2 questions come to mind:

1-How do you air the house and keep the cats inside?

2-Do indoor cats need a special diet?

Hi, I don't have a problem with airing the house. I can open several windows due to having mesh screens on them. Great idea for people with indoor cats. I am a breeder of Siamese and do not let me breeding cats go outside for reasons mentioned earlier in the discussion. The cats are happy as they have everything they want and need indoors. There are 2 or 3 companies who make these screens and they are terrific.

As for feeding, my cats get the best quality dried and wet food but nothing special for indoor cats. You can buy indoor cat food but I don't think it is necessary.

I have a few cats who live in a different part of the house and they have free access to go out in the garden but then I live nowhere near a road. I have the ideal spot for cats. Unfortunately most people are not so lucky.

I think it can depend on the cat.
I have two, one is a born hunter and would climb the walls if not allowed out, I struggled to keep him from bolting out the door as a kitten untill he was neutered and allowed out, he is well fed but still comes and sits on the doorstep several times during space of a day with a mouse.
My other cat however who I want to go out has to be forced, he just wants to sleep all day and night, maybe he'll change with age he's still only a kitten (7 months), if he doesn't change I will probably just give in and let him stay in.
I have to say though that we live in the country where there is minimal risk of accidents, if I stayed in the town I might have a different view on this matter.

Personally I think indoor, as both parties benefits are greater.

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If you let your cats out then you are always taking that risk, either road accidents, dog attacks, poisonous substances which neighbours do leave out. It's such a shame that these dangers are out there for cats.Yes some cats can live a long life being outside, but most don't. Whether they are young or old the dangers are always there.

both my girlies are indoor cats, this is because just as i got with my boyfriend, his 8month old cat got killed by a van and we had to go and collect her from the middle of the road!! not a pretty sight. we only lived on a quiet road too!

about a year later we got missy and she as never been out.. she doesnt seem unhappy about this and neither does lexi who we got about 6 month after missy. i wouldnt beable to rest if my cats went out, not knowing where they are.

i love my girls to bits and just feel happier them been in the house with me all the time, they get lots of attention, have lots of toys and eachother to play with

There is a perfect compromise he... cat proof gardens, if you can't buy the expensive kits then abit of diy goes along way. We are looking to buy a house and went to a viewing the other day with a fantastic homemade cat proofed garden. This site is very interesting Cat Proof Containment Fences & Fencing The system they had was cheap for a 140ft garden and about the same you'd pay for a pedigree kitten. My bengal goes out on her harness and loves it but my tiffanie isnt so good. As soon as we buy oue house i will definetely cat proof the garden.

I lost 2 cats when i was younger, we had 56 acres behind our house, lived on a country road that had one acre the otherside and then big houses, they still went across the road and they were ferile cats we had rescued as tiny kittens. I'd never go through that again or risk my cats lives, times have changed, roads are much busier and you cant trust anyone. Ive seen sooooo many cats killed on the road, i just dont see how people can let them out unless they live in the middle of nowhere!

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1 - i have a run outside or i shut them in one room or part of the house while i air that particular bit out.

2 - no they need a balanced good quality diet (above 50% meat content) just like everyother cat.

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There are 33,000 bunnies young, middle aged, old, large and small all looking for a second chance and loving home, can you help? www.rabbitrehome.org.uk



If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again.

Indoor is best in my opinion.