Advice wanted!!!

Hello,

I am wanting to get some advice! I am looking to adopt two cats and as a first time potential cat owner want to make sure I am able to offer the best care before I even embark on a search for two companions.

Whilst I would dearly love two cats I live on a first floor flat. Whilst I do have my own access to my flat I (at ground floor level. I am unable to fix a cat flap to my stupid door (long story don;t ask) I also do have a garden that I would fix into a cat haven where they could spend the day (rather than keep them indoors whilst I am out to work) The cat haven in my garden would be an out house for them that would have bedding, water, food and an additional litter tray with scratching toys and other toys. This out house would have a cat flap that only my cats could get in and out of as they please. They would of course come in over the night.

Whilst it is a complicated set up I just wonder if this is a sound idea or is it best to wait untill I have better accomodation? Which could be some time. Does any one have the same set up? How do they cope.

Like I say this is just asking at this stage ... I just want to be sure this is in the best intersts of the cats before I go any further... rather than go ahead and find out it doesn't.. Please help... is this a pipe dream or something that could happen... thanks for any advise.

Depending on where you are from (US/Canada/Europe), you will get many different answers. Most of us North Americans feel cats are safer and live longer if kept indoors while in Europe they usually have indoor/outdoor cats. After paying vet fees of around $1,000 so far for Bijou because my husband insisted he wanted to go out, I have to agree that it is safer and also much cheaper to keep them inside. Bijou now is an indoor only cat, finally, thank goodness. My hubby is Dutch and tight with the money so that's what it took to convince him to keep Bijou inside.

Some folks build or buy cat enclosures with lovely runs to erect in their backyards but they can be costly. Some of us have trained our cats to harness and leash so they can go out with supervision.

If you decide to get 2 cats and allow them outside, I think it is important that you be prepared financially should they eat something they shouldn't, get hurt or bitten by another animal, etc.

I am intrigued about your plan for your garden. Will it be enclosed so that the cats can't get out to roam the streets and so other animals can't get in?

Most of us on this board agree that keeping your cat indoors is best for their long-term health, and if you acquire your kitties when they aren't used to the outdoors, then they will usually be content to not roam around the neighborhood. But if your cat haven is enclosed so that they can't escape, and no other animals can come in, then that is as safe as keeping them inside all the time.

Wise points my friend that you should to consider,.... A Cat is not an object.....Is a member of your family the day that enter at your home....

Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina

y Milky

te saludan!!!........

(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina and Milky say hello to you!!!... )

Please feel as you home here, we can learn so much and deep about our kittys in this marvelous site, I just only please ask you read the rules and other stuffs that can help you to feel as you Real home!.. here you have the link my friend.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82565

Please ask whatever you need to know, there are plenty of good members and of course our tireness Mod´s to help us here!....

See you on the forums!, Glad that you join us!

Hi there

we're so happy to get the chance to welcome you and your furfamily to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions

Hope you get some help with your questions - as others have said, views on indoor only/indoor-outdoor kitties varies according to where you live. I have a mixture of indoor only and indoor/outdoor; any future kitties would be indoor only or with a secure outdoor enclosure.