Seeking opinions from people who have cats

[tree_and_leaf]

So we are thinking about getting a cat (we've not thought much further than this, but then we wouldn't be able to do anything about it until mid September, when we get back from the States).

I would like a cat, but I am hesitating, largely because I quite like our local wildlife population (we have a lot of small birds, including a regular visit from a willow warbler, lots of frogs, and a lot of voles/ fieldmice). And, obviously, cats will do what cats do.

Someone suggested keeping the cat inside, and I know that some people do do this, but I am not entirely sure that's kind to the cat. We have a big house (four bedrooms and a study), but of course that's not remotely the same as having freedom to wander about outside, and I worry the cat would get bored/ frustrated.

What do you, oh cat-owning/ loving flisties think? I may end up concluding that I can't cope with the prospect of the cat cutting a swathe through the local wildlife, but I would rather just not have one than keep it inside all the time, if that would be bad for the cat...

Comments

[liseuse]

We've always had outdoor cats (and I have that same instinctive feeling about it being Not Quite Right Somehow to keep cats inside) and due to various misadventures with collars (one nearly hanged (hung? I can never get that right) themselves from a tree branch as a kitten and the other got their leg stuck in it and nearly broke it) they aren't collared or belled. So we just put up with the occasional dead animal - neither of them are the most exuberant of hunters so it's not a regular stream of corpses.

A friend of mine did adopt a cat from the local rescue place that was FIV positive and therefore not allowed to go outside, so she's coping well with the idea of having an indoor cat and the cat seems remarkably happy - but it's been an indoor cat since it was very small so shows no inclination whatsoever to dash for the door. The rescue place should know which of their cats would be most suited to a life indoors if you decide to go that route.

[tree_and_leaf]

Thanks - I think you're certainly right about consulting with the rescue place on the issue.