Indoor Cats

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  • 24 August, 2014 at 1:59 pm #816594
    Judith
    Participant

    Hi everyone,
    I have more or less decided that Drusilla will be an indoor cat. This was not my original intention and I have never had an indoor only cat before. The main reason for my decision is road traffic outside my house and Dru’s temperament. The road is not that busy but Dru is insatiably curious. My older cat has always had a healthy respect for anything scary but Dru just doesn’t care- she is bonkers! Anyway, does anyone have any knowledge of keeping indoor only cats and are there any helpful books or websites I could look at? What can I do to provide enough interest and fun for my beautiful girl?

    24 August, 2014 at 2:24 pm #816595
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    Hi Judith – Leela and Comet are my first ever generation of indoor only kitties. I can’t think of any conscious changes, but I do notice they have more toys than Shaddo and Jiggs ever had. Comet loves the battery operated laser toy.
    We also have window perches and beds. Oh and there’s lots more litterbox scooping to do!

    24 August, 2014 at 2:39 pm #816598
    Judith
    Participant

    Hi Joan,
    That’s almost exactly what I’ve noticed so far. Dru has a bazillion toys and she manages to lose almost all of them over about 3 days; so I have to pull all the furniture out to find them again!
    I have a laser toy for her but haven’t got it out of the box yet. I guess we will remedy that later today!
    Are there any dietary needs I should cover e.g. access to grass etc? I have accepted the litter tray- not my most favourite thing but not awful either. I am going to gradually edge it into the bathroom, as Dru throws herself around the utility room like Spider-Man; and kitty litter and clean washing are not a good combination…..

    24 August, 2014 at 2:49 pm #816600
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    We do feed them Purina indoor crunchies. Have never tried cat grass. The only kind of ‘grass’ they’ve had is catnip, hehe!
    Comet likes to ‘help’ husk corn, so I often give him a piece to keep him occupied while I husk, but he usually yacks it up within a short time.

    24 August, 2014 at 2:52 pm #816601
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    Oh! Cat scratchers! Unless you like having your door frames scratched up. I’ve actually accepted that in my house. I redirect Comet when I see him, but one door frame was abused by Leela when she was a baby. Having indoor/outdoor kitties all my life I never gave a thought to scratching posts either.

    24 August, 2014 at 4:33 pm #816606
    Judith
    Participant

    Yes, am going to get a cat tree- doors are a mess anyway and I have always known that I would rather have animals than nice furniture. Thank you for your advice. Have just realised I probably shouldn’t be asking here about this subject but it have been very helpful- didn’t realise it was a contentious issue- sorry everyone……

    24 August, 2014 at 6:48 pm #816607
    katzenjammer
    Participant

    Since topic has been opened slightly, Meadow-dweller Nicky and current roomie Dorry – indoor only. If I had fenced in property might re-think, but live on top floor of condo in big concrete jungle as Montreal, with even peeps at risk from major traffic intersection right outside, and in my own neighbourhood too many posters of “Lost Cats” catch my eye and my heart. I have toys for my boy and he sits on window sills, don’t think he’s missing much as he knows no other way.

    24 August, 2014 at 9:05 pm #816609
    Buttons
    Moderator

    Generally indoor outdoor debate is not allowed to be discussed as some people feel very strongly about their own situations but as your asking primarily for advice on how to keep your kitten happy while indoors… All good advice has been given .. Scratch posts are a must … 🙂

    24 August, 2014 at 10:19 pm #816614
    Judith
    Participant

    Thank you everyone- really helpful advice. I am going scratch post/cat tree shopping tomorrow- didn’t get round to it today. Dru will be one happy kitty. One of the things that turns me to mush is how happy she is with anything I do for her. Bit of newspaper tied to a string? She’s entranced. Plastic binding tape from boxes of printer paper? Wowsers that’s cool! A couple of cat biscuits wrapped in a bit of paper? Well, suffice to say, very well received. She is just adorable. I feel fairly sure all kitties are pretty wonderful but Dru and I got each other and I think we are both excessively happy with that:)

    24 August, 2014 at 10:47 pm #816616
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    I agree with Buttons. You were not asking for in/out feedback, only suggestions on making the most of an indoor kitty’s life. No rules broken. If someone came on and started about your decision, the thread would simply be closed and the comment deleted, for that poster would have broken the rules.
    I inherited a sofa bed, gently used by a little old lady, my Aunt M. The cats started clawing at it immediately! I put double sided tape on it ASAP, but some damage was already done. The only piece of furniture I really wanted to keep nice. Could they claw the 30 year old couch a few feet away? Noooo!
    When I was a kid the best interactive toy ever was crumpled paper tied to a string, and the best play by yourself toy was crumpled aluminum foil!

    25 August, 2014 at 4:42 am #816638
    Buttons
    Moderator

    🙂 Noodle is obsessed with paper balls too Joan.. We use them to distract him when he attempts to kill our feet 😆

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