Thinking of getting an inside cat? There are quite a few
factors to consider when choosing an inside cat over a free roaming inside cat.
These are five of the main ones that I have personally become aware of after my
daughter adopted Motsie, a Keetso cat from the RSPCA just a few weeks ago (read all about it, here).
Claw Care
As soon as Motsie arrived at her new home there was one
thing that was very noticeable. As she walked and ran across the floor a
distinctive tap, tap, tapping noise was noticeable. Not only that, several
times a day her paws were getting caught on her blankets, the throws on the
sofa, shaggy rug and scatter cushions. After a trip to the vets, Motsie had her
nails trimmed and the vet said this was something that would need to be done
every few weeks.
The reason for this is unlike outside cats, indoor cats have
very few opportunities to run the claws down naturally. You can find great
scratching posts but in many cases this won’t be enough. Thankfully, trimming the
claws of a cat isn’t as difficult as it sounds and Motsie didn’t bat an eyelid
while having her ‘manicure’. If you
notice your indoor cat getting caught on fabrics, or hear the tapping sound
when walking, take a trip to the vets. Watch how it is done and buy yourself a
decent pair of cat nail trimmers.
Exercise
Indoor cats can and often do become overweight. Obesity in
cats is a problem and can lead to serious health issues. Treat your indoor cat
to plenty of toys that will encourage movement and spend time every day playing
games that encourage running, climbing and jumping.
Invest in activity centres, position and secure high-level furniture
and cat shelves around the home and use food in games and activities such as
feeding balls. Another option is to add a cat enclosure or catio onto the
garden area to allow for outside playtime while still restricting outdoor
exploration.
Companionship
Indoor only cats require good company to help them remain
happy and content. This can be a combination of people and other pets in the
family home. Certain breeds require more companionship than others, but all
will want social interaction.
Some breeds will want to have almost constant company during
their awake time, so do make sure you are able to be at home enough for your
chosen breed. Many homes are filled with at least one person at any given time
in the day. Will you be able to provide enough companionship for your chosen
breed? Do your research before picking the cat for your family.
Safety
Indoor cats do have fewer risks to consider compared with
outside cats. You don’t need to worry about cars, theft, loss and so on.
However, it is important to be aware of high-rise syndrome. All windows should
be left closed or only opened enough to allow air to flow without the cat being
able to fall out or escape. Child window locks are a valuable addition.
Additionally, balconies and balconettes will need safety features added to
prevent falls and jumps. Cat balconies are affordable and easy to install.
Other safety concerns are the same as indoor cats. Make sure
all plants and flowers in the home are non-toxic to cats. Lock away chemicals known
to cause health problems, such as diffusers and cleaning products. All furniture
should be attached to the walls, cables hidden or encased to prevent chewing and
so on.
Diet
As mentioned earlier, indoor cats often have weight problems
caused by inactivity. Furthermore, they don’t get as much ‘natural foods’ that
they would hunt and catch in the wild. Choose good quality foods with high protein
content, low in calories and moisture rich. You can feed treats but try to
involve the treats in games and training rather than simple grazing.
Do you have an indoor cat? Let us know any indoor issues and
solutions you came up with thanks to your feline friend over on our Facebook page.
