I live on my own and I've been brooding over getting a pet for quite awhile now. I am really a dog person but as I work during the day and occasionally go out straight after work I have been contemplating getting a cat.

While I did have cats as child, I've not really been around them that much as an adult, although we had two cats when I shared a house I didn't really have much to do with them.

I think a cat would probably be better for my lifestyle although I do have some reservations.

Firstly I have a complete fear of rodents and I really cannot deal with dead animals. If I got a cat I would be concerned about bringing dead or live rodents in the house. I live by some fields and so easy access to wildlife.

I don't have a back garden (I live in a back to back house), I do have a front garden but it's not fenced and I know cats generally fend for themselves I wouldn't want to go out, get a cat and then let them loose and have them never return/get stolen. I'm not sure I like the idea of having them in the house all day, not just because I think they'd wreck the furniture but because I think they would be bored and thats why I'm contemplating having two cats.

I'm going to have two holidays this year, one for two weeks and I feel that I should put off deciding until after I return from my second holiday. Especially as both holidays will be expensive I'm probably best to put the pet issue on the backburner till afterwards, especially as I think if I am still thinking about the issue in 6-12 months then I know that I'll be more prepared and know for sure that a cat or cats is right for me.

But what I'd like is some assistance from experienced cat lovers

1. Is keeping a cat housebound fair on the cat
2, Am I wrong in having a cat when I'm about of the house ten hours every working day, some days later if I go out after work
3. Is having two cats a more viable option than just one, is it much harder to look after two cats over one
4. If I tell the cats not to go bringing dead (or alive) rodents on my doorstep will they listening to me.

I suppose that my own selfish desires don't really count for much, I do need to ensure that I am fully prepared to take on a cat rather than just being rash and having one for the sake of it.

When I went to adopt my two , the rescue centre had lots of cats waiting to be rehomed, and some they said would prefer to be indoor cats. A few had been taken in because owners had died or couldn't look after them any more - these had been indoor cats and so would not want to go outside in their new home. So there will always be someone you can give a home to

My previous cat was entirely indoor cat , sounds like my house was similar to yours with no garden and I was also scared she would run off! She was happy and lived to 17+ years and I worked full time, sometimes long hours. but yes people do say 2 are better if they would be indoors - as company for one another. I'd add to that, that by having two together this time I would 100% go for two - they are company for each other, for me, and entertainment thrown in, with their playing and chasing!!

Its not selfish to have these concerns its great because you are going to be certain you're making the right choice for yourself, and for him/her/them

Hope you do decide to go for it, you won't regret it!!

Thanks Milmol. I do actually know someone who works with Cats Protection although I've not yet sounded her out about it because she'd probably turn up at my door with a couple of cats straight away.

I do feel that I would much prefer to have housebound cats as I know they would be safe and I wouldn't have to worry about their safety or bringing in dead animals.

One other thing I'd have to consider is that my parents have a two year old Labradollie and very occasionally I have to dog sit so I would ideally hope that they got along but I think I could work around that easily enough.

OP - Scrabbler. There is really no sensible answer to this. All I can say is that I had my first cat when I was 17 - and I really shouldn't have had her. We lived in bed sitting rooms - with her shut up alone for hours at a time and moving by taxi and cat boxes to my boyfriend at the weekends. In theory I should never have had a cat -I was utterly irresponsible.

Except that 18 years later she passed away in a home with a large garden and loving cuddling up with my first born.
We had a wonderful life together.

So yes - do go for a cat or even two.....but realise that you may still be living with them many years down the line - and that you are always going to responsible for their happiness and welfare. Cats are really for life.

BinB....the answer to that is No!!!

Yes I know which is why I don't want to go into this lightly. I'm used to caring for animals, I did have a cat from when I was three to my mid teens although it was easier as we had a proper back garden and there was someone in the house throughout the day generally.

Dammit!

I'd say it's well worth asking around a few rescues

Some cats are less inclined to hunt, you might find one that wants nothing more than a sunny windowsill and a bowl of food.
There are plenty of rescue moggies out there, chances are there is one perfect for your situation

My two girls that I have now have never brought anything home. While they still have their hunting instincts, the only things they kill are flies out in the garden in the Summer, and some moths that elude me as I try and catch them to put them back outside before my killers can get to them.

If you are out of the house a lot, getting 2 kittens would probably be best as they will grow together and hopefully become best friends to keep each other company when you're not there.

I've personally never kept a cat housebound, but I honestly see nothing wrong with it as long as the cat is loved and is given plenty exercise indoors such as playing with the other kitten or with yourself. This is why I would highly suggest 2 kittens as they will play with each other when you're not able to.

If you're going on holiday this year, I would say that you put off any plans for getting a cat/cats until you return. Have at least a year free of any holidays if you're planning to get them as they will require quite some time to get used to you and being in a new house.


Wish you the best of luck!

Cat rescues will have a fair number of cats that can't go outside for health reasons but are otherwise perfectly healthy. On another thread an FIV+ owner pointed out it can be hard to find catteries that will take them so you need to do some research, but if you must have indoor cats please get ones that need to be indoors. You'll also need to be sure you can secure the building to keep the cat in - no open windows and can you get in the front door without the cat scooting out?

There's a lot you can do to make your house stimulating for an indoor cat. Try to catch 'Must love cats' on Animal Planet - its a US show so a lot of the cats featured are indoor and its fun to look in the background to see all the cat trees, ariel walkways and kitty kabins.
Having two cats? I think for indoor cats being left alone for long periods it would be for the best. Cat food and litter is quite cheap, pet insurance is not You may not need to worry about flea/worming though if indoor cats?

1. I think it really depends on the cat. If you get a rescue cat that is used to be an indoor cat. Bingo!

2. My cat used to go crazy excited when I came home from work, which suggested to me that he did miss company during the day and that did make me feel guilty. I think they get used to it. Just make a fuss of them when you get home. (I've worked from home these past 7 years, so problem solved as far as the cat's concerned.)

3. Many people suggest two cats as they are company for each other while you are out. I doubt they are more trouble to keep, but there will be added expense.

4. If you get a mouser, it will hunt and most likely proudly bring its kills home for you. My cat's brought home one creature in 10 years. And it was a poor bird he'd found dead.... He's a useless hunter.

If you get a cat, everything will be on his or her terms. You are the cat's caregiver / provider. Your job is to make sure the cat gets what it wants when it wants. However the rewards are legion, for in return you will have a wonderful companion, a warm lap, a purring ball of fluff in your ear of a morning, and a pet that will perplex, amaze, exasperate and delight.

In 40 years, I have only had one occasion of a cat bringing home a rodent. Unfortunately - she took back a dead mouse, climbed the ladder to my young daughter's bunk bed and left it as prized gift on her pillow. I am still getting over the screams at 3am. But it is very unusual.

Reading the OP's posts and her obvious concerns for any cats' welfare - I would still go for it. There are so many unwanted felines out there - and honestly think she would make a good cat owner. None of us are perfect - and I have had cats which might have had a better life with someone else. But I looked after them, loved them and looked after them until a mature life span. If the alternative is life in a refuge cage - then definitely do it. You need the love and companionship and so do they.

Lol when I was a kid we had an indoor cat, got her as an unwanted kitten from cats protection league as it was at the time, we lived in a flat with a veranda and she managed to catch a huge pigeon that had decided to come into the veranda, was her first and only kill, apart from flies etc. Lol and she was so pleased she dragged it around every room in the house, before leaving it under my bed, my mum thought it was a toy of ours first till she noticed the blood gorgeous tortoiseshell cat though she lived till 14 had kidney failure at the end

You sound like you would be a great person for a cat to own

There's very little extra effort in two cats, over one. Except, I suppose, when it comes to travelling (vets, catteries etc), but I think two cats help keep each other company and entertained (even if just playing cat-chess) - particularly if you're out of the house a lot. Whilst we've had cats, we've always had two - except when one was PTS but even then I was very keen (more so than the wife) to quickly get a replacement to help cheer the other cat up.

Two cats, though, do generally cost upwards of twice as much to keep (maybe not-quite, since there's more chance of food getting eaten than left....[hah?!, that theory's not working well for me atm])

i have two indoor cats and have always had indoor cats they have plenty to do they need love and security and you sound ideal x

OP - Scrabbler. How much I am hoping you go for it! And then have the joy of how much sharing your live with a cat or two can bring. Looking forward to lots more questions and fun and games.

xxxx

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone, I am convinced and I will get a cat (still strongly leaning towards getting two) once I'm back from my holiday later this year.