Cruel to cat?

I live in a flat in central London, but I'd love to have a cat. My boyfriend thinks it could be cruel as we haven't got much outside space for it to go, and could also be dangerous because of the roads. Has anyone else had any experience with 'urban pets' and whether it's ok or not?

Thanks!

Hi Ruth,

I can't say that I have too much experience in having a house cat - but have you considered looking at getting an older rescue cat? Older cats are more inclined to stay indoors anyway so they aren't missing out on much if you don't feel to happy about letting them roam the streets on their own!

I've got 2 cats and they are out and about all day whilst I am work - and I have to admit they are not too impressed when I do shut them up in the house - but they are only just over a year old and very hyper active!

I think an elderly cat is the way forwards - my cats at my parents house are now 14 years old, and rarely venture more than a few feet from the house, but still lavish affection on my Mum and Dad.

hope this helps!

Hi Rebecca, thanks for your reply. Sounds like good advice, and also gives my boyfriend less argument over us getting a cat!!

On that note, can anyone recommend any good shelters in central-London? I'll obviously try having a look online but any personal experience would be good!

Thanks, Ruth X

tomjohnson
Tom Johnson

• Last online: 28 Nov 2006
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some cats are okay inside...check out the pet guide section on the site for which breeds. Or just get an older one. good rescue home in london is: http://www.northlondoncats.org.uk/

http://www.northlondoncats.org.uk/

I live in a flat and only have a teeny garden. The area is quite built up and there are a lot of roads. I have 2 cats and, apart from one bad road traffic accident, they've been fine. They are both 7 years old and still want to go out all the time but we restrict them quite a lot (being extremely paranoid about keeping them safe). We don't let them out if we're not in and they're not allowed out after 10.30 at night (or whatever time we go to bed).
Hope this helps

Catty

• Last online: 22 Oct 2007
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I actually knew someone who brought a kitten/cat harness and lead from a pet store and trained her kittens to walk on it now they walk on it as happily as any dog I've seen. If thats of any use.

I know people who never let there cats out, and the cats are perfectly happy because the owners make sure the cat has lots of mental stimulation. Everything a cat would do outside the owners made sure they did it inside. Personally I wouldnt keep one inside all the time but if you had to it wouldn't be completley impossible or cruel. Much crueler would be to leave your cat outside all the time with no attention.

A close friend of mine has 2 cats in a flat, and they never go out. The one is too timid, anyway. The neighbours have dogs that hate cats, and she's afraid of traffic accidents. They both seem quite happy and healthy. She is careful to provide a quiet corner for the litter tray, and plenty of stimulating toys. Although in an ideal world cats should be free to behave normally, our world is far from ideal! They are free to roam the entire flat, and she does get some damage to furniture in spite of providing scratching posts, but that can occur with any cat at any time. So.... if you're prepared to spend a little thought, and some money on toys, and, maybe have 2 cats? Then you don't need to worry.

Mary
Mary Mary Mcenenaey

• Last online: 10 Apr 2008
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I got two cats from an animal shelter, a boy and a gail. The boy is out and about all the time, the girl cat is content to stay inslide all the time. I have asked a few people about this and they have said similar things about femals cats - perhaps getting a female cat is the way to go??