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

[17catherines]

I have two cats and very little wisdom. Ours were raised as indoor kittens, but we actually introduced them to the outside world, because my impression was always that cats need access to the outside just as much as humans do. I have no idea whether this is accurate. We do have them inside at night (cat door gets locked when dinner is served), which reduces danger to them and to local wildlife. They are definitely more inclined to hunt than we would like, and after several hair-raising collar misadventures, we stopped trying to collar them, though they are microchipped and registered with the council.

So... I suspect we get only middling points for responsible cat ownership; we keep them pretty safe, but my conscience with regard to local wildlife is far from clear.

Having said all this, we got these cats partly because we had a mouse problem (indoors!), and we knew the mother was a very good hunter. So we did rather bring this on ourselves. If you are getting a cat as a kitten, it might be worth enquiring after the mother's habits.

Oh, and the cat we had growing up was an outdoor cat, but she was terrified of birds and mice, so hunting wasn't really a problem. I think she brought in a skink tail once, but had no idea what it was or what to do with it. She wasn't a very bright girl, that one.

Catherine

[tree_and_leaf]

She wasn't a very bright girl, that one.

She doesn't sound it!