Indoor cat..quality of life?

In article ,
enlightened us with...
I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend should be confined to quarters

I have been reading the many compelling arguments in favour of
keeping a cat inside---the safety angle, longevity cf to the
free-rangers, etc. I know there is much one can do to make indoor
living tolerable to a cat, such as cat tree, cat grass munchies, toys,
etc.

But I am still wondering what the consensus here might be to
just how pleasurable life really is for an indoor cat, Or am I just
anthropomorphizing human traits onto a cat, and they really don't need
as much stimuli in a day as we do, especially when they sleep 15-plus
hours out of every 24? What about the second-cat-to-keep-the
-first-one-company option?

Thanks for your input.

Blair Thompson
North Vancouver, B.C.


Well, for cats who know no different, being indoor-only can be a satisfying
and wonderful life. You have to provide them with more stimulation, of
course, and things to relieve their natural instincts, such as scratching
posts, cat grass, and so on.

My tips / thoughts...

1. Have more than 1 cat. They entertain each other.
2. Lots of scratching posts, (floor to ceiling?) cat tree, cat condo, cat
grass, and cat toys.
3. Cat ledge by window (a carpeted thing you can attach by the window so they
can perch comfortably and look out).
4. Outdoor enclosure for cats? They are escorted out, get to play in the
grass and get fresh air, yet safe from getting lost or injured. If possible,
cat door leads right outside to enclosure somehow so they can come and go.
5. Gotta watch the diet more with indoor cats, as they get less exercise.
6. Gotta clip the nails if you're worried about your furniture, at least
until the cat is well trained to use his posts. I always keep the nails
trimmed just to save my skin when they knead or jump on me. Outdoor cats need
the tips of the nails to climb trees to escape danger. Indoor cats do not.
7. Two litter boxes for two cats. Possibly three, depending on the cats.
General rule is one per cat plus one extra. It depends on how fussy your cats
are, and that's really variable. I get by with two boxes for three cats, but
I clean the boxes twice daily. Some cats will only go #1 in one box and #2 in
the other. Others won't go in the box if there's any waste it in at all. Cats
who are used to relieving themselves outdoors may resist litter in the box
and want soil.
8. Neuter your cats if you didn't before. It's healthier for them and better
for your sanity. Intact toms tend to spray. Intact queens can go into near
continuous heat until mated.

That's all I got for now...

I'm sorry for your loss.

--
--
~kaeli~
The more ridiculous a belief system, the higher probability
of its success.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

"Luvskats00" wrote in message
...
blair thompson writes

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend
should be confined to quarters.

For some insane reason, many people with cats with fight to the death for
their
right to let their cats roam among wild animals, toxic substances/poisons,
heavy traffic, etc.

Probably for the same reason that many people are adamant that the only
really loved cat's are the ones that are indoor only which in my opinion
carries it's own set of unique problems. It depends on your situation and
in the O.P.'s case, I think I would err on the side of caution and keep the
cat in with a secure cat enclosure if possible...or move house.

Jeannie




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"Luvskats00" wrote in message
...
blair thompson writes

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend
should be confined to quarters.

For some insane reason, many people with cats with fight to the death for
their
right to let their cats roam among wild animals, toxic substances/poisons,
heavy traffic, etc.

Probably for the same reason that many people are adamant that the only
really loved cat's are the ones that are indoor only which in my opinion
carries it's own set of unique problems. It depends on your situation and
in the O.P.'s case, I think I would err on the side of caution and keep the
cat in with a secure cat enclosure if possible...or move house.

Jeannie




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.726 / Virus Database: 481 - Release Date: 22/07/04

"Luvskats00" wrote in message
...
blair thompson writes

I recently lost my guy to the coyotes. I live adjacent to a
forested area where they are active, so I am thinking my next best
friend
should be confined to quarters.

For some insane reason, many people with cats with fight to the death for
their
right to let their cats roam among wild animals, toxic substances/poisons,
heavy traffic, etc.

Probably for the same reason that many people are adamant that the only
really loved cat's are the ones that are indoor only which in my opinion
carries it's own set of unique problems. It depends on your situation and
in the O.P.'s case, I think I would err on the side of caution and keep the
cat in with a secure cat enclosure if possible...or move house.

Jeannie




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.726 / Virus Database: 481 - Release Date: 22/07/04

I think that keeping a cat inside is OK if the cat has always been an indoor
only cat and doesn't know any different. I

Sometimes they'll surprise you. I would imagine a former roaming stray would be
miserable suddenly indoors. Not always so. My Biskit will hardly stick her nose
outside. She knows the great outdoors isn't what it's cracked up to be. :-)

Sherry

I think that keeping a cat inside is OK if the cat has always been an indoor
only cat and doesn't know any different. I

Sometimes they'll surprise you. I would imagine a former roaming stray would be
miserable suddenly indoors. Not always so. My Biskit will hardly stick her nose
outside. She knows the great outdoors isn't what it's cracked up to be. :-)

Sherry

I think that keeping a cat inside is OK if the cat has always been an indoor
only cat and doesn't know any different. I

Sometimes they'll surprise you. I would imagine a former roaming stray would be
miserable suddenly indoors. Not always so. My Biskit will hardly stick her nose
outside. She knows the great outdoors isn't what it's cracked up to be. :-)

Sherry

My tips / thoughts...

1. Have more than 1 cat. They entertain each other.

All your suggestions are wonderful, but #1 is the absolutely most important,
IMO. One solitary cat stuck in an dark apartment all day with the owner gone is
borderline abuse, IMO.
This came to mind because I know that cat IRL and trying to talk the owner,
who works all day and runs around all weekend, to realize that even though
cats are minimal maintenance, they still need companionship and stimuli.

Sherry

My tips / thoughts...

1. Have more than 1 cat. They entertain each other.

All your suggestions are wonderful, but #1 is the absolutely most important,
IMO. One solitary cat stuck in an dark apartment all day with the owner gone is
borderline abuse, IMO.
This came to mind because I know that cat IRL and trying to talk the owner,
who works all day and runs around all weekend, to realize that even though
cats are minimal maintenance, they still need companionship and stimuli.

Sherry

My tips / thoughts...

1. Have more than 1 cat. They entertain each other.

All your suggestions are wonderful, but #1 is the absolutely most important,
IMO. One solitary cat stuck in an dark apartment all day with the owner gone is
borderline abuse, IMO.
This came to mind because I know that cat IRL and trying to talk the owner,
who works all day and runs around all weekend, to realize that even though
cats are minimal maintenance, they still need companionship and stimuli.

Sherry