closed or ajar he will want to be back in, if the door is slightly open he will push it open more, if it is closed he will meow for it to be opened.
We never stopped them going out etc, 3 cats and 3 different ways of wanting to be in/out.
All 3 are happy Oscar and Casper follow just about everywhere when in the house, call them and they come running and sit next to me.
Poppy is the outdoor one that will go out when we goto work etc, she hears me or my mam getting he house keys out when walking down the street and she appears in the yard rolling around.
All cats are different.
Soldato
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I really really doubt anyone has had a cat and a catflap and it has just simply sat there for its 15 years of life and never gone out.
And because of this, all these cats that "don't want to go out" simply haven't been given the opportunity to explore in peace. it knows the flap is always available and won't get locked out etc etc.
having the door open for 20 seconds a day isn't giving it the choice, especially if it never has been out before or doesn't normally and is anxious/nervous.
Obviously after a few years of never going out a cat will probably stop trying and want to go out even less. it's pretty simple psychology. It doesn't mean the cat wouldn't enjoy itself once it got out there.
the mental barrier stopping a cat going outside is nowhere near as tough as the cage you have constructed. Cats are perfectly happy outside, they don't mind the weather as much as people, don't get scared by of the dark etc.
Just because the animal shows no physical signs of discomfort doesn't mean it is ok. Prisoners look pretty healthy to me but how much better would their life be if they had freedom.
RSPCA obviously can't do anything or they are going to have a load of work to do, it isn't feasible to police and look after the cats that are being imprisoned. It's not the worst thing in the world but far far from from ideal and I couldn't live with myself for doing it unless it was absolutely necessary.
Nut jobs, and I feel very sorry for your animals.
And because of this, all these cats that "don't want to go out" simply haven't been given the opportunity to explore in peace. it knows the flap is always available and won't get locked out etc etc.
having the door open for 20 seconds a day isn't giving it the choice, especially if it never has been out before or doesn't normally and is anxious/nervous.
Obviously after a few years of never going out a cat will probably stop trying and want to go out even less. it's pretty simple psychology. It doesn't mean the cat wouldn't enjoy itself once it got out there.
the mental barrier stopping a cat going outside is nowhere near as tough as the cage you have constructed. Cats are perfectly happy outside, they don't mind the weather as much as people, don't get scared by of the dark etc.
Just because the animal shows no physical signs of discomfort doesn't mean it is ok. Prisoners look pretty healthy to me but how much better would their life be if they had freedom.
RSPCA obviously can't do anything or they are going to have a load of work to do, it isn't feasible to police and look after the cats that are being imprisoned. It's not the worst thing in the world but far far from from ideal and I couldn't live with myself for doing it unless it was absolutely necessary.
Nut jobs, and I feel very sorry for your animals.
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There are cats that wont go out at all. One of our friends a few doors down who works with animals, a few years ago some took a kitten in for a cat that gave birth, once they were old enough to rehome she took one, she has had cats longer than us, but she tried everything and it will not go outside.
Adding a cat flap isnt going to make a cat go outside.
Jesus Christ on a Bicycle. Plenty of Cat psychologists around, maybe even Cat whsiperers?
There is no reason why a Cat cannot be happy and content indoors, from what the op has said, the Cat knows what outdoor is and doesn't really express a desire to go outside, short of throwing it out of the window or locking it out what exactly can the OP do?
Its not like he's come back to find the house torn to bits and the cat tries to escape at any chance. I wish the do gooders would stop treating cats all the same and projecting their 'knowledge' upon the animals. They can work out what they want, if it isn't happy, it'll let you know soon enough.
There is no reason why a Cat cannot be happy and content indoors, from what the op has said, the Cat knows what outdoor is and doesn't really express a desire to go outside, short of throwing it out of the window or locking it out what exactly can the OP do?
Its not like he's come back to find the house torn to bits and the cat tries to escape at any chance. I wish the do gooders would stop treating cats all the same and projecting their 'knowledge' upon the animals. They can work out what they want, if it isn't happy, it'll let you know soon enough.
Not that I should have to defend my position to some of the ignorant people in this thread but...
In her first season, she gave birth to 4 kittens. Mother and kittens were dumped in a box under a pier. Luckily, someone heard the meows and saved them in the nick of time and took them to a vet. The vet being the same vet my best friend takes her pets too.
The cute little fur ball kittens found homes very quickly (one has become the vets resident cat) but nobody wanted mum, despite her being practically a kitten herself. So my friend took her in and took care of her. She was very shy at first, spent most of the time hiding under beds and wouldn't go outside. Slowly but surely she started to become more confident, put on a bit of weight and generally became a happy healthy cat.
About 6 months later she was hit by a car, luckily she only suffered a broken leg and some bruises. She was nursed back to health again but after this, even with encouragement she didn't want to go outside, so she became an indoor cat.
Roll on another year, I start thinking that I might want a pet of my own. After a LOT of discussion and deliberation, my friend decides that the cat would be happier here where she will be an 'only child' - not needing to compete with 2 dogs and 2 other cats. She was treated like a princess where she was and my friend didn't want to get rid of her, just the timing of me wanting a pet and her thinking the cat might be happier on her own tied in well.
So here she is, she doesn't want for anything and she's happy living a life of luxury. She spends most of the day asleep in the sun, but also plays a lot and enjoys the affection i can give her. She gets the best of everything and I absolutely adore her. She's one of the most loving, affectionate animals I've ever encountered.
If she ever shows any inclination that she might want to get outside, I'll consider it then, but you'll just have to consider me a wreckless animal abuser for keeping her indoors in the mean time
In her first season, she gave birth to 4 kittens. Mother and kittens were dumped in a box under a pier. Luckily, someone heard the meows and saved them in the nick of time and took them to a vet. The vet being the same vet my best friend takes her pets too.
The cute little fur ball kittens found homes very quickly (one has become the vets resident cat) but nobody wanted mum, despite her being practically a kitten herself. So my friend took her in and took care of her. She was very shy at first, spent most of the time hiding under beds and wouldn't go outside. Slowly but surely she started to become more confident, put on a bit of weight and generally became a happy healthy cat.
About 6 months later she was hit by a car, luckily she only suffered a broken leg and some bruises. She was nursed back to health again but after this, even with encouragement she didn't want to go outside, so she became an indoor cat.
Roll on another year, I start thinking that I might want a pet of my own. After a LOT of discussion and deliberation, my friend decides that the cat would be happier here where she will be an 'only child' - not needing to compete with 2 dogs and 2 other cats. She was treated like a princess where she was and my friend didn't want to get rid of her, just the timing of me wanting a pet and her thinking the cat might be happier on her own tied in well.
So here she is, she doesn't want for anything and she's happy living a life of luxury. She spends most of the day asleep in the sun, but also plays a lot and enjoys the affection i can give her. She gets the best of everything and I absolutely adore her. She's one of the most loving, affectionate animals I've ever encountered.
If she ever shows any inclination that she might want to get outside, I'll consider it then, but you'll just have to consider me a wreckless animal abuser for keeping her indoors in the mean time
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^^ Above, perfect example
You cant formulate an argument when there are so many variables, so dont bother in the first place.
This thread started out as a solution to cats escaping through windows, but has ended up in a slagging contest between members and their ethics.
Surely close it now because its a waste of time debating a subject that wasnt even intended in the first place?
You cant formulate an argument when there are so many variables, so dont bother in the first place.
This thread started out as a solution to cats escaping through windows, but has ended up in a slagging contest between members and their ethics.
Surely close it now because its a waste of time debating a subject that wasnt even intended in the first place?
Nothing wrong with an indoor cat imo. Having given a home to a cat that had been in the rescue home for over 18 months I am absolutely convinced his quality of life is vastly better now and living close to a busy road it wasn't a difficult choice to make. We had to keep him in for the first 6 weeks anyway and he didn't seem bothered.
Sure as hell not going to feel guilty giving a rescue cat a welcoming home and not letting him out.
Sure as hell not going to feel guilty giving a rescue cat a welcoming home and not letting him out.
Man of Honour
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I love all the people in here who think that just because cats are kept indoors, they're instantly unhappy and the person keeping them indoors is some sort of Joseph Fritz in training. The whole "how do you know your cat is happy if you can't ask it" crap is just ridiculous. Anyone who has ever owned a cat knows that if a cat is unhappy with something, it will let you know. If the litter tray is too dirty for them, they'll pee on the floor. If they don't like the food you leave them, they'll leave it and meow for something else. If they want out of the room they're in, they'll try to open it themselves (my two have learned how to open doors), and if a cat wants to go outside it will sit by the door/window and meow for attention. An unhappy indoor cat wouldn't come and sit on my lap purring for hours on end. An unhappy indoor cat wouldn't follow me around my entire house looking to be stroked and played with. An unhappy indoor cat wouldn't love me as much as my two do. Seriously people, try to understand that just like people, cats have different personalities. Just as there are people who love the great outdoors, compared to people who can happily spend all the time indoors playing games, there are also cats who love spending all day hunting, and cats who love staying indoors being loved and looked after by their owners.
I swear some people in here aren't using the brains they were born with.
I swear some people in here aren't using the brains they were born with.
2 good examples above after my post.
Casper is happily sitting on my upstairs, if i call him he will happily come and sit on my desk next to me.
Oscar is quite happy to sit downstairs with my mam.
Poppy - is (or was) having something to eat, as she has just came in.
Casper is happily sitting on my upstairs, if i call him he will happily come and sit on my desk next to me.
Oscar is quite happy to sit downstairs with my mam.
Poppy - is (or was) having something to eat, as she has just came in.
Soldato
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Get a catflap and prove it and if the cat doesn't use it then fair enough. If you can tell me you have a housecat and a long term fully functioning catflap then I will shut up.
Just give the cat the option. Why are you scared to let it decide itself? is a catflap really that much of a pain?
Obviously it is happy, you can't miss what you have never had.
Just give the cat the option. Why are you scared to let it decide itself? is a catflap really that much of a pain?
Obviously it is happy, you can't miss what you have never had.
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Man of Honour
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I once left my back door open for a good 30 minutes (unaware) while I was in the garden doing some work. When I noticed I thought the cats had escaped as they were no longer in the living room. I found them upstairs in a bedroom cowering in a corner, having opened the living room door themselves to get there. That was all the proof I'll ever need.
Sigh. I don't understand this attitude that keeping cats inside is cruel. Over here in the US it's the complete opposite - it's considered pretty moronic to let them roam free. How is getting hit by a car "natural" to a cat? They were not designed to live in the type of environment humans live in now. Cats are also perfectly happy inside, as long as they're kept entertained. I have 3 cats and only one of them shows any interest in actually going outside - we take him on supervised walks around the grounds of our condo building once in a while and that's all he needs.
Keeping ANY animal as a pet is a compromise. A dog would consider it natural to be running around free with a pack of other dogs. A gerbil would be happier running around in a huge maze of tunnels outside. Actually, cats were domesticated in order to keep pests away from the food stores, and in return they got a warm house/barn/boat to sleep in and all the food they could eat - they didn't have to roam around for miles to get food and were happy staying close to home.
And just for the record, my job is working with cats and advising clients on nutrition and behavior.....so I kinda know what I'm talking about
Keeping ANY animal as a pet is a compromise. A dog would consider it natural to be running around free with a pack of other dogs. A gerbil would be happier running around in a huge maze of tunnels outside. Actually, cats were domesticated in order to keep pests away from the food stores, and in return they got a warm house/barn/boat to sleep in and all the food they could eat - they didn't have to roam around for miles to get food and were happy staying close to home.
And just for the record, my job is working with cats and advising clients on nutrition and behavior.....so I kinda know what I'm talking about
Soldato
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so once in how long?
Pretty much all of my cats have taken a bit of encouragement to go outside and didn't got far at first.
But once they get used to it they are fine.
Soldato
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Sigh. I don't understand this attitude that keeping cats inside is cruel. Over here in the US it's the complete opposite - it's considered pretty moronic to let them roam free. How is getting hit by a car "natural" to a cat? They were not designed to live in the type of environment humans live in now. Cats are also perfectly happy inside, as long as they're kept entertained. I have 3 cats and only one of them shows any interest in actually going outside - we take him on supervised walks around the grounds of our condo building once in a while and that's all he needs.
Keeping ANY animal as a pet is a compromise. A dog would consider it natural to be running around free with a pack of other dogs. A gerbil would be happier running around in a huge maze of tunnels outside. Actually, cats were domesticated in order to keep pests away from the food stores, and in return they got a warm house/barn/boat to sleep in and all the food they could eat - they didn't have to roam around for miles to get food and were happy staying close to home.
And just for the record, my job is working with cats and advising clients on nutrition and behavior.....so I kinda know what I'm talking about
But you take dogs for walks twice a day, the cat is essentially your prisoner. Nice one.