Hello all - my boyfriend and I just got a gorgeous 1 year old tomcat from a cat rescue, only four days ago. He's the most gentle and affectionate cat I've ever seen!! He cuddles for hours with us on the sofa and follows us around for even more cuddles! (he also sleeps a lot during the day, I guess that's normal??) He doesn't seem to be interested in playing at all, he's generally not very active - not what I expected from such a young cat!
We have agreed to not have him in our bedroom at night. He was fine the first few nights, last night he cried a bit more outside our bedroom door and started scratching it too. It was not too annoying - a pair of earplugs works wonders! ;-)) and I really really want to stick to not having him in the bedroom. (He's allowed in during the day).
Now, sofar he has been an indoor cat, living with other cats. He seems to be perfectly happy at the moment without cat colleagues around but I worry that he might get lonely at some point, especially because he's such a cuddle-cat! We are wondering what the better option would be - to let him try to venture outside for some social networking and adventure or to get a second cat and keep them both inside. We live on the first floor he would have access to a large garden through the backdoor on the ground floor, the street is residential (speed bumps) and fairly quiet but in a city. I just worry because he's not used to being outside at all and he's a bit of a softie...
In your experience - what makes a cat happier? If you had to chose one - what would you do??

Well I have done both LOL. I have two cats - for company for one another. And they also go outside - I live in a very safe, rural area. And I love to see them strolling about in the garden, chasing the butterflies and snoozing in the sun. I would hate to be couped up indoors so I wouldn't want the same for my cats.

It's quite a difficult decision, mine are indoor cats just cos i feel happier knowing they are safe, but I take them outside occassionally on a harness, so it's up to you how you feel. We have 2 cats to keep each other company and they do play together sometimes but aren't close, i don't think they'd be hugely bothered if they were to be on their own, but i like knowing they have each other during the day. It's all down to personal choice, how much room you have in your home and the area you live in.....

Sorry meant to also say ours aren't allowed in the bedroom at all (well occassionally they get in) but generally the door is closed to them. Dexter was a menace to begin with yowling and clawing at the door but he's settled now and only does it when the alarm goes off in a morning. The main reason is he'd spend all night chewing my face if we let them in, and Poppy sleeps on my clothes in the wardrobe (not good when going out) so is more practicalities than anything.

I guess I just need someone to tell me that I'm not a horrible cruel person if I keep him out of the bedroom at night ...
My boyfriend is a bit worried about the 'double responsibility' of having two cats instead of one. We're both worried about letting him out (even though before we got him we were perfectly prepared to have an outdoor cat - but it's different when you've got your own and you become emotionally attached I guess...), but the lady at the cat rescue said that even though he is used to being inside, tomcats in general 'don't make good indoor cats' and that eventually he will want to get outside/ get bored inside. Does anyone have an opinion on that?
thanks

Surely if you got him from a rescue he's been neutered?

Anyway, if the area is safe, he'll probably love to go out - and I woudl guess he will prefer that to having another cat, though of course you could do both!

Liz

Yeah I'd wait a lot longer before deciding, see what his personality is like. The Blue Cross recommended keeping our cat in for 3 weeks but we kept her in for 5-6 weeks before we first let her out. She'd be perfectly happy to be an indoors cat, and most days she is, but I think it's good for her to get some fresh air sometimes.

thank you for all your comments! I'm still confused though
I will certainly keep him in for another few weeks, the cat rescue I used to volunteer for in Germany recommended 4 weeks inside. Also he's getting his first course of vaccinations this weekend so he's not going anywhere anyway until that's all sorted. I'll keep my fingers crossed that he's not a big adventurer I just don't want him to be unhappy that's all *sigh*

I suppose you could always make being inside as exciting as poss for him i.e make him look for his food by hiding it things like that xx