Hi All,

Just wanted some advice really. The last of my three childhood kitties died 3 weeks ago at the grand old age of 17years 10 1/2 months She went very peacefully and I got to kiss her goodbye before she passed away 20 mins after I left my mum's where she stayed when I moved out last year.

Now my OH and I have put a deposit down on a new bulid house on a new development and the first thing I want to do is get a couple of kitties, I have missed having them about.

Our house is in the first 10 being built and once we move in there will be building going on for another 2 years. Would it be wise do you think to:
A) keep them totally indoors
B) let them out as soon as they have had their vaccines
C) primarily keep them in but allow them in the garden with supervision (the garden will have a 1.5 m fence around it which I know they will easily climb when the are big enough)

Don't want them getting squished by cars or tractors

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

Build them a cat run for the garden. I built one for my two and I haven't looked back. As a new build, I think you'll be pretty upset with it being wrecked by a couple of kittens which will happen. Equally you'll be worried about letting them out and guilty for not letting them out. I built an 8ft by 6ft run in a weekend and they love it and it's great for me too. When I'm out in the garden, they're free to run around and bomb up the trees. When I'm out they're either indoors asleep (they are mature cats now so no danger of shredded wallpaper or curtains) or in their run watching the birds. Knowing what little monkeys they were as kittens....and the fact that I had to redecorate my whole home (at great expense) due to them being indoor kitties, I think you'll go nuts if your new home is ruined.

You know what I didn't even think of the damage they would do to the house!! (shows it has been 18 years since I had baby kitties and where my priorities lie - I was just worried about them )

Your idea is an excellent one thank you! I hadn't thought of a run for them......safe kitties and a job for the boyfriend to keep him from being under my feet for the weekend!

I did exactly the same as you. I was 5 years old the last time I had a kitten and didn't remember all the damage they did. So a few months after spending a fortune doing up my home, I introduced kitties and within 6 months, it needed re-doing! Lesson learned for me. Lol.

There are plenty of runs on Ebay but you can make them so much more cheaply. If you keep it fairly tall as well and put perches inside, they can climb up to the top etc. I went to local timber yard for the lengths (cheaper than B&Q) and bought the aviary wire from Ebay (again cheaper). I put clear corrugated plastic on the top but I guess you can use roofing sheets and felt. If I can do it, anyone can.

But my two absolutely love it. I think they feel safe as well as there are a few big ol' cats and foxes about here. Where it's been so warm lately, they've been sleeping out overnight and each morning I let them out, their toys are all over the place so they're having fun I think.

Thanks ever so much. I think I have my rose-tinted kitty specs on - just thinking about the cute fluffy cheekiness rather than the scratchy bitey fur ball and fighting stuff!!

I also forgot about big bully cats and possible foxes as we will be living next to a wooded area.......

Will def take your advice and diy it - perhaps getting a few design ideas from ones you can buy.

Thanks again, now I won't feel mean when they have their little noses pressed against the glass (putting nose prints on it in the process!!)

You're welcome.

Type in 'cat run' in Ebay and you'll see loads. Forget the miniature chicken coop things, there are some decent tall runs. I got my idea from Ebay.

I have just been on there wow they are expensive aren't they! Much better to make your own I think!

It's a bit dark now to take a pic but I'll get one tomorrow and post it here.

And yes, they're bloomin' expensive, eh!. Even if you buy the equipment at Wickes / B&Q it shld work out cheaper (just) but if you go to a timber yard, search around for chicken wire/aviary mesh it should work out much cheaper.

The other bonus of having the run is that it appeases the neighbours too. Being indoor cats mine were litterbox trained obviously but having the run and a place for their box means they still use that rather than other people's gardens.

Right, off to watch the Apprentice.

Cheerio.

Excellent advice thank you! Enjoy the apprentice!

We never let our kitten out for fear she would run away and get lost, knocked down, attacked by adult Tom cats. How wrong we were!

We let our recently after she had her vaccine, she's timid and easily stressed. I wish we had let her out for brief periods with us beside her to increase her confidence. Any noise now she is terrified and runs inside and up stairs. She only ever goes out in the rear garden with someone with her. I am sure with time and love she may want to go outside. Have we turned her into an indoors house cat? We can't force her out.

i have two indoor cats i have had them from kittens and they are not even related maybe i am lucky but they never did any damage to the house furnishings or decoration

You have a good pair of cats. Our has attacked the carpets and torn the wall paper and damaged the leather sofas. She still does it now at 9 months!

I wouldn't worry, as long as she is happy indoors.

yes i do even at 3 years old now they are my babies he is a 3/4 ragdoll and weighs 17lb she is a ragamuffin and is a dainty little thing at 7lb